November 13, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

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November 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, November 13, 2025, at 7:38 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 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.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Purtill moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh 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 Fonte 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 23, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte and Alderman Kman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley read the National American Indian Heritage Month Proclamation for the record.

Mayor Howley noted that Jewel Foods/Osco is providing free Covid and flu vaccines and providing a discount food coupon as part of the promotion.

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 10, 2025 through February 27, 2026. No objections were noted.

City Clerk Joe Stachnik thanked Director Lehr and Public Works for their assistance and organization of the Veteran’s Day Ceremony.

Clerk Stachnik thanked all those who participated in the Trunk or Treat event and 5K Race/Walk. The 5K Race/Walk had 298 registered individuals and over 250 participated. The Trunk or Treat event was attended by over 300 children. He thanked Clerk Office employees Mary Esposito and Michalene Maola for all their assistance with the 5K Race/Walk event.

Clerk Stachnik stated that the last day for yard waste and brush pick up is November 28th.

A 2nd ward resident, who has a disability and mobility issues, thanked LRS staff. A LRS driver accommodated the resident by walking the recycling bin all the way to the back fence and placed the garbage bin to the side of the driveway to allow this resident to have clear access. Clerk Stachnik relayed this act of goodwill to LRS management.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2025, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2025. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-22, an ordinance of the City of Hickory Hills approving the Lynch Estates Resubdivision of the property located on 78th Avenue and 78th Court, North of 97th Street. The owner provided a letter of credit in the amount of 110% of the cost of the public improvements. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #25-22, an ordinance approving the Lynch Estates Resubdivision of the property located on 78th Avenue and 78th Court, North of 97th Street. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-23, an ordinance amending Chapter 41, Traffic, by adding § 41-34, Electric Motorized Devices, of the Municipal Code of the City of Hickory Hills. This ordinance contains a myriad of restrictions for electronic motorized devices, including prohibition of riding on sidewalks, prohibition of use while using a cell phone, among others. Penalty for a first-time violation is $50.00. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #25-23, an ordinance amending Chapter 41, Traffic, by adding § 41-34, Electric Motorized Devices. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar requested the declaration of a moratorium on drop boxes for four months by the City Council. These drop boxes are used for clothing and other goods. Mr. Cainkar is reviewing other municipalities and preparing an ordinance. Alderman McHugh moved to declare a moratorium on drop boxes for four months while the City Attorney reviews applicable laws and prepares an ordinance. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Resolution #25-06 – Mr. Spolar requested approval for Resolution #25-06 for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $26,000.00. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Resolution #25-06 for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $26,000.00. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #03, Payment Request #03 – Final from Ricci Construction Co. in the amount of $39,895.27. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 83rd Court Water Main Improvement Program. Alderman Purtill moved to approve Invoice #03 in the amount of $39,895.27 to Ricci Construction Co. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #01, Payment Request #01 – Final from Patriot Pavement Maintenance in the amount of $64,972.12. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 2025 MFT Crack Sealing Project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #01 in the amount of $64,972.12 to Patriot Pavement Maintenance. 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 November 2025 in the amount of $514,363.73. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Kman moved to approve the ordinary and customary bills payable for the second half of November 2025. 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

Police Chief Gulczynski stated that Officer Wagner will be retiring in February 2026. To replace her, he will hire a new officer who will attend the Academy in January 2026.

Police Chief Gulczynski declared a pending patrol officer position vacancy. Alderman Fonte moved to approve the filling of the pending vacant patrol officer position. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So, approved.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr did not receive any expressed concerns regarding the proposed 2026 street renovation program from the City Council. Public Works will forward the street program to Robinson Engineering to investigate existing street conditions and prepare the project for a Spring 2026 bid award.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted that the Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Center was well attended. He thanked all the volunteers including the City Council.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero noted the following dates and events: November 25th is the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m., December 13th is the Children’s Christmas party from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and December 16th is the Lights of Hickory Hills Contest which starts at 6:00 p.m.

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 7:56 p.m.