South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley at 7:34 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley lead the pledge of allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

• Mayor, M. Howley

  Aldermen, D. Ferrero

  B. Fonte

  M. McHugh

  P. Purtill

  J. Stachnik

  B. Waight

  S. Zimmerman

• City Clerk, D. Catizone
• City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
• City Attorney, V. Cainkar
• Police Chief, C. Hobart
• Public Works Director, S. Lehr

Alderman Henry Kman, Building Commissioner John Moirano, City Engineer Mike Spolar were absent. There being a quorum present the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mrs. Grace Niedbala

9217 S. 79th Court

Mrs. Niedbala had a few concerns she would like to share with the Council. First, she noted her street is flooding whenever it rains. She also noted there is a fence issue with her neighbor and placement of her mailbox (which is near the sidewalk).

Mrs. Niedbala stated the new construction of the house next door has caused ruts in the street. Lastly, there are some trees hanging over the street from the condo’s next door. Mayor Howley noted the Alderman will be out to investigate these issues.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 23, 2021 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley noted it is that time of year again for setting the trick or treat hours. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have trick or treating on Sunday, October 31st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Howley suggested the following meetings for the months of November and December will be November 11th and December 9th. Both dates will be Committee Meeting at 6:30 p.m. and Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Alderman Ferrero moved to change the November and December Council meetings to November 11th and December 9th. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley requested the Council’s consensus on when to have the Veterans Day Ceremony. It was also decided to hold the Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Thursday, November 11th at 5:00 p.m.

Mayor Howley mentioned there will be two meeting dates for the City’s comprehensive plan. They will be held on October 26th and 27th. More information was emailed to the Council members.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone announced the Roberts Park Fire Department will hold a celebration for their 75th Anniversary on Saturday, October 16th from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Clerk Catizone noted the Clerk’s Office will be participating in the Scarecrow Contest for Halloween on Saturday, October 30th. They will also be participating in the trunk or treat on that day.

Clerk Catizone reported the next Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, November 14th.

Clerk Catizone informed the Council all repairs are completed in the Clerk’s office from the recent pipe bursting.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #21-12, an ordinance levying taxes for the General Corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2021 and ending April 30, 2022, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #21-12. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar was absent. No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September 2021 in the amount of $328,379.79. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman was absent. No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr reported Public Works has sent out requests for proposals to remove thirteen (13) trees including grinding the stumps plus an additional 21 stumps to be ground from trees removed by Public Works. This work will be completed by December 15th. The lowest proposal received was from AM Tree Service in the amount of $13,900.00. Public Works will issue a purchase order for this work to AM Tree Service. No objections were noted.

Ms. Lehr noted Public Works has distributed the proposed street program for 2022. Public Works proposed to use an estimated $700,000 in MFT Funds for approximately two (2) miles of resurfacing. This will allow the City to double the number of streets that would resurface. If the Council has any questions or concerns, please contact Sue Lehr.

Ms. Lehr announced that SKC Construction is in the City crack sealing the streets. This project went well and material went farther than anticipated so they were able to have complete an additional street in each Ward. This totaled 15,000 linear feet of roadway crack sealed this year to prevent water from entering and deteriorating the pavement.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported for the month of September, the At Your Door Recycling collected was 2,681 pounds with 23 stops.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported the Committee is working on the Children’s Halloween Party which be held on Saturday, October 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Alderman Ferrero noted the Tree Lighting will be held on November 30th at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. She asked if anyone had any suggestions to add to this event. The Children’s Christmas Party will be held on December 11th. Also, the Lights of Hickory Hills will be held on December 14th.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh questioned if the City will hold a Community Dinner in November. After some discussion, it was agreed no dinner will be held this year.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing probable or imminent litigation involving a possible violation of the use restrictions in the Zoning Ordinance for property located on 78th Avenue in the Industrial District. Alderman Waight second.

Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2021/10/october-14-2021-city-council-meeting-minutes/