City of Hometown City Council met Sept. 12.
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 September 12, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Banasiak.
Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Banasiak, Reynolds, Barnhouse, Kurysz, Forney, Grochowski and Walsh.
Absent: Alderman Brookman and Zak.
Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Mark Trlak, Public Works Director, Bonnie Gesiakowski, Public Health Director and Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police.
Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.
Journal August 22, 2023: Moved by Alderman Grochowski, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to approve as published the Journal of August 22, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen Barnhouse, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh, Kurysz, Grochowski and Forney
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Alderman Brookman and Zak
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Journal August 22, 2023: Moved by Alderman Banasiak, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve as published the Journal of August 22, 2023 Code and Ordinance Committee meeting.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (3) Aldermen Forney, Banasiak and Reynolds
NAYS: (0)
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
CITIZEN’S HEARING
Michael Bodnar of 4237 Southwest Highway addressed the City Council regarding speeding on his street, the frontage road. There was full discussion on what can and is being done regarding speeders in town.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Finnegan commended Alderman Grochowski on the 22nd Anniversary 9-11 Memorial held on Sunday. Mayor Finnegan stated he hoped everyone enjoyed the beautiful Labor Day we had. Mayor Finnegan stated he had resigned his Alderman seat on Friday and was ready to appoint a replacement. He has known Art Rivas for many years through baseball. Art has lived in Hometown since 2003. He and Kris have been married 20 years and they have three sons. He was my first choice and was not ready at first which is why there was a delay in appointing someone, he was well worth waiting for. Mayor Finnegan stated I would like to appoint Art Rivas to the unexpired term of Alderman Ward One.
Moved by Alderman Barnhouse, seconded by Alderman Walsh to approve the appointment of Art Rivas to the unexpired term as Alderman Ward one.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh, Kurysz, Grochowski and Forney
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Alderman Brookman and Zak
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
City Clerk Hacker administered the Oath of Office to Art Rivas.
Office of the City Clerk:
City Clerk Hacker reported that her office received from the Department of Revenue that the Sales Tax collected in the month of May 2023 was in the amount of $24,521.20 the amount collected in the month of May 2022 was in the amount of $25,338.95.
City Clerk Hacker reported that her office received from of Transportation that the MFT collected in the month of May 2023 was in the amount of $16,291.07 the amount collected in the month of May 2022 was in the amount of $15,155.06.
Clerk Hacker stated we need to ratify the $300.00 purchase of a table for the VFW 75th Anniversary dinner that was approved last meeting.
Moved by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to ratify the $300.00 purchase of a table for the VFW 75th Anniversary Dinner.
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh, Kurysz, Rivas, Grochowski and Forney
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Alderman Brookman and Zak
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Clerk Hacker stated her office received a request from the Girl Scouts of greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to conduct their Fall product program from September 22-October 15, 2023 and the door-to-door portion December 15, 2023 to January 14, 2024.
Moved by Alderman Grochowski, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve the Girl Scouts request.
Voice Vote Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh, Kurysz, Rivas, Grochowski and Forney
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Alderman Brookman and Zak
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Office of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Roti was absent.
REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL
City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney had no report.
Police Department: Louis Dominguez, Police Chief reported Hometown Elementary PTA is hosting a Touch a Truck/Back to School/Book Fair Event at the Elementary School on October 6, 2023. On October 3, there will be a relocation drill bringing students from Hometown School to City Hall.
The Hometown PD was invited to participate in an event in Alsip on October 24th. The Race Car will be on display and raffle tickets will be for sale. The Hometown Police will be launching the RU OK program in conjunction with the Cook County treatment center program.
Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director reported The Street Sweeper came through last night, we have been painting curbs and working on B boxes for the meter change out program.
Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner was absent.
Public Health: Bonnie Gesiakowski reminded residents to clean up behind the garages and make sure everything is off the ground. If you see rodents outside during the day, it is a sign they have eaten the poison and will be dying soon. If you have any holes in your house or garage you can spray the Great Stuff into the hole, and they cannot chew through. Alderman Banasiak asked if something can be done about the willow tree on Beck and Duffy, it is hanging over the sidewalk.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Accounts Payable Payroll September 12, 2023:
Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $89,853.01 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $76,240.20 for a total expenditure of $166,093.21. (List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)
Roll Call Indicated:
AYES: (8) Aldermen, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh, Kurysz, Grochowski, Rivas and Forney
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Alderman Brookman and Zak.
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
Alderman Forney acknowledged receipt of the City Treasurer’s Report and the Clerk Collector’s Report.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman was absent.
WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman had no report.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Brookman, Chairman was absent.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the building report. Chairman Barnhouse notified the City Council the results of the Zoning Board of Appeals held on August 23, 2023 at the request of Rosendo Guzman Jr. of 4224 W. 90th Place was tabled pending Attorney advisement.
LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski had no report.
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 moved, seconded by Alderman Grochowski to authorize the Acting Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Annual Intergovernmental Agreement for Provision of Environmental Health Inspectional Services. Voice Vote Indicated:
AYES: (7) Aldermen, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Reynolds, Walsh, Kurysz, Grochowski and Forney
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Alderman Brookman and Zak
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED
POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Rivas gave the police report.
C Tickets: 14 P Tickets: 380 State Tickets: 251 Verbal Warnings: 151 Written Warnings: 111 Total stops: 907 Hometown Residents: 78 Arrests: 38 Felony Arrest: 3 Misdemeanor: 4 Total incidents 215
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Library: Alderman Grochowski reported they had twenty-five residents participate in the summer reading program which was called “Find your Voice.” Pizza Plus sponsored the event and gave each participant a certificate. September is Library Card sign up month. On August 25th, the Secretary of State presented the library with a check for $13,001.00 for a Technology Grant which will be used for the “Next generation” program that will help 5th grade to 12th grade students explore technology. They received a donation of vision glasses to view the eclipse on October 14, 2023, stop in and get a pair. The murals are done and look fantastic, and the carpet is almost completed. There are plans for an Open House down the road.
Legislation: Alderman Forney had no report.
Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds reported they had 151 runs in August, and they are still waiting on tax funds.
Personnel Review: Mayor Finnegan, Chairman, had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN
SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski reported for the 9-11 memorial service was a nice event with around thirty people attending. Alderman Grochowski thanked all the participants and attendees for helping make the event a great success. Acting Mayor Finnegan, The Hometown Police Department, The Hometown Fire Department, the Hometown VFW Post 9773, The Hometown VFW Auxiliary 9773, the American Legion Post 495, Fr. Tom Cabala, Thefive or Thesix Chamber Ensemble, Inc., John Carlino on Guitar, volunteers Brian Barnhouse, Nancy Dunne, Alice Zacek, Linda McGunn and Brian Semmler.
HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported the VFW will be selling $5 lottery tickets good for everyday of February 2024. The Park & Recreation Commission will be hosting Fall Fest on October 21 noon-4 pm, the bands start at 2 pm. The Branch Pickup will be October 2 and October 10. September 29th is the shredding event from 9-10 a.m. in the City Hall parking lot. We had two residents hit 90 + years, Mike Doody 90 yrs. old and Beth Sullivan will be 96 years old on September 19th, 2023.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Alderman Forney asked for an update on the dispensary. Mayor Finnegan stated he is trying to get some solid communication; we have received calls from two additional companies interested. We must work out the kinks.
NEW BUSINESS: Anyone interested in being a part of the OLCHS Homecoming parade on September 27 should contact Clerk Hacker. Mayor Finnegan stated in his budget this year he put funds to buy Fall Jackets for all the City Council members. He has a sample for everyone to check out.
CITIZEN’S HEARING: Diane Fiedler of 9003 Beck Place thanked the Mayor and Police Department for their assistance with her issue.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Barnhouse, seconded by Alderman Walsh to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.
MOTION STATED CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm
http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09122023-341
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