December 12, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes

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December 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, December 12, 2024, at 7:32 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
    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 Patrick Purtill 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, 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, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 14, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McHugh pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley wished everyone a Happy Holiday and New Year. He also thanked Director Lehr and Public Works for the City holiday decorations.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik is in receipt of a sign request from the Hills Baseball/Softball Association. The association requested permission to place registration signs around the City from December 23, 2024 through February 27, 2025. No objections were noted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2024, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2024. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2024, for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2024. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #15-R0419, Payment Request #01 Partial – from Earth Werks Land Improvement & Development Corporation in the amount of $217,130.22. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 88th Avenue Detention Pond Project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #15-R0419 in the amount of $217,130.22 to Earth Werks Land Improvement & Development Corporation. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #55165, Payment Request #01 – from National Power Rodding Company in the amount of $269,811.00. The invoice is for work pertaining to the Sanitary Sewer Cured-In-Place Pipelining Project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #55165 in the amount of $269,811.00 to National Power Rodding Company. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #55225, Payment Request #02 – from National Power Rodding Company in the amount of $366,264.90. The invoice is for work pertaining to the Sanitary Sewer Cured-In-Place Pipelining Project. Alderman Makropoulos moved to approve Invoice #55225 in the amount of $366,264.90 to National Power Rodding Company. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1238, Payment Request #01 Partial – MYS Incorporated in the amount of $248,653.41. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street and Roberts Road Project. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice #1238 in the amount of $248,653.41 to MYS Incorporated. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar noted that the four payments were funded entirely by grants from the following agencies: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the U.S. EPA and the Illinois Tollway.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of December 2024 in the amount of $481,845.88. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Kman moved to approve the ordinary and customary bills payable for the second half of December 2024. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So, approved.

Alderman Kman stated that the ordinary and customary bills payable for the second half of November 2024 was $414,029.21.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Alderman Fonte congratulated Deputy Police Chief Adam Gulczynski for graduating from the FBI National Academy.

Chief Bray presented the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Hometown Fire Protection District. The Agreement, which is for dispatch services, will be effective for three calendar years: 2025, 2026 and 2027. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Hometown Fire Protection District. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh thanked the Mayor, Director Lehr and Public Works for the new LED lighting system at the Community Center.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill was absent. Clerk Stachnik presented a business license application for EXIT Realty Redefined (Real Estate Sales) located at 9200 South Roberts Road, Suite 2. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos noted that the State of the Cities event at the Community Center was well attended.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that the Children’s Christmas Party is December 14, 2024, at Krueger Park from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and the Lights of Hickory Hills contest is on December 17, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Ferrero thanked Public Works for the decorations in Veterans Park.

Mayor Howley thanked Alderman Ferrero and the Community Affairs committee for their work on the annual Christmas Tree lightening.

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, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.