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March 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

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March 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, March 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
    H. Kman
    M. McHugh (7:39 p.m.)
    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, J. Bray

Alderman Fonte was absent. 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Steve Makropoulos
HHPD Auxiliary Officer

Mr. Makropoulos attended the funeral of fallen Chicago Police Officer Andres Mauricio Vasquez Lasso, He thanked Chief Bray for the opportunity to show the City’s support.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 23, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley thanked Alderman McHugh and Building Commissioner Moirano for their work completing the railing repairs at the Community Center.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported the next Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the Community Center.

Clerk Catizone noted the Clerk’s office is working on the business license renewals that will be mailed out in April.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka reported the budget sheets for the 2023-2024 budget will be distributed at the end of next week.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #23-03, an ordinance approving a Special Use to permit construction of new school
buildings, including a classroom addition, conversion of existing school buildings, and construction of two parking lots, at Conrady Jr. High School. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #23-03. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

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).
In the past years, Mr. Spolar has described how the City met the six minimum control measures, but that information is now available on the City’s website.
Instead, he just highlighted some key items that occurred in this past reporting period.
1) Information is available on City’s website related to Flood Risks, Clean Water beginning at your home, Auto Maintenance, Hazardous Leaks and Spills, and the Refuse, Recycling and Yard Waste program.
2) Additionally, the NPDES Annual Report and the Current NOI are also available under the Public Works City’s page.
3) The Waste Management “At Your Door” Program that provides a responsible method to dispose of numerous unwanted items, including paint, motor oil, electronics, batteries and unused garden chemicals.
Examples of the City’s 6 Minimum Control Measures from the NOI are as follows:
1) Public Education and Outreach is done with newsletter articles and information on City Website.
2) Public Participation/Involvement is performed at the annual Public Hearing for NPDES.
3) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination is accomplished with the updates to the City’s storm sewer atlases.
4) Construction Site Runoff Control is performed by having standards for silt fences and erosion control devices for construction projects.
5) Post-Construction Runoff Control is handled thru City Ordinances.
6) Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping is completed with training of City staff, street sweeping, and recycling of used materials.
There was no public comment at this time. Mayor Howley closed the Public Hearing.

Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #23-06, a resolution approving the 2023 CDBG Project application in the amount of $400,000.00 for improvements of Veteran’s Park. Alderman Waight moved to approve Resolution #23-06, approving the CDBG Grant application. Alderman Stachnik 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 March 2023 in the amount of $401,413.06. 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

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr reported Public Works has submitted the City’s Annual Water Audit information to the IDNR for the reporting period 10/2021 through 9/2022. Non-revenue water by volume for the City was under the IDNR’s 10% threshold. She noted Public Works diligently tries to keep this number down as it can be highly varying, Our annual leak survey completed by a contractor will start in the next few weeks.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented one business license application for a temporary greenhouse to be located at 8801 W. 87th Street. This will open on April 15th. No objections were noted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported she is working on the Arbor Day Trees Sale Event and Street Fair.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight reported the Chamber will hold its Business Expo on Saturday, March 25th at Conrady Jr. High.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Commissioner Moirano reported the new windows for City Hall will be installed at the end of March.

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 7:45 p.m.