South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met Aug. 8

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, August 8, 2024, at 7:30 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

S. Makropoulos

M. McHugh

P. Purtill

B. Waight

S. Zimmerman

● City Clerk, J. Stachnik

● City Attorney, A. Vodicka

● City Attorney, E. Blood

● City Engineer, K. Braghini

● Police Chief, J. Bray

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

● Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Police Department Swearing in Ceremony

Colin Rafferty was given the oath of Probationary Patrol Officer by Commissioner Jones. Father Mol gave a blessing for the new hire. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 25, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill aye. Alderman Zimmerman and Alderman Waight pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented proceed checks from the Hickory Hills Street Fair Bingo Tent and Car Show to the following organizations:

American Legion Post 1993 $1,000.00

Kruse’s Krews $750.00

Elsie’s Food Pantry $250.00

Beth Heinrich, Director of Elsie’s Food Pantry and Jim Kruse, Director of Kruse’s Krew, thanked the City Council and Mayor Howley for their continued support.

Mayor Howley presented a Proclamation commemorating the week of September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week in honor of the two-hundred thirty-seventh anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik stated that he submitted a grant request to the United States Department of Transportation Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program. He also asked the City Council to complete their mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training which is due to the Clerk’s Office by September 30, 2024.

Clerk Stachnik noted that the Hickory Hills Community Blood Drive will be Sunday, August 11th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Clerk Stachnik also stated that the Park District’s Carnival will take place August 22nd through August 25th. He also noted that Tuesday’s August 6th National Night Out at Kasey Meadows Park was well attended by families and children. Jennifer Fullerton, Hickory Hills Park District Director, sent a note thanking the City and various departments for sponsoring and attending the event.

Clerk Stachnik recently painted the metal bench in front of City Hall that was donated by the Hickory Hills Woman’s Club, and he will have the Community Book Box refurbished soon.

Finally, Clerk Stachnik asked City Council members and department heads to submit articles to him by August 15th for the Hickory Hills Herald’s Fall Newsletter.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2024, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2024. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of August 2024 in the amount of $548,070.12. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman stated that he will be meeting with internal personnel regarding the City’s general health insurance policy and that the start date will coincide with other insurance policies on a prospective basis.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Bray stated that the Police Department purchased a UTV vehicle and that a grant was secured from ComEd for new speed signs and the conversion of battery-operated speed signs to solar.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that Public Works advertised a Request For Proposal (“RFP”) for asphalt patch replacement on the Prairie Pond walking path. Several proposals were received with the lowest bid from Rose Paving, LLC for $15,900.00 which is being recommended by Director Lehr. To minimize costs, Public Works will saw cut and remove old material to prepare the site for installation. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the awarding of the asphalt patch replacement project to Rose Paving, LLC in the amount of $15,900.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh thanked Director Lehr for her assistance with grants. The Senior Apartments and Community Center parking lots will be repaved in the new few weeks.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos received several calls from residents regarding stray animals. In the past, Hickory Hills employed an Animal Warden. Chief Bray stated that residents should now refer stray animals to Cook County Animal Control.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2024/08/august-8-2024-city-council-meeting-minutes/