February 9, 2023 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, February 9, 2023, 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
B. Fonte
H. Kman
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
J. Stachnik
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
- Acting City Clerk, M. Esposito
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Police Chief, J. Bray
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Mayor Howley presented the Hickory/Palos Sertoma Club with a check in the amount of $3,120.00 which was the proceeds from the Howl through the Hills 5K Run that took place in October of 2022.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
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 and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 26, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
PATSE Bus – Mayor Howley reported he is in receipt of a letter from Palos Hills requesting annual financial support to the PATSE Bus Service in the amount of $12,010.95. This represents 1,271 rides for 26 residents of Hickory Hills. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve this financial support of $12,010.95 to Palos Hills for the PATSE Bus Service. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Hills Baseball/Softball Association – Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request for support of the Hills Baseball/Softball Association in the amount of $250.00. Alderman Waight moved to approve a $250.00 from the Discretionary Fund for the sponsorship to the Hills Baseball/Softball Association. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Liquor License – Mayor Howley presented the 2023 Street Fair Class E Liquor License for June 24th and 25th, 2023. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the 2023 Street Fair Class E Liquor License. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Executive Session – Mayor Howley explained that at the end of the meeting the elected officials will go into Executive Session for purpose of discussing employee compensation.
CITY CLERK
No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of February 2023 in the amount of $385,288.00. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Sue Lehr sent out a request for a proposal for this year’s sectional tree pruning of about 420 trees. This work will be done between 88th Avenue and 83rd Avenue from 91st Street to 95th Street in Ward 2. AM Tree Service was the lowest proposal at $16,436.00. The work must be completed by April 1st. Working with this contractor before led to lots of good comments about their work. The cost is a budgeted item with Public Works, and Director Lehr will issue a purchase order for this work. This will be the 4th year of doing tree pruning.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Things are going well at Parkview Apartments and all units are occupied. Alderman McHugh let the Council know that the Hills Chambers will be moving into the empty offices at the Community Center the weekend of February 10th thru 13th.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill is in possession of 2 business license applications.
1. Reichman Jewelers which will be moving into 7667 W. 95th Street.
2. Tequila Mucho which will be moving into the strip mall across from City Hall. It will be a sports bar/grill with salsa dancing. They want to be open by June 1st.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Street Fair Update: 1 Crafter, 2 Food Trucks, 1 Business which is the Chamber. Crafter and Food Vender applicants went in the mail today. Alderman Ferrero asked all of the Alderman to ask the businesses in their wards for donations/prizes for bingo. She asked if Bingo could be extended.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Howley expressed his thanks to the Public Works Department as they work in difficult weather conditions to repair water main breaks.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Howley acknowledged that John Szeszycki was in attendance at the meeting and praised the work that John’s two grandsons Mike and Joe Szeszycki did and their long 10-year journey to receive their Eagle Scout Badges. Mayor Howley expressed the gratitude for the scouts and their families for all of their support to these two fine young men.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Executive Session for purpose of discussing employee compensation. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight and Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting Adjourned into Executive Session at 8:03 p.m.