April 25, 2024 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, April 25, 2024, at 7:36 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
B. Waight - 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
Treasurer Vodicka and Alderman Zimmerman were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Police Department Swearing in Ceremony
Daniel Balzhiser was given the oath of Probationary Patrol Officer by Commissioner Cavalieri. Father Mol gave a blessing for the new hire. A small reception followed.
Chief Bray presented Lieutenant Glenn Tienstra an honorary gold badge in commemoration of his retirement effective May 4, 2024.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman McHugh moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 11, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
2024 Appointments
Mayor Howley presented the 2024 Appointment list as follows:
City Attorney Vincent Cainkar
City Engineer Mike Spolar (Robinson Eng.)
Chief of Police Jason Bray
Building Commissioner John Moirano
Director of Public Works Sue Lehr
City Collector Joseph Stachnik
PT Ordinance Officer Jim Lizzio
ESDA Director Christopher Knights
Elevator Inspector Dave Rotermund (Thompson)
Plumbing Inspector David Tavares
Electrical Inspector William Fritz
Fire Inspector Lt. Cindy Byrd (Roberts Park)
Building Inspector Leo Miller
Sprinkler Inspector James Groark
Sprinkler Inspector Craig Jensen
HVAC Inspector James Manuzak
Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)
Joseph Mancuso 05/01/15 – 04/30/31
Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)
Stephen Stabosz 01/11/24 – 04/30/26
Dale Jones 12/08/22 – 04/30/27
Community Service Officers (1 Year Term)
05/01/24 – 04/30/25
John Bracha Gustavo Godinez
Bogdan Landowski Brian Mendygral
Aurora Tilghman Brian Trapp
Police Chaplin (1 Year Term)
Joseph Mol 05/01/24 – 04/30/25
Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)
Arthur Wrobel 05/01/14 – 04/30/25
Police Pension Board (2 year Term)
None.
Human Rights Commission (3 Year Term)
None.
Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)
Mary Boettcher 03/27/97 – 04/30/27
Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the above 2024 Appointments. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley read the Safe Boating Campaign Week Proclamation for the record.
Mayor Howley requested a donation for Stagg High School’s Parent Teacher Organization. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a $100.00 donation to Stagg High School’s Parent Teacher Organization. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Stachnik announced that the City of Hickory Hills has earned the requisite points for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ EV Readiness Certification. At this time, only the City of Hickory Hills, the City of Aurora and Kane County have secured enough Bronze points for the current year’s cohort certification. This is the highest certification that has been awarded for this program.
Clerk Stachnik reminded the Council to complete their Statements of Economic Interest that are due to Cook County by May 1st.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka was absent. No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of April 2024 in the amount of $257,111.32. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Fonte/Public Safety
Police Chief Bray stated that there are police position vacancies created by Lieutenant Glenn Tienstra’s retirement. Chief Bray requested City Council approval for promotion of an Officer to Sergeant and the promotion of a Sergeant to Lieutenant. The Sergeant and Lieutenant promotions would be filled with the next eligible candidates from the respective Sergeant and Lieutenant Eligibility lists that had been established by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners that expire on May 23rd, 2024 (Sergeant List) and July 21st, 2026 (Lieutenant List).
Alderman Fonte moved to approve the promotion of an Officer to Sergeant and the promotion of a Sergeant to Lieutenant. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Alderman Zimmerman was absent. No report submitted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero noted that there are currently 17 crafters, 9 food trucks/vendors, 6 businesses and 15 car show registrations for the Hickory Hills Street Fair.
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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.