July 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, July 9, 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
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
Alderman Makropoulos was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Genevieve Doyle
9400 S. 85th Avenue
Ms. Doyle stated that the recent storms have caused flooding, tree and power line issues in her area. The City will reach out to ComEd regarding tree trimming near her home.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Purtill 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 Kman moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 25, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley read the National Payroll Week Proclamation for the record.
Mayor Howley thanked Public Works for their continued efforts to remove tree debris while addressing water main breaks. Mayor Howley asked if the City Council would be supportive of moving the July 23, 2026 City Council meeting to 6:00 p.m. from 7:30 p.m. so that attendees can participate in the Max Strus Family Foundation event at Moraine Valley, which is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. No objections were noted.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Stachnik stated that he has updated the City website’s Americans with Disabilities Act information page. This ADA section includes information regarding policies, procedures and grievance process. The ADA section also includes an ADA coordinator email and contract information.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Pleta presented Invoice #48135, Payment Request #01 – Partial from Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $242,677.02. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 2026 MFT Resurfacing Program. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #48135 in the amount of $242,677.02 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. 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 July 2026 in the amount of $428,787.70. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Fonte/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Director Lehr stated that due to the June 11, 2026 storm cleanup and extensive brush pickup efforts, Public Works is belated in completing regular departmental duties. Clean up efforts will continue with hanging tree branches, tree trimming, tree removal and brush pickup. The estimated cleanup and damage costs are approximately $1 million.
One of the June scheduled initiatives was asphalt restoration from excavations. To complete the asphalt restoration, Public Works requested proposals to complete the work at 24 locations. J&R Asphalt Inc., which is a Hickory Hills based firm, submitted a proposal for $34,500.00 to complete the asphalt restoration. This proposed project is an additional contractual service that was not included in the FY2026/2027 materials budget. Director Lehr stated that the additional labor cost is approximately 30% more than the originally budgeted material cost for the asphalt restoration project. Representatives from J&R Asphalt Inc. stated that this proposed project could be completed next week. The approval of this proposed purchase order in the amount of $34,500.00 will expedite the completion of this project.
Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the J&R Asphalt Inc. asphalt restoration purchase order in the amount of $34,500.00. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh thanked everyone for their Street Fair assistance, including Public Works, the Police Department, the City Clerk’s Office, Alderman Ferrero and the Community Affairs Commission.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill thanked the car show judges for their expertise and hard work at the Hickory Hills Street Fair. Mayor Howley thanked Alderman Purtill for leading the event.
Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor
Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero thanked the City Council, the City Clerk’s Office, Public Works, the Police Department, Community Affairs, and volunteers for making the 2026 Street Fair a successful and enjoyable community event. Mayor Howley thanked Alderman Ferrero for her leadership and assistance with the Street Fair.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
AAlderman Waight stated that the Farmer’s Market is tomorrow.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Commissioner Moirano noted that the apartment building at 87th Street and 84th Court is in the process of significant rehabilitation due to the June 11, 2026 storm damage. Mayor Howley thanked City Attorney Gary Perlman for working with the property owners of the closed BP Station site (7933 West 95th Street) regarding demolition and maintenance of the property.
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 8:02 p.m.