October 24, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes

October 24, 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, October 24, 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
    S. Makropoulos
    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

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 10, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Kman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a temporary liquor license request from St. Patricia Parish. They are requesting a liquor license for the upcoming St. Patricia Ministry Polish Fest on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a liquor license for the St. Patricia Ministry Polish Fest event with fees waived. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley requested Council approval for cancellation of the November 28 and December 26, 2024 City Council meetings due to the holidays. Alderman Zimmerman moved to cancel the November 28 and December 26, 2024 City Council meetings. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik reported that the next Blood Drive will be held at the Hickory Hills Community Center on Sunday, November 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Clerk Stachnik stated that the Hickory Hills Newsletter was mailed; however, some residents did not receive a copy. He asked the Aldermen to survey their constituents to determine which blocks did not receive the newsletter.

Clerk Stachnik noted that the Veteran’s Day Ceremony and Flag Presentation will take place on November 14, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall park.

Clerk Stachnik provided an update on the 5K Walk/Run Race. There are 205 runners and 41 sponsors signed up as of today. Clerk Stachnik thanked Mayor Howley, Director Lehr and Alderman Ferrero for assisting in the packaging of 5k runner’s bags at City Hall on Tuesday. Clerk Stachnik also thanked Clerk’s Office employees Mary Esposito and Michalene Maola for their hard work in organizing and preparing the 5K Walk/Run Race.

Clerk Stachnik stated that the Clerk’s Office will start accepting nominating petitions on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 for the Consolidated Election on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

CITY TREASURER

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 October 2024 in the amount of $304,020.70. 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

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

During the October 10, 2024 City Council meeting, Public Works distributed the proposed 2025 street renovation program. Director Lehr received no concerns regarding the proposed program. Director Lehr will now request Robinson Engineering to investigate existing road conditions and prepare the program for a Spring bid award.

Public Works submitted Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to remove 15 trees and 19 additional tree stumps. The lowest proposal received was from Homer Tree Care, Inc. in the amount of $11,400.00. Director Lehr will issue a purchase order for this work to Homer Tree Care. This project will be completed by December 13, 2024.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh thanked the City Council for providing funds to purchase Community Center boilers.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented two business license applications: Hareer Modest Fashion LLC (clothing store) located at 7737 West 95th Street and Haft Atelier. (online clothing store) located at 7705 West 96th Place. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that the Halloween Trunk and Treat children’s party is ready for October 26, 2024.

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 7:52 p.m.