South Cook News

City of Hometown City Council met July 8

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hometown was called to order by Mayor Frank Finnegan on Tuesday July 8, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Brookman.

Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Rivas, Zak, Brookman, Forney, Weber, Kurysz, Grochowski, Barnhouse and Dolan

Absent: Aldermen Reynolds

Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, Salvatore Roti, City Treasurer, James Melnik, Building Commissioner, Mark Trlak, Public Works Director, Chris Gatch, Director of Code and Ordinance and Louis Dominguez, Chief of Police.

Press: Emma Wills, Hometown Hi-Lites.

Journal 24, 2025: Moved by Alderman Zak, seconded by Alderman Kurysz, to approve as published the June Journal of June 24, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting.

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (9) Aldermen Barnhouse, Rivas, Weber, Grochowski, Zak Brookman, Forney, Kurysz and Dolan.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (1)Alderman Reynolds

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

CITIZEN’S HEARING

Phil Mottle, 9054 S. Corcoran, expressed his concern for the lights at the car dealership. The lights had been turned off at night and adjusted after Mayor Finnegan spoke to Oak Lawn Village President Tom Phelan but there was still concern. Mayor Finnegan will address the concerns with Oak Lawn again. Phil had also asked about a hazmat disposal program with Republic, which they do have. There was also a full discussion on electric scooters.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Office of the Mayor:

Mayor Finnegan turned it over to Chief Dominguez. The Chief wanted to acknowledge three officers being promoted to Corporal: Rick Shore, Chris Tado and Mike Grieco. Clerk Walker performed the oath of office for the officers.

Mayor Finnegan hoped everyone had a good, peaceful 4th and enjoyed the warm weather. The branch pick up program has ended and will be back in October. Mayor Finnegan attended the Library Board Meeting. Spoke to Eileen, she is doing a good job. They had lost three employees but hired three more. There have been several neighbor disputes. We are a community, we all have different beliefs, but we need to help each other out. Eid is coming up on Saturday and Chief Dominguez will talk more on that. The Mayor met with code enforcement and an alderman. There are some residents not complying with warnings and tickets from code enforcement and we will be taking the next step to hold people accountable.

Office of the City Clerk:

City Clerk Walker stated the city received a request from the Hometown Police Department for a donation to the Special Olympics Torch Run.

Moved by Alderman Grochowski, seconded by Alderman Dolan, to approve a donation to the Special Olympics in the amount of $500.

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (9) Aldermen Forney, Barnhouse, Dolan, Kurysz, Weber, Rivas, Brookman, Grochowski and Zak. .

NAYS: ()

ABSENT: (1) Alderman Reynolds

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

Office of the Treasurer:

Treasurer Roti stated we received the Appropriation documents. Please review them, we will vote next meeting.

REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIALS

City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, had no report.

Police Department: Louis Dominguez, Police Chief, thanked the council for the donation. The Police Department is having a fundraiser on July 13 from 12pm-6pm at the VFW for the Special Olympics. Commander Haubenreiser has done well with the fundraising. The Eid celebration is on July 26. Last year the attendance had doubled. The PD will restrict parking on one side of the street. They will get a map out to the community. Public works has plenty of no parking signs to post. They have had no problems with the event in the past but there will be six officers scheduled for that event alone.

Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director, reported the sweeper came through. The Ryan Road resurfacing project went well. The final restoration to the grass will be done when the weather cools down.

Building: James Melnik, Building Commissioner, had no report.

Public Health: Chris Gatch, Director of Code Enforcement, had no report.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Accounts Payable Payroll 8, 2025: Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Zak, to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $353,346.57 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $73,601.48 for a total expenditure of $426,948.05. July (List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)

Roll Call Indicated:

AYES: (9) Aldermen Rivas, Weber, Grochowski, Zak, Forney, Brookman, Kurysz, Dolan and Barnhouse.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (1) Alderman Reynolds

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED

Alderman Forney acknowledged receipt of the City Treasurer’s Report and the Clerk Collector’s Report.

STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE:

Alderman Zak had no report.

WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE: Alderman Dolan, Chairman reminded residents that The City of Hometown Ordinance No. 3-1989 provides for passing the Chicago Water and Sewer increase onto the residents of Hometown. The City of Chicago increased the water rate as of June 1, 2025. The current minimum water is $41.41, with the City of Chicago increase of 4% it will bring the new minimum charge to $43.07. So, the minimum bill for water and sewer will now be $67.45 per month.

You will see this increase on the July bill, due in August which is for June usage.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE: Alderman Brookman reported there will be a movie in the park on August 22. More info to come.

BUILDING COMMITTEE:

Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman gave the building report.

LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Grochowski reminded residents that vehicle stickers and animal tags are now double the price.

CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Reynolds was absent.

INSURANCE COMMITTEE:Alderman Weber, Chairman had no report.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Chairman Kurysz wanted to notify residents about a new scam stating they are from the DMV and you owe for tickets, this is not true. Also, there are bug repellent patches you can purchase to avoid bug bites.

POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Rivas gave the June police report.

C Tickets: 15 P Tickets: 184 State Tickets: 109 Verbal Warnings: 3 Written Warnings: 186

Hometown Residents: 33 Misdemeanor Arrests: 22 Felony Arrests: 11 Warrants 5

REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Library: Alderman Grochowski welcomed the new Director, Eileen Greene. The summer book program is still going on. There is a craft on Monday July 14 from 2pm-3pm and a book discussion on Monday July 28 from 2pm to 3pm. The library received two grants and are looking into computers and a printer or a server but are undecided with how they will spend the grant. The next library board meeting is on August 5 at 7pm.

Legislation: Alderman Weber had no report.

Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds was absent.

Personnel Review: Mayor Finnegan, Chairman, Chief Dominguez had no report.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski stated they are working on some things for the 9-11 Memorial, mark your calendar for September 7. More info to follow.

HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski reported the Hometown Police Department is having a fundraiser for the Special Olympics on July 13th at the Hometown VFW from noon until 6pm. The next concert in the park is on July 13 at 6:30pm.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Alderman Barnhouse asked if the park board will be using the screen from Evergreen Park as in the past. There was a discussion on the purchase of a projector screen by the park board. Alderman Forney asked about scrappers and if they need a license. Clerk Walker is looking into the code.

NEW BUSINESS: None

CITIZEN’S HEARING: None

ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Alderman Kurysz seconded by Alderman Brookman to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council.

MOTION STATED CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm

http://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07082025-398