South Cook News

City of Hometown City Council met Nov. 12

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 November 12, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

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

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

Absent: Alderman Zak & Alderman Grochowski.

Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, James Melnik, Building Commissioner, Mark Trlak, Director of Public Works, Chris Gatch, Director of Code Enforcement and Joe Hoenselaar, Deputy Chief of Police.

Press: Kathy Rowe, Hometown Hi-Lites.

Journal October 22, 2024: Moved by Alderman Rivas, seconded by Alderman Banasiak, to approve as published the Journal of October 22, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting.

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (7) Aldermen Forney, Rivas, Reynolds, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Kurysz, and Walsh.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Zak and Grochowski

ABSTENSION: (1) Alderman Brookman.

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

CITIZEN’S HEARING: NONE

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Office of the Mayor:

Mayor Finnegan stated that he has someone he wanted to appoint to the Zoning Board, Dave Muir, a lifelong resident that cares about the City of Hometown.

Moved by Alderman Walsh, seconded by Alderman Kurysz to approve the appointment of Dave Muir to the office of Zoning Board Member.

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (8) Aldermen Forney, Rivas, Reynolds, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Kurysz, and Brookman, Walsh.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Zak and Grochowski

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

Mayor Finnegan stated we had a great Halloween, there were four squad cars on the street handing out candy and it was great to see. We had another fire in town, please if you see something, say something and again it was great to see the community come out to help, it is very sad for the families. The police have been dealing with some residents with mental health issues. We have the RU OK program, and we encourage people to use this program if they are having issues or just need to be checked on. Mayor Finnegan stated he commends the Police Department; they deal with so many things that we are not aware of, and they handle them in a professional manner.

Mayor Finnegan stated Veteran’s Day weekend he had a late call at work so Maureen his wife stepped in at one event, but he attended the OLHMS ceremony, it is a two-hour ceremony, a great event and he would encourage everyone to attend next year if they can. On Monday, November 11 he attended the Hometown VFW event at the Veterans Memorial, it was well attended, the Friday before the event, there was a hit and run that did damage to the memorial, our Public Works Department worked to restore the Memorial for the event, they did a great job. Our Police Department once again did a great job in investigating the hit and run and found the driver and arrested him.

Office of the City Clerk:

City Clerk Hacker notified the City Council her office received from the Department of Revenue Sales Tax collected in the month of June 2024 was in the amount of $24,712.80 the amount collected in the month of June 2023 was in the amount of $26,765.45.

City Clerk Hacker notified the City Council her office received from the Department of Transportation MFT Funds collected in the month of June 2024 was in the amount of $16,482.48 the amount collected in the month of June 2023 was in the amount of $15,499.00.

City Clerk Hacker stated we received a request from the Oak Lawn Community Baseball program for Sponsorship.

Moved by Alderman Barnhouse, Seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve a $200.00 sponsorship.

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (8) Aldermen Forney, Rivas, Reynolds, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Kurysz, and Brookman, Walsh.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Zak and Grochowski

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

Office of the Treasurer:

Treasurer Roti stated everyone should have copies of the reports from his office. Treasurer Roti Stated he wanted to point out the cannabis increase, we historically receive $500-$600 local share cannabis tax, the first month we received $121.00 from the dispensary, this month over $2,800.00.

There is a new addition to the Clerk’s report, the Rental Registration, tracking the Crime Free registration.

REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL

City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney had no report.

Police Department: Joe Hoenselaar, Deputy Police Chief, reported there was a call where the resident was not breathing, the officers used ADD pads and Narcan and the resident was taken to the hospital alive. Mayor Finnegan stated in the last three months the Police Department has dealt with many early morning calls; they are doing a great job while we are sleeping.

Alderman Forney asked Deputy Chief how the Department staffing is, Deputy Chief stated it is getting better, and we have three candidates in the Academy. Alderman Forney asked how far we are from fully staffed; Deputy Chief stated he did not have that information.

Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director reported the Street Sweeper came through last night. We have been taking care of the stumps, cleaning up and re-seeding. We have been doing routine maintenance. They have been doing concrete and asphalt patches.

Building: James Melnik, Building Commissioner, had no report.

Public Health: Chris Gatch, Director of Code Enforcement reported he has been catching up on complaints, he wrote 6 warning tickets and was successful with compliance. Mayor Finnegan stated he appreciates all the pictures and reports.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Accounts Payable Payroll November 12, 2024: Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $164,718.31 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $69,686.28 for a total expenditure of $234,404.59. (List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (8) Aldermen Forney, Rivas, Reynolds, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Kurysz, and Brookman, Walsh.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Zak and Grochowski

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

Alderman Forney acknowledged receipt of the City Treasurer’s Report and the Clerk Collector’s Report.

STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE

Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman was absent.

WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE

Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman had no report.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

Alderman Brookman, Chairman had no report.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the building report

LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski was absent.

CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Bob Reynolds, Chairman had no report.

INSURANCE COMMITTEE:Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE: Moved by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Brookman to Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Outdoor Warning Siren System Annual Preventative Maintenance Agreement with Braniff Communications Inc.

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (8) Aldermen Forney, Rivas, Reynolds, Barnhouse, Banasiak, Kurysz, and Brookman, Walsh.

NAYS: (0)

 ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Zak and Grochowski

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Rivas gave the police report.

C Tickets: 22 P Tickets: 173 State Tickets: 105 Verbal Warnings: 17 Written Warnings: 247 Hometown Residents: 50 Misdemeanor Arrests:10 Felony Arrests: 8 Total Traffic Stops: 412 Total Incidents: 314

REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Library: Alderman Grochowski was absent. Trustee Kathy Rowe reported they will meet next month.

Legislation: Alderman Banasiak had reported they are in the Fall Veto session until November 2, 2024.

Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds reported They had 136 calls, 81 fire 554 EMS. They will continue to the four man-shift experiment until the end of December. They will be finalizing the budget.

Personnel Review: Mayor Finnegan, Chairman, Chief Dominguez and member Alderman Rivas had no report.

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

SPECIAL EVENTS: Mayor Finnegan stated the Tree Lighting will be December 6, 2024 and Santa will be on the Fire Truck December 7 10:00 to Noon. The school choir will be singing at the Tree Lighting.

HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski was absent.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

CITIZEN’S HEARING: NONE

ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Kurysz, seconded by Alderman Reynolds to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.

MOTION STATED CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 7:22 pm 

https://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11122024-375