October 12, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

October 12, 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, October 12, 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
    H. Kman
    S. Makropoulos
    M. McHugh
    P. Purtill
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Stachnik
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Alderman Fonte, Treasurer Vodicka and Police Chief Bray were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 28, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman, Mayor Howley aye. Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a temporary liquor license request from St. Patricia Parish. They are requesting a liquor license for the upcoming St. Patricia Ministry Partners Polka Party on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Alderman Purtill moved to approve a liquor license for the St. Patricia Ministry Partners Polka Party event with fees waived. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley thanked Director Lehr and Public Works for replacing faded road signs along 95th Street and Roberts Road.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik gave an update on the 5K Walk/Run race. There are 153 runners and 41 sponsors signed up as of today.

Clerk Stachnik noted that the City Council is invited to the Grand Opening for Century 21 New Beginnings on October 27th (4:00 p.m.) at 8714 S. Roberts Road. Clerk Stachnik stated that the Committee of the Whole Meeting will be October 26th before the Regular Meeting and the Veteran’s Day Presentation will take place at 6:00 p.m. on November 9th in the City Hall parking lot.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka was absent. No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #23-11, an ordinance levying taxes for general corporate and special purposes for Tax Year 2023 for the City of Hickory Hills in the amount of $1,983,728. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ordinance #23-11, approving the levying of taxes for general corporate and special purposes for Tax Year 2023 in the amount of $1,983,728. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved

CITY ENGINEER

City Engineer Mike Spolar stated that the Police Station Parking Lot Project’s excavation phase is mostly complete.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October 2023 in the amount of $488,406.67. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Public Works Director Lehr presented the City Council with the proposed street program for 2024. This year, MFT funds received from the state will allow for approximately 1.5 miles of rehabilitation from the 40 miles of City maintained streets. Director Lehr noted that material prices have significantly increased this past year.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that Parkview Apartments currently has no vacancy.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that the Halloween Trunk and Treat party has 17 participating vehicles to date and that entertainment includes the following: hayride, magician, face painter, scare crow contest, batman and give aways. The Hills Chamber of Commerce is donating juice for the event.

Alderman Ferrero has also scheduled the choir for the annual Tree Lighting.

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 Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.