South Cook News

City of Hometown City Council met Sept. 26.

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 Mayor Frank Finnegan on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Rivas.

Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Zak, Banasiak, Walsh, Forney, Reynolds, Grochowski, Rivas, Brookman, Barnhouse and Kurysz.

Also present: Elizabeth Attard, City Attorney, Commissioner James Forbes, and Mark Trlak, Public Works Director.

Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites.

Journal September 12, 2023 

Moved by Alderman Kurysz seconded by Alderman Barnhouse to approve as published the Journal of September 12, 2023 regular City Council Meeting.

Roll call, the vote was:

AYES: (8) Aldermen Banasiak, Walsh, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Forney, Zak Rivas and Kurysz.

NAYS: (0)

ABSTENSION: (2) Aldermen Brookman and Reynolds.

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

CITIZEN’S HEARING 

Suzanne Hayes of 4629 88th Place addressed the City Council regarding ongoing issues with a neighbor, after some discussion Mayor Finnegan asked them to stay after the meeting to discuss. Marianne Caprio of 8848 Kildare addressed the City Council regarding a discount for seniors on the garbage bill. Mayor Finnegan will discuss this with our representative for the next contract. Susan Lee of 4209 90th Street addressed the City Council regarding the garbage company putting garbage/recycle/yard waste in the same truck. It was explained that the trucks dump at a collection center where everything is separated. Phil Mottle of 9048 Corcoran Road advised that Orland Township is hosting a hazardous Waste Collection on October 14, 2023 from 8 am-2 pm. Clerk Hacker stated she will put a link on our website.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Office of the Mayor 

Mayor Finnegan stated he attended the Illinois Municipal Conference this weekend along with Commissioner Forbes and Alderman Grochowski. Mayor Finnegan stated he attended some very good sessions, a good one was on budgeting. Commission Forbes attended a session on Code Enforcement. The Police Department has been busy, the Chief will have a report at the next meeting.

Office of the City Clerk: 

City Clerk Mary Jo C. Hacker stated we received a request from the Worth Township Foundation for a Foursome and sponsorship for their upcoming Golf Outing. Clerk Hacker stated this foundation helps many Hometown residents with their utilities.

Moved by Alderman Walsh, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to approve a Foursome and Sponsorship for the Worth Township Golf Outing in the amount of $460.90.

Roll call, the vote was:

AYES: (10) Aldermen Banasiak, Brookman, Rivas, Zak, Walsh, Forney, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Reynolds and Kurysz. 

NAYS: (0)

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

Office of the Treasurer: 

City Treasurer Salvatore Roti had no report.

REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL 

City Attorney: Attorney Elizabeth Attard had no report.

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

Public Works Department: Mark Trlak, Director reported they have been doing routine maintenance, they have completed the curb painting and will do more patching of streets.

Building Department: James Forbes, Commissioner reported Comcast is laying fiber optic lines in town .

Health & Safety: Bonnie Gesiakowski, Director, was not present.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Accounts Payable Payroll September 28 2023: 

Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $182,695.36 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $70,507.75 for a total expenditure of $253,203.11.

Roll call, the vote was:

AYES: (10) Aldermen Banasiak, Brookman, Rivas, Zak, Walsh, Forney, Grochowski, Barnhouse, Reynolds and Kurysz. 

NAYS: (0)

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 Tom Brookman, Chairman reminded everyone the Fall Fest is October 21, 2023 from Noon to 4 pm at Patterson Park.

CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE 

Alderman Robert Reynolds, Chairman had no report. Alderman Forney asked opinions on passing an ordinance setting a time residents can start putting up holiday decorations. There was discussion on this subject with no call for a new ordinance.

INSURANCE COMMITTEE: 

Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE 

Alderman Luci Kurysz, Chairman warned everyone about Medicare scam phone calls and she advised there is a senior advocate at Christ hospital that can help you with your insurance concerns.

BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Alderman Brian Barnhouse, Chairman had no report.

LICENSE COMMITTEE: 

Alderman Donna Grochowski, Chairman had no report.

POLICE COMMITTEE 

Alderman Rivas, Chairman had no report.

REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES 

Library: Alderman Grochowski, Liaison reported the Library Board will meet on October 3, 2023. 

Legislation: Alderman Forney had no report.

Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds, Liaison reported they meet next on October 23, 2023. 

Personnel Review: Mayor Finnegan, Chairman no report.

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

SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski had no report.

HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski reported on several upcoming events. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mayor Finnegan announced the trick or treat hours will be 2pm-6 pm.

NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Finnegan was asked to check with Republic and see if they can only send one truck down each street on pick up day. Mayor Finnegan will discuss this with our representative. It was reported we are at about 86% installation on the new cellular water meters. Mayor Finnegan reported we have made it through to the end of the grant application for the sewers, but they have frozen the vote for now.

CITIZEN’S HEARING: Phil Mottl asked when residents will receive log-in information for the eye on water. He was advised once the project is complete that information will be sent out. Mr. Mottl asked why they were marking things on Corcoran; he was advised it was in preparation for the CDBG grant resurfacing of Corcoran next year. Mr. Mottl talked about Waste Management having a program called At Your Door where they pick up hazardous waste products that residents cannot drop off. Mayor Finnegan stated he will ask our Republic representative.

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

MOTION STATED CARRIED

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09262023-342