South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met July 11

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, July 11, 2024, at 7:32 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro-Tem McHugh led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

● Mayor, M. Howley

Aldermen, D. Ferrero

S. Makropoulos

M. McHugh

P. Purtill

B. Waight

S. Zimmerman

● Acting City Clerk, S. Marciano

● City Attorney, A. Vodicka

● City Attorney, B. Blood

●City Engineer, M. Spolar

● Police Chief, J. Bray

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

● Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Alderman Kman and Alderman Fonte were absent. 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 McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Brittany Mirkiewicz

8825 W. 92nd Pl.

Ms. Mirkiewicz is here on behalf of the family of the late Walter Potacki. Mr. Potacki, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was a long-time resident of Hickory Hills whose family has lived here for five generations. Mr. Potacki served as Alderman, Park District Commissioner, and Public Works Director for the City of Hickory Hills. In honor of his service and commitment to the City, Ms. Mirkiewicz is requesting that 81st Avenue, from 95th Street to 92nd Place, be named after Walter Potacki.

Joanne Letkey-Baluk

7827 W. 89th St.

Ms. Letkey-Baluk is following up on a previous appearance before the City Council. She is asking what her next steps should be to retain her residency at Parkview Apartments after the termination of her lease. Ms. Lolly Lewis, who works with Pillars Community Health and assists Ms. Baluk, also spoke on her behalf. They are seeking a response from the City regarding the reason for the termination and the adequacy of the notification of termination made to Ms. Baluk.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 27, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Correction: Page 2, Paragraph 2, Mayor Howley recognized Mary Esposito from the Clerk’s Office for her hard work on the EV project and expressed his appreciation. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Makropoulos pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley stated he will recirculate the email which includes two versions of improvements to the park west of City Hall. He’d like to discuss this at the next meeting.

CITY CLERK

No report submitted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2024 for approval. Alderman Waight moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2024. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of July 2024 in the amount of $436,686.10. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman was absent. No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Alderman Kman was absent. No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted. Alderman Waight thanked Public Works for the great job with Street Fair clean-up. Also, Mayor Howley commented on the beauty of the wildflowers at Prairie Pond.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh presented the bids submitted at the letting of July 11, 2024 for the replacement of the Parkview Apartment parking lot.

The list of bidders with their respective bids are as follows:

J&R Asphalt – $107,245

Lakewood Paving Co. – $178,211

Lindahl Bros. – $177,680

Alderman McHugh noted that grant money will cover $80,000 of this project. He is recommending the project be awarded to J&R Asphalt in the amount of one hundred seven thousand two hundred forty-five dollars ($107,245). Alderman McHugh moved to award this contract for the replacement of the parking lot at Parkview Apartments to J&R Asphalt in the amount of $107,245. Alderman Waight second. Roll call:

Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman McHugh presented the bids submitted at the letting of July 11, 2024 for the Parkview High Efficiency Boiler Project. The list of bidders with their respective bids are as follows:

Amber Mechanical – $50,725 per building

Regan Heating – $287,496 total – Limited Service Technicians

Cottage Sheet Metal – $73,600 total- Non-High Efficiency Product

Alderman McHugh noted that grant money will cover $120,000 of this project. Of the six buildings at Parkview, one building has had its boilers replaced within the last three years. He recommends replacing the boilers of the other five buildings at this time, and revisiting whether or not to replace the last building when this project nears its completion. Alderman McHugh is recommending the project be awarded

to Amber Mechanical in the amount of fifty thousand seven hundred twenty-five dollars ($50,725) per building for five buildings. Alderman McHugh moved to award this contract for the Parkview High Efficiency Boiler Project to Amber Mechanical in the amount of $50,725 per building for five buildings. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman McHugh informed the Council of the passing of Jim Doig, a resident of Parkview and relative of former Alderman and Treasurer Dan Schramm.

Mayor Howley complimented the new railings installed at the back of City Hall.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented a business license application for SemSem Mediterranean (restaurant) located at 9348 South Roberts Road. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos mentioned last month’s fire at 8801-8807 Roberts Rd. The building owner, Peter Karnezis, complimented the Building Department for their help and cooperation.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero thanked the City Council, the City Clerk’s Office, Public Works, the Police Department, Community Affairs, and volunteers for making the 2024 Street Fair a fabulous event.

Mayor Howley also thanked Community Affairs for the successful event.

Alderman Purtill noted that 186 cars participated in the car show. He thanked the 6 judges for their expertise and hard work. He mentioned his appreciation to the Worth Cruisers Car Club for the use of their sound system and their DJ services. Lastly, he thanked Roger Martinez for creating a video of the car show.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley read from an email received from Daniel Braglia of the Orland Memorial American Legion Post #111. They appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Street Fair and hope to participate for many years to come. They gifted the City with a framed certificate to show their appreciation.

Alderman Ferrero thanked the Palos American Legion Memorial 1993 Post for sponsoring the bingo tent. Mayor Howley stated that proceeds from the bingo tent will be given to the American Legion Post 1993 and Elsie’s Food Pantry. Proceeds from the Car Show will benefit Kruse Krew’s “The Soldier Care Project.”

Mayor Howley noted the abrupt closing of Arby’s earlier this week. He learned from the owner of the shopping center that the closing was a corporate decision of the franchise owner, and not a result of poor business at this location.

Mayor Howley also updated the Council on the status of the BP property. He noted the owners must wait for a clean bill of health from the Illinois EPA before they can proceed with clean-up and demolition of the property.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2024/07/july-11-2024-city-council-meeting-minutes/