South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met July 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, July 10, 2025, at 7:31 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, H. Kman

S. Makropoulos

M. McHugh

P. Purtill

B. Waight

S. Zimmerman

• City Clerk, J. Stachnik

• City Attorney, V. Cainkar

• City Engineer, M. Spolar

• Police Chief, A. Gulczynski

• Public Works Director, S. Lehr

• Public Works Director, J. Moirano

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 26, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, McHugh, Purtill aye. Aldermen Makropoulos, Waight, Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley read a message from Alderman Ferrero. Alderman Ferrero thanked the City Council, the City Clerk’s Office, Public Works, the Police Department, Community Affairs, and volunteers for making the 2025 Street Fair a successful and enjoyable community event.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik thanked Palos American Legion Memorial 1993 Post for sponsoring the Hickory Hills Street Fair’s bingo tent.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-11, an ordinance adding § 5.38, Obstruction of Public Areas, to Chapter 5, Streets and Sidewalks, to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hickory Hills. This section prohibits a person from obstructing access to public right-of-ways, streets, sidewalks, parkways, among others. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #25-11, an ordinance adding § 5.38, Obstruction of Public Areas, to Chapter 5, Streets and Sidewalks. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice 15-R0419 No. 2, for Payment Request #02 Final – from Earth Werks Land Improvement & Development Corporation in the amount of $22,494.78. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 88th Avenue Detention Pond Project. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #15-R0419 No. 2 in the amount of $22,494.78 to Earth Werks Land Improvement & Development Corporation. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

On July 17, 2025, the 95th Street turning lane project adjacent to Ricky Rockets Fuel Center will start.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of July 2025 in the amount of $856,546.81. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman stated that a preliminary meeting for general insurance will take place on July 22, 2025, with the City’s broker from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Fonte/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that Public Works is creating a crack sealing program for this fiscal year. Crack sealing is a preventative maintenance technique that insulates streets from water and debris and significantly extends the life of the pavement. A bid package will be completed within three weeks.

The City’s Capital Improvement Plan will include three to four training workshops for department heads. The first two-hour in-person workshop will cover asset inventory and condition ratings topics. The tentative date for the initial workshop will be either the end of July or the first week in August.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Due to an eighteen-month time frame to obtain air conditioning parts for Parkview Apartments, Alderman McHugh will utilize a short-term maintenance option.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill thanked the car show judges for their expertise and hard work at the Hickory Hills Street Fair.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos thanked Public Works for assisting with the set-up for the band at the Hickory Hills Street Fair.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/07/july-10-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/