City of Hometown City Council met Nov. 8.
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 Banasiak
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Kurysz, Banasiak, Beyer, Walsh, Finnegan, Barnhouse and Grochowski.
Absent: Aldermen Reynolds and Smith.
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police, Bonnie Gesiakowski and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal October 25, 2022: Moved by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Zak to approve as published the Journal of October 25, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Beyer, Barnhouse, Walsh, Finnegan, Zak, and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Reynolds.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Casey reported that there are all sorts of rumors out there regarding the church property. They do not know what they want to do with it, we have no plans in hand and whatever plans they submit, there will be a Zoning Hearing. About a month ago the City Attorney and I met with the new owners and they understand the guidelines in place. The Car Wash will be opening soon, the landscaping looks nice. On Home Rule, the recount was a lengthy process, we had originally won at the polls then lost by eight after all ballots counted which led to a challenge. Attorney Oldelson and staff, Attorney Joseph Cainkar, Clerk Hacker, and I were part of the re-count. We were never allowed to touch ballots, we never knew if the ballot was a yes or no vote, we simply checked signatures and the integrity of the ballots. The findings were then presented to a judge, he goes over the findings and decides if he feels there is enough for a trial. The judge felt there was, he then proceeds to check each finding and issues an order and he felt there was enough to change the outcome to 382 yes 379 No. We had to wait for the Cook County Clerk to certify the outcome to tell the City Council. I know more about elections from this process than I thought I would ever know. I appreciate the hard work and struggles of the committee.
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 September 2022 was in the amount of $23,946.54 the amount collected in the month of September 2021 was in the amount of $21,743.41.
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 September 2022 was in the amount of $15,519.49, the amount collected in the month of September 2021 was in the amount of $13,850.33.
Clerk Hacker stated we have a request from OLCHS Baseball for a sponsorship at the Sullivan Field for the 2023 season to help raise funds for a trip to Alabama to play top level programs. Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Grochowski to approve a $200.00 Sponsorship for the OLCHS Baseball.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Beyer, Barnhouse, Walsh, Finnegan, Zak, and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Reynolds.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti was absent.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, reported he and Treasurer Roti to get the Levy for passage.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported the Safety Act verbiage continues to be worked on by Chief Associations. The Hometown Police have hired a trainer to make sure we are compliant. Chief Dominguez commended Deputy Chief Hoenselaar for his work on getting a grant for the body cameras which are mandated. The department will again conduct a Shop with a Cop for the holiday season. Chief Dominguez reported there are several unclaimed bikes the department has. They will publish them in the paper and after 30 days they can donate them. Chief Dominguez noted the monthly stats are above average. As they continue to struggle like most departments with staffing. Mayor Casey stated the mandates being handed down are unfunded, and it is very expensive during these times to run a Police Department.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director, not present.
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner reported he received plans for another 2nd story addition on 87th street. This is the third one this year. Commissioner Forbes stated it is getting harder and harder to find color matches for the roofing and siding, the Building Board and City Council can make the decision.
Public Health: Bonnie Gesiakowski asked all residents to remove the pumpkins, straw and corn stalks to help with the rodent issue.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable Payroll November 8, 2022: Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $192,303.76 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $67,796.86 for a total expenditure of $260,100.62.
(List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Beyer, Barnhouse, Walsh,
Finnegan, Zak, and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Reynolds.
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
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Walsh, Chairman absent.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Smith, Chairman was absent.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the September Building Report.
Chairman Barnhouse notified the City Council of a Zoning Board of Appeals acting
as the Building Board of Appeals to be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at the request of Victor Martinkus of 4501 W. 88th Place to appeal the rejection of his permits to change the color of his siding and roof on his house.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman had no report.
CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Bob Reynolds, Chairman was absent.
INSURANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE: Alderman Luci Kurysz, Chairman moved, seconded by Alderman Beyer to Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the renewal of our preventative maintenance agreement for the Outdoor Warning Siren with Braniff Communications. Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen Kurysz, Grochowski, Beyer, Barnhouse, Walsh, Finnegan, Zak, and Banasiak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Smith and Reynolds.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Finnegan, Chairman gave the activity for October 2022. State Tickets:139 P Tickets:466 C Tickets: 5 Warnings:140 (109 HT Residents)
244 Incidents 30 Arrests Misdemeanor Arrests: 4 Felony Arrest 11.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reported last weeks meeting was cancelled and they are meeting tonight.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer had no report.
Fire Department: Mayor Casey reported they are moving along.
Personnel Review: Mayor Kevin Casey, Chairman, had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN.
Alderman Kurysz wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving as she will be missing the next meeting.
SPECIAL EVENTS: No report.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported on upcoming events.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Alderman Finnegan commended the Mayor and the Committee on their time and hard work on Home Rule.
NEW BUSINESS: There are a couple businesses that would like to open and that have been denied because of past business practices, they want to go higher than the mayor for approval so they were told they could come to a City Council meeting.
CITIZEN’S HEARING: Jan Forney asked what is next regarding Home Rule and Mayor Casey stated there will be meetings to discuss ordinances etc.
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 7:35 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11082022-312
Alerts Sign-up