City of Hometown City Council met Oct. 25.
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 Rick Banasiak on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 7:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Donna Grochowski
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Zak, Banasiak, Finnegan, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Walsh, Beyer, Smith, Grochowski and Reynolds.
Also present: Elizabeth Attard, City Attorney and Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director of Public Health and Safety.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal October 11, 2022
Moved by Alderman Zak seconded by Alderman Beyer to approve as published the Journal of October 11, 2022 regular City Council Meeting.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (9) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Finnegan, Smith, Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTENTION: (1) Alderman Walsh
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor
Mayor Pro-Tem Banasiak stated Mayor Casey is under the weather but is joining us via the phone.
Mayor Casey stated first, let us welcome Clerk Hacker into the Medicare age as she turned 65 yesterday. The council members wished Clerk Hacker a Happy Birthday. We had a Fall Fest, and all went well. Thank you to Alderman Smith for taking control of the hayride all day by driving the trailer, thank you to the Hometown Girls Softball team and coaches for working the concession stand and the Park Board.
Mayor Casey stated he is in quarantine with a positive Covid test. There are posts on social media regarding the church property, rumors all over the place. We may be having a special meeting next to talk about it. We were pro-active last year when we passed the Ordinance to put a Special Use Permit in place for that property. Any plans must go before the Zoning Board before anything can happen.
We are in the best shape we have been in for the past thirteen years, never been better. We know what we are doing, and the sky is not falling. We should have an answer either way on Home Rule by the end of the month.
Mayor Casey reported he was approached by an Oak lawn business owner that said he was losing his building and would like to relocate his Tattoo business to Hometown. The previous administration did put in place an ordinance prohibiting Tattoo Parlors but turned around and allowed the Pawn Shop to come in. I told him if he came with a lease in hand, we could discuss us changing the ordinance.
Tomorrow night Chief Dominguez will be installed as the president of the South Suburban Chiefs of Police organization, we are proud of Lou.
The dispensary is a slow process. Go Puff has high rent so we will see.
Alderman Walsh asked Mayor Casey if anything can be done about the trains stopping for so long. Mayor Casey stated we were able to fine them in the past but there was a federal case and fines are no longer an option. It comes down to a few things, train drivers can only drive for so long, then the trains shut down and a new driver must be brought out to drive. Also, many products are now being moved via rail because the trucking industry like others cannot get drivers and the fuel cost. Both us and Oak Lawn are talking with the rail companies. Alderman Banasiak asked if the police can direct traffic to keep the traffic flowing. Mayor Casey said in the past the Chief and DC’s have been out there working traffic and the department can do it again.
Office of the City Clerk:
City Clerk Mary Jo C. Hacker thanked everyone for the birthdays wishes.
Office of the Treasurer:
City Treasurer Salvatore was absent.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Elizabeth Attard had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police was not present.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director was not present.
Public Health & Safety: Director Bonnie Gesiakowski had no report.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable and Payroll October 25, 2022
Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Zak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $323,149.33 payroll vouchers in and the amount of $66,147.64 for a total expenditure of $388,296.97.
On the question Clerk Hacker stated there are three large payments for the street grants, money in and money out.
Roll call, the vote was:
AYES: (10) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Walsh, Banasiak, Barnhouse, Reynolds Finnegan, Smith, Zak and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman had no report.
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman had no report.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Robert Smith, Chairman thanked the Park Board, the Mayor, the Softball Players and Coaches for all the work they did on the Fall Fest and the band that played for three hours.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Brian Barnhouse, Chairman notified the council members that the Zoning Hearing was held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at the request of Julian Hernandez of 8909 S. Komensky to appeal the rejection of his permit for an oversized garage of 24’x24’.
The Zoning Board voted 5 Yes 1 No to approve the garage permit. No further action required.
LICENSE COMMITTEE:
Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman had no report.
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, had no report.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski, Liaison reported the next Library Board meeting will be held Tuesday November 1, 2022.
Legislation: Alderman Christopher Beyer had no report.
Fire Department: Mayor Casey, Liaison, report they are moving along.
Personnel Review: Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN
SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski had no report.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski wished Mayor Casey a Happy Birthday, she reminded everyone to turn their clocks back on November 6th and change the batteries in their smoke alarms. The Library and Clerk’s Office will be closed on Veteran’s Day November 11th. Remember to vote November 8th.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Alderman Walsh thanked everyone that came to the kickoff of the Steven Walsh Toy Drive. Mayor Casey stated with Halloween Monday please drive safe and watch for kids. Go vote and make sure you sign the sheet. 88th Street is a big street and after waiting years to get a new street, now people are complaining it is taking too long. The sidewalks are done, and we are looking at 2 weeks to have it totally done. Alderman Kurysz stated we need a flyer to tell people to register to vote. Clerk Hacker stated we register people to vote in my office or they can register online.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: NONE
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Beyer Seconded by Alderman Finnegan to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10252022-311
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