City of Hickory Hills City Council met April 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Howley on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 7:31 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
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
• City Engineer, M. Spolar
• 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Sara Tate
9348 S. 81st Court
Ms. Tate voiced her concerns about cars speeding on 81st Court. She stated the police have been monitoring however, when they leave the speeding resumes. Can something be done?
Chief Bray will investigate the matter further.
Ms. Tate also inquired as to when the City will install a dog park. Mayor Howley stated the City is looking into viable locations. Lastly, Ms. Tate has some flooding issues on her street.
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 March 23, 2023, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented Mr. Alonzo Martinez for the appointment on the Police Pension Board. A memo with his bio was distributed to the Council. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the appointment of Mr. Alonzo Martinez to the Police Pension Board. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley read the Arbor Day Proclamation into the record.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported she attended the Senior Meeting on Wednesday, along with representatives of the new garbage hauler, Lakeshore Recycling Services. A short presentation was given on their services that begin on June 1, 2023.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated December 31, 2022, for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated December 31, 2022. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #23-04, an ordinance, changing Section 31.12(b), tobacco and electronic cigarette dealer and specialty dealer, to decrease the number of licenses to a total of three (3). Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ord. #23-04. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Spolar reported they have reviewed the bids submitted at the letting of April 10, 2023, for the 2022 CDBG Street Improvement Project (GDBG 2206-003). They are as follows:
D. Construction…………………….$237,145.20
Lindahl Brothers, Inc………………$242,060.95
The Engineer’s Estimate of Cost for this project was $194,855.20. While this cost is higher than expected, the bidders were within 3% of each other thus providing reassurance of the competitiveness of the bids received. We, therefore, recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, D. Construction, Inc., in the amount of $237,145.20. Alderman Waight moved to award the contract to D. Construction, Inc., in the amount of $237,145.20. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of April 2023 in the amount of $421,427.71. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman reported he and Treasurer Vodicka met regarding the upcoming budget. He is seeking consensus from the Council on the proposed 5% salary increase for the non-union and elected officials for the 2023-2024 budget. The consensus of the Council was to approve the 5% salary increase.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Bray is seeking approval to fill vacancies in the Police Department. This would include the hiring of a Probationary Police Officer and the promotion of an Officer to Sergeant. The Probationary Patrol Officer would be hired from the New Entry Patrol Officer Eligibility List for Probationary Police Officer or the Lateral Patrol Officer Eligibility List for Probationary Police Officer that have been established by the Board of Fire and Police Commission. The Sergeant promotion would be filled with the next eligible candidate from the Sergeant Eligibility List that had been established by the Board of Fire and Police Commission that expires in May 2024. After some discussion, Alderman McHugh moved to approve the filling of these two vacancies as presented. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Ms. Lehr reported the Clerk’s Office and herself met with Lakeshore Recycling to layout the transition to the new garbage services.
At this time, we were notified that the City will need to take delivery of all 7,000 cans. Public Works will modify their parking lot to accommodate the can delivery and pickups.
Ms. Lehr reported the City welcomed 41 new trees to our tree canopy this week. Planting took place on Wednesday and went well. Amongst numerous benefits, trees work as visual cues to encourage people to drive slower and create a more livable neighborhood street.
Ms. Lehr noted the City has received notification that our water rates from supplier Justice Willow Springs (JWS) will increase by $0.2915. This rate increase begins June 1st. This increase includes the Chicago rate increase for JWS and the administrative increase from our supplier, JWS.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported all is running smoothly at Parkview Apartments and the Community Center.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill presented one business license application for Naper Motors located at 7750 W. 99th Street. This is for auto dealers and light mechanic work. After some discussion the attorney will review to see if mechanical work is allowed in this zoning classification.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported Lakeshore Recycling Services (LRS) will be mailing notices to residents next week. After a few weeks, information on electronic recycling will be mailed out to residents.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported she and her committee are currently working on the Street Fair and the Arbor Day Tree Sale.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Commissioner Moirano reported he has received bids for the demolition of the house on 78th Avenue. He noted the bid recommendation is approximately $16,100.00, which is the lowest bid.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Howley announced the next Committee and Council Meeting on April 27th will begin at 5:00 p.m.
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 8:13 p.m.
https://hickoryhillsil.org/2023/05/april-13-2023-city-council-meeting-minutes/
Alerts Sign-up