September 12, 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, September 12, 2024, at 7:33 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
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, J. Stachnik
- City Attorney, A. Vodicka
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- Police Chief, J. Bray
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Alderman Makropoulos was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 22, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McHugh pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley stated that on Friday, September 13, 2024, the Farmer’s Market will feature Senior’s Day which will include free blood pressure testing, a raffle, among other activities.
Mayor Howley presented an Intergovernmental Agreement for co-sponsoring of the 2024 Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk with North Palos School District 117 on October 26, 2024.
Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the agreement with the School District. Alderman Waight second. There were no changes within this agreement relative to previous years’ agreements. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk Stachnik noted it is that time of year again for setting the trick or treat hours. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have trick or treating on Thursday, October 31st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Alderman McHugh moved to approve trick or treating hours on Thursday, October 31st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Clerk Stachnik stated that the next Blood Drive will be November 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hickory Hills Community Center. He also noted that a new Community Library Book Box has been installed in front of City Hall due to the significant deterioration of the old box.
Clerk Stachnik reminded the City Council to complete their mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training which is due to the Clerk’s Office by September 30, 2024.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #24-07, an ordinance of the City of Hickory Hills, implementing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax by adding §33.18 to Chapter 33, Occupation and Use Taxes. Retailers’ occupation and use taxes apply when tangible personal property is sold at retail to be used or consumed in the City. The two new taxes would impose City sales and use taxes at a rate of 1% on the gross receipts of all tangible personal property sales such as vehicles, prepared foods, clothing, etc., effective January 1, 2025.
Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #24-07. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Spolar reported that Robinson Engineering has reviewed the bids received on September 5, 2024, for the 88th Avenue Detention Pond Project. The bids are as follows:
Earthwerks Land I & D Corp……… $241,225.00
Martam Construction, Inc…………. $253,310.00
Everlast Blacktop………………….. $300,400.00
Schwartz Excavating, Inc………….. $311,793.10
Winninger Excavating, Inc………… $328,125.00
Swallow Construction Corp……….. $354,670.25
Hoppy’s Landscaping, Inc…………. $377,741.00
Riccio Construction Corp………….. $403,609.00
Airy’s Inc…………………………… $422,603.00
Mr. Spolar recommended the project be awarded to the low bidder, Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development Corp. in the amount of $241,225.00. A DCEO grant will fund a large portion of this project. Mayor Howley stated that this project will help with flood alleviation in the 2nd Ward. Alderman Zimmerman moved to award the contract for the 88th Avenue Detention Pond Project to Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development Corp. in the amount of $241,225.00. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of September 2024 in the amount of $659,826.76. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman and Treasurer Vodicka attended a meeting with the City’s insurance broker A.J. Gallagher regarding a new general insurance policy premium in the amount of $676,154 for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, which is an 8% rate increase from last year. The general insurance policy covers property, automobile, workers compensation, cyber liability, public official / law enforcement, and public practices liability. The policy includes an increase from $2 million to $3 million in coverage for cyber liability coverage. Alderman Kman thanked City Clerk staff Monika Wojturska for her assistance with Liberty Mutual’s buildings inspection which found no major issues.
Fonte/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
No report submitted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh stated that Jewel Foods is providing flu shots for seniors.
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 is working on the children’s Halloween Party which will include a magician, horse and buggy, among other activities.
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, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.