South Cook News

City of Hometown City Council met Jan. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hometown was called to order by Mayor Frank Finnegan on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.  

Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Zak. 

Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Zak,  Walsh, Forney, Reynolds, Rivas, Barnhouse, Brookman, and Kurysz. 

Absent: Alderman Banasiak and Alderman Grochowski. 

Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Louis Dominguez, Police Chief, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director of Public Health and Safety. 

Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites. 

Journal January 09, 2023 Moved by Alderman Brookman seconded by Alderman Zak to approve as published January the Journal of January 9, 2023 regular City Council Meeting. 

Roll call, the vote was: 

AYES: (7) Aldermen Walsh, Zak, Brookman, Rivas, Reynolds,  Forney and Kurysz. 

NAYS: (0) 

ABSTENSION: (1) Alderman Barnhouse. 

ABSENT: (2) Alderman Grochowski and Alderman Banasiak. 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

CITIZEN’S HEARING 

NONE 

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Office of the Mayor 

Mayor Finnegan stated he would be appointing Megan Strang to the Park Board; Megan is young and will bring fresh ideas to the Park Board.  

Moved by Alderman Brookman, seconded by Alderman Forney to approve the appointment of  Megan Strang to the Park Board. 

Roll call, the vote was: 

AYES: (8) Aldermen Reynolds, Walsh, Forney, Zak, Rivas, Barnhouse, Brookman and Kurysz.

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (2) Alderman Grochowski and Alderman Banasiak. 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

Mayor Finnegan introduced our City Auditor John Hoffman who presented each Aldermen with their copy of the Annual Audit, and he presented a synopsis of the report. Mr. Hoffman thanked Clerk  Hacker and her staff for their assistance during the process. Everyone was advised to call Mr. Hoffman if they have any questions. Treasurer Roti followed up on what Mr. Hoffman reported encouraging everyone to focus on the parts of the audit Mr. Hoffman suggested to get a good feel for  the report and findings. Treasurer Roti also thanked Clerk Hacker and her staff for assisting Mr. Hoffman during the audit process.

Mayor Finnegan thanked Mr. Hoffman. Mayor Finnegan commended Public Works Director Trlak and his staff for their attention to our streets during our recent winter storms and the many updates to  our building. Mayor Finnegan reported the RUOK program is up and running and we have some residents signed up. This program is for residents that want a call to check on them, some need it  daily, others every other day. Mayor Finnegan reported that Gavin Pace, a young resident helped with the cleanup of lottery tickets thrown across lawns in town and he also ended up raking one of the lawns for the resident. Mayor Finnegan reported he has been having conversations with the new dispensary owners, based in Florida. They are anticipating a 60 day build out at the property. There is a new barber in town that recently opened. 

Office of the City Clerk: 

City Clerk Mary Jo C. Hacker reported residents can now view their water usage using the Eye on Water website. The link is in the highlights, on the water bills and on the website. If anyone has any issues, they can call the Clerk’s office for assistance. The audit report is also available on the  cityofhometown.org website. Clerk Hacker thanked Mayor Finnegan for installing the beautiful new service window in her office. 

Office of the Treasurer: 

City Treasurer Salvatore Roti stated the Department Heads have the paperwork and the process will start on February 13th, we will discuss revenue first. Everyone should have received a copy of the  latest tax collections and worksheets regarding actual versus budget. We are waiting to change the appropriation until we are closer to the budget end to make sure we capture everything that has gone beyond the budget. The State does not care about our budget, but they do care about the appropriation. The back page is blank is the Library which is blank. 

REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL 

City Attorney: Attorney Michael Cainkar had no report. 

Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police introduced Officer Novak who has been in the academy for the past 9 months while he is also a Firefighter Paramedic in Richton Park, he is a Navy Veteran and with all of that balancing a family. On November 13, 2022 the pantry was burglarized, and they took 10-15k, kudos to our investigation’s unit, Sgt. Coffman who, through DNA, other investigation work and coordinating with other agencies, the perpetrators were caught and processed. 

Public Works Department: Mark Trlak, Director was not present. 

Building Department: James Forbes, Commissioner had no report. 

Health & Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director reminded residents to move their cans off the sidewalk so wheelchairs Safety: can get through and they will not be interfering with the snowplows. Director Gesiakowski suggested  residents get appointments now for their animal vaccinations so they are not scrambling come May and June. 

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Accounts January 23, 2024 Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Zak to approve for Payable payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $116,854.28 and payroll vouchers Payroll in the amount of $72,094.15 for a total expenditure of $189,948.43. 

Roll call, the vote was: 

AYES: (8) Aldermen Barnhouse, Walsh, Forney, Zak, Reynolds, Rivas, Brookman and Kurysz. 

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (2) Alderman Banasiak and Alderman Grochowski. 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman had no report. 

WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE 

Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman had no report. 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE 

Alderman Tom Brookman, Chairman had no report. 

BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Alderman Brian Barnhouse, Chairman thanked Alderman Walsh for filling in for him while he  was at this full-time job working nights. 

CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE 

Alderman Robert Reynolds, Chairman had no report. 

INSURANCE COMMITTEE: 

Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman was absent. 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE 

Alderman Luci Kurysz, Chairman report there was a strong smell of gas on Knox and others also said they had the smell, as well as surrounding communities. 

LICENSE COMMITTEE: 

Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman was absent. 

POLICE COMMITTEE 

Alderman Rivas, Chairman had no report. 

REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES 

Library: Alderman Grochowski, Liaison was absent. Mayor Finnegan stated he attended the Open House, it was 2 degrees so the turnout was not that good. There was a local author present that it turned out the Mayor knew. Mayor Finnegan stated Brittany did a good job. 

Legislation: Alderman Forney had no report. 

Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds, Liaison stated the January meeting was cancelled.

Personnel Review: Mayor Finnegan, Chairman no report. 

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN 

ORD. NO. ORDINANCE NO. 2-2024:MOVED BY ALDERMAN BROOKMAN, SECONDED BY 2-2024: ALDERMAN RIVAS TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2-2024. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19, MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES ARTICLE 4, OTHER OFFENSES BY ADDING SECTION 19.69, JAYWALKING, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF HOMETOWN 

Roll call, the vote was: 

AYES: (8) Aldermen Barnhouse, Walsh, Forney, Zak, Reynolds, Rivas, Brookman and Kurysz. 

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (2) Alderman Banasiak and Alderman Grochowski. 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski was absent. 

HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski was absent. Alderman Kurysz reported seniors can all Evergreen Park City Hall and get their taxes done for a donation. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Alderman Forney asked about the dispensary, were they using the whole building. Mayor Finnegan stated no, they are only using only half of the building and that is where the $900k upgrade work will take  place. They will also be doing the façade brickwork.  

Alderman Brookman stated the Meals on Wheels may be looking for a place. 

NEW BUSINESS: NONE 

CITIZEN’S HEARING: Michael Bodnar of 4237 Southwest Highway stated he feels the Police Department is doing a good job, but there are still speeders on the frontage road. Mayor Finnegan stated yes we know and they are residents.  

Phil Mottl of 9054 Corcoran Road stated he signed up for the eye on water and found he had a small leak. Mr. Mottl  reported seeing a Charter Bus going down Corcoran Road at 6 am, he will provide the Mayor with the camera  footage.  

Alderman Forney stated Clerk Hacker had reached out to his neighbor about a possible leak and it turned out to be a leak, they had a plumber come out and they were very appreciative.  

ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Mayor Finnegan Seconded by Alderman Reynolds to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council. 

MOTION STATED CARRIED 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

https://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01232024-349