South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met May 8

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 Clerk Joseph Stachnik on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7:31 p.m.

Clerk Stachnik stated Mayor Howley will be absent this evening and a Mayor Pro-Tem is needed. Alderman Waight moved to appoint Alderman Scott Zimmerman as Mayor Pro-Tem. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro-Tem Zimmerman led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

● Mayor Pro-Tem, S. Zimmerman

Aldermen, D. Ferrero

B. Fonte

H. Kman

S. Makropoulos

P. Purtill

M. McHugh (7:37 pm)

B. Waight

City Clerk, J. Stachnik

● City Treasurer, A. Vodicka

● City Attorney, M. Cainkar

● City Engineer, M. Spolar

● Police Chief, A. Gulczynski

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

● Public Works Director, J. Moirano

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

SWEARING IN CEREMONY

At this time, City Clerk Stachnik swore in the following Alderpersons.

Alderperson Brian A. Waight – 1st Ward

Alderperson Deborah H. Ferrero – 2nd Ward

Alderperson Brian Fonte – 3rd Ward

Alderperson Steven Makropoulos – 4th Ward

Father Joseph Mol, the City’s Police Chaplain, said a prayer for the City of Hickory Hills elected officials. A brief break was taken at this time for a short reception.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

Joseph Guest

8942 Birch Lane

Mr. Guest inquired about a recent late evening street takeover at the intersection of 87th Street and LaGrange. Chief Gulczynski noted that he has been working with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office regarding this issue.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill 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 April 24, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Correction: Page 1, misspelling of Ms. Roche. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Pro-Tem Zimmerman stated as in the past, we will cancel the Committee Meetings for June through September. Alderman Makropoulos moved to cancel Committee Meetings for the months of June, July, August, and September. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik stated that Palos Township is processing 2025 Cook County Assessor’s Appeals through May 29, 2025. Clerk Stachnik placed appeals forms at the window of the Hickory Hills Clerk’s Office.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka stated that the City Council will review the proposed 2025/2026 Budget at the May 22, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting that will start at 6:00 p.m.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #46163, Payment Request #01 – Partial from Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $372,984.98. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 2025 MFT Resurfacing Program. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice #46163 in the amount of $372,984.98 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #01, Payment Request #01 – Partial from Ricci Construction Co. in the amount of $338,472.00. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 83rd Court Water Main Improvement Program. Alderman Purtill moved to approve Invoice #01 in the amount of $338,472.00 to Ricci Construction Co. Alderman Ferrero 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 first half of May 2025 in the amount of $741,028.03. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

Chief Gulczynski reported that next Friday, May 16th, there will be a police charitable event (Illinois Enforcement Torch Run Cop On A Rooftop) from 5:00 a.m. to noon at the Hickory Hills Dunkin Donuts benefiting Special Olympics.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that an antique street light in the 9600 block of Roberts Road was struck last weekend by a driver who left the scene. Public Works filed an incident report with the Hickory Hills Police Department who subsequently reviewed available video footage from the surrounding area and found the driver. The City is seeking payment from the driver for the damage which is estimated at $8,000. Director Lehr thanked the Police Department.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero stated that the Arbor Day Tree sale was well attended and that only eight items were not purchased. Alderman Ferrero noted that there are currently 29 crafters, 13 food trucks/vendors, 9 businesses and 20 car show registrations for the Hickory Hills Street Fair.

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/05/may-8-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/