June 22, 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, June 22, 2023, at 7:31 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
S. Makropoulos
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
B. Waight
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, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PRESENTATION
Nick Kalogeresis and Andy Cross, from The Lakota Group, presented the City Council with a summary of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Kalogeresis stated that the Comprehensive Plan is a guide to augmenting the City’s tax base and increasing levels of service. The Plan was developed through the input of residents, a City Steering Committee, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency of Planning (CMAP). Resident input included three workshops at City Hall that were open to the public. Mr. Kalogeresis highlighted that shopping centers provided the most opportunity for development, that the City’s population is aging, and that the average household income has declined over time.
Andy Cross stated that the Plan has nine chapters and that the last chapter, which includes matrices, provides guidance for implementation. This section includes action steps, work plans, funding resources and tools.
Mayor Howley thanked Public Works Sue Lehr, the volunteer Steering Committee, Alderman Purtill and other officials who assisted with input for the Plan.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Mayor Howley requested if anyone wanted to speak during the public portion of the meeting. No one responded. The meeting was closed to the public.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 8, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley proposed that the Hickory Hills seasonal newsletter be restarted. B. Allen Graphics will provide these services after providing a competitive bid. Prospective newsletters, which will be printed three times a year, can include a glossy version.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Stachnik noted that all Aldermen need to set-up multi-factor authorization for their City emails. Clerk Stachnik is currently reviewing organizations that can assist the City with codifying the City Ordinances.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka noted that all City Council members have been provided with a Final 2023/2024 Budget Packet.
CITY ATTORNEY
Public Hearing – Mayor Howley opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the 2023/2024 Appropriation Ordinance. No one from the public commented. The Public Hearing was then closed.
Ord. 22-11 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #23-08, an ordinance providing for a budget and appropriation for corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #23-08. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of June 2023 in the amount of $292,100.08. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, 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 stated that Public Works met with ComEd to review the City’s Load Shed Report. ComEd reported that in 2022 the City experienced 99.9% reliability in service which is up from 98.6% in 2021. Outage reasons included intentional maintenance, accidents, weather, animal and tree related issues. Director Lehr reported that line clearance is on a four-year cycle to reduce vegetation related interruptions and that ComEd has already trimmed 23 miles this year. Director Lehr noted that she has another meeting with ComEd to discuss the 76th Ave parcel cleanup.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill discussed Audree’s that will be located at 8847 W. 87th St. once a business license is approved. The business will provide private events such as small weddings, bridal showers, baby showers and other receptions in addition to corporate and networking events. Council members requested additional information regarding the proposed layout. Alderman Purtill will reach out to the prospective owner for additional information.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported that LRS started the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste pick-up programs last week. He also noted that LRS sent flyers to all City residents.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported there are currently 37 crafters, 15 food vendors, 17 businesses and 51 entries for the car show that are registered for the Street Fair.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Howley reminded residents that the Farmer’s Market is Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at City Hall. Alderman McHugh noted that the Roadhouse will block their parking lot during the Street Fair for a bean bag competition.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.