City of Hometown City Council met Aug. 9.
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 Walsh.
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 July 26, 2022: Moved by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to approve as published the Journal of July 26, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicate:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Kurysz, Walsh, Grochowski, Beyer, Barnhouse, Reynolds Zak, and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSTENSION: (2) Aldermen Smith and Finnegan.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Casey reported the Car Wash is going up, Commissioner Forbes or I am there daily checking on things, the building is done. The recreational dispensary building closing is pending as the attorneys are working out property lot lines. I have calls into the new owner of the church and have not received any call backs. There is a new owner of the shopping center, an LLC from New York, they are planning on spicing up the center and cleaning up. Mayor Casey stated he spoke with the owner of the empty lot, and he is planning to re-do the parking lot by his property and market the lot soon. The re-count is going along, the attorneys are working on it.
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 June 2022 was in the amount of $22,145.01 the amount collected in the month of June 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 June 2022 was in the amount of $14,638.73, the amount collected in the month of June 2021 was in the amount of $14,210.37.
Clerk Hacker stated we continue to sell vehicle stickers as you can see on the Clerk Collector report.
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 the Call of Duty Memorial had a nice turn out, it was very impressive, there were 600 names on the wall, they rode 38k miles over 90 days. Chief Dominguez thanked everyone that helped with set up and those that attended. Mayor Casey commended Chief Dominguez on the professional way he orchestrated all the memorials, the way he kept in touch with the family, even though they did not attend any of the ceremonies. Mayor Casey stated the Chief has worked hard for 1.5 years on this while also building up the Police Department and his day-to-day duties.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director reported the street sweeper came through last night. We had a pre-construction meeting with Lindahl for 88th Street. Commonwealth Edison is in town upgrading their wooden poles, they should be done by November. Alderman Banasiak asked with the cost of resurfacing streets going up will you be doing oil to prevent cracks from enlarging? Director Trlak stated that tar lasts three (3) years. Alderman Grochowski asked with school opening will you be painting the cross walks. Director Trlak responded the crosswalk painting is completed.
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner reported the Kolmar addition is starting. Mayor Casey stated he wanted to Commend Commissioner Forbes for all the time he was putting in, almost full-time hours. He has been active with the Car Wash and Shopping Center; the many hours are appreciated.
Public Health and Safety: Bonnie Gesiakowski reported her, and Director Trlak walked the railroad tracks from 90th place to the park with Metra and saw all the garbage and debris that has been tossed over the fences and realize they would ruin their equipment cutting the weeds. The clerk will send letters to the residents.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable Payroll August 9, 2022: Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $79,242.41 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $82,150.16 for a total expenditure of $161,392.57.
(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 reported the board is in the process of planning a Fall Fest for October 15, 2022. They will meet tomorrow.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the July Building Report.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman asked how long new residents have to purchase vehicle stickers. Clerk Hacker responded thirty days.
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 July 2022. State Tickets:111 P Tickets:418 C Tickets: 17 Warnings:131 (88 HT Residents) 331 Incidents 27 Arrests misdemeanor Arrests 5 Felony Arrest 4.
Mayor Casey stated it has been a busy month, many things going on that I can’t talk about, but the officers are on it. The word is out that this is a great place to work, and we are getting officers with many years of experience. I am meeting with Senator Durbin tomorrow to discuss getting some of the federal money to support the police that’s being talked about.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reported the circulation for July was 992. The reading program ended August 8th. They are planning a book sale in the Fall. There are discussions regarding naming the history area after Ted Kramer, who was a history buff. They are talking about moving the computer room up to the front of the library. They are also talking about a new logo.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer had no report.
Fire Department: Mayor Casey had no report.
Personnel Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman, had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report. Review:
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Plans are being made for the 9-11 memorial event for Sunday September 11 at Mayor’s Park. There are plans for Walgreen’s to do a Flu Clinic on September 17 from 9-noon.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported on many upcoming events. Free Shredding on September 23, City Hall Parking Lot from 9-10 am. Christmas in August at the Shopping Center. Eighteen people donated blood at the St. Germaine blood drive. There will be another blood drive December 1st.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: NONE
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 7:30 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08092022-306
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