August 24, 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, August 24, 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
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
- Police Chief, J. Bray
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Public Works Director Lehr was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
POLICE DEPARTMENT SWEARING IN CEREMONY
Maxwell Engstrom was given the oath of Probationary Patrol Officer by Commissioner Cavalieri. Father Mol gave a blessing for the new hire. A small reception followed.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Purtill moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 10, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Makropoulos Pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented a Proclamation commemorating the week of September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week in honor of the two-hundred thirty-sixth anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Mayor Howley also presented a Proclamation for National Payroll Week commemorating payroll professionals.
Mayor Howley thanked the Public Works and Police Departments for their dedication during the past couple days of extreme heat. Mayor Howley noted that the Hickory Hills Senior Club will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary at Camelot Banquets on August 31st.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk Stachnik noted it is that time of year again for setting the trick or treat hours. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have trick or treating on Tuesday, October 31st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Clerk Stachnik asked the Council Members to submit any additional articles for the Fall Newsletter by the end of the week.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2023 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2023. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Mike Spolar stated that he received two bids for the Police Station Parking Lot Project. He recommended that the Council accept the lowest bid submitted by Everlast Blacktop, Inc. in the amount of $1,005,938.25. Everlast Blacktop has experience with brick pavers and similar parking lot improvement projects. This project’s costs are partially funded by a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago (MWRD) grant in the amount of $500,000.
Alderman Zimmerman moved to award this contract to Everlast Blacktop, Inc. in the amount of $1,005,938.25. Alderman Kman Second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of August 2023 in the amount of $144,883.83. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Fonte/Public Safety
Police Chief Jason Bray stated that the Hickory Hills Park District Carnival was cancelled today due to extreme heat.
Zimmerman/Public Works
No report submitted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh stated that one individual stopped by the Community Center today which served as the City’s cooling center.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill presented a business license application for Acupressure Foot Massage located at 8829 W. 87th Street. No objections were noted.
Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor
Alderman Makropoulos stated that he is providing mentorship to the two new auxiliary policy officers who were recently hired.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero read a letter she received from Elsie’s Food Pantry thanking the City Council for the donation of the proceeds from the Hickory Hills Street Fair.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.