March 12, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

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March 12, 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, March 12, 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, 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
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Alderman Ferrero and Alderman Fonte were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

Ms. Kathy Eckert
9335 South 82nd Court

Ms. Eckert inquired about rainwater drainage, debris and sweeping of leaves on her block. Public Works Director Lehr noted that the heavy snow prior to Thanksgiving inhibited residents from a thorough fall yard clean-up and it prevented the year-end City street sweeping as well. The City will address her concerns regarding overnight street parking on her block.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen 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 26, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley noted that attorney Michael Cainkar forwarded a card to the City Council expressing his gratitude for the retirement gift and reception on February 26, 2026.

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 2, 2026, 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 27 and 28, 2026.

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

Clerk Stachnik asked for articles from the City Council and department heads for the Hickory Hills Herald Spring Newsletter which will be mailed next month.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka stated that he is working on the FY2027 City budget. Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated November 30, 2025, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated November 30, 2025. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

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

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2026, for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2026. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #26-04, an ordinance amending Chapter 2, City Council, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by adding §2.08, Remote Attendance. This ordinance states that the mayor, alderperson, or any other board member, may attend a meeting by video or audio conference provided that a quorum of members of the public body are physically present at the location of the meeting. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #26-04, an ordinance amending Chapter 2, City Council, by adding §2.08, Remote Attendance. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mayor Howley requested the opening of a Public Hearing for the purpose of discussion on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve opening of the public hearing. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

City Engineer Mike Spolar gave a background overview:

Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating pollutants that discharge into waters of the United States and detention basins.
In 2003, the Illinois EPA (IEPA) required all Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) to describe how the City will comply with the statewide general permit conditions. The NOI identifies each of the six minimum controls and was last updated by the City in 2025.
The City’s NOI, Annual Reports and Storm Water Management plan can be found on the City’s website under the storm-water-management tab. Included in the annual report are the following: Inspection Report, Summary of Best Management Practices, and the Annual Facility Inspection Summary.
Below are some key items that have occurred in this past reporting period related to the City’s NPDES program:
1. The City currently has information on its website for topics related to Flood Risks, Clean Water, Auto Maintenance, Hazardous Leaks and Spills, and the Refuse, Recycling and Yard Waste program.
2. The City has a contract with LRS for Electronic Waste Collection and Household Hazardous Waste Disposal. This program provides a responsible method to dispose of numerous unwanted items, including paint, motor oil, electronics, batteries and unused garden chemicals.
There was no public comment at this time. Mayor Howley
closed the Public Hearing.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of March 2026 in the amount of $235,796.64. Alderman Makropoulos second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Alderman Fonte was absent. Chief Gulczynski thanked the City Council for their support and contributions to the 2026 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Several Hickory Hills Police Department personnel participated in this event on March 7, 2026, in the cold waters of Lake Manteno.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr invited the City Council to attend the retirement reception of Public Works Assistant Director Chris Pearson on March 13, 2026, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm at the Public Works facility.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that the Hickory Hills Park District will conduct a community open forum for Martin Park renovations at the Community Center on March 25, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented a business license application for Elite Carpentry and Glass (woodwork and glass installation) located at 7740 West 99th Street. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh thanked the City Council for their support, compassion and kindness following the passing of Kathy Jean McHugh.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Waight moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.