September 9, 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, September 9, 2021 at 7:31 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 Treasurer, A. Vodicka
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- Police Chief, C. Hobart
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present the meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Girl Scout Recognition
Sarah DuMoulin of Hickory Hills and Allison Schmidt of Palos Hills, both from Girl Scout troop #50674, have been awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award- the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award in the world for innovative, go-getting girls. Only 5% of Girl Scouts meet the rigorous peer review process to earn it. Through their Gold Award, Girl Scouts tackle a local/global issue and create a sustainable solution. Dating back to 1916, the award gives girls a platform to improve their communities—and the world.
For their Gold Award, both girls decided to address the issue of pollinator decline. They did this by constructing and planting pollinator gardens. Allison turned a 1/3 acre “forest” at the Church of the Transfiguration in Palos Park into a pollinator garden using native Illinois plants. This two-year project included clearing invasive species from the site, spreading wood chips to create a base and planting native species. Sarah turned a 12′ x 24′ area in the north lawn at A.A. Stagg High School in Palos Hills into a pollinator garden. This three-year project included adding 7 cubic feet of top soil to make a raised planting bed consisting of 54 plants made up of 9 types of Illinois native sun loving perennial plants.
Sarah and Allison are Seniors at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School. Both girls collectively spent well over 200 hours researching, planning, communicating, budgeting, and leading their teams to complete their projects. These two girls have persevered in their efforts to change the world for the better. They are proud to call themselves Girl Scouts for the last 12 years and they embody the definition of a Girl Scout: a “Go-getter, an Innovator, a Risk-taker, a Leader”.
At this time, Mayor Howley presented the girls with a small token of appreciation.
The second Girl Scout Recognition, Mayor Howley read the following;
Kathryn DuMoulin and Samantha Reynolds from Hickory Hills, and Angel Bixby from Brookfield, all from Girl Scout Cadette Troop #55410, have earned the outstanding Girl Scout Silver Award which is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can receive. In order to receive this award, the girls first had to complete a Girl Scout Cadette leadership journey badge. The troop worked on the Cadette “aMAZE” journey badge. The journey talks about how to develop true friendships, navigate cliques, and move beyond stereotypes, with the ultimate goal of peace in your interpersonal relationships. Over the course of several meetings, the girls freely shared their thoughts and ideas pertaining to the topics of bullying, peer pressure, cliques and gender stereotypes. After completing the badge work, the girls will worked on the “take action” portion of this journey. It was comprised of two parts. First, they made posters for the Green Hills Public Library. The posters promoted anti-bullying, kindness, and respecting one’s space. The posters were hung in the library’s teen space. Second, each girl completed 100 random acts of kindness. Each girl logged each act and at the end, summarized their thoughts about the project, how it made them feel, and why it’s so important to promote kindness in today’s society. After earning the journey badge, the girls began focusing on a way to make a difference in their community. The girls decided the Silver Award would be earned through a community take action service project to help animals in local area shelters. In order to fund their projects, the girls sold hundreds of Girl Scout cookies and nut and candy items through fundraisers over the past two years. For their Silver Award project, the girls collectively spent over 160 hours of their time researching, purchasing, seeking donations and creating cat and dog toys and blankets. For each type of item that was made, the girls wrote detailed instructions. These instructions, along with a sample of each of the 6 pet toys and blankets were put on display at the Green Hills Public Library this summer. Patrons could see first-hand the items the girls were working on and were able to take home a copy of the instructions so they could make it themselves. In total, the troop made 20 dog blankets, 15 cat, 29 dog bottle toys, 24 cat feather toys, 1 cat scratcher made from corrugated cardboard boxes, 20 cat sock toys, and over 1000 braided dog toys made from recycled t-shirts and jeans.
Congratulations to these amazing Girl Scouts!
Ms. Sophia Newman
8400 W. 85th Street
Ms. Newman noted she was present to get an update on what is happening with the traffic safety issue. She still has concerns with residents speeding on side streets.
Mayor Howley announced a resident meeting is tentatively set for Thursday, September 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the Hickory Hills Community Center.
Mr. Walsh
8610 W. 92nd Street
Mr. Walsh stated he was present at this evening’s Council meeting to express his concerns regarding the property located at 8620 W. 92nd Street. He noted his wife attended the last Council meeting and expressed her concerns with this property. The property has been remodeling for over a year and looks like an eyesore. Mr. Walsh asked what the City is doing with regards to permits. Mayor Howley stated the City Attorney is reviewing legal options that the City has to deal with this property
Frank Scelfo
8540 W. 92nd Street
Mr. Scelfo expressed his disappointment in the lack of progress at 8620 W. 92nd Street.
Mrs. Para
9150 86th Court
Resident voiced her concern over the nuisance property located at 8620 W. 92nd Street. She noted she has talked with the City’s ordinance officer and he has issued tickets for this property. She stated this can’t go on. Mayor Howley noted he is very sorry and agrees something must be done.
Genevieve Doyle
9400 S. 85th Avenue
Ms. Doyle voiced her concern over brush that is not cut back away from the street. Mayor Howley noted this is private property and the owner must maintain.
Tomas Naglak
8524 W. 89th Street
Mr. Naglak is present this evening to thank the Hickory Hills Police Department and the Public Works Department for the steps they have taken to improve traffic on his street.
He also thanked Public Works for removing the tree on the parkway of the recent accident.
He would like to know when the memorial items will be removed. There is no set date to remove these items.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 26, 2021 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Purtill pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley mentioned the ribbon cutting for the pollinator garden is Friday, September 10th at 5:00 p.m.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone thanked the Hickory Hills Seniors for the lovely anniversary luncheon which was held on September 2nd at Camelot.
Clerk Catizone announced the newsletter article deadline is Friday, September 17th.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2021 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2021. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Treasurer Vodicka reported the City has received the first installment of the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and he and the City Attorney are currently working on appropriate use of these funds.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Cainkar presented the Public Works Contract for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Public Works Contract (May 1, 2021 – April 30, 2026). Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of September 2021 in the amount of $650,797.43. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman reported discussion of medical insurance coverage options took place with a representative of the City’s broker, Alliant/Miserow, and representative of City Hall, Public Works, and the Hickory Hills Police Department on August 24, 2021. Our recommendation is to renew the current policy through Blue Cross Blue Shield. On September 3rd feedback and consensus from all departments agree with this recommendation and renewal effective October 1, 2021. There will be an additional 2% discount for bundling with the BCBS dental plan. The new policy will incur approximately a 2.56% increase to the City. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the medical insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Lehr reported K5 and Cook County have asked for permission for a 3:00 a.m. start for paving of the intersection at 95th Street and Roberts Road on Thursday of this week. No objections were noted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported the parties are being booked at the Community Center as planned.
Alderman McHugh thanked the Police Department for their assistance with a tenant at Parkview.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported the Children’s Halloween Party will be held on Saturday, October 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A flyer of this event will be in the newsletter.
Alderman Ferrero noted the Tree Lighting will be held on November 30th.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Building Commissioner Moirano reported he has received drawings from Pizza Castle.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn this meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman
Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.