August 11, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes

August 11, 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, August 11, 2022, at 7:34 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Howley asked for a moment of silence for Ken Fonte, Chairman of the Fire & Police Commission who passed away on Sunday July 24, 2022.

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 Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Police Chief, C. Hobart
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

At this time, Mayor Howley recognized three children, Saoirse O’Callaghan, Fiadh O’Callaghan and Jack O’Callaghan for their fundraising efforts to benefit an infant of domestic abuse. Each child was given an appreciation certificate and gift card. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Ferrero moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight 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 Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 28, 2022, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. Aldermen Fonte and Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented a proclamation for Constitution Week. The week of September 17th through September 23, 2022, will be celebrated as Constitution Week.

Mayor Howley noted he attended the Sertoma Installation Banquet and met new members last week.

Mayor Howley reported he met with resident, Patrick Shaunessy before the meeting. Mr. Shaunessy wanted to thank Jim Lizzo, Ordinance Officer for his assistance with an issue on his block.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone announced the City of Hickory Hills has been selected to participate in a new recycling pilot program through Waste Management. She will have more details in the coming weeks.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2022. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2022. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #22-274, final from Archon Construction Company in the amount of $142,520.00. This is the work done on the sanitary sewer manhole rehabilitation program. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #22-274 in the amount of $142,520.00 to Archon Construction Company. Alderman Waight Second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of August 2022 in the amount of $595,005.88. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Kman moved to approve a second bills payable for the second half of August 2022 in the amount of $12,057.00. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman distributed a memo outlining video gaming revenues for the year.

Alderman Kman noted he has over $600.00 in gift certificates for the Street Fair Bingo.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik read a memo from Chief Hobart explaining the promotions and new police hire. The memo stated Deputy Chief Mark Benaitis will be retiring as of September 15, 2022. The Probationary Patrolman would be hired from the Final Eligibility Register.

The Sergeant and Lieutenant positions will be filled with the top scoring candidate from the Final Sergeant Eligibility Register and the Final Lieutenant Eligibility Register. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the hiring of a Probationary Patrolman, the promotion of an Officer to Sergeant and the promotion of a Sergeant to Lieutenant. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Public Works Director Sue Lehr said that on August 17th from 5-7pm, at City Hall, a second Community Open House will be held for the City’s Comprehensive Plan. There will be interactive engagement stations to receive community input on the future of the City.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Things are going well at Parkview Apartments. We are just making a few adjustments.

Alderman McHugh stated the Building Department is obtaining bids for new windows at City Hall. This item will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented one business license application for W.A. Jewelers to be located at 8824 S. Roberts Road. No objections were noted.

Alderman Purtill introduced Mr. Peter Torres who donated a check in the amount of $5,000.00 for the Street Fair.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported for the month of July 2022 the “At Your Door Collection” recycled 1,969 pounds with 25 stops.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Street Fair Update: 23 Crafters, 8 Food, 9 Businesses and 34 Car Show Applicants. Alderman Ferrero and Purtill have been attending car shows and passing out flyers and applications.

Alderman Ferrero asked all of the alderman to ask the businesses in their wards for donations/prizes for bingo. Bingo will be from 10 am to 12 pm, and bands from 12 pm to 7:00 pm.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley announced the 5K Run/Walk will take place this year on Saturday, October 29, 2022.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn until the next regularly 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 8:36 p.m.