February 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

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February 27, 2025 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, February 27, 2025, at 7:30 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
    P. Purtill
    M. McHugh
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Stachnik
  • City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Police Chief, A. Gulczynski
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Public Works Director, J. Moirano

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

POLICE PROMOTIONS

Mayor Howley highlighted Adam Gulczynski’s 20 plus years of service in the City of Hickory Hills’ Police Department and summarized his professional accomplishments.

At this time, Mayor Howley administered the oath of office for the office of Police Chief to Lt. Adam Gulczynski and Clerk Stachnik administered the oath of office of Deputy Police Chief to Lt. James Compton. Father Mol offered a prayer for the new Chief and Deputy Chief. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Fonte moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero 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 Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero 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 February 13, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

No report submitted.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik stated that the Hills Baseball and Softball Association requested City support to hold their Opening Day Parade on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Clerk Stachnik announced that Stagg High School’s Music Boosters will conduct their craft show on March 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and March 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Clerk Stachnik stated that the next Blood Drive will be March 2nd from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hickory Hills Community Center.

Clerk Stachnik noted Police Officer applications are available in the Clerk’s Office from February 24, 2025, through March 7, 2025. The deadline to return applications is March 14, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

CITY TREASURER

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

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported that Robinson Engineering has reviewed the bids received on February 20, 2025, for the 83rd Court Water Main Replacement Project. The bids are as follows:

Riccio Construction Corp………… $689,939.60
Airy’s Inc.……………………….… $696,294.00

Mr. Spolar recommended the project be awarded to the low bidder, Riccio Construction Corp. in the amount of $689,939.60. Alderman Purtill moved to award the contract for the 83rd Court Water Main Replacement Project to Riccio Construction Corp. in the amount of $689,939.60. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1239, Payment Request #02 Partial – MYS Incorporated in the amount of $178,068.74. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street and Roberts Road Project. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #1239 in the amount of $178,068.74 to MYS Incorporated. Alderman Fonte 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 second half of February 2025 in the amount of $328,019.36. Alderman McHugh 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 Gulczynski reported that due to the recent retirement of Chief Jason Bray, he is seeking approval to fill vacancies that his retirement has created. This request includes the hiring of a Probationary Police Officer, the 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 Sergeant Eligibility and Lieutenant Eligibility lists that have been established by the Board of Fire and Police Commission.

If this request is approved, the officer would be sworn in by late May 2025. The other promotions would take place at the March 13th Council Meeting. Alderman Fonte moved to approve the above promotions and hiring of a Probationary Police Officer. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Chief Gulczynski noted that several officers will be participating in the Polar Plunge event on March 1, 2025, for Special Olympics charity.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Public Works Director Lehr presented Resolution #24-03, a resolution regarding the 2025 Community Block Grant (CDBG) application for resurfacing in the amount of $500,000.00. The project area is East of Roberts Road on 93rd Street, 79th Court, 76th Court and 76th Avenue. If funding is received, the project will include the removal of 5,500 linear feet of poor roadway surfaces, repairing broken curbs and gutters, repairs to drainage structures (as needed) and resurfacing the roadway with a new surface course. The objective of CDBG funds is to benefit areas that are identified as low to moderate income. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #24-03 in the amount of $500,000.00. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted that during this winter, Parkview Apartments experienced high resident turnover.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented a business license application for Auto Empire Chicago (used car sales) to be located at 7720 West 99th Street. The City Council tabled the application.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero has been working on the Arbor Day tree/bush sale and the annual Hickory Hills Street Fair. A band has been hired for Sunday, June 29, 2025.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley expressed his appreciation of Police Chief Jason Bray’s 27 years of service within the City of Hickory Hills. Mayor Howley noted that Chief Bray was always approachable to the residents and that he exhibited patience, devotion and trust during his 2 ½ years as Police Chief.

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 8:23 p.m.