City of Hometown City Council met Sept. 13
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Call to 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 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Smith
Allegiance:
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 and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Mayor Casey asked for a moment of silence for former Police Chief Chuck Forsyth as he recently passed away.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal Moved by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to approve as published the Journal August of August 23, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting.
23, 2022: Roll Call Indicate:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Kurysz, Walsh, Grochowski, Beyer, Barnhouse, Finnegan, Reynolds Zak, and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSTENSION: (1) Aldermen Smith.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Casey reported we will go into executive session at the end of the meeting. Go Puff has moved out, they over extended and have moved out of several their new locations without opening. They closed on the Shopping Center Friday and the new owner from New York will be coming in for a sit down and talk about their plans. The parking area by the empty lot will start tomorrow. The Car Wash is moving along quickly and on track to open in November. Alderman Reynolds asked how long Beck Place and 88th Street will be under construction. Mayor Casey stated a couple of weeks weather permitted. Alderman Grochowski stated there have been many more trains than usual and they are stopping. Mayor Casey stated rail business is up due to fuel costs, they stop because they get backed up at the yard.
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 July 2022 was in the amount of $25,338.95 the amount collected in the month of July 2021 was in the amount of $21,793.81.
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 July 2022 was in the amount of $20,009.50, the amount collected in the month of July 2021 was in the amount of $14,210.37.
Clerk Hacker stated we received a request from the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to conduct their Fall product Program, it will run from September 23 to October 16. The door-to-door portion of the Girl Scout Cookie Program will be from December 15, 2022-January 16, 2023.
Moved by Alderman Grochowski seconded by Alderman Finnegan to approve the request of the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Voice Vote indicated: 10 Ayes
MOTIN DECLARED CARRIED.
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti stated with inflation up, our video gaming and cannabis is also increased. Treasurer Roti reported he will be out of the country for two weeks and will miss the next meeting.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported the Special Olympics Fundraising Race will be held on September 24 in Morris Il. Officer Nate Haubenreiser will be driving. There are t-shirts for sale as part of the fundraiser for $30.00.
Public Mark Trlak, Director reported the street sweeper came through last night, they are doing routine Works: maintenance. The street reconstruction is moving along.
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner had no report.
Public Health: Bonnie Gesiakowski was absent.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the Payable accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $127,206.70 and payroll vouchers in the amount of Payroll $71,371.02 for a total expenditure of $198,577.72 .
September (List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal) 13, 2022: 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 moved, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to Award the contract for the 88th Street resurfacing project from Kenton to Kostner to the low bidder, Lindahl Brothers, Inc. as recommended by Hancock Engineering.
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
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Walsh, Chairman had no report.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Smith, Chairman had reported the board is in the process of planning a Fall Fest for October 15, 2022 at Noon.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the August Building Report.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman
CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Bob Reynolds, Chairman had no report. I
NSURANCE COMMITTEE:Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE: Alderman Luci Kurysz, Chairman read a report from Director Gesiakowski. A friendly reminder here that fall is coming. Please clean up behind and in between your garages, get all items off the ground, clear weeds & my suggestion is to purchase and place snap traps or buy bait boxes for your property. The city is almost at capacity for bait box placement, and we need your help to gain control of the rodents. No feeding wildlife please & check your garages, porches, stoops etc. for holes and fix or plug up. Working together is the only way we can control our issues as a city.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Finnegan, Chairman gave the activity for July 2022. State Tickets:96 P Tickets:418 C Tickets: 9 Warnings:140 (104 HT Residents)
331 Incidents 27 Arrests misdemeanor Arrests: 4 Felony Arrest 5.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reported everyone received a copy of the library’s new logo. They have a new director, Britney. They are working on policies. In the hallway is a free book cart and a table inside has books for sale.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer had no report.
Fire
Department: Mayor Casey reported they are moving along.
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: The 9-11 memorial event for Sunday September 11 at Mayor’s Park was cancelled due to weather, Alderman Grochowski thanked all the people that had volunteered to help. The Office of the Mayor is having Walgreen’s to do a Flu Clinic on September 17 from 9-noon at Patterson Park.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported on many upcoming events.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: NONE
EXECUITIVE SESSION:
Moved by Alderman Walsh, seconded by Alderman Finnegan to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation at 7:30 p.m.
Roll Call indicated: 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
Moved by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Zak to re-open the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council at 7:40 p.m.
Roll Call Indicate:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Kurysz, Walsh, Grochowski, Smith, Beyer, Barnhouse, Finnegan, Reynolds, Zak and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Walsh, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09132022-308
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