May 14, 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, May 14, 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
H. Kman
S. Makropoulos
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, J. Stachnik
- City Attorney, E. Blood
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- Police Chief, A. Gulczynski
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Alderman Fonte and Treasurer Vodicka were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Police Department Recognitions
Police Chief Adam Gulczynski recognized the following officers and police staff for their response to the robbery and shooting on May 29, 2025: Lt. Ryan Bajt, Sgt. Joseph Murphy, Ofc. Jacob Jakaitis, Ofc. Vincenzo Rimmele, Ofc. Colin Rafferty, and Dispatchers Shannon Ganger, Veronika Ruiz and Kelly Duh. Chief Gulczynski also thanked retiring Sgt. Joseph Roscetti for his service. A small reception followed.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Purtill moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, 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 23, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley stated as in the past, we will cancel the Committee Meetings for June through September. Alderman Purtill moved to cancel Committee Meetings for the months of June, July, August, and September. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
2026 Appointments
Mayor Howley presented the 2026 Appointment list as follows:
City Attorney Vincent Cainkar
City Engineer Mike Spolar (Robinson Eng.)
Chief of Police Adam Gulczynski Building Commissioner John Moirano
Director of Public Works Sue Lehr
City Collector Joseph Stachnik
PT Ordinance Officer Jim Lizzio
ESDA Director Christopher Knights
Elevator Inspector Dave Rotermund (Thompson)
Plumbing Inspector David Tavares
Electrical Inspector William Fritz
Fire Inspector Mark Spoo (Roberts Park)
Building Inspector Leo Miller
Sprinkler Inspector James Groark
Sprinkler Inspector Craig Jensen
HVAC Inspector James Manuzak
Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)
None.
Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)
Stephen Stabosz 01/11/24 – 04/30/29
Police Pension Board (2 Year Term)
None.
Human Rights Commission (3 Year Term)
Seema Imam 11/21/96 – 04/30/29
Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)
Heather Smith 05/01/25 – 04/30/29
Sandy Wcislo 02/25/99 – 04/30/29
Police Chaplin (1 Year Term)
Joseph Mol 05/01/24 – 04/30/27
Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)
Arthur Wrobel 05/01/14 – 04/30/27
Community Service Officers (1 Year Term)
05/01/26 – 04/30/27
John Bracha Jada Cunningham
Noah Krastin Bogdan Landowski
Brian Mendygral Aurora Tilghman
Brian Trapp Jacob Zemgulis
Maximilian Piotrowski
Alderman Waight moved to approve the above 2026 Appointments. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley noted that Figlia Miya’s Pizzeria (8033 West 87th Street) will have their grand opening May 15, 2026, at 11:00 am. He also thanked Officer Lizzio for his assistance with utility shutoffs at BP Gas Station for the demolition. Mayor Howley thanked Alderman Ferrero, the Community Affairs Committee and Public Works for their assistance with the Arbor Day tree and bush sale. Mayor Howley noted that the following recent events were well attended: Hickory Hills Baseball Opening Day, Blue Ribbon Ceremony at Glen Oaks School and the Senior Resource Fair.
CITY CLERK
No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka was absent. Alderman Kman stated that the City Council will review the proposed Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on May 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
No report submitted.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Fonte/Public Safety
Alderman Fonte was absent. 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.
Zimmerman/Public Works
No report submitted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh stated that Parkview Apartments are at full occupancy.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor
Alderman Makropoulos thanked LRS for their prompt services addressing missed containers.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero stated that the Arbor Day Tree sale was well attended and that all items sold-out. Alderman Ferrero noted that there are currently 20 crafters, 3 food vendors, 21 businesses and 11 car show registrations for 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 Makropoulos second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.