City of Hometown City Council met July 26.
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 Kevin Casey at 7:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Rick Banasiak.
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Zak, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Walsh, Beyer, Grochowski and Reynolds.
Absent: Aldermen Smith and Finnegan.
Also present: Elizabeth Attard, City Attorney, Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director of Public Health and Safety, James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal July 12, 2022: Moved by Alderman Beyer seconded by Alderman Walsh to approve as published the Journal of July 12, 2022regular City Council Meeting.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Mayor Casey announced we have a special guest with us tonight. Mayor Casey asked Joseph E. Coffelt to step up to the front of the Council Chambers. Mayor Casey announced Joseph had won Gold Medal in the backstroke, a Bronze Medal in the 4x50 meter relay and a 7th Place ribbon in the 200 freestyle representing Hometown at the Special Olympics. Mayor Casey congratulated Joe and presented him with a Certificate of Recognition and a Key to the City.
CITIZEN’S HEARING
Donna Burica of 8828 Beck Place addressed an issue with the condition of her backyard neighbors property. There was full discussion regarding this property, the City has taken many steps on this property and will discuss additional options with the City Attorney.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC HEARING ON ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE
Motion made by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to adjourn the regular meeting temporarily for the purpose of the public hearing on the appropriation ordinance. Voice vote indicated 8 Yes 0 No at 7:08 p.m.
Mayor Casey announced the public hearing is opened according to the published notice of July 14, 2022 on the annual appropriation ordinance.
Clerk announced the proposed Appropriation Ordinance has been on file for inspection for over ten (10) days, which includes the proposed levy.
Mayor asked if there were any comments from the audience on the proposed appropriation ordinance. Mayor Casey stated there were no comment.
Mayor announced the public hearing closed on the appropriation ordinance.
Motion made by Alderman Beyer, Seconded by Alderman Banasiak, that the adjourned regular meeting be re-opened.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED at 7:10 p.m.
Office of the Mayor
Mayor Casey stated he wanted to appoint two new Library Board members. Mayor Casey put forth Linda Hibberd and Ellen Meehan for consideration.
Moved By Alderman Grochowski, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve the appointment of Linda Hibberd and Ellen Meehan to the empty positions on the Library Board.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Mayor Casey stated the election results were certified and Home Rule lost by eight (8) votes. Mayor Casey stated he reached out to Election Attorney Burt Odleson who was very surprised Home Rule did not pass, he feels it is worth a look at, and then petition a recount of the votes and go one by one. He will represent Hometown in the process Thursday morning and Mayor Casey will attend the proceedings.
The people that voted no based on personal vendetta’s, jeopardize the whole town, we need additional revenue streams.
The State awarded the recreational licenses Friday and our company received theirs so we will have a dispensary. The Shopping Center was sold to a tech company from New York. There is now a battle on where the shopping center land ends and the Advocate building land starts, the closing is set for August 15th. As you will remember it was stated it will be 8-9 months from license to open. Mayor Casey thanked the Aldermen for their vote to buy the building if needed, which it is no longer needed. We now have people bashing the new Car Wash on Face Book, this man is sinking over 5 million into this property.
Mayor Casey sent a letter to the Gaming Board asking to be on the agenda for the meeting Thursday, this is his third time contacting them and felt this time he needed to be heard. They are tying up the license and units. We have six up for a vote. The Director of the board and the Board Attorney reached out wanting to know why I wanted to be on the agenda. Once I explained they assured me our six applicants will be voted on affirmative or negative at the meeting. I can attend via Zoom.
Nothing new on the church.
We opened the bids for the water meter install and there was only one bid, it was from the company that you met at the last meeting. You will see later in the meeting the bid on the resurfacing of Beck Place came in over the engineer estimate due to the cost of materials rising. Again, Home Rule would have helped us bring in new revenue streams.
Office of the City Clerk:
City Clerk Mary Jo C. Hacker had no report.
Office of the Treasurer:
City Treasurer Salvatore had no report.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Elizabeth Attard had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported the department participated in the last memorial for fallen officers. There were 95 bicycles that road from Alton Illinois through all communities that lost officers in the line of duty. They came to Patterson Park and it went off without a glitch and was very impressive. There is one more memorial, a wall that starts in Washington State and has a motorcycle escort, it should be here August 7 at approximately 10:30, we have not decided on a location yet. There is a Special Olympics event that Police Departments are a part of, Officer Haubenreiser has stepped up and wants to enter a race car. He is getting donations to cover the cost, more details to follow.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director was not present.
Public Health & Safety: Director Bonnie Gesiakowski reported we are getting many reports of rat sightings. Director Gesiakowski stated just because you see a rat does not mean your property has rats, they may just be passing through. Residents are encouraged to place snap traps.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable and Payroll July 28, 2022
Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $41,276.97 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $65,697.64 for a total expenditure of $106,974.61.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Banasiak, Zak, Grochowski, Walsh, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Beyer and Reynolds.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Finnegan and Smith.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman moved, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to award the CDBG project of resurfacing Beck Place from Kostner to Duffy Avenue to low bidder Lindhal Bros. recommended by Hancock Insurance.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman, had no report.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Robert Smith, Chairman was absent. Mayor Casey stated he attended the meeting and they will be having a Fall Fest on October 15, 2022 at Patterson Park, with Kids activities during the day and entertainment at night.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Brian Barnhouse, Chairman moved to approve request of John and Laura Dicharo of 8765 S. Kildare due to the denial of the siding permit they submitted where the color will not match the attached neighbor.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Alderman Brian Barnhouse, Chairman moved to approve request of Terry Testa of 4202 W. 87th Place due to the denial of the siding permit they submitted where the color will not match the attached neighbor.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
LICENSE COMMITTEE:
Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman asked how the list was going. Clerk Hacker stated both Code and Health Directors have their lists of stickers not purchased and we added a new resident list.
CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Alderman Robert 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 Frank Finnegan, Chairman, was absent.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski, Liaison reported the next Library Board meeting will be held Tuesday August 2, 2022.
Legislation: Alderman Christopher Beyer had no report.
Fire Department: Mayor Casey, Liaison, report they are doing okay.
Personnel Review: Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN
ORD. No. 7-2022 MOVED BY ALDERMAN WALSH, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN BANASIAK TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 7-2-2022, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION FOR CORPORATE AND OTHER PURPOSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2022 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2023 IN THE CITY OF HOMETOWN, ILLINOIS. Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
RES. NO. 6-2022: MOVED BY ALDERMAN BANASIAK, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN BEYER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 6-2022, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HOMETOWN AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL TAX FOR STREET AND BRIDGE PURPOSES.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
RES. NO. 7-2022: MOVED BY ALDERMAN REYNOLDS, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN BEYER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 7-2022: A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $60,000.00 IN MFT FUNDS TO SUPLEMENT THE CDBG GRANT TO RESURFCE BECK PLACE FROM KOSTNER TO DUFFY.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski stated the 9-11 memorial event will be held at Mayor’s Park at 1 pm on Sunday September 11, 2022.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski reported there will be free shredding on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 9:00 am-10:00 am in the City Hall parking lot. Saturday, August 13, the Mayor’s Facts not Facebook meeting will be held at Patterson Park beginning at noon. Crazy Joe’s Toys for Tots fundraiser will be held at the Shopping Center on August 20, 2022 from 3 pm to 11pm. Our Lady of Saint Germaine will be hosting a blood Drive on August 2, 2022 from 3 pm-7pm.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: Jan and John Forney of the Home Rule Committee spoke regarding the Home Rule not being on the early voting ballots. Mayor Casey stated he believes it was alone on the last page and was missed by some early voters. Mayor Casey stated, Mobil is building a building and no business license has been applied for, the vacant property owner is seeking a broker to lease or sell the property. Blue Tone was shut down for operating without a license. The pending movie about Hometown is still seeking investors.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Reynolds Seconded by Alderman Zak to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07262022-305
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