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City of Hickory Hills City Council met Sept. 12

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, September 12, 2024, at 7:33 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

M. McHugh

P. Purtill

B. Waight

S. Zimmerman

● City Clerk, J. Stachnik

● City Attorney, A. Vodicka

● City Attorney, V. Cainkar

● City Engineer, M. Spolar

● Police Chief, J. Bray

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

● Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 22, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McHugh pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley stated that on Friday, September 13, 2024, the Farmer’s Market will feature Senior’s Day which will include free blood pressure testing, a raffle, among other activities.

Mayor Howley presented an Intergovernmental Agreement for co-sponsoring of the 2024 Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk with North Palos School District 117 on October 26, 2024.

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the agreement with the School District. Alderman Waight second. There were no changes within this agreement relative to previous years’ agreements. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

City Clerk Stachnik noted it is that time of year again for setting the trick or treat hours. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have trick or treating on Thursday, October 31st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Alderman McHugh moved to approve trick or treating hours on Thursday, October 31st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Clerk Stachnik stated that the next Blood Drive will be November 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hickory Hills Community Center. He also noted that a new Community Library Book Box has been installed in front of City Hall due to the significant deterioration of the old box.

Clerk Stachnik reminded the City Council to complete their mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training which is due to the Clerk’s Office by September 30, 2024.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #24-07, an ordinance of the City of Hickory Hills, implementing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax by adding §33.18 to Chapter 33, Occupation and Use Taxes. Retailers’ occupation and use taxes apply when tangible personal property is sold at retail to be used or consumed in the City. The two new taxes would impose City sales and use taxes at a rate of 1% on the gross receipts of all tangible personal property sales such as vehicles, prepared foods, clothing, etc., effective January 1, 2025.

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #24-07. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported that Robinson Engineering has reviewed the bids received on September 5, 2024, for the 88th Avenue Detention Pond Project. The bids are as follows:

Earthwerks Land I & D Corp……… $241,225.00

Martam Construction, Inc…………. $253,310.00

Everlast Blacktop………………….. $300,400.00

Schwartz Excavating, Inc………….. $311,793.10

Winninger Excavating, Inc………… $328,125.00

Swallow Construction Corp……….. $354,670.25

Hoppy’s Landscaping, Inc…………. $377,741.00

Riccio Construction Corp………….. $403,609.00

Airy’s Inc…………………………… $422,603.00

Mr. Spolar recommended the project be awarded to the low bidder, Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development Corp. in the amount of $241,225.00. A DCEO grant will fund a large portion of this project. Mayor Howley stated that this project will help with flood alleviation in the 2nd Ward. Alderman Zimmerman moved to award the contract for the 88th Avenue Detention Pond Project to Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development Corp. in the amount of $241,225.00. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of September 2024 in the amount of $659,826.76. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman and Treasurer Vodicka attended a meeting with the City’s insurance broker A.J. Gallagher regarding a new general insurance policy premium in the amount of $676,154 for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, which is an 8% rate increase from last year. The general insurance policy covers property, automobile, workers compensation, cyber liability, public official / law enforcement, and public practices liability. The policy includes an increase from $2 million to $3 million in coverage for cyber liability coverage. Alderman Kman thanked City Clerk staff Monika Wojturska for her assistance with Liberty Mutual’s buildings inspection which found no major issues.

Fonte/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that Jewel Foods is providing flu shots for seniors.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero is working on the children’s Halloween Party which will include a magician, horse and buggy, among other activities.

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2024/09/september-12-2024-city-council-meeting-minutes/