October 13, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Howley on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following were present:
- Mayor, M. Howley
Aldermen, D. Ferrero
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
Alderman Fonte and Building Commissioner Moirano were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
POLICE PROMOTION
At this time, Mayor Howley administered the oath of office for the office of Police Chief to Lt. Jason Bray. Father Mol gave a prayer to the new Chief. A small reception followed.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ms. Diane Brown
9420 S. 85th Court Apt. 2S
Hickory Hills
Ms. Brown stated she is a seven (7) year resident of Hickory Hills. Her landlord raised the rent by $90.00 with no notice.
She is also concerned for an elderly neighbor who is being evicted from her apartment. Mayor Howley noted he would investigate this matter and get back to Ms. Brown.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, 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 September 22, 2022, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley noted the Council will need to make a decision on the trick or treat hours this year. After some discussion, the consensus the hours for trick or treating will be from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 31, 2022.
Mayor Howley noted the last Farmers Market will take place on Friday, October 14th. He also thanked the Hills Chamber, Clerk Catizone, and Alderman Ferrero for all their efforts to make the farmers market such a success.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone presented an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County Public Health for our health inspections to businesses. The price will remain at $100.00 an inspection. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Cook County Public Health agreement. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Clerk Catizone gave an update on the 5K. There are 125 runners signed up as of today.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2022, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2022. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
RES. 22-03 – Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #22-03 a resolution, approving MFT Funds in the amount of $38,000.00 for HMA pavement resurfacing of Kean Avenue from 87th Street to the City’s northern boundary. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #22-03. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mauro Sewer Invoice – Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #2205.2, estimate #2, (final) from Mauro Sewer Construction in the amount of $5,147.54. This is for work completed on the 82nd Court drainage improvements. Alderman Purtill moved to approve Invoice #2205.2 in the amount of $5147.54. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Invoice #41327 – Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #41327, estimate #3 (final) from Lindahl Brothers, Inc for work done on the 2022 MFT resurfacing program in the amount of $35,980.10. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice #41327 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $38,980.10. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
MFT/RBI Lindahl Bros. – Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #41390, estimate 2 (final) to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $105,604.50 for work done on Kean Avenue resurfacing Section #21-00064-00-RS. Alderman Kman moved to approve Invoice #41390 in the amount of $105,604.50 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October 2022 in the amount of $664,814.91. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Bray reported due to the recent retirement of Chief Hobart, he is seeking approval to fill vacancies that his retirement has created. This would include the hiring of a Probationary Police Officer, the promotion of an Officer to Sergeant, and the promotion of a Sergeant to Lieutenant.
If this request is approved, the Officer would be sworn in the end of December 2022 or beginning of January 2023. The other promotions would occur at the October 27th Council Meeting. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the above promotions are hiring. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Ms. Lehr reported Public Works has sent out proposals to remove eight (8) trees including grinding the stumps plus an additional fourteen stumps to be ground from trees removed by Public Works. This work will be completed by December 15th. The lowest proposal received was from Illinois Tree Service in the amount of $6,200.00. Public Works will issue a purchase order for this work to Illinois Tree Service, unless there is a concern. No objections noted.
Ms. Lehr distributed to the Council the proposed street program for 2023. Public Works proposes to use an estimated $590,000.00 MFT Funds for approximately two (2) miles of resurfacing. Ms. Lehr asked the Aldermen to review the list and call her with any concerns.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported there are three vacancies at Parkview.
Alderman McHugh announced the Thanksgiving Community Dinner will be held at the Community Center on November 3rd.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No report submitted.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Waight reported the last Farmer’s Market will be Friday, October 14th.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:19 p.m.