April 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

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April 23, 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 23, 2026, at 7:33 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, D. Pleta
  • Police Chief, A. Gulczynski
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, 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 Ferrero 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 Kman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, 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 April 9, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Makropoulos pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley read the Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation for the record.

CITY CLERK

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

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #26-06, an ordinance adopting the 2024 International Building Code, the 2024 International Residential Code, the 2024 International Mechanical Code, the Illinois Plumbing Code, the 2024 International Fire Code, Chicago Electrical Code, and the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #26-06, an ordinance adopting the 2024 International Building Code, the 2024 International Residential Code, the 2024 International Mechanical Code, the Illinois Plumbing Code, the 2024 International Fire Code, Chicago Electrical Code, and the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of April 2026 in the amount of $253,014.88. Alderman McHugh 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 reported that Friday, May 15th, there will be a police charitable event (Illinois Enforcement Torch Run Cop On A Rooftop) from 5:00 a.m. to noon at the Hickory Hills Dunkin Donuts benefiting Special Olympics. Chief Gulczynski secured almost $6,000 in rebates for new LED lighting for the Police Station. He thanked Director Lehr for her guidance regarding the LED lighting rebates.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted that there is currently one rental unit available at Parkview Apartments.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented a business license application for Kenza Consulting LLC (insurance services) located at 8801 South Roberts Road. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero noted that the annual Arbor Day tree and bush sale will be May 2, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. She is currently working on the Street Fair.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

The 2nd Annual Senior Resource Fair will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Hickory Hills Community Center, 7800 W. 89th Place.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Waight moved to adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing employee salary adjustments for the FY2027 budget. Alderman Fonte second.

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.