South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met Sept. 26

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 26, 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, M. Spolar

● Police Chief, J. Bray

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

● Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

Mr. Omar Zayed

8891 W. 93rd St.

Mr. Zayed expressed concern regarding a neighbor’s sump pump that was regularly discharging sand onto the sidewalk.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 12, 2024, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Makropoulos pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley stated that Friday, September 27, 2024 will be the last day for the Farmer’s Market this year. He also thanked Alderman McHugh for his assistance with the Community Center’s first floor LED light project.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik presented an Intergovernmental Agreement

with Cook County Public Health for health inspections to City businesses. The price will remain at $100.00 an inspection. The Agreement will be effective from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the Cook County Public Health agreement. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

On August 23, 2024, the Clerk’s Office secured several awards from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. Clerk Stachnik attended the ceremony with Mayor Howley and Mary Esposito. The City of Hickory Hills was designated an EV Ready Community (Bronze Level) and received special recognition plaques for a government unit that is “Small But Mighty” and “First to Finish” (ahead of other large government units, including the City of Chicago, DuPage County, Kane County, Aurora and Elgin). The awards reflect the City’s support of constituents and businesses who contribute to economic growth and EV transportation. Clerk Stachnik thanked Mary Esposito who provided invaluable assistance with this project.

Clerk Stachnik noted that the U.S. Department of Education named Conrady Jr. High School a National Blue Ribbon School, a designation secured by 18 Illinois schools. He also thanked President Phyllis Majka, Treasurer Art Golden and Secretary Teresa Stack for all their hard work throughout the Farmer’s Market season.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #24-08, an ordinance amending Chapter 4, Police Department, §4.04, Appointment of Members. The ordinance provides for the recognition of out-of-state training if it meets or exceeds the standards established by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board for out-of-state trained reciprocity. Alderman Fonte moved to approve Ordinance #24-08. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #21013-05, Payment Request #05 – Partial from Lyons Electric Company, Inc. in the amount of $43,304.95. The invoice is for work pertaining to intersection improvements at 95th Street and 76th Avenue. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #21013-05 in the amount of $43,304.95 to Lyons Electric Company, Inc. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September 2024 in the amount of $580,130.13. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman noted that Arthur J. Gallagher is deriving insurance quotes for Parkview Apartments.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Bray stated that police body cameras will be operational in about two weeks.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that the 95th Street Tollway project detour routes are displayed on various billboards.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented two business license applications: Total Protection Consultants, Inc. (background investigation office) located at 8260 West 95th Street and Sharks of Hickory Hills, Inc. (fast food restaurant) located at 7717 West 95th Street. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos stated that someone discarded paint that was picked-up by a LRS truck and inadvertently leaked on City streets. LRS will power wash the affected areas.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Building Commissioner Moirano is seeking bids from companies to test the fire sprinkler systems at City buildings.

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 8:00 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2024/10/september-26-2024-city-council-meeting-minutes/