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September 14, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

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September 14, 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, September 14, 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
    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
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Alderman Makropoulos was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

PRESENTATION FOR STEERING COMMITTEE

Certificates of gratitude were presented to members of the City’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Committee members included: Syed Imam, Pat Purtill, Donna Kman, Phyllis Majka, Edie Lenz, Jeannie Stachowiak, Joan Murphy and Wanda Wagner. The committee first met in the Fall of 2021 and throughout the project provided invaluable expertise on wellness, transportation, development, real estate needs, education journeys, business demands, community needs and goals. Mayor Howley thanked Director Lehr for coordinating the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Howley and Director Lehr also thanked the volunteers for all their contributions. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 24, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented a Proclamation recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention and Action Month. Mayor Howley read the Proclamation.

Mayor Howley presented an Intergovernmental Agreement for co-sponsoring of the 2023 Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk with North Palos School District No. 117 on October 28, 2023.

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the agreement with the School District. Alderman Zimmerman second. There were no changes within this agreement relative to previous years’ agreements. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik presented an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County Public Health for health inspections to City businesses. The price will remain at $100.00 an inspection. The Agreement will be effective from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the Cook County Public Health agreement. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Clerk Stachnik reminded Council members to complete the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. Clerk Stachnik also noted that the Hickory Hills Herald Fall Newsletter will be mailed out this month.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka reported that the Treasurer’s Department consolidated numerous bank accounts.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #23-09, an ordinance authorizing the sale of personal property through the public auction process. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #23-09, approving the Ordinance to allow the auction of personal property by the Southwest Conference of Mayors on October 14, 2023. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #23-10, an ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for the Police Department parking lot permeable pavement project which includes a maximum $675,000 grant reimbursement to the City. This grant award was increased from the original award of $500,000. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #23-10, approving the Ordinance to accept assistance services as detailed within the Intergovernmental Agreement. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported that the Police permeable pavement project will start within a week.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of September 2023 in the amount of $1,823,068.73. Approximately $1.4 million of this amount is for three City road improvement projects. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman reported that A.J. Gallagher, the City’s broker, estimated a general insurance premium increase of 10% to 15%. This estimated premium increase was budgeted for this year. A final policy recommendation will be presented to the finance committee by A.J. Gallagher within the next two weeks for approval and renewal effective October 1, 2023.

Fonte/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that Public Works will be ordering two vehicles from Napleton Ford through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Service: A Ford F150 for $42,000 and a transit cargo van for $55,000. These two vehicles will replace older vehicles. The transit van will replace the existing meter van. A 2000 GMC Sierra will be auctioned.

Director Lehr also provided a roadway update for the 87th Street and Roberts Road intersection project. The contractor will need to close the designated left turn lane from Southbound Roberts to Eastbound 87th Street for approximately ten days. The turn lane will be closed on September 19th and re-opened on the 29th. A detour route will be posted at 79th Street.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported that bathroom and counter improvements will be made at the Community Center.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented four business license applications for: Dental Ave Inc. located at 7608 W. 95th Street (a Dental Office for emergency and family dental services), Arctic Training Center at 8720 S. 88th Avenue (a Martial Arts School), Captain Coolers Inc. located at 7730 W. 96th Place (seller of walk-in coolers and restaurant equipment), and Goldmark Coin & Bullion Inc. located at 7667 W. 95th Street (seller of coin and bullion). No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported that the Halloween Party will include four characters, face painting, a magician and the bat mobile.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Fonte presented a block party request for 94th Street at Kean Avenue on September 24, 2023. No objections were noted.

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, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.