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November 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

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November 9, 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, November 9, 2023, at 7:31 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
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Stachnik
  • City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Police Chief, J. Bray
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 26, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley thanked City Clerk Joe Stachnik, Director Lehr and Public Works for their participation and organization of the Veteran’s Day Ceremony.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik thanked all those who participated in the Trunk or Treat event and 5K Race/Walk. He noted that both events were very well attended. Clerk Stachnik also provided the City Council with the 2024 City Council meetings list.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2023, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2023. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar recommended awarding the 87th Street Lift Station Improvements project to Steve Spiess Construction in the amount of $724,666.50. Steve Spiess Construction, who previously worked on the 99th St. lift station for the City, was the lowest bidder. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve awarding the 87th Street Lift Station Improvements project to Steve Spiess Construction in the amount of $724,666.50. Alderman Fonte Second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar requested approval for the 2024 MFT/RBI Resolutions for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amounts of $690,000.00 and $270,000.00. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the 2024 MFT/RBI Resolutions for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amounts of $690,000.00 and $270,000.00. Alderman Ferrero Second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #606, Payment Request 2 – Final from J. Congdon Sewer Service, Inc. in the amount of $297,923.39. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 89th Street and Maple Lane Water Main Replacement project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #606 in the amount of $297,923.39 to J. Congdon Sewer Service, Inc. Alderman Fonte Second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of November 2023 in the amount of $1,470,754.78. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Kman moved to approve the ordinary and customary bills payable for the second half of November 2023. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So, approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Bray requested approval to fill a Patrol Officer vacancy created by the retirement of Officer Al Lopez. The vacancy will be filled from the New Entry Patrol Officer Eligibility List or the Lateral Patrol Officer Eligibility List for Prohibitionary Police Officer established by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Alderman Fonte moved to approve the filling of the Patrol Officer vacancy. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that Public Works will be contacting Duke’s to complete an inspection of 100 sanitary manholes. The inspection will be panoramic and Level 2 MACP rated. MWRD requires municipalities to use this standardized rating system to evaluate conditions of the manholes. This project is a budgeted item, and a Purhase Order will be issued for $14,500.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported that he is seeking a part-time employee to assist at the Community Center. He also reminded the City Council that the Thanksgiving Community Dinner will be held at the Community Center on November 14th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos complemented LRS Recycling regarding their prompt rectification of a recent service issue.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that the Trunk or Treat event was attended by an estimated 300 children. Alderman Ferrero noted the following dates and events: November 21st is the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m., December 9th is the Children’s Christmas party from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and December 12th is the Lights of Hickory Hills Contest which starts at 6:00 p.m.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.