South Cook News

City of Hometown City Council met Aug. 27

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, August 27, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

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

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

Also present: Elizabeth Blood, City Attorney, Salvatore Roti, City Treasurer,

Press: Kelly White , Hometown Hi-Lites.

Journal August 13, 2024 Moved by Alderman Rivas seconded by Alderman Zak to approve as published the Journal of August 13, 2024 regular City Council Meeting.

Roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

CITIZEN’S HEARING

Nick George of 9074 Main Street and Zachary Christensen addressed the City Council regarding speeding on Main Street that leads to the VFW. They appreciated the beefed-up police presence but feel something else needs to happen. There was discussion on enlarging the dead-end sign and moving the location of the sign as well as a new sign stating Christ Hospital 1 block east.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Office of the Mayor

Mayor Finnegan stated Sunday was the last Concert in the Park, music by Jacie & Dan, they were great, we hoped for better attendance. With this heat, please check on neighbors, if you see something say something, use our “R U OK” program. Children are back to school, please watch your speed especially in the morning and around 3 p.m. Thank you to Chloe and Rose, middle school students that helped us at the Back-to-School Extravaganza for three ½ hours. Public Works continue to do their normal repairs around town.

Office of the City Clerk:

City Clerk Mary Jo C. Hacker reported her office received a request from the Girls Scouts of Chicago and Northwest Indiana to conduct their Door-to-Door Fall Product Program September 20-October 16, 2024 with product delivery November 1-4, 2024. The Cookie Program Door to Door order taking December 13, 2024- January 15, 2025 with delivery the end of January through March.

Moved by Alderman Walsh, seconded by Alderman Grochowski to approve the Girls Scouts requests. Voice Vote indicated 10 ayes 0 nays Motion declared carried.

Clerk Hacker stated we received an invite to participate in the Oak Lawn Community High School Homecoming Parade on September 25, 2024. It is a nice fun event, let me know if you want to participate.

Office of the Treasurer:

City Treasurer Salvatore Roti had no report. Alderman Grochowski asked if he contacted the library and Treasurer Roti stated, yes, he received reports from Angela.

REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL

CityAttorney: Attorney Michael Cainkar had no report.

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

Public WorksDepartment: Mark Trlak, Director was not present.

Building Department: James Melnik, Commissioner had no report.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Accounts Payable Payroll August 27, 2024: Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $116,721.74 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $84,538.20 for a total expenditure of $201,259.94.

Roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: (0)

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 had no report.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

Alderman Brian Barnhouse, 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 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 to the Library Board reported in September on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. for grades 5th-12th Racing Robots, Thursdays, from noon-4:30 pm, drop in crafts.

The Library will be closed on Labor Day. The next meeting of the Library Board will be September 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Legislation: Alderman Banasiak had no report.

Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds reported they had 135 runs, 36 were EMS, they assisted Evergreen Park on Liaison: a garage fire. They have received all the current tax money but are still chasing 30k from last year. They are having an Open House October 20, 2024 from noon to 2:00 p.m. They are considering moving their dispatch to Oak lawn, there is an increase in the cost, but they feel quicker answering of their radio calls. They will meet again on September 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Alderman Grochowski asked if there will be a direct phone number, she was advised there will not be a direct phone number. Alderman Forney asked if they are fully staffed, Liaison Reynolds stated yes, they run four shifts and are very well staffed.

Personnel Review Committee: Mayor Frank Finnegan, Chairman Chief Dominguez (Member) Alderman Rivas (Member)

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

Alderman Kurysz reported she attended the Pathlights seminar last week at the library and Seniors need to know that Pathlights offers a large amount of help and resources for them and their caregivers.

Special Events Committee: Liaison Donna Grochowski reported they are working on the 9-11 memorial event, this is the 23rd year. The event will be at 2 pm on September 8, if it rains the event will move to Our Lady at St. Germaine. The Army band will be coming.

HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski reported there is a free shred event on September 10, 2024 in the City Hall Parking Lot from 9 am-10 am. The Park Board Fall Fest is on October 12th, Noon to 4 pm, food trucks, kid’s games. The Mosque is having an Open House September 14, Noon to 2 pm.

Mayor Finnegan stated please be aware of phone scams happening and Face Book Market Place scams.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Alderman Reynolds stated a resident is already complaining about her duplex neighbors Halloween Decorations. As discussed last year, on the advice of our attorneys, it would be difficult to legislate this, who distinguishes what is a holiday decoration. The neighbor should call the police if anyone goes on her property.

Alderman Forney asked Mayor Finnegan how his walk through at the Mosque went. Mayor Finnegan stated he and Alderman Rivas walked through, it went well. He had concerns about the asbestos being removed and not just covered up and they showed confirmation it was removed, and they sent the Mayor the EPA files, they are here long term and getting ready for hosting a learning center.

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

CITIZEN’S HEARING: Nick George of 9074 Main asked about the Touch a Truck event. He was advised that event was through Hometown School. Kathy Rowe, 8843 Kostner stated her driveway is being used as a parking lot by parents dropping off and picking up their children from school. Mayor Finnegan stated he would email the principal regarding this.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Reynolds, Seconded by Alderman Kurysz to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council. MOTION STATED CARRIED

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. 

https://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08272024-370