South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met Jan. 12.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

• Mayor, M. Howley

  Aldermen, D. Ferrero

  B. Fonte

  H. Kman

  M. McHugh

  P. Purtill

  J. Stachnik

  B. Waight

  S. Zimmerman

• City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
• City Clerk, D. Catizone
• City Attorney, V. Cainkar
• Public Works Director, S. Lehr
• Police Chief, J. Bray
• Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Bob Clark8737 S. 84th Court

Mr. Clark voiced his concerns of the water pipes in his area are continually having issues with breaks. The last break he noted, the water was off 12 hours. Public Works Director Lehr explained this was a case of the hydrant and the main had a leak and needed to be repaired.

LIGHTS OF HICKORY HILLS CONTEST WINNERS

First Ward: 1st Place Cynthia Palmer 8819 S. 79th Avenue2nd Place Jennifer Salcedo 7630 W. 93rd Street

Second Ward: 1st Place Angelika & Piotr Opacian 9231 S. 86th Court, 2nd Place Tom Blunk 9224 S. 82nd Avenue

Third Ward: 1st Place Robert Kelly 9125 W. 92nd Place. 2nd Place Robert Cooper 9240 S. 89th Avenue

Fourth Ward: 1st Place Tim & Adaliz Stewart 8749 S. 82nd Avenue. 2nd Place Michael Kramer 8944 S. 80th Court.

Mayor Howley presented a token of appreciation to the winners present.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of December 8, 2022, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented a nominee for the Police Pension Board, Treasurer Al Vodicka. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the appointment of Treasurer Al Vodicka to the Hickory Hills Police Pension Board. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley thanked all the residents who participated in the “Lights of Hickory Contest”.

Mayor Howley gave an update on the crossing guard that was hit by a car near Conrady. She is now at home, and we all wish her a speedy recovery.

CITY CLERK

No report submitted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2022 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2022. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated October 31, 2022 for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated October 31, 2022. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Vodicka reported he has hired a part-timer for the Treasurer’s office.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #23-01, an ordinance vacating a portion of 79th Avenue lying north of 97th Street for the benefit of North Palos School District #117. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #23-01. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #23-01, a resolution to submit the Subrecipient Agreement and execute the 2022 Community Block Grant (CDBG) Agreement with the County of Cook for project #22-06-003 in the amount of $195.000.00. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #23-01. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

RES. 23-02 – Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #23-02, a resolution appropriating the sum of $696,000.00 for street improvement using the Motor Fuel Tax Funds. Alderman Fonte moved to approve Resolution #23-02 in the amount of $696,000.00. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Alderman Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

RES. 23-03 – Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #23-03, a resolution appropriating the sum of $240,000.00 for street improvement project #23-00065-00-RS. Alderman Waight moved to approve Resolution #23-03 in the amount of $240,000.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

RES. 23-04 – Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #23-04, a resolution appropriating $38,000.00 of MFT Funds for work done on Kean Avenue from 87th Street to the City’s Northern Boundary. Alderman Kman moved to approve Resolution #23-04 in the amount of $38,000.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman McHugh questioned the status of the grant to redo the parking lot at Parkview. Mr. Spolar noted they are awaiting authorization from IDOT.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of January 2023 in the amount of $429,345.61. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Kman noted the ordinary and customary bills payable for the second half of December 2022 had a total of $280,492.91.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Chief Bray presented a memo to the Council for consideration of extending the COVID-19 MOA for Impacted Holiday Pay Loss. After some discussion, Alderman Stachnik moved to approve extending the COVID-19 Impacted Holiday Pay Loss for one year. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr stated the entrance signs to the City are up and look fantastic. She noted Mayor Howley’s design is sleek and tasteful. They are a great addition to the City.

Ms. Lehr reported that Public Works last heard from IDOT was in late December on the permit for the 76th Avenue turn lane project. The traffic operations division is again in review. They expected six (6) weeks turn around which we are fast approaching.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported the Community Affairs Committee is currently working on the Street Fair applications for the Street Fair. The Street Fair will be held on Sunday, June 25th.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Howley expressed his thanks to the Public Works Department as they work in difficult weather conditions to repair water main breaks.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2023/01/january-12-2023-city-council-meeting-minutes/