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July 27, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

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July 27, 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 27, 2023, at 7:33 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
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • City Clerk, J. Stachnik
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Deputy Police Chief, A. Gulczynski

Alderman Makropoulos, Alderman Purtill, Alderman Waight and Alderman Zimmerman were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Ferrero moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman McHugh moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 13, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. Alderman Fonte Pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Mike Howley presented the City’s Comprehensive Plan and thanked the Dakota Group, the Steering Committee, and all volunteers who worked on the plan. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley expressed condolences to Jim Evans, the Evans family and friends on the passing of Hickory Hills business owner Laurie Evans.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik reported that National Night Out will take place August 1st from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Kasey Meadow Park.

Clerk Stachnik reported that the Mosquito Abatement District stated that due to an abundance of standing and stagnant water built up in artificial containers, there has been an increase in West Nile Virus vector mosquitoes and virus amplification. Current weather trends are expected to continue with the high mosquito population and further amplification. Residents should remove all standing water to alleviate this issue.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2023, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2023. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Alderman Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Resolution #23-07, a resolution to accept Planning Technical Assistance Services delivered by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Pavement Management Plan. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Resolution #23-07, approving the Resolution to accept assistance services delivered by CMAP and the Intergovernmental Agreement. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported that the Maple Lane and 89th Street water main installation and service re-instatements project is almost complete. This project was partially funded by an Illinois DCEO grant.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of July 2023 in the amount of $158,499.38. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman presented a business license for Blue Horizon CDL, Inc. which will be located at 7701 West 95th Street. Blue Horizon CDL is a vocational school that will provide truck driving instruction at the same address vacated by Star Truck Driving School. The Hickory Hills Police Department and Cainkar Law Offices conducted thorough reviews that found Blue Horizon to be in good standing. No objections were noted.

Fonte/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Alderman Zimmerman was absent. Director Sue Lehr noted that the next round of DCEO grant agreements will take place in mid-August for the following projects: Kean Avenue, the Detention Pond expansion, Parkview parking lot and boilers.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill was absent. No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that yesterday’s Hills Chamber of Commerce networking event at the Hickory Hills Country Club was a positive interaction event for Chamber members.

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 Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.