City of Hometown City Council met Dec. 8
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 Casey at 8:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Reynolds.
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Kurysz, Reynolds, Smith, Banasiak, Beyer, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Finnegan, Zak and Walsh.
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director of Public Health and Safety, Mark Trlak, Public Works Director and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal November 24, 2020: Moved by Alderman Grochowski seconded by Alderman Kurysz to approve as published the Journal of November 24, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Zak, Smith, Reynolds, Grochowski, Walsh, Finnegan, Barnhouse, Beyer, Banasiak and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Casey stated everyone has a copy of the letter that will be in the Hi-lites. The last Mass at OLL is Thursday. Mayor Casey met with some of the FD personnel and due to Covid they are having difficulty with staffing so he asked Courtney to find a Fire Truck for Santa and she found one with a trolley on it. We will have Santa, Mrs. Claus and Dancing Elves on December 19th starting at 1:00 p.m. We are working with the VFW to get baskets for Hometown families in need. We sent letters to some of our vendors and the Hometown Community Chest, the Louis F. Cainkar firm and Wagner Sim already sent donations. Fire Trustee Jeff Reinheimer is stepping down on January 1, 2021, I approached John Cruz about the position and he has agreed to take it. He brings good business sense to the table. He has no fire service experience so he will approach things from a resident/business point of view.
Appointment: Moved by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Zak to approve the appointment of John Cruz to the position of Hometown Fire Protection Trustee.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Zak, Smith, Reynolds, Finnegan, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Grochowski, Walsh, Beyer and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Mayor Casey asked the Alderman to think about moving our meeting time to 7:00 p.m. starting in January, he asked them to think about it. Mayor Casey wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
Office of the City Clerk:
Clerk Hacker reported that her office received notification from the Department of Revenue that the Sales Tax collected in the month of July 2020 was in the amount of $15,118.76 the amount collected in the month of July 2019 was in the amount of $ 17,145.86.
Clerk Hacker reported that her office received notification from the Department of Transportation that the MFT collected in the month of July 2020 was in the amount of $ 8,115.24 the amount collected in the month of July 2019 was in the amount of $14,462.15.
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti stated everyone should have a copy of the reports generated by his office. You will see the Investment Account is down due to paying Liability Insurance and some of the reimbursable contractor payments on grants.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported they are finishing up training for E-Tickets and should be live by January 1, 2021. The Police Department reconstruction has been sent out and should be coming in the next few months.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director reported the Duffy reconstruction went well, they did some temporary striping but in the spring they will stripe with thermal plastic which should last for years.
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner reported tomorrow is the Zoning Hearing at 7:00 p.m. for the resident that want to build a Gazebo in the front yard, please come and give your thoughts.
Public Health and Safety: Bonnie Gesiakowski reported that for the past 4 weeks pest control has noticed 90% of the boxes showing activity which is good because the rodents are eating the poison and will be dying. Director Gesiakowski wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable Payroll December 2020: Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $ 28,286.73 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $80,397.24 for a total expenditure of $108,683.97.
(List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal) 8, Roll
Call Indicated:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Zak, Smith, Reynolds, Finnegan, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Grochowski, Walsh, Beyer and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Alderman Beyer acknowledged receipt of the City Treasurer’s report and the Clerk Collector’s report for October.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman had no report.
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Walsh, Chairman had no report.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Smith, Chairman had no report. Mayor Casey reported the new benches were installed and the tree is up.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the Building Report.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman had no report.
CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE:
Alderman Bob Reynolds, Chairman had no report.
INSURANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE: Alderman Luci Kurysz, Chairman stated she has the number to Roseland Hospital for results of the Covid testing.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Finnegan, Chairman gave the report for September: Incident Reports 269 P Tickets 330 State Tickets 22 Written Warnings 75 Verbal Warnings 88 Compliance 12
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reported the November 2020 circulation was 439 and the November 2019 was 444. They are working on the per capita grant. They asked the Board if they could be closed the Saturday of the Christmas Week-end and the Saturday of the New Year’s week-end. The Board voted to grant their request so they will be closed and paid for the Saturdays. They are offering curbside pick up for those wanting it.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer had no report.
Fire Department: Alderman Rick Banasiak reported they will meet next Monday.
Personnel Review: Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN
ORD. NO. 9-2020: MOVED BY ALDERMAN BANASIAK, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN BEYER TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 9-2020, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVYING, ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING APRIL 30, 2021 FOR THE CITY OF HOMETOWN
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Zak, Smith, Reynolds, Finnegan, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Grochowski, Walsh, Beyer and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Special Events: Alderman Grochowski had no report.
Health, Welfare & Community Awareness: Alderman Grochowski reported that Timmy’s Angels is hosting Adopt A Family this year and they are still selling raffle tickets. The City is holding a Christmas decorating contest this year with the judging being on December 18th.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mayor Casey stated the blankets you all received are from Royal Furniture.
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN’S HEARING: None
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Smith to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12082020-254
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