City of Hometown City Council met Feb. 14
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 Acting Mayor Finnegan on Tuesday February 14, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Smith.
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Banasiak, Reynolds, Beyer, Kurysz, Acting Mayor Finnegan, Zak, and Smith.
Absent: Aldermen Grochowski, Barnhouse and Walsh.
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police, Mark Trlak, Public Works Director, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Public Health Director and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Press: Jan Forney, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Acting Mayor Finnegan wished everyone a Happy Valentines Day and thanked everyone for coming.
Journal January 24, 2023: Moved by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Beyer to approve as published the Journal of January 24, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen, Kurysz, Beyer, Smith, Zak, Reynolds, Banasiak,
Acting Mayor Finnegan and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (3) Aldermen Grochowski, Barnhouse and Walsh.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Acting Mayor Finnegan
Office of the City Clerk:
City Clerk Hacker reported her office received from the Department of Revenue that the Sales Tax collected in the month of December 2022 was in the amount of $22,010.45 the amount collected in the month of December 2021 was in the amount of $23,014.90.
City Clerk Hacker reported her office received from the Department of Transportation that the MFT collected in the month of December 2022 was in the amount of $16,950.91, the amount collected in the month of December 2021 was in the amount of $16,172.47.
City Clerk Hacker stated we have received a thank you from the Cainkar family for the flowers we sent at the passing of James.
City Clerk Hacker reported the Ethics emails were not sent out yet but would be arriving soon.
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti stated everyone should have copies of the reports generated by my office, the Treasurers report and Investment Portfolio. You will see the red-light fines are decreased because we received 2 payments in December. The Real Estate Taxes are coming in so that has increased. Tonight, after the meeting will be the Finance Committee Meeting.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney had no report.
Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported with the Car Wash opened we are finding the traffic is fine unless they block the driveway, then that can back up the westbound traffic. Once IDOT gets everything moving and the lanes change it will be fine. The Co-ops were hit again last night, we encourage all residents to lock their car doors because that’s what they are doing, just trying doors. They did not get much, with the exemption of tools. Acting Mayor Finnegan stated he had already spoke with Gary from the Co-op’s to figure out a way to combat this ongoing situation. The Police Department has steering wheel locks for Hyundai’s. The Police Department has been working on mandated training. Acting Mayor Finnegan report that the Chief has ordered two new squads and sold one for $7,000.00.
Public Mark Trlak, Director reported they were doing routine jobs in town. Alderman Banasiak asked Works: Director Trlak how many water breaks we have had, and he responded three.
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner reported 19 homes with Solar Panels.
Public
Health: Bonnie Gesiakowski reported she is still working on garbage cans and rat issues.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve for payment the Payable accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $94,409.70 and payroll vouchers in the amount of Payroll $86,871.19 for a total expenditure of $181,280.89.
February (List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal) 14, 2023: Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen, Kurysz, Beyer, Smith, Zak, Reynolds, Banasiak, Acting Mayor Finnegan and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (3) Aldermen Grochowski, Barnhouse and Walsh.
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 had no report.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Smith, Chairman reported he attended the meeting and they worked on the budget and included some small repairs at Hammond Hall and an increase in the Fall Fest line item. They also discussed the baseball/softball teams using the fields come Spring.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman was absent.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman Absent.
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 Reported there is a new Assure card that offers increased funds if you are on Medicare/Medicaid.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Finnegan, Chairman gave the activity for January 2023. State Tickets:97 P Tickets:318 C Tickets: 2 Warnings:128 (33 HT Residents)
Arrests 20.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski was absent, and she asked Acting Mayor to give her report. The taxes they received in January was 34k, the budget is good. April is Library month; they are looking for carpenters and painters. The Board still needs two members. The library will be closed February 20, 2023 for President’s Day.
Legislation: Alderman Beyer reported April 19, 2023 is Lobby Day.
Fire Department: Acting Mayor Finnegan reported he attended the meeting, and we are trying to figure out the IGA from 2012 for inspections. We are moving forward to work together, they have inspected Hometown Mercy, the Car Wash and they will inspect the dispensary after the interior demo. In January they had 127 runs with 54 being billable. Trustee Gary Flavin was promoted to LT. where he is full-time, the Orland Park Fire Department. The next meeting will be March 6, 2023.
Personnel Acting Mayor Finnegan, Chairman, had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report. Review:
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN.
SPECIAL EVENTS: No report.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Acting Mayor Finnegan reported on upcoming events.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Acting Mayor Finnegan stated the Hometown Mercy Mosque was granted a temporary occupancy permit, they had two services, services are held on Friday. The first service had 81 vehicles, there were 12 tickets issued and 7 citations written, the second Friday service had 33 vehicles. During our meetings we made sure everyone knew we would be enforcing our traffic laws and they welcomed it. We received permit applications from the dispensary for interior demolition, with no specific date for opening. Acting Mayor Finnegan spoke with Simon from the Car Wash, and he is grateful for the support the community has given him. There will be four programs using the ball fields this year.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: Phil Mottle stated he read an article stating Republic Services put a large increase on another community and he was concerned it would happen to us. Acting Mayor Finnegan stated he was meeting with our representative soon, we have a great relationship with Republic and our contract covers man years. Acting Mayor was asked if he will be holding another Facts not Facebook meeting and he stated yes on February 18, 2023.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Beyer 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/_02142023-317
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