City of Hometown City Council met Sept. 22.
Here is 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 Kevin Casey at 8:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Fry.
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Smith, Zak, Grochowski, Banasiak, Fry, Kurysz, Barnhouse, Walsh, Finnegan and Reynolds.
Also present: Elizabeth Attard, City Attorney, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director of Public Health and Safety and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal September 8, 2020: Moved by Alderman Barnhouse, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve as published the Journal of September 8, 2020 regular City Council Meeting.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Smith, Zak, Grochowski, Kurysz, Barnhouse, Fry Walsh, Banasiak, Finnegan and Reynolds.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor
Mayor Casey called for a moment of silence in memory of Joanne Walsh. Joanne was the wife of the late Dave Walsh, former Alderman, former Park Board president and former Zoning Board member. Joanne was the mother of the current President of the Zoning Board, Tom Walsh.
Mayor Casey thanked Alderman Banasiak for stepping in and running the last meeting while he was at the hospital with his wife Cathy, she had her gallbladder removed and is doing well. Mayor Casey stated the Halloween decision will be decided by the next meeting on October 13, 2020. Mayor Casey reported he reached out to surrounding Mayor’s and they also have not decided. Vicky with the SW Conference of Mayors is sending out an email blast so we can see how other communities are handling Halloween this year. Mayor Casey stated he met with the owner of the car repair/lot owner at SW Highway and 87th Street, the pending Car Wash is having trouble gathering investors but the owner has another party interested, a Taco Bell and they want to close by November. Mayor Casey reported that the Governor had delayed awarding the cannabis license. Alderman Banasiak asked how many vacant units were in the Shopping Center. Mayor Casey stated five (5) of the twenty-five (25) units were vacant.
Office of the City Clerk:
City Clerk Mary Jo C. Hacker had no report.
Office of the Treasurer:
City Treasurer Salvatore Roti encouraged everyone to spread the word that the last day to fill out the census is September 30, 2020. We need everyone to be counted so we do not lose funds.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Elizabeth Attard had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief was not present.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director was not present.
Building: James Forbes, Commissioner had no report.
Public Health & Safety: Director Bonnie Gesiakowski reported several cases of residents keeping live stock on their property which is against ordinance. Clerk Hacker stated this will be added to the welcome letter new residents receive and it was discussed that a note should be placed in the Hi-Lites.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable and Payroll September 22, 2020: Moved by Alderman Banasiak seconded by Alderman Fry to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $60,837.24 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $62,745.44 for a total expenditure of $123,582.68.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Smith, Zak, Reynolds, Grochowski, Banasiak Kurysz, Fry, Barnhouse, Walsh and Finnegan.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman, called for a Special Meeting, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 7:00 pm to award the bid for the Duffy Avenue Project.By way of a voice vote all were in favor.
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman had no report.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Robert Smith, Chairman had no report.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Brian Barnhouse, Chairman reported that a meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held on September 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the request of Bill Gates of 4032 W. 89th Place to be allowed to keep the 6’ tall privacy fence that was recently installed. Ordinance No. 6-1987 states no fence or wall shall be permitted to extend nearer to any street than the minimum setback line and in the case of a corner building, setback lines on both streets must be observed, provided, however, that a hedge or mass planting shall be permitted within the lot lines of each building site; provided that said hedge or planting shall not exceed three feet in width or thirty inches in height; and provided further that a fence may be erected from the front of the house or minimum setback line to the front of the garage.
The Zoning Board voted to deny the appeal with 4 Ayes 1 Nays
Building Commissioner Forbes stated he gave him 21 days to move the fence back the 9 feet or receive citations.
LICENSE COMMITTEE:
Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman had no report
CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Alderman Robert Reynolds, Chairman had no report.
INSURANCE COMMITTEE:
Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Alderman Luci Kurysz, Chairman had no report
POLICE COMMITTEE
Alderman Frank Finnegan, Chairman had no report.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski, Liaison reported the next meeting will be in October 7, 2020.
Legislation: Mayor Casey had no report.
Fire Department: Alderman Rick Banasiak, Liaison reported for the second month in a row the HFPD Trustee Board Meeting was cancelled.
Personnel Review: Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN
SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski reported the 9-11 Memorial was a good day with approximately 75 people in attendance. Next year will be the 20th Anniversary. Jewel/Osco will be providing Flu Shots on October 3, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Patterson Park. Bring your insurance card. Those without insurance will be charged a $33.00 fee. They will also be providing Shingles, Whooping
Cough and Pneumonia shots. You can call Osco to pre-register.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski reported there will be a blessing of the pets at St. Germaine on October 4, 2020 at 1:30 pm. Branch pick up will be Monday October 5 and Tuesday October 13, 2020.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: NONE.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Reynolds Seconded by Alderman Kurysz to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
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