Meeting Minutes

June 11, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

June 11, 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, June 11, 2026, at 7:30 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, M. Spolar
  • Police Chief, A. Gulczynski
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

POLICE PROMOTIONS

At this time, Mayor Howley turned the meeting over to Police Chief Gulczynski to present the promotions.

Chief Gulczynski thanked the audience for attending the following promotions: Sgt. Brian Nelligan to Lieutenant and Officer Amy McMahon to Sergeant. Police Commissioner Dale Jones was present to administer the oaths. Father Mol gave a blessing to the officers. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Makropoulos moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 28, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Alderman Kman and Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley read the June 2026 Pride Month Proclamation for the record.

Mayor Howley thanked Public Works and the Police Department for their contributions to public safety regarding the June 10, 2026 storm, which caused hazardous debris and downed power lines and trees.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik congratulated Chief Gulczynski on earning his Master’s Degree in Public Safety from the University of Virginia. Clerk Stachnik noted that this rigorous academic milestone demonstrates his unwavering commitment to leadership, professional development, and community safety. We deeply appreciate his hard work and look forward to the leadership he will continue to bring to the City.

Chief Gulczynski thanked the City Council, Treasurer Vodicka and City Attorney Michael Cainkar for their assistance and support regarding the leadership educational opportunity.

Clerk Stachnik stated that he regularly updates the City Ordinance online and frequently addresses any issues.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2026, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2026. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mayor Howley requested a motion to appoint the City Council as the Plan Commission for purposes of holding a Public Hearing concerning certain amendments to the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance. Attorney Cainkar stated that a notice was published in the Hickory Hills Citizen. Alderman McHugh moved to appoint the City Council as the Plan Commission for purposes of holding a Public Hearing concerning certain amendments to the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Public Hearing

Mayor Howley opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing proposed amendments to the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance to make massage establishments and tobacco stores Special Uses in Commercial and Industrial Districts. No one from the public commented. The Public Hearing was then closed.

Ordinance #26-08

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #26-08, an ordinance amending the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance by adding massage establishments and tobacco stores as qualifying Special Uses in Commercial and Industrial Districts and providing for definitions of the same. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #26-08, an ordinance amending the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance by adding massage establishments and tobacco stores as qualifying Special Uses in Commercial and Industrial Districts and providing for definitions of the same. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ordinance #26-07

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #26-07, an ordinance amending Chapter 29, Fire Prevention, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by adding § 29.07, Security Fogging Systems in Business Establishments. The purpose of this section is to regulate the installation, testing, maintenance, and use of security fogging systems in business establishments in a manner that protects public safety, emergency responders, building occupants, and lawful users of the premises, while allowing limited use of such systems as a crime deterrent. Chief Gulczynski noted that fog dispersion often serves as a criminal deterrent.

Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #26-07, an ordinance amending Chapter 29, Fire Prevention, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by adding § 29.07, Security Fogging Systems in Business Establishments. Alderman Fonte 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 first half of June 2026 in the amount of $445,930.57. Alderman Waight 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 presented an Addendum to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Village of Bedford Park. The Addendum amends provisions of the Agreement relating to compensation and prisoner detention services. Chief Gulczynski also noted that the department will be hiring a lateral police officer who will be sworn in during the June 25, 2026 City Council meeting.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that Public Works has been diligently addressing downed trees and other issues caused by the June 10, 2026 storm. Mayor Howley thanked Director Lehr and Public Works for working around the clock since the storm hit to clear debris, remove fallen trees, and keep the City roads clear.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented two business license applications: Elite Flooring Installations / XL Wholesale (flooring sales), located at 9907 South 78th Avenue, and Me First Inc. (martial arts school), located at 9831 South 78th Avenue. Alderman Purtill noted that today’s business licenses are pending any outstanding payments required by the prospective owners to the City of Hickory Hills. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

Waight/Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.