April 9, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

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April 9, 2026 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, April 9, 2026, 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
    B. Fonte
    H. Kman
    M. McHugh
    P. Purtill
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Stachnik
  • City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • City Attorney, E. Blood
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Police Chief, A. Gulczynski
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

Raphael Ligas
9400 S. 79th Ave.

Mr. Ligas cited two concerns: rainwater from neighboring properties flooding the underground car park at his condominium building and drivers engaging in rolling stops at stop signs. The Hickory Hills Police and Public Works Departments will address these issues.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of March 26, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Waight pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a temporary liquor license request from St. Patricia Parish. They are requesting a liquor license for the upcoming St. Patricia School’s “A Tasting Evening” event on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Alderman Purtill moved to approve a liquor license for the St. Patricia “A Tasting Evening” event with fees waived. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley read the Arbor Day Proclamation for the record.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik reminded the Council to complete their Statements of Economic Interest that are due to Cook County by May 1st. Clerk Stachnik stated that the Hickory Hills Herald Spring Newsletter will be mailed later this month.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2026, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2026. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Ms. Blood presented an Extension Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Hickory Hills Park District regarding the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the lease of Woodland Park. Alderman Kman moved to approve Extension Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Hickory Hills Park District regarding the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the lease of Woodland Park. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported that Robinson Engineering has reviewed the bids received on April 2, 2026, for the 2026 MFT Street Resurfacing Project. The bids are as follows:

Lindahl Brothers, Inc……………… $671,031.20
D Construction, Inc.………………. $701,846.40
K-Five Construction Corp……….… $727,956.25
Gallagher Asphalt Corp…..….……. $740,790.50
Builders Paving……………………. $803,988.00

Mr. Spolar recommended the project be awarded to the low bidder, Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $671,031.20. Alderman Zimmerman moved to award the contract for the 2026 MFT Street Resurfacing Project to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $671,031.20. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of April 2026 in the amount of $527,014.09. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Gulczynski stated that the Police Department received three proposals for outdoor safety lights at the Police Station. The lowest bidder was Arc 1 Electic, a Hickory Hills business, in the amount of $11,238. No objections were noted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr noted that 31 trees have been recently planted in the City’s parkways. The IDOT will be hot mix patching 95th Street in the upcoming weeks. Mayor Howley thanked Director Lehr and the Public Works Department for their diligence and work addressing the pressure reducing valve and water break issues on Easter Sunday.

Resolution #26-03 – Director Lehr stated that the City is required to pass an updated resolution with IDOT that allows the City to work in the IDOT right of way without a bond. The City has engaged in this type of work in the past; however, the agreement expired in 2022. The resolution will allow the City to maintain its infrastructure as needed with a permit.

Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Resolution #26-03 which allows the City to work in the IDOT right of way without a bond. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted that Parkview Apartments monthly rent will be adjusted during the upcoming FY2027 budget meeting.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented a business license application for Medco Instruments, Inc. (medical supplies) located at 7701 West 98th Street. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that she is working on the Arbor Day tree/bush sale and the Hickory Hills 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, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.