City of Hometown City Council met July 13.
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 7:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Alderman Banasiak.
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Kurysz, Reynolds, Banasiak, Grochowski, Smith, Finnegan, Barnhouse and Zak.
Absent: Aldermen Beyer and Walsh.
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director of Public Health and Safety, Mark Trlak, Director of Public Works and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal June 22, 2021: Moved by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Finnegan to approve as published the Journal of June Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Zak, Reynolds, Smith, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Finnegan and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Walsh and Beyer.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Casey stated he received a text from Trustee Nevels saying he was resigning, no reason given, no formal letter. With that said Mayor Casey stated he would like to appoint Pat Scott to the vacated Trustee position. Pat recently moved back to Hometown after being born and raised here. He started
his Fire Fighter career here in Hometown and completed his career in Alsip where he retired a Battalion Chief. Pat has years of experience and will be an asset to the District.
Moved by Alderman Barnhouse, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve Pat Scott’s appointment to the position of Hometown Fire Protection Trustee.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Zak, Reynolds, Smith, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Finnegan and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Walsh and Beyer.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Mayor Casey asked for a moment of silence for an original “Hometowner”, an extremely sweet lady that loved Hometown, Eileen Graff who passed away on July 3rd. Eileen was involved back in her heyday with community activities.
Clerk Hacker reported that her office received notification from the Department of Revenue that the Sales Tax collected in the month of February 2021 was in the amount of $17,932.75 the amount collected in the month of February 2020 was in the amount of $28,513.62.
Clerk Hacker reported that her office received notification from the Department of Transportation that the MFT collected in the month of February 2021 was in the amount of $12,313.42 the amount collected in the month of February 2020 was in the amount of $13,853.78.
Clerk Hacker stated we received a request from the Southwest Conference of Mayors’ for a foursome and sponsorship for the annual fundraiser, this is something we do every year.
Mayor Casey stated this is the one and only fundraiser they do each year, this helps with all the trips to Springfield to fight for the municipality’s funds etc.
Moved by Alderman Finnegan, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request for a foursome and a hole sponsorship.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Zak, Reynolds, Smith, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Finnegan and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Walsh and Beyer.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti stated everyone should have the reports generated from his office, everything is going well, Video Gaming is coming in good, there is nothing big to point out.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney reminded everyone that the Appropriation ordinance will be passed at the next meeting.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported all officers are walking at some point during their shift and it is working out well. We have new chairs for the city that were donated. The 4th of July went well with minimal calls.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director reported they are working on B Box replacement, there are four catch basins that need repair. Evergreen Park will be coming in with their truck to clean the catch basins.
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner had no report.
Public Health and Safety: Bonnie Gesiakowski reported she is working on weeds and tall grass and now animal tags.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable Payroll July 13, 2021: Moved by Alderman Banasiak, seconded by Alderman Zak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $301,171.06 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $71,454.15 for a total expenditure of $372,625.21. (List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal) Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Zak, Reynolds, Walsh, Beyer, Barnhouse, Grochowski, Banasiak and Kurysz.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Finnegan and Smith.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Alderman Banasiak acknowledged receipt of the City Treasurer’s Report and the Clerk Collector’s Report.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman had no report.
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Walsh, Chairman was absent.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Smith, Chairman had no report.
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 had no report.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Finnegan, Chairman reported the activity for June.
State tickets 39 P Tickets 306 C Tickets 10 Warnings 136 Incidents 302
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reported the library received a letter stating the per capita this year will be $6,414.78. They had some money left from the grant and they are looking into items to purchase. There are 11 children signed up for the reading program which goes until July 31, 2021.
The Circulation for the library for August 2021 was 436, August 2020 was 411.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer was absent.
Fire Department: Alderman Rick Banasiak reported they met last night and as the mayor has mentioned Larry Nevels resigned, giving no reason. Due to cost cutting they are sound until the next tax funds arrive. The HFPD is down in staffing and if they can not staff the firehouse for a shift, Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park are notified and they will answer calls for Hometown. They will have to have an audit by years end. Evergreen Park invited them to a training on solar panels.
Personnel Review: Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN
Special Events: Alderman Grochowski reported Mayors Office of Special Events will be having a 9-11 memorial ceremony again this year for the 20th anniversary at the Mayors Park beginning at 1:00 p.m. September 12th will be the rain date. Jewel Osco will be giving Flu/Pneumonia shots on September 25 at Patterson Park; they will notify us if they have the covid shot available.
Health, Welfare & Community Awareness: Alderman Grochowski reported on upcoming events and wished Ed Burns a Happy 99th Birthday.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: The church sale has stalled but should be moving forward soon. Ghosiens lot is thinning out, that sale should be closing soon. The Shopping Center is going well. Go Puff has been pulling permits. Rick reported the Fire Chief received a call from the new tenants at Advocate regarding the sprinkler system. Four Cities Plaza is in the early stages of foreclosure so the bank cannot show the units until it is fully bank owned. District 123 is working on the parking lot.
CITIZEN’S HEARING: Mayor Casey welcomed resident Mary Fill to the meeting, Mary talked about her neighboring property and wires hanging. Director Trlak will visit the property to let her know which wires they are, so she knows who to call.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Finnegan, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07132021-273
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