South Cook News

City of Hometown City Council met April 25

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 Frank Finnegan on Tuesday, April 25, 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 Zak, Banasiak, Walsh, Smith, Reynolds, Grochowski, Barnhouse and Kurysz. 

Absent: Aldermen Beyer 

Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney and Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director of Public health and Safety. 

Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites. 

Journal April 11, 2023 Moved by Alderman Zak seconded by Alderman Walsh to approve as published April the Journal of April 11, 2023 regular City Council Meeting. 

Roll call, the vote was: 

AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Smith, Acting Mayor Finnegan, Walsh, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Reynolds, Zak and Kurysz.  

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (1) Alderman Beyer 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

CITIZEN’S HEARING 

NONE 

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Office of the Mayor 

Acting Mayor Finnegan stated Public Works has been doing a lot, they worked on the fence, Mathew Paving will be out May 2, for asphalt patching and the speed bumps are out. Director Trlak, Chief Dominguez and I are assessing speeding situations. I met with Superintendent Enderle regarding Pickle Ball Courts between the schools. He is anxious to get these approved by the board as well as a community garden. There is a community garden at the middle school, and they provided 2500 pounds of food to meals on wheels and other charities. We purchased collapsible bollards for between the schools to help prevent the vehicles cutting through. Calumet City Plumbing will be starting the new meter project. May 1, 2023 letters will go to the residents kicking off the project, then installation will start on May 15th, in the Co-ops. We are looking at wrapping up the project in November. June 15 will be the projected start date for the homes. Chief was busy last week with a six-man crew directing traffic for the end of Ramadan. The Park Board has purchased a Sunshade for Mayor’s Park and they will have a concrete pad poured for it. The fields at Patterson Park are busy with four programs using them.

Office of the City Clerk: 

City Clerk Mary Jo C. Hacker stated her office was gearing up for the vehicle stickers and animal tags sales to start Monday. If you have not submitted your ethics, please check your email and do so before May 1st. We will start using time clocks on May 1st. 

Office of the Treasurer: 

City Treasurer Salvatore had apologized for being sick, but he saw we passed the budget. Any further questions please reach out. 

REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL 

City Attorney: Attorney Michael Cainkar had no report. 

Police: Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police was not present. 

Building Department: James Forbes, Commissioner was not present. 

Health & Safety: Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director has no report. 

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Accounts Moved by Alderman Banasiak, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve for Payable payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $226,144.58 and payroll vouchers in and the amount of $61,271.39 for a total expenditure of $287,415.97. 

Payroll April 25 2023: Roll call, the vote was: 

AYES: (9) Aldermen Banasiak, Smith, Acting Mayor Finnegan  Grochowski, Barnhouse, Reynolds, Zak, Walsh, Kurysz. 

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (1) Alderman Beyer 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman had no report. 

WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE 

Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman had no report. 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE 

Alderman Robert Smith, Chairman had no report. 

CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE 

Alderman Robert Reynolds, Chairman had no report. 

INSURANCE COMMITTEE: 

Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report. 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE 

Alderman Luci Kurysz, Chairman reported when she visited Pizza Plus the bathrooms were immaculate.

BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Alderman Brian Barnhouse, Chairman had no report. 

LICENSE COMMITTEE: 

Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman reminded residents that the vehicle stickers and animal tags go on sale May 1-June 30th and the price doubles on July 1st. 

POLICE COMMITTEE 

Acting Mayor Frank Finnegan, Chairman reported they have been busy. They will take delivery of two new cars, one tomorrow and one next week. They have had some dog training and a great SWAT  arrest.  

REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES 

Library: Alderman Grochowski, Liaison reported the next meeting will be Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Legislation: Alderman Christopher Beyer, was absent. 

Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds, Liaison, reported the March runs were 119, transports 37, As of April 1 they have gone to a four-man shift, up from three-man shifts. They received a large grant $37,321.00 which will  be used for equipment. 

Personnel Review: Acting Mayor Finnegan, Chairman no report. 

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN 

NONE 

SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski had no report. 

HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski reported Public Works will be picking up branches every Monday in June. The next Facts not Facebook meeting will be held on May 13, 2023 at the Patterson Building at noon. Our Lady of St. Germaine will have a blood drive May 11, 2023 2:45-7:00. There will be a Motorcycle blessing on May 13, 2023 at Noon and May 29th a Memorial Day ceremony at Patterson Park at 11:00 a.m. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Acting Mayor Finnegan reported last Sunday was a Community Bike Ride, there were 6-7 riders. Jan and John Forney supplied ice cream; the Police Department participated also. Next Sunday we will ride again meeting at the Mosque at 6:30 p.m. Alderman Walsh and I have been hunting down free trees for residents and in the Mayor’s Park. We have two Aldermen leaving us, Alderman Smith and Alderman Beyer. We thank you both for your time, Alderman Smith gave much of his time to the Park Board and we appreciate that. Alderman Beyer was a big part of the budget/finance part of the City Council and participated in many community  events the city provided, we thank him for that.  

NEW BUSINESS: Alderman Grochowski asked if the trees will be a variety, Alderman Walsh stated as of now we are looking at Oak, Acting Mayor Finnegan stated he has 7 trees presently, Autumn Blaze-Japanese Maple.

April 25, 2023 PAGE 90 

CITIZEN’S HEARING: There was full discussion on the free trees with Acting Mayor Finnegan assuring everyone that he has done hours of research and Alderman Walsh worked with trees when working with Cook County so  everything will be done on a thoughtful manner. There was full discussion on the Pickle Ball Courts between the  schools. The courts will be in the middle of the property to keep them 300-400 feet away from the houses. John Forney  applauded the two Aldermen leaving for their commitment to the city. 

ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Kurysz Seconded by Alderman Zak to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.

http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04252023-326