Meeting Minutes

July 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

July 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, July 23, 2026, at 6:00 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 (6:08 p.m.)
    P. Purtill
    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 Waight was 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 Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 9, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Makropoulos pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented the Finding of Fact for a re-subdivision of property located at 8701 South Kean Avenue. A public hearing was held on July 14, 2026. The petitioner proposed re-subdividing the lot into eight residential lots. After discussion regarding ingress/egress issues based on the proposed format, the petitioner withdrew the petition to re-subdivide the property located at 8701 South Kean Avenue; however, the petitioner reserved the right to resubmit a petition for rezoning the property to R-5 for possible development of townhomes.

Alderman Fonte moved to approve the withdrawing of the petition to re-subdivide property located at 8701 South Kean Avenue. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley reminded attendees that the Max Strus Family Foundation event at Moraine Valley will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. today.

Mayor Howley noted that ComEd shut off power to the closed BP Station site (7933 West 95th Street) and that a ticket will be issued for a high grass ordinance violation.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik reported that the next Blood Drive will be held at the Hickory Hills Community Center on Sunday, August 2nd, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

CITY TREASURER

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

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

[Alderman McHugh arrived at the meeting – 6:08 p.m.]

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of July 2026 in the amount of $552,407.66. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Gulczynski stated the Hickory Hills Police will participate in the following two events: National Night Out on August 4, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Kasey Meadow Park and the North Palos School District 117 Back to School Bash on August 6, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Conrady Junior High.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that Public Works is back to regular brush pickup policies, which prohibit the pickup of stumps, logs and root balls. Additionally, Public Works will limit its time to 15 minutes per address. The department is taking inventory of parkway trees for removal and trimming trees as needed.

Homer Tree Service, Inc. has prepared a quote for the removal of brush and chips from the Sabre Room property. The quote for the specialty services of tub grinding and wood chip hauling is $47,725.00. This project is a non-budgeted item.

Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the Homer Tree Service, Inc. brush and wood chip removal project in the amount of $47,725.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that he will have a Community Center roof project cost update for the next City Council meeting on August 13, 2026.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that the children’s Halloween Party will take place on October 24, 2026.

Waight/Business Development

Alderman Waight was absent. 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, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.