South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met April 10

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, April 10, 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, B. Fonte

H. Kman

S. Makropoulos

P. Purtill

M. McHugh

B. Waight

S. Zimmerman

● City Clerk, J. Stachnik

● City Treasurer, A. Vodicka

● City Attorney, V. Cainkar

● City Engineer, M. Spolar

● Police Chief, A. Gulczynski

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

● Public Works Director, J. Moirano

● Alderman Ferrero was 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 Makropoulos second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Purtill moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen 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 March 27, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill aye. Aldermen Kman, Waight, Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley read the Arbor Day Proclamation for the record. Mayor Howley stated that the Hickory Hills Seniors Club was seeking new members. He also invited City Council members to a retirement party on April 24, 2025 for Jennifer Fullerton, who is retiring from the Park District.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik reminded the Council to complete their Statements of Economic Interest that are due to Cook County by May 1st. Clerk Stachnik stated that the Hickory Hills Herald Spring Newsletter will be mailed later this month.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2025, for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2025. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-02, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, Building Code, § 24.07, Fences, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hickory Hills. The amendment of the ordinance stipulates that back-to-back fencing (double fencing) is prohibited. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #25-02, amending Chapter 24, Building Code, § 24.07, Fences, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, Purtill, Waight aye. Aldermen McHugh, Zimmerman nay. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #55458, Payment Request #04 – Add-On Lining from National Power Rodding Company in the amount of $103,539.00. The invoice is for work pertaining to the Sanitary Sewer Cured-In-Place Pipelining Project. Alderman Purtill moved to approve Invoice #55458 in the amount of $103,539.00 to National Power Rodding Company. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #5423, Payment Request #02 – Partial from Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. in the amount of $120,312.00. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street Lift Station Project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #5423 in the amount of $120,312.00 to Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1242, Payment Request #04 Partial – MYS Incorporated in the amount of $198,111.55. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street and Roberts Road Project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #1242 in the amount of $198,111.55 to MYS Incorporated. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #4223, Payment Request #04 – Final from Everlast Blacktop, Inc. in the amount of $52,836.05. The invoice is for work pertaining to the Police Station’s Permeable Paver Parking Lot Project. Alderman Kman moved to approve Invoice #4223 in the amount of $52,836.05 to Everlast Blacktop, Inc. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of April 2025 in the amount of $684,835.77. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Chief Gulczynski stated that the Patrol Officers Final Eligibility List has been posted.

Fonte/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that 39 trees were added to the City’s forestry inventory last week. The City is being acknowledged as a Tree City USA community for the 29th year. As a Tree City, Hickory Hills is recognized for its commitment to growing and maintaining its urban forestry. The City has also received a growth award for the 2024 activities. The four growth activities included the following: (1) tree plantings with special attention given to diversification of species, (2) a planting to removal ratio which increased as a result of the City planting more trees than it removed, (3) the City’s partnership with ComEd regarding tree trimming work, and (4) the City’s recycling of wood chips and leafy material through LRS.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted that there are currently two available apartments at Parkview and he updated the City Council regarding the rehabilitation of five units.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight stated that the Senior Fair is April 12, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Waight moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/04/april-10-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/