September 28, 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 28, 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, B. Fonte
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
Aldermen Makropoulos, Kman and Ferrero 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 Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 14, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley noted that tomorrow, September 29th is the last day for the Hills Famer’s Market. Mayor Howley also congratulated the Kman family on the birth of their grandchild.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Stachnik gave an update on the 5K Walk/Run race. There are 115 runners and 29 sponsors signed up as of today. Additionally, Clerk Stachnik noted that the Fall edition of the Hickory Hills Herald should be in residents’ mailboxes today or tomorrow.
Clerk Stachnik also presented webpage updates for Hickory Hills participation in the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus EV Readiness Program. Clerk Stachnik also highlighted Cook County’s Sun and Save program that installs solar photovoltaic systems at no cost for income-qualified residences and homeowners in Cook County. A family of four that owns their own home in Cook County with a Household Gross Income between $88,250 and $132,360 in 2023 may qualify for the Cook County Sun and Save Program.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2023 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2023. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Treasurer Vodicka presented the City’s 2023/2024 General Insurance Renewal for approval. He noted that the overall renewal increase is less than 10% which is well below the standard in the insurance marketplace. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the City’s 2023/2024 General Insurance Renewal not to exceed $695,000. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Mike Spolar stated that the Police Station Parking Lot Project has started.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Waight moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September 2023 in the amount of $176,348.53. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman was absent. No report submitted.
Fonte/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
No report submitted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor
Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Waight moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.