South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met June 26

Here are 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 26, 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

M. McHugh

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 Makropoulos and Alderman Waight were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

POLICE DEPARTMENT SWEARING IN CEREMONY

Bryan Huerta was given the oath of Probationary Patrol Officer by Commissioner Jones. Father Mol gave a blessing for the new hire. A small reception followed.

Alderman Zimmerman left the City Council meeting at 7:45 p.m.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

Dariusz Szczapa

8923 West 89th Street

Mr. Szczapa requested that the City of Hickory Hills allow league soccer games at the Water Detention Pond located at the corner of 88th Avenue and 89th Street. Mayor Howley recommended that Mr. Szczapa reach out to the Hickory Hills Park District whose fields are conducive for soccer. He noted that the Water Detention Pond has safety, liability and mowing issues.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 12, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley requested a Hills Chamber Sponsorship for the 2025 Farmers Market. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve a $500.00 contribution to the Hills Chamber Sponsorship for the 2025 Famers Market. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley noted that Green Hills Library is distributing “We Love Our Library” lawn signs which are available to the public.

CITY CLERK

No report submitted.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Public Hearing – Mayor Howley opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the 2025/2026 Appropriation Ordinance. No one from the public commented. The Public Hearing was then closed.

Ord. 25-09 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-09, an ordinance providing for a budget and appropriation for corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2026, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #25-09. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-10, an ordinance enacting a Code of Ordinances for the City of Hickory Hills, Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying and Compiling Certain Existing General Ordinances of the Political Subdivision Dealing with Subjects Embraced in such Code of Ordinances and Declaring Emergency. The codification of the City’s ordinances necessitated clarification of Chapters and other provisions per this ordinance. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #25-10, an ordinance enacting a Code of Ordinances for the City of Hickory Hills, Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying and Compiling Certain Existing General Ordinances of the Political Subdivision Dealing with Subjects Embraced in such Code of Ordinances and Declaring Emergency. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #46500, Payment Request #02 – Partial from Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $236,879.64. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 2025 MFT Resurfacing Program. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice #46500 in the amount of $236,879.64 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of June 2025 in the amount of $906,968.18. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Fonte/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Alderman Zimmerman was absent. No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted that the Hickory Hills Community Center has been utilized as a cooling center this past week.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero noted that there are currently 50 crafters, 24 food vendors/trucks, 25 businesses and 62 car show registrations for the Hickory Hills Street Fair. Alderman Purtill has increased the number of car show trophy classes.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/07/june-26-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/