September 28, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

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.