May 13, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7:32 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Howley lead the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following were present:
- Mayor, M. Howley
Aldermen, D. Ferrero
B. Fonte
H. Kman
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
J. Stachnik
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Attorney, B. Attard
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
- Police Chief, C. Hobart
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
Building Commissioner John Moirano was absent. There being a quorum present the meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Kman moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second.
Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
SWEARING IN CEREMONY
At this time, City Clerk Catizone swore in the following Aldermen.
Alderman Brian Waight – 1st Ward
Alderman Deborah Ferrero – 2nd Ward
Alderman Brian Fonte – 3rd Ward
Alderman Joseph Stachnik – 4th Ward
A fifteen (15) minute break was taken at this time for a short reception.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 22, 2021 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Kman, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Waight pass. (Alderman Stachnik not present). So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented a Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation. This proclaims May, 2021 as Motorcycle Awareness Month in the City of Hickory Hills. The City urges all motorists of Illinois to join the ongoing effort to improve safety and awareness on our streets and highways.
Mayor Howley noted the City has received a certificate from the Woman’s Club for allowing signs in Hickory Hills to prevent child abuse.
Mayor Howley announced Pizza Castle has submitted all their paperwork for a liquor license and this should be approved when fingerprinting is complete.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported in the City Hall lobby, the Community Affairs Committee have posted the Arbor Day Coloring Contest winners.
Clerk Catizone noted she attended the Hills Baseball Opening on Saturday.
Clerk Catizone reported the Clerk’s Office will have a table at the Chamber’s Business Expo on Saturday.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka reported he has met with Department Heads regarding the upcoming budget. He would now like to schedule a budget meeting for the Council. It was consensus to hold the budget meeting on Thursday, May 27th at 5:00 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Spolar presented Invoice No. 2 (final) from Spiess Construction for work done on the 99th Street Lift Station in the amount of $101,146.63. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice No. 2 in the amount of $101,146.63 from Spiess Construction. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. (Alderman Stachnik not present). So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of May 2021 in the amount of $330,992.17. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. (Alderman Stachnik not present). So approved.
Alderman Kman moved to approve an additional bills payable for payroll expenditures in the amount of $125,205.07. Alderman Waight second.
Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. (Alderman Stachnik not present). So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Hobart reported there will be a protest in Bridgeview on May 14th so there may be some traffic issues.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Lehr noted two employees, Jozek Piwowarcyzk and Marek Kopec have completed their heavy equipment operator trainee period. Both gentlemen have shown to have the skill set and experience necessary to complete the job of heavy equipment operator with competence. Their promotions will take effect as of May 1, 2021 at the current contract wage. No objections were noted.
Ms. Lehr reported IDOT contractor has started removal of sidewalks down 95th Street and will be replacing them with sidewalks that meet current ADA guidelines. This is a 2-month project.
Ms. Lehr stated the triangle project is coming along and the gazebo has been installed. Inside benches and pathways will be completed in the near future.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported all is running smoothly at Parkview Apartments.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill reported he is in receipt of three (3) business license applications. 1) Tax House to be located at 9525 W. 79th Avenue, Unit 7 2) Air Inc. to be located at 8847 W. 87th Street. 3) Job Solutions located at 9525 W. 79th Avenue.
This business will not be approved until Alderman Purtill can talk with the business owner as to the nature of this business. No objections were noted on the other two applications.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero thanked all who participated in the Arbor Day Food Drive. She noted over 2,000 pounds of food were collected for the Elsie’s Food Pantry.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Waight announced the Hills Chamber Business Expo will be held on Saturday, May 15th at Conrady Jr. High School.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Clerk Catizone introduced the idea to suspend the summer newsletter and go ahead with the fall newsletter in September. After some discussion, no objections were noted.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman McHugh reported he was approached by the Sock Bar and Grill for a 3:00 a.m. liquor license. Mayor Howley and the Council were not in favor of extended this liquor license.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn this meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.