South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met Feb. 13

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, February 13, 2025, 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

P. Purtill

M. McHugh

B. Waight

● City Clerk, J. Stachnik

● City Treasurer, A. Vodicka

● City Attorney, E. Blood

● City Engineer, M. Spolar

● Police Chief, J. Bray

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

Alderman Zimmerman and Building Commissioner Moirano were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

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 aye. So approved.

Mohammad Joudeh

5201 N. Harlem Ave.

Bridgeview, IL

Mr. Mohammad Joudeh, owner of Burner Smoke Shop, stated that his lease will expire and that he is reviewing other sites for relocation.

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 aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 23, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Alderman Makropoulos pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley announced his appointment recommendation for the new Chief of Police to be Deputy Chief Adam Gulczynski. Mayor Howley provided his resume to the Council earlier. Alderman Fonte moved to approve the appointment of Deputy Chief Adam Gulczynski as Hickory Hills Police Chief as of February 22, 2025. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley reported he is in receipt of a letter from Palos Hills requesting annual financial support to the PATSE Bus Service in the amount of $6,887.16. The financial support is based on 756 rides for 15 residents of Hickory Hills. Alderman McHugh moved to approve this financial support of $6,887.16 to Palos Hills for the PATSE Bus Service. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley presented the 2025 Street Fair Class E Liquor License for June 28th and 29th, 2025. Alderman Purtill moved to approve the 2025 Street Fair Class E Liquor License. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley noted that he is receipt of a letter from resident Joseph Fijalkowski who commended the Hickory Hills Public Works Department regarding their quick and efficient work near his home during inclement weather. Mayor Howley praised the Public Works Department for their work addressing water breaks this winter while being short staffed.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik noted that he applied for and secured an Economic Development Grant for the City of Hickory Hills in the amount of $126,300.00. The grant was awarded through the Federal Highway Administration’s CFI Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program.

CITY TREASURER

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

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mayor Howley opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussion on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program.

City Engineer Mike Spolar gave a background overview:

Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating pollutants that discharge into waters of the United States and detention basins.

In 2003, the Illinois EPA (IEPA) required all Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) to describe how the City will comply with the statewide general permit conditions. The NOI identifies each of the six minimum controls and was last updated by the City in 2021.

The City’s NOI, Annual Reports and Storm Water Management plan can be found on the City’s website under the storm-water-management tab. Included in the annual report are the following: Inspection Report, Summary of Best Management Practices, and the Annual Facility Inspection Summary.

Below are some key items that have occurred in this past reporting period related to the City’s NPDES program:

1. The City currently has information on its website for topics related to Flood Risks, Clean Water, Auto Maintenance, Hazardous Leaks and Spills, and the Refuse, Recycling and Yard Waste program.

2. The City has a contract with LRS for Electronic Waste Collection and Household Hazardous Waste Disposal. This program provides a responsible method to dispose of numerous unwanted items, including paint, motor oil, electronics, batteries and unused garden chemicals.

3. The City’s 88th Avenue Detention Pond expansion was a key project completed this past year. This project will provide additional storm water detention for the southwest area of the City.

There was no public comment at this time. Mayor Howley closed the Public Hearing.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #55290, Payment Request #03 – Final from National Power Rodding Company in the amount of $77,950.10. The invoice is for work pertaining to the Sanitary Sewer Cured-In-Place Pipelining Project. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #55290 in the amount of $77,950.10 to National Power Rodding Company. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar requested approval for the 2025 Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $990,000.00. Alderman Waight moved to approve the 2025 Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $990,000. Alderman Purtill second. Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of February 2025 in the amount of $631,225.30. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Bray noted that several officers will be participating in the Polar Plunge event on March 1, 2025, for Special Olympics charity. He also stated that Deputy Chief Adam Gulczynski secured a Department Retention and Training Grant.

Chief Bray will be retiring on February 21, 2025. He thanked the City Council and the municipal departments for their trust and support during his 27-year career in the City of Hickory Hills’ Police Department. He also thanked his wife Amy for her support.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Public Works Director Sue Lehr stated that a Request for Proposal was sent out for sectional tree pruning for approximately 315 City trees with a vendor work deadline of April 1st. The lowest bidder was Illinois Tree Service in the amount of $15,275. Pruning activities not only improve appearance but also the health of the tree with crown cleaning, crown thinning, crown raising and structure development. The tree pruning is a budgeted item.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that the Hickory Hills Senior Club cancelled its February 12, 2025 meeting due to inclement weather.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented two business license applications: Good Earth Greenhouse (retail sales of plants and flowers) located at 8801 West 87th Street and ME European Couture Inc.. (online clothing retail sales) located at 7705 West 96th Place. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos attended the funeral of retired Hickory Hills Auxiliary Police Department employee Betty Jo Soprych.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero started preparing for the annual Hickory Hills Street Fair.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight noted that the Hills Chamber of Commerce will host an event on February 26, 2025 at the Hickory Hills Country Club.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley expressed his appreciation of Police Chief Jason Bray’s 27 years of service within the City of Hickory Hills. Mayor Howley noted that Chief Bray was always approachable to the residents and that he exhibited patience, devotion and trust during his 2 ½ years as Police Chief.

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 aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/02/february-13-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/