May 9, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes

May 9, 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, May 9, 2024, 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 (7:33 pm)
    P. Purtill
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • 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 was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Police Promotions

At this time the following promotions were made.

Sergeant James Compton was given the oath of Lieutenant by Police Commissioner Mark Cavalieri. Officer Peter Trzeciak was given the oath of Sergeant by Police Commissioner Mark Cavalieri. Father Mol gave a blessing for the new positions. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 25, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented a Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation. This proclaims May 2024 as Motorcycle Awareness Month in the City of Hickory Hills and urges all motorists of Illinois to join the ongoing effort to improve safety and awareness on streets and highways.
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Mayor Howley stated as in the past, we will cancel the Committee Meetings for June through September. Alderman Waight moved to cancel Committee Meetings for the months of June, July, August, and September. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik invited the City Council to the next meeting for the Municipal Clerks Association of the South & West Suburbs of Cook County. The meeting, which is hosted by the City of Hickory Hills, will be held at the Community Center on June 6, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Hickory Hills Detective Kaitlyn Manion will conduct an educational presentation on “Common Suburban Crimes” which will highlight mail fraud, scams, online crimes among other topics.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted. Treasurer Vodicka was absent.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #24-03, an ordinance approving a Rear Yard Setback Variation for the property located at 9755 South 78th Avenue, Hickory Hills. The ordinance reduces the rear yard setback from a minimum of 25 feet to a minimum of 10 feet for the property. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ordinance #24-03, approving a Rear Yard Setback Variation for the property located at 9755 South 78th Avenue. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #44370, Payment Request #01 – Partial from Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $412,387.00. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 2023 MFT/RBI Resurfacing Program. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice #44370 in the amount of $412,387.00 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #21013-01, Payment Request #02 – Partial from Lyons Electric Company, Inc. in the amount of $235,833.40. The invoice is for work pertaining to intersection improvements at 95th Street and 76th Avenue. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #21013-01 in the amount of $235,833.40 to Lyons Electric Company, Inc. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of May 2024 in the amount of $350,106.80. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Bray reported that next Friday, May 17th, there will be a police charitable event (Illinois Enforcement Torch Run Cop On A Rooftop) from 5:00 a.m. to noon at the Hickory Hills Dunkin Donuts benefiting Special Olympics.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented a business license application for Nashmi Restaurant Inc. (middle eastern restaurant) located at 8711 West 95th Street. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that the Arbor Day Tree sale was well attended and that only eight items were not purchased. Alderman Ferrero noted that there are currently 19 crafters, 10 food trucks/vendors, 6 businesses and 16 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, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.