July 8, 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, July 8, 2021 at 7:35 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
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
- Police Chief, C. Hobart
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Aldermen Kman and Stachnik were absent. There being a quorum present the meeting was called to order.
Swearing In Ceremony
At this time, Lt. Mark Benaitis was sworn in as Deputy Police Chief of the Hickory Hills Police Department by City Clerk, D’Lorah Catizone.
Chief Hobart stated Mark Benaitis came to the Hickory Hills Police Department in April 1997. His badge was pinned on by his wife while his two sons watched. A reception followed.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second.
Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Nicholas Sanchez was congratulated by the Mayor and City Council on reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He had already received the Arrow of Light Award as a Cub Scout. He has also earned three Eagle Palms. Each palm is granted after the scout earns five merit badges after being elevated to Eagle. His Eagle Project was to design and build four rolling wardrobe cabinets, which will hold 100 uniforms for the Stagg Marching Chargers. In addition to building the cabinets, he sought out donors in the community to provide the supplies needed for the project.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 24, 2021 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Minutes Correction: Page 2, Correct spelling of person speaking to the Council is Ms. Mary Fontana of the Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2021.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
No report submitted.
CITY CLERK
No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2021 for approval. Alderman Waight moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2021. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
Ord. 21-7 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #21-7, an ordinance amending Section 30.01, of Chapter 30, Housing and Property maintenance, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by adopting the 2021 International Maintenance Code. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ordinance #21-7. Alderman Waight second. Attorney Cainkar noted every three years, the City Council updates the version of the International Property Maintenance Code which is used by the City to enforce issues and violations with property maintenance. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ord. 21-8 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #21-8, an ordinance amending Chapter 31, Licenses, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing Section 31.12(b), Tobacco and Electronic cigarette dealers & specialty Dealer. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #21-8. This will reduce the number to four (4) tobacco specialty dealers. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ord. 21-9 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #21-9, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, Building Code, by adding Section 24.41, Occupancy and Leasing Prohibited, to the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman Purtill moved to approve Ordinance #21-9. Alderman Waight second. This ordinance prohibits building owners or managers to allow businesses to operate without a license from the City. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Spolar reported he has reviewed the bids that were submitted at the letting of July 1, 2021. All bids were correct and in order. The list of bidders with their respective bids are as follows:
Gallagher Asphalt Corp. $268,986.73
Lindahl Brothers, Inc. $271,483.57
K-Five Construction Corp. $280,690.82
The Engineer’s estimate of cost for this project was $271,963.00. Therefore, Mr. Spolar is recommending awarding the contract to Gallagher Asphalt Corp. for the bid amount of Two-Hundred Sixty-Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty-Six Dollars and Seventy-Three Cents ($268,986.73). Alderman Zimmerman moved to award contract for CDBG No. 2006-066 to Gallagher Asphalt Corp. in the amount of $268,986.73. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of July 2021 in the amount of $306,856.45. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman was absent. No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Ms. Lehr reported Public Works is looking to replace the Public Works building’s 31-year-old flat roof over the garage portion. They have done some in-house patching over the years but currently have a couple of leaks. They have gone out to bid and the responsible bidder was NRF at $65,000.00. This is a budgeted item. No objections were noted.
Ms. Lehr reported Cook County engineers are on strike and the contractors working on the project will not cross the
picket line.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported all is running well at Parkview Apartments.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill presented one business license application for Euphoria Daily Spa located at 8855 S. Roberts Road. No objections were noted and the license will be issued.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported she has been in touch with TCF Bank to use their field for the upcoming September Fest that is currently in the planning stage. The City Council agreed on September 25th as the day of this event. Further details to follow.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Ferrero voiced her concerns regarding a property in her Ward that has been in construction for over a year.
Mayor Howley noted Building Commissioner Moirano is working with owner.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn this meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.