July 13, 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, July 13, 2023, at 7:32 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
S. Makropoulos
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
S. Zimmerman - City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
- City Clerk, J. Stachnik
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Police Chief, J. Bray
Building Commissioner Moirano, Alderman Fonte and Alderman Waight were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Zimmerman moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Sophia Newman
8400 W. 85th Street
Ms. Newman voiced her concerns about cars speeding on 85th Street from 83rd Avenue to 84th Court and requested a speed bump or stop sign to slow vehicles. Police Chief Jason Bray will increase enforcement and investigate the viability of a speed bump or stop sign.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Police Department Swearing in Ceremony
Eduardo Terrazas was given the oath of Probationary Patrol Officer by Commissioner Cavalieri. Father Mol gave a blessing for the new hire. A small reception followed.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 22, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley reminded the City Council that the Hills Chamber of Commerce networking event was rescheduled from July 19 to July 26 at the Hickory Hills Country Club. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Howley noted that the City’s Comprehensive Plan will be presented for approval at the next City Council meeting.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk Stachnik asked the City Council to be alert to Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams where a fraudster impersonates a high-profile executive and attempts to trick an employee into transferring funds or sensitive information to a fraudster. Recently, BEC scam attempts have been emailed to City employees.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Cainkar presented the Radio Communication Officers Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Hickory Hills Radio Communication Operators Association for the period 2023 to 2027. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of July 2023 in the amount of $607,554.26. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Director Lehr reported that the tollway and county project at 87th Street and Roberts Road will close the entire intersection overnight for the weeks of July 17th through July 23rd for storm sewer installments. Closures will occur from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each evening. Roberts Park Fire Department will continue to ensure that emergency vehicles can respond to Hickory Hills.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported that two apartments at Parkview were recently filled.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill presented two business license applications: Audree’s located at 8847 W. 87th Street will host Wedding/Baby Showers and small networking events. No liquor license was requested. Boba Blast at 8623 W. 95th Street will sell Boba Tea, mini-pancakes and ice cream shakes. No objections were noted.
Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte was absent. Chief Bray requested and received approval to fill a Patrol Officer vacancy created by the retirement of Officer Jim Holt. The vacancy will be filled from the New Entry Patrol Officer Eligibility List or the Lateral Patrol Officer Eligibility List for Prohibitionary Policy Officer established by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero thanked the City Council, Mary Esposito, and volunteers for their participation in the Annual Street Fair which included service at the Bingo Tent, Beer Tent, Car Show and management of the Fair.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Waight was absent. No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.