City of Hometown City Council met July 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 Casey at 7:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Zak.
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Kurysz, Banasiak, Smith, Zak, Walsh, Beyer, Reynolds, Finnegan, Barnhouse and Grochowski.
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police, Mark Trlak, Director of Public Works, Bonne Gesiakowski, and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal June 28, 2022: Moved by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Beyer to approve as published the Journal of June 28, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicate:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Kurysz, Walsh, Grochowski, Smith, Beyer, Barnhouse, Finnegan, Reynolds Zak, and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
Jan Forney of 8765 Kilbourn stated she was part of the Home Rule committee. She reported in other communities that have Airbnb’s they have ordinances that have minimum stays for thirty days. Mayor Casey stated our City Attorney is looking into our options. Mayor Casey thanked the committee for their long hard work, the ramifications are already here for not passing Home Rule. We just opened bid for Beck Place and the low bid amount is more than the grant amount. New revenue streams could have helped that but now we are back to square one. Alderman Grochowski asked if we had to wait ten (10) years and Mayor Casey responded no, two (2) years. John Forney of 8765 Kilbourn was also on the Home Rule committee and he stated, the committee worked hard, they worked with integrity and honesty. He thanked everyone on the committee and all residents that volunteered.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Casey thanked Alderman Banasiak for running the last meeting in his absence. Mayor Casey reported the Car Wash has the footings in and are moving along at a good clip with an anticipated opening of November. IDOT threw him a curve and he will have to do additional street reconfiguring; he is putting over 4 million into the property. He is paying full price for his permits, 3% of 900k, so approx. 27k.We still have no idea when Go Puff will be stocked to open. The sale of the Church closed, and Mayor Casey stated he has met with the doctor and his son, we had a nice talk and I advised him to change the locks immediately. We will have a sit down with Commissioner Forbes, Chief Dominguez, myself, and the doctor to discuss what needs to be done. He has agreed to allow the Nutrition Network stay in the B Building. There is still some legal work to be done with the neighbor. The Shopping Center is under contract, an investor out of New York. The cannabis recreation licenses are supposed to be released August 1, 2022. Mayor Casey thanked the Home Rule committee for all of their hard work, time and effort. He said he has been beating himself up for not being here to work the polls, but we must move forward. We have installed additional fencing at the splash pad with the intent to make it residents only and non-resident pay. Mayor Casey was asked the hours of the splash pad, he responded 8am to 8 pm 7 days a week, so an attendant or attendants would work long hours.
Director Gesiakowski asked about the video gaming, Mayor Casey stated they meet on July 28, and he has requested to be put on the agenda to get an answer once and for all so those spaces can be filled.
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 May 2022 was in the amount of $22,145.01 the amount collected in the month of May 2021 was in the amount of $23,514.78.
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 May 2022 was in the amount of $14,638.73, the amount collected in the month of May 2021 was in the amount of $14,210.37.
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti, absent.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported that on Sunday, July 17, 2022 the COPS organization will be coming through Hometown on bikes. They start in Alton IL and stop at all the communities that lost an officer in the line of duty to honor them. There will be approximately 95 bikes, they will be at Patterson Park at 12:45 to honor Lt. Kouski. Our bikes are ready we just need to get officers trained on them.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director reported the street sweeper came through last night and the weed sprayer will be through tonight. There were some issues with the weeds behind Southwest Highway and Main. Street on the railroad tracks. Metra was out today and will be back to clean up the weeds. We have been doing routine jobs and baiting the sewers
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner reported the car wash is moving at a fast pace, the building will be cast concrete.
Public Health and Safety: Bonnie Gesiakowski reported she received a list of animal tags not bought and left notes on peoples doors. Director Gesiakowski reminded people to cut the weeds between and behind the garages.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable Payroll July 12, 2022: Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $183,863.71 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $64,743.85 for a total expenditure of $248,607.56.
(List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal) Roll Call Indicated:
Roll Call Indicate:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Kurysz, Walsh, Grochowski, Smith, Beyer, Barnhouse, Finnegan, Reynolds, Zak and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
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 stated per the City of Hometown Ordinance No. 3-1989 provides for passing the Chicago water and sewer increase onto the residents of Hometown. The City of Chicago increased the water rate as of July 1, 2022. The current water charge per 665 cubic feet is $36.34, with the City of Chicago increase of 5% it will bring the new charge for 665 cubic feet to $38.16. So, the minimum bill for water and sewer will now be $62.54 per month. You will see this increase on the August bill, due in September which is for July usage.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Smith, Chairman had no report.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the building report and reminded everyone that the Building Board will meet tomorrow night for two hearings on siding color, both properties are L shaped. Mayor Casey stated the permit fees are up because of the Co-ops permits.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman asked if the people coming in late for stickers were getting tickets and paying double. Clerk Hacker responded yes.
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 was absent. Alderman Banasiak gave the activity for May 2022.
State Tickets:112 P Tickets:446 C Tickets: 17 Warnings:110 (88 HT Residents) 25 Arrests 284 Incidents Felony Arrest 1
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reported circulation for June 2022 was 648, June 2021 was 436. The new Head librarian has some fantastic ideas, updating the website, new logo, a history corner. Angela Mottl will be taking the Treasurer position on the board. The per Capita Grant amount for this year is $6,493.00. The summer reading program is going well.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer had no report.
Fire Department: Mayor Casey 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.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Free Shredding on September 23, City Hall Parking Lot from 9-10 am.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported on many upcoming events.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS: Alderman Banasiak asked if there is anything that can be done about the free paper dropped on everyone’s driveway? Clerk Hacker stated she has called before and nothing can be done, freedom of the press. Rick Banasiak asked if the Willow tree on Beck and Duffy can be addressed as it is hard to see oncoming traffic. Director Gesiakowski stated she will address it.
CITIZEN’S HEARING: Jan Forney asked if the Mayor if he will be having a Facts not Facebook meeting again. Mayor Casey stated yes, soon.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Zak to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07122022-304
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