October 23, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

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October 23, 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, October 23, 2025, at 7:31 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
    S. Makropoulos
    M. McHugh
    P. Purtill
    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

Alderman Fonte and Alderman Kman were 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 9, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley noted that Michigan’s Cooper Farms will be at City Hall on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mayor Howley stated that last week’s 87th Street and Roberts Road ceremony with the Illinois Tollway and Cook County was a nice event. He thanked Director Lehr and City Engineer Mike Spolar for their service regarding this project.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik presented an Intergovernmental Agreement
with Cook County Public Health for health inspections to City businesses. The price will remain at $100.00 an inspection. The Agreement will be effective from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Cook County Public Health agreement. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Clerk Stachnik noted that he provided the City Council with the 2026 City Council Meetings Schedule.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-20, an ordinance levying taxes for general corporate and special purposes for Tax Year 2025 for the City of Hickory Hills in the amount of $2,680,719. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #25-20, approving the levying of taxes for general corporate and special purposes for Tax Year 2025 in the amount of $2,680,719. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-21, an ordinance amending § R703.1, General, of the International Residential Code in the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. This section requires that exterior walls must provide buildings with a weather-resistant exterior wall envelope, including flashing as described in § R703.4. The ordinance further requires that external siding must be uniform in quality, material, color and size. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #25-21, an ordinance amending § R703.1, General, of the International Residential Code in the City of Hickory Hills. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #5466, Payment Request #04 – Final from Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. in the amount of $30,308.15. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street Lift Station Project. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #5466 in the amount of $30,308.15 to Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Waight moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of October 2025 in the amount of $531,949.17. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman was absent. No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that the Thanksgiving Dinner will take place at the Hickory Hills Community Center on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented two business license applications: Jamil Productions (digital marketing) located at 9701 South 78th Avenue, Suite 202 and Chicago Modest Cremation (sales only) located at 7725 West 98th Street, Suite 209. 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 25, 2025.

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, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.