March 13, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

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March 13, 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, March 13, 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

Building Commissioner Moirano was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

POLICE PROMOTIONS

At this time, Mayor Howley turned the meeting over to Police Chief Gulczynski to present the promotions.

Chief Gulczynski thanked the audience for attending the following promotions: Sgt. David Eenigenburg to Lieutenant and Officer Joseph Murphy to Sergeant. Police Commissioners Mark Cavalieri, Dale Jones and Steve Stabosz were present to administer the oaths. Father Mol gave a blessing to the officers. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

Ms. Agnes Schab
9549 S. 78th Court

Ms. Schab and the Hickory Hills East Townhome Association requested an update regarding the development of properties located at 9555, 9607, 9625 and 9635 South 78th Court. The City noted that the development is for single-family homes. The Association intends on planting bushes as a buffer between their location and the planned development.

Ms. Schab noted that vehicles leaving a business at 7732 West 96th Place in the early evening hours frequently revved their engines loudly. The City will address this concern with the owner.

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 Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 27, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented the Finding of Fact for West Point Builders LLC on the West Point Hills properties located at 8900 West 95th Street (PIN #23-03-402-006-000, PIN #23-03-400-022-000, PIN #23-03-400-030-0000). A public hearing was held on March 3, 2025. The development will include two four-story apartment buildings (that contain 128 units) and 64 single-story home rental units for a total of 192 total units. All apartments and ranch homes will be rental units (with at least one occupant age 55+). The petitioner requested acceptance of the Preliminary Plan for the Planned Unit Development (PUD) known as West Point Hills. The ZBA approved the Preliminary Plan for the PUD by a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays.

Mayor Howley provided a history of the property and the proposed development. He noted that there will be plan amendments, including the following: comprehensive water retention and detention plans, landscaping plans, lighting plans, a tree preservation plan, and a second elevator for each of the 4-story apartment buildings.

Mr. Pat Curran, President of West Point Buildings, Inc., provided a high-level summary of the proposed project. Mr. Curran noted that the development will include two four-story apartment buildings that contain 64 units each and 64 single-story home rental units (a total of 192 rental units). The development will encompass 20 acres and be flanked by two undeveloped areas, 7.8 acres on the west for a park and 1.5 acres on the east for an Oak Tree meadow. The proposal contains 460 parking spaces, a clubhouse and a dog park. The proposed monthly rents will be $2,650 to $3,300 for the single-story home rental units and $2,184 to $3,200 for the apartments. Utilities are not included in the rental prices. The property will contain three detention ponds.

Mayor Howley stated that the above-cited future amendments will address concerns regarding water detention, water pressure, lighting, traffic, and other potential issues. He also noted that the Preliminary Plan is Phase I, and that Phase II will provide engineering and topography studies and the specifics regarding water needs, landscaping, lighting and other developmental clarification.

John Szeszycki, 9300 S. 86th Ct., stated that the annual rent range of $30,000 to $40,000 appears to be high. He also inquired about age restrictions. Attorney Cainkar stated that a resident within a unit must be at least age 55; however, other residents within the same unit can be younger than 55. Mr. Szeszycki stated that he would prefer a development with home ownership rather than rental units.

ZBA Chairman Joe Guest noted that the vote today is for Preliminary Plan for the Planned Unit Development (PUD) and that other project approvals will take place in the future.

Ms. Wanda Wagner, 9410 Saratoga Ct., stated that she is concerned about security, transients, flooding and water overflow, the proposed limited parking, potential future traffic congestion on 88th Ave. and 95th St., and that there is a single elevator for each four-story apartment building that has 64 units.

Police Commissioner Mark Cavalieri inquired about the potential need for additional police officers due to the size of the development.

Jeannie Varek, 9210 S. 88th Ave., was concerned about additional congestion on 88th Ave. and the potential for Section 8 housing voucher recipients filling the development.

Mr. Curran noted that the approximately 7.8 acres on the western side of the development will be deeded to the City “as is.” Mayor Howley stated that the City would create a walking path on the property.

Attorney Cainkar stated that the entire process for City approvals will be six months.

Alderman Kman moved to approve the Preliminary Plan for the Planned Unit Development (PUD) known as West Point Hills for the properties located at 8900 West 95th Street (PIN #23-03-402-006-000, PIN #23-03-400-022-000, PIN #23-03-400-030-0000). Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a temporary liquor license request from St. Patricia Parish. St. Patricia Parish is requesting a liquor license for their upcoming Wine Mixer on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Alderman Purtill moved to approve a liquor license for St. Patricia’s Wine Mixer event with fees waived. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik noted the Clerk’s office has been working on the business license renewals which will be mailed next week. The annual Arbor Day tree and bush sale will be on May 3, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Clerk Stachnik stated that he secured an Event Lease Agreement with Huntington National Bank for use of their land during the annual Hickory Hills Street Fair on June 28 and 29, 2025.

Clerk Stachnik reminded the Council to complete their Statements of Economic Interest that are due to Cook County by May 1st.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2025, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2025. Alderman Makropoulos second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Vodicka provided the City Council with a memorandum stating that the City of Hickory Hills Police Pension is the second most funded police pension in the Chicagoland area. The additional funding was the result of the 2022 taxable bond approved by the City Council and anticipated pension returns will alleviate the need for more funds.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported that Robinson Engineering has reviewed the bids received on March 7, 2025, for the 2025 MFT Street Resurfacing Project. The bids are as follows:

Lindahl Brothers, Inc……………… $718,367.95
Builders Paving……………………. $849,583.70
K-Five Construction Corp……….… $886,176.90
Gallagher Asphalt Corp…..….……. $889,406.45
M&J Asphalt Paving Co.………….. $935,950.45

Mr. Spolar recommended the project be awarded to the low bidder, Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $718,367.95. Alderman Zimmerman moved to award the contract for the 2025 MFT Street Resurfacing Project to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $718,367.95. Alderman Waight 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 March 2025 in the amount of $752,308.28. 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 Gulczynski stated that upon promotion of Lt. James Compton to the rank of Deputy Police Chief, the monetary value of his accrued Compensatory Time is $16,535.00. Chief Gulczynski asked for Council support to roll over the Compensatory Time into Deputy Chief Compton’s VEBA account.

Alderman Fonte moved to approve the rolling over of Deputy Police Chief James Compton’s Compensatory Time, in the amount of $16,535.00, into his VEBA account. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that the opening bid for the Veteran’s Park improvement project was conducted last week. Three contractors bid for the project. The lowest bid was submitted by Beritus, Inc. in the amount of $1,047,860.00. The Lakota Group and the City worked with Beritus, Inc. to apply value engineering to the project’s design, which resulted in a revised cost of $799,150.00. Public Works recommended that the Veteran’s Park improvement contract be awarded to Beritus, Inc. in the amount of $799.150.00.

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the Veteran’s Park improvement contract to Beritus, Inc. in the amount of $799.150.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that the water pump and hot water issues at Parkview Apartments have been resolved.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill stated that the business license application for Auto Empire Chicago (used car sales) has been rescinded by the proposed owner.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that Stagg High School students will be meeting at the City Hall parking lot on March 22, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. to board buses for a trip. She noted that Arbor Day will be May 3rd and that she set up a Zelle account for vendors to make payments for the June 29th 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 9:16 p.m.