South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met June 12

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, June 12, 2025, at 7:33 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

H. Kman

S. Makropoulos

M. McHigh

P. Purtill

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 McHugh, Alderman Zimmerman and Attorney Cainkar were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 22, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, Purtill, aye. So approved. Aldermen McHugh and Zimmerman pass.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley expressed sympathies to Alderman Zimmerman regarding the passing of his father-in-law, Sam Simone. Mayor Howley read the June 2025 Pride Month Proclamation for the record.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik presented a block party request for July 5, 2025, on 90th Street (between 81st Avenue and 82nd Avenue) from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm. No objections were noted.

Clerk Stachnik forwarded updated hard copy binders of the Codified City of Hickory Hills Ordinances to the Building Department, Zoning Board and Legal. He also forwarded an electronic copy to the City Council and department heads. The online library will be completed later this month by American Legal Publishing.

Codification of the City’s ordinances included the removal of superseded ordinances, the development of a searchable online format for constituents and developers, the creation of an index/table of contents, and the process included a review of the City’s ordinances against state law and case law. The codification of law identified inconsistent, duplicate, and ambiguous laws. Additionally, codification created a uniform source that is easy to access and search online. The City of Hickory Hills Municipal Code/online library will be updated with new or modified ordinances on a regular basis which will eliminate the need to update the binders every few years.

Clerk Stachnik thanked City Attorney Vince Cainkar and Planning Commission/ZBA Chairman Joe Guest for their assistance with this project.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka provided the City Council with a 2025/2026 Budget revision packet and the 2023 Audit Reports.

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2025, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2025. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-05, an ordinance approving the 95th and Robert’s Road Resubdivision of the property located at the Southwest Corner of 95th and Roberts Road in Hickory Hills. The ordinance approves the 95th and Robert’s Road Resubdivision into 18 lots which reflects individual store locations. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #25-05, an ordinance approving the 95th and Robert’s Road Resubdivision of the property located at the Southwest Corner of 95th and Roberts Road in Hickory Hills. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-06, an ordinance fixing a time and place for the Public Hearing of the City of Hickory Hills Sabre Woods Redevelopment Project Area, Redevelopment Plan and Tax Increment Allocation Financing. The ordinance sets the City of Hickory Hills Public Hearing for the above TIF Reports for Wednesday, August 14, 2025, at 4:00 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 8652 West 95th Street. Alderman Kman moved to approve Ordinance #25-06, an ordinance fixing a time and place for the Public Hearing of the City of Hickory Hills Sabre Woods Redevelopment Project Area, Redevelopment Plan and Tax Increment Allocation Financing. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-07, an ordinance amending Chapter 42, Offenses Against Public Peace, Safety, and Mortals, § 42.19, Paraphernalia Associated with Controlled Substances or Cannabis, § 42.24, Possession of Cannabis, and § 42.35, Chronic Nuisance Property, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. The ordinance approves the updated fines and other provisions regarding cannabis possession. Chief Gulczynski noted that Illinois residents cannot possess out-of-state cannabis. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #25-07, an ordinance amending Chapter 42, Offenses Against Public Peace, Safety, and Mortals, § 42.19, Paraphernalia Associated with Controlled Substances or Cannabis, § 42.24, Possession of Cannabis, and § 42.35, Chronic Nuisance Property. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-08, an ordinance amending Chapter 14, Dogs and Other Animals, § 14.05, Dogs or Cats at Large, Impoundment, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. This ordinance updates animal impoundment fees and provisions. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #25-08, an ordinance amending Chapter 14, Dogs and Other Animals, § 14.05, Dogs or Cats at Large, Impoundment. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1243, Payment Request #05 Partial – MYS Incorporated in the amount of $68,265.64. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street and Roberts Road Project. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Invoice #1243 in the amount of $68,265.64 to MYS Incorporated. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1244, Payment Request #06 Partial – MYS Incorporated in the amount of $597,449.76. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street and Roberts Road Project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #1244 in the amount of $597,449.76 to MYS Incorporated. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #44847, Payment Request #03 – Final from Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $50,099.50. The invoice is for work pertaining to the Kean Avenue Resurfacing Project. Alderman Kman moved to approve Invoice #44847 in the amount of $50,099.50 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of June 2025 in the amount of $610,979.69. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman moved to approve the 2025/2026 Budget (fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2026). Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Fonte/Public Safety

Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr noted that an initial Capital Improvement Plan meeting was conducted with CMAP. Similar to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, a steering committee will be formed to help shape public engagements, review public input and ensure proposed ideas are feasible. The Capital Improvement process includes working with the steering committee and residents to refine proposals.

Director Lehr stated that Veterans Park will be primarily complete by June 22, 2025. Sidewalk flat work is almost complete, and the center plaza concrete will be poured next Monday. The contractor has been working on the irrigation system and plantings. The building service window will be completed after June 22, 2025.

The 87th Street and Roberts Road recreation area under the tollway is substantially complete. The recreation area includes chess tables, benches, and exercise equipment including the following: a cycle, leg press, lat pull down, body curl and balance board. The fitness area is designed for all levels and abilities. The recreation area can be accessed via the Prairie Pond walking path. This project was funded by the Illinois Tollway.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted that he initiated a bidding process for air conditioning units at Parkview Apartments.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero noted that there are currently 40 crafters, 22 food trucks/vendors, 16 businesses and 37 car show registrations for the Hickory Hills Street Fair. Alderman Kman has secured donations from local businesses for the Bingo tent. Alderman Purtill has increased the car show trophy classes.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight was absent. No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh stated that Foster Fest (annual pig roast) benefitting Make-A-Wish will take place August 9, 2025 at the Roadhouse (9090 South Roberts Road).

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/06/june-12-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/