City of Hometown City Council met April 11.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hometown was called to order by Order: Acting Mayor Finnegan on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Walsh.
Acting Mayor Finnegan stated he hoped everyone had a great Easter.
Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Banasiak, Reynolds, Beyer, Acting Mayor Finnegan, Barnhouse, Walsh, Zak, Grochowski and Smith. Absent: Alderman Kurysz
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Mark Trlak, Public Works Director, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Public Health Director and James Forbes, Building Commissioner.
Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Moved by Alderman Banasiak, seconded by Alderman Zak to approve as published the Journal of March 28, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen, Beyer, Smith, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh,
Acting Mayor Finnegan and Zak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Kurysz
ABSTENTION: (2) Aldermen Grochowski and Barnhouse
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Moved by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Beyer to approve as published the Journal of March 28, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen, Beyer, Smith, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh,
Acting Mayor Finnegan and Zak.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Kurysz
ABSTENTION: (2) Aldermen Grochowski and Barnhouse
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
NONE
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Acting Mayor welcomed Hi-lites reporter Kelly back and stated he hoped her and her new baby Sawyer are all healthy and he welcomed Sawyer. Acting Mayor Finnegan mentioned how beautiful the weather has been. Acting Mayor Finnegan thanked the Police Department, Courtney, Clerk Hacker, Alderman Beyer for their participation in the Easter Bunny Parade, many residents were out enjoying the event. Public Works worked on a sink hole that developed on Kildare, they put up a barrel and filled it with stone until they could get it repaired. The new ceiling tiles in Hammond Hall are completed. Crest Concrete was out pouring concrete bins in the Salt Dome Yard. Public Works has cleaned the area and it looks much better, the gate will be replaced soon with a sliding style which will be easier to close and lock.
They have been patching potholes at the shopping center. Patterson Park is all cut and ready for games. Alderman Reynolds reported that cars were cutting through between the Mosque and the school. Acting Mayor Finnegan stated he will meet with the Mosque representative Friday with temporary suggestions. The Mosque will be hosting a fest on July 1 and 2, 2023. We will be doing inspections of the building to supply temporary occupancy for the fest. Acting Mayor Finnegan reported he has been in contact with the Shopping Center, the furniture store is moving to the center at 87th &Cicero. 4140 Southwest Highway, the dispensary, is gutted but we have no opening date. BP has started their rehabbing. Simon from the ECO Car Wash wants to meet regarding the traffic situation.
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 January 2023 was in the amount of $29,472.23 the amount collected in the month of January 2022 was in the amount of $25,843.21.
City Clerk Hacker reported her office received from the Department of Transportation that the MFT collected in the month of January 2023 was in the amount of $13,914.80, the amount collected in the month of January 2022 was in the amount of $10,212.71.
City Clerk Hacker reported the animal tags are in the bags are labeled, filled and ready to go. We had students come in for service hours to label and fill them.
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti was ill and not present.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
Beth Attard, City Attorney had no report.
Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police reported the traffic at the Car Wash has been monitored and there have been no crashes, the driveway does need to be stripped, which will help. The Chief reported they launched the new Quicket system which allows the officers to type and print the ticket during the stop. We are working through the glitches. The Chief stated they have been in contact with the Mosque regarding speeding and not stopping at stop signs, with Ramadan traffic the department is monitoring. On April 20th and 21st they are anticipated larger crowds due to more services so the PD will be monitoring those days. We have the speed trailer on 88th Street and plan to put speed signs on 90th Place.
Mark Trlak, Director reported the 30” sewer under ECO Car Wash was televised and cleaned and it looks to be in decent shape. Director Trlak reported he attended a PW meeting in Willow Springs today, good networking opportunity. Director Trlak is meeting with Matthew Paving to go over the needed repairs from water breaks. The foul ball netting is up at Patterson, the A/C for the IT room will be finalized this week and the speed bumps will go down.
James Forbes, Building Commissioner reported BP has started their project
Bonnie Gesiakowski asked that residents clean up dog feces, trim bushes, cut the grass, clean behind the garage and make sure all garbage is in a can.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Moved by Alderman Beyer, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $35,226.11 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $85,444.46 for a total expenditure of $120,670.57.
(List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen, Grochowski, Smith, Zak, Reynolds, Banasiak, Acting Mayor Finnegan, Barnhouse, Walsh and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Kurysz
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 they discussed getting AED’s at the park and President Cruz stated he will talk to the HFPD.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the building report.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman reminded residents the Vehicle stickers and animal tags go on sale May 1st to June 30th
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, was absent.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Finnegan, Chairman gave the activity for February 2023.
Total incidents 189 State Tickets:128 P Tickets:373 C Tickets: 1 Warnings:128 (52 HT Residents) Arrests 20.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Alderman Grochowski reported they welcomed the two new members to the board. The circulation for March 2023 was 438, March of 2022 was 511. There is concern that they will not receive as much tax funds as they anticipated. They have some grant funds left. They are considering collecting puzzles. One of the Library Board Members has started delivering books to those unable to come to the library. They submitted an itemized budget to the Office of the Mayor.
Alderman Beyer had nothing to report
Alderman Reynolds reported the next meeting will be on April 17th
Acting Mayor Finnegan, Chairman, had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN.
MOVED BY ALDERMAN REYNOLDS, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN BEYER TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO.4-2023, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19, MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen, Grochowski, Smith, Zak, Reynolds, Banasiak, Acting Mayor Finnegan, Barnhouse, Walsh and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Kurysz
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
MOVED BY ALDERMAN WALSH, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN BARNHOUSE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No.2-2023, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HOMETOWN FIXING THE PAY AND PAY PERIOD OF ALL CITY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen, Grochowski, Smith, Zak, Reynolds, Banasiak, Acting Mayor Finnegan, Barnhouse, Walsh and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Kurysz
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
MOVED BY ALDERMAN SMITH, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN WALSH TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No.3-2023, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF HOMETOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2023 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2024.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (9) Aldermen, Grochowski, Smith, Zak, Reynolds, Banasiak,
Acting Mayor Finnegan, Barnhouse, Walsh and Beyer.
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Alderman Kurysz
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
SPECIALEVENTS: No report
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported the next Facts not Facebook will be on April 15 at Noon. The VFW Italian Night is on April 15th and they will have a comedy/ Elvis show. The Easter Bunny coloring contest winners will be called.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
CITIZEN’S HEARING: John Forney stated that Commissioner Forbes said at the last meeting there will be an update about the grass area by the bank. Acting Mayor Finnegan stated he talked with the Maintenance person but the owner had not returned his call.
Jan Forney asked about the $2,500.00 that was discussed during the Home Rule meetings. Acting Mayor Finnegan stated they had talked about that and are not sure where that number came from. The increase put in allows for an additional increase if we want to. The City Attorney checked with surrounding communities, and we are in the middle as far as fees.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Reynolds, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04112023-325
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