March 10, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes

March 10, 2022 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, March 10, 2022 at 7:31 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley lead the pledge of allegiance.

Mayor Howley lead the Council in a moment of silence for peace in the Ukraine

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

  • Mayor, M. Howley
    Aldermen, 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
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Police Chief, C. Hobart
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar

Alderman Ferrero and Building Commissioner Moirano were absent. There being a quorum present the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 24, 2022 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Correction: Last page, last sentence the word “Aye” was misspelled. Roll call:
Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley congratulated Alderman Kman on the birth of his new grandson. He also congratulated the Clerk’s Office on winning first place in the Scarecrow Contest sponsored by the Hills Chamber of Commerce.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone announced the deadline for the spring newsletter is April 1st.

Clerk Catizone distributed information regarding a proposal from “Text My Gov.” This is a program that uses smart texting technology to communicate with citizens. She asked the Council to review the information and get back to her if the Council would be interested in this program.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka distributed a memo which outlined the 2022-2023 budget meeting schedule.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar stated the City will now hold a public hearing for the purposes of receiving comments on the proposal to sell the following bonds: Not to exceed $16,000,000 taxable general obligation bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2022 to fund all or a portion of the district’s unfunded Police Pension Fund Liability.

The Public Hearing was opened at this time (7:25 p.m.). No one spoke during this portion of the hearing. Public Hearing was closed at 7:35 p.m.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented the bids submitted at the letting of March 7, 2022 for the 82nd Court and 94th Street drainage improvements. The list of bidders with their respective bids are as follows:

Mauro Sewer Construction, Inc. $116,831.00
Suburban General Construction, Inc. $130,628.00
Holiday Sewer & Water Const., Inc. $141,172.00
H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc. $145,209.00
Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. $162,300.00
($162,060.00 corrected)

The Engineer’s estimate of cost for this project was $83,010.00. The project was initially bid in August 2021 and the lowest received bid was $136,615.00 or 63% over the estimated cost. The project rebid and as shown the lowest received bid was $116,831.00, a reduction of $19,784.00 from the initial bid. He is recommending the project be awarded to Mauro Sewer Construction, Inc. Alderman Purtill moved to award the contract in the amount of $116,831.00 to Mauro Sewer Construction, Inc. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussion on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program:

City Engineer Mike Spolar gave a background overview:

Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating sewers and ditches and the areas tributary into these sewers and ditches that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States and detention basins.

In 2003, the Illinois EPA (IEPA) required all Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) to describe how they were going to comply with the statewide general permit conditions. Each MS4 community was required to obtain an NOI and have a fully implemented program, addressing each of the six minimum controls (as identified by the EPA). The NOI was last updated by the city in 2021. The city is currently working on an update to the NOI and has 150 days to submit it to the IEPA.
In the past years, Mr. Spolar has described how the city met the six minimum control measures, and now that information is available on the City’s website.

The City of Hickory Hills is meeting the MS4 permit requirements thru the following activities:
1. Developed a storm water management program comprised of best management practices (BMP’s) and measurable goals for six minimum control measures.
2. Submitted a completed Notice of Intent along with periodic updates.
3. Submission of annual facility inspection reports.
4. The city posts the NOI, storm water management program plan, and the annual facility inspection reports on its city website.
IEPA also requires a public hearing for each town in the MS4 Program. Tonight’s meeting is an educational opportunity to learn more about the program and there is more information available on the City’s and IEPA websites for those not able to participate in tonight’s meeting.

There was no public comment. Mayor Howley closed the Public Hearing.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of March 2022 in the amount of $761,940.42. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik expressed his thoughts on why he voted nay at the last meeting with regards to the pension bonds that were approved at that same meeting. He wanted to point out his opinion on the elements of risk.
He stated in the past he has tried to reduce the head count in the Police Department to keep costs down. He also explained the risks he felt the city was taking borrowing these bonds.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr reported AM Tree Service, the contractor doing the tree trimming work this season, is almost complete. 560 trees of six inches or more in diameter were trimmed in Ward 3. Common pruning reasons were dead/dying branches, obstructions to signs, traffic or pedestrians, crown raising and to establish good structure. This program allows the city to work proactively instead of reactively for a healthy tree canopy.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented one business license application for LA Tax; Inc. located at 7834 W. 95th Street. No objections were noted.

Alderman Purtill thanked everyone for their expression of sympathy on the passing of his mother-in-law.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported for the month of February 2022, “At Your Door Service” collected 1,720 pounds of recycling with 22 stops.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight reported the Hills Chamber will host their Business Expo on Saturday, March 19th at Conrady Jr. High.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Waight inquired if the Mayor was in contact with IDOT regarding the truck parking under the power lines on 76th Avenue. Mayor Howley noted he is waiting on a response from IDOT.

Alderman McHugh wanted the dates of the Street Fair. Mayor Howley noted the date is Sunday, August 28th. Also, Saturday, August 27th for the concert. Some discussion on the Street Fair bands and more information will follow.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Waight moved to adjourn this meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.