City of Hometown City Council met April 12.
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 Pro-Tem Banasiak on Tuesday April 12, 2022 at 7:00 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 Banasiak, Beyer, Reynolds, Finnegan, Zak, Kurysz, Smith, Barnhouse and Grochowski. Absent: Aldermen Walsh.
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police and Mark Trlak, Director of Public Works and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal March 22, 2022: Moved by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Beyer to approve as published the Journal of March 22, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Banasiak, Beyer, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Finnegan, Reynolds, Zak and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh.
ABSTENSION: (1) Alderman Grochowski
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Journal April 5, 2022: Moved by Alderman Zak, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve as published the Journal of April 5, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen Banasiak, Beyer, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Reynolds, Zak and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh.
ABSTENSION: (2) Aldermen Grochowski and Finnegan.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
Mayor Pro-tem Banasiak turned the meeting over to Chief Dominguez. The Chief stated we are here to honor one recent retiree and one soon to be retiree. Chief Dominguez stated Lt. Blitek retired after 26 years of service with the Hometown Police Department. Officer Blitek was such an asset to our police force, he was called out in the middle of the night at times to do ET work. We appreciated the many years of service to the community. Chief Dominguez presented Lt. Blitek with a plaque and his retirement badge.
Chief Dominguez stated Deputy Chief Roland will retire at the end of this month after 34 years of service. Chief stated, Jim was very helpful when I arrived, he was like Rain Man, he knew where everything was and helped me settle in. The Chief presented DC Rowland with a plaque and his retirement badge.
Combined these two served Hometown for sixty years. They may have retired but they will continue to serve Hometown, Ed will be the Director of Code Enforcement and Jim will help wherever we need him.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Pro-Tem had no report.
Office of the City Clerk:
City Clerk Hacker notified the City Council the Clerk’s office received from the Department of Revenue that the Sales Tax collected in the month of February 2022 was in the amount of $25,843.21 the amount collected in the month of February 2021 was in the amount of $17,932.75.
City Clerk Hacker notified the City Council the Clerk’s office received from the Department of Transportation that the MFT collected in the month of February 2022 was in the amount of $10,212.71 the amount collected in the month of February 2021 was in the amount of $11,884.09.
Clerk Hacker stated we received a request from Park Lawn for an Ad in their annual fundraising booklet.
Moved by Alderman Finnegan, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to approve a donation to Park Lawn in the amount of $175.00.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Beyer, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Reynolds, Grochowski, Finnegan, Zak and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Clerk Hacker stated we received a request from the Southwest Conference of Mayors’ for a sponsorship for the Annual Golf Outing to be held June 29th, 2022.
Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve a foursome and a hole sponsorship for the Southwest Conference of Mayors’ Annual Golf Outing in the amount of $800.00. Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Beyer, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Reynolds, Grochowski, Finnegan, Zak and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti stated everyone should have the reports generated from his office. Real Estate Taxes are coming in good and he will have more at the passage of the budget later in the meeting.
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police, stated April 3 was the year anniversary of us losing Lt. James Kouski. There will be a State memorial on May 5, 2022 in Springfield that the Chief will attend and a national memorial for officers that died in the line of duty in Washington on May 15th, the Chief will also attend that ceremony. There will be two convoys, one August 7, 2022 a Ride To Remember from Springfield to our area that will pass through Hometown and another one and the info will come later. On the burglary of eleven (11) vehicles, we apprehended the perpetrator and charged him with six (6) felonies. We had video and he also used credit cards he stole and we tracked them. We also were approved to seize his Audi.
We are close to filing charges on the 88th St. carjacking . On the fatal car accident in the Walgreen’s parking lot, it seems it was a tragic accident. The driver had no impairment that was found. We are awaiting final toxicity reports on both parties. We are receiving complaints on speeding on Main Street and 87th Place, speed bumps are coming.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director, reported they finished working on potholes. Director Trlak stated they had two (2) bad water breaks where they had to call Evergreen Mechanical in to assist. Director Trlak acknowledged the passing of former Public Works employee Rich Bukowski. Rich is current Public Works employee James Bukowski’s father.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner had no report.
Public Health and Safety: Bonnie Gesiakowski reminded everyone to clean up their yards.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable Payroll April 12, 2022: Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Finnegan to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $55,273.11 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $98,917.36 for a total expenditure of $154,190.47.
(List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Finnegan, Beyer, Grochowski, Zak, Barnhouse, Reynolds, Kurysz and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Alderman Beyer 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 reminded residents that the Vehicle Stickers and animal tags will be on sale May 2-June 30th.
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 gave the activity for January 2022. State Tickets:73 P Tickets:330 C Tickets: 10 Warnings:248 (96 HT Residents)
Chairman Finnegan asked the Chief if we are able to keep the car and the Chief stated yes we can sell it or use it.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reminded everyone that the Library will be closed Friday the 15th for Good Friday.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer had no report.
Fire Department: Alderman Rick Banasiak had no report.
Personnel Review: Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman, had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN
ORD. No. Moved by Alderman Smith, seconded by Alderman Beyer to approve Ordinance No. 3-2022, 3-2022: an Ordinance Amending Section 11.11, Suspension or Revocation of Licenses, and Section 11.442, Prohibited Acts (Tobacco Dealers and Other Products), of Chapter 11, Licenses, of the Municipal Code of Hometown.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Finnegan, Beyer, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Reynolds, Zak, Kurysz and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Res. No. Moved by Alderman Walsh, seconded by Alderman Finnegan to approve Resolution No. 03-2022: 03-2022, a Resolution of the City of Hometown fixing the pay and pay period of all City Officials and Employees.
Roll Call indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Finnegan, Beyer, Grochowski, Zak, Barnhouse, Reynolds, Kurysz and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Res. No. 04-2022: Moved by Alderman Walsh, seconded by Alderman Finnegan to approve Resolution No. 04-2022, A Resolution providing for the Annual Budget of The City of Hometown for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2022 And Ending April 30, 2023.
Roll Call indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Finnegan, Beyer, Grochowski, Zak, Barnhouse, Reynolds, Kurysz and Smith.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Walsh
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski has been in touch with Cook County Rabies unit and was given a temporary date of June 4, 2022 but they are still trying to find veterinarians to administer the shots. We hope to have a definite answer by early next week.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported on many upcoming events.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mayor Pro-tem Banasiak asked for a moment of silence for former employee and father of current employee James Bukowski, Richard Bukowski as he passed last week.
Alderman Barnhouse asked Building Commissioner Forbes about the new driveway code and Commissioner Forbes stated it has not been written up yet for discussion and then passage. It was announced the Home Rule meeting will be tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: NONE
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Kurysz, 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/_04122022-297
Alerts Sign-up