June 25, 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 25, 2026, at 7:28 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 (7:37 p.m.)
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.
George Cardenas, Chairman of the Cook County Board of Review and Commissioner of the Board of Review’s First District, presented the property tax appeal process in Cook County.
Police Department Swearing in Ceremony
Arthur Muhammad was given the oath of Probationary Patrol Officer by Commissioner Jones. Father Mol gave a blessing for the new hire. A small reception followed.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman McHugh moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ivan Ramirez
9349 S. 82nd Court
Mr. Ramirez stated that rainwater is overwhelming in the rear easement of his yard. He recommended a redundant underground bypass under the street to address this issue. The City will review this issue.
Tom Seminara
7824 W. 89th Place
Mr. Seminara commended and praised Police Chief Gulczynski and Director Lehr for their responses in addressing issues arising from the June 11, 2026 storm.
John Szeszycki
9300 S. 86th Court.
Mr. Szeszycki commended Public Works regarding their tree and debris cleanup from the June 11, 2026 storm.
Dean Ilkanic
8034 W. 93rd Street
Mr. Ilkanic stated that during storms, significant amounts of rainwater settle on his property. The City will review this issue.
Grace Niedbala
9217 S. 79th Court
Ms. Niedbala noted that a neighborhood house has tree debris on the property and raccoon issues. The City will review this issue.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero 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 June 11, 2026, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Wadee Rafati, Gewalt Hamilton Associates Inc., presented the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (“CIP”) which included strategic planning and a budgeting tool that aligns long-term capital needs with available financial resources. Resident input, which was obtained through two city-wide surveys, was significant. Mayor Howley was pleased with the level of resident involvement, and thanked the volunteer steering committee, including residents Joan Murphy and Steve DeFalco. Mr. Rafati and Mayor Howley thanked Public Works Director Lehr, the City Council, Department Heads and Parametrix consulting for their input and time in developing the CIP. Mayor Howley noted that City Council support for the CIP is not an obligation to outlay future funding.
Mayor Howley requested a motion to approve the Capital Improvement Plan. Alderman Purtill moved to approve the Capital Improvement Plan. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley requested a Hills Chamber Sponsorship for the 2026 Farmers Market. Alderman Fonte moved to approve a $500.00 contribution to the Hills Chamber Sponsorship for the 2026 Famers Market. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley thanked Director Lehr and Pubic Works for their diligence and work cleaning up the storm debris.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Stachnik stated that the Clerk’s Office is collecting 2026 Cook County Assessor’s Appeal forms for the Palos Township assessor. The last day to submit forms to the Township is July 14, 2026.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Public Hearing – Mayor Howley opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the 2026/2027 Appropriation Ordinance. No one from the public commented. The Public Hearing was then closed.
Ord. 26-09 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #26-09, an ordinance providing for a budget and appropriation for corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2026 and ending April 30, 2027, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #26-09. Alderman Kman 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 June 2026 in the amount of $170,760.82. 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 presented an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) for School Resource Officer between the City of Hickory Hills and the Board of Education of North Palos School District No. 117. The IGA was updated due to a new Illinois law where police are prohibited from issuing tickets, fines, or citations to students as a form of school-based discipline for municipal code violations on school grounds, during school hours, or on school transit.
Alderman Fonte moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for School Resource Officer between the City of Hickory Hills and the Board of Education of North Palos School District No. 117. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Chief Gulczynski noted that the Police Department was awarded a $21,000.00 Illinois Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Grant that provides funding to combat organized retail theft, smash-and-grab operations, and related criminal enterprises.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Director Lehr stated that Public Works continues to clean up storm damage. The following municipalities provided mutual aid assistance regarding the cleanup: Bridgeview three days, Orland Hills five days and Homewood one day. These municipalities brought in dump trucks and operators to haul away the brush loaded by City of Hickory Hills operators. Public Works has two chipper crews which is supplemented by area tree contractors for chipping.
The City had 75 United States flags on light poles that were destroyed or lost due to the June 11, 2026 storm. The flags will be replaced.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh stated that a new battery has been installed in the generator at Parkview Apartments.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero noted that the Annual Street Fair is completely booked with vendors.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Waight noted that the Farmer’s Market will be tomorrow, June 26, 2026, and that the Annual Street Fair will be this weekend.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
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, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.