South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met July 24

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, July 24, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro-Tem McHugh led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

● Mayor Pro-Tem, M. McHugh

Aldermen, D. Ferrero

B. Fonte

H. Kman

S. Makropoulos

M. McHugh

P. Purtill

B. Waight

● City Clerk, J. Stachnik

● City Treasurer, A. Vodicka

● City Attorney, V. Cainkar (7:40 pm)

● City Engineer, M. Spolar

● Police Chief, A. Gulczynski

● Public Works Director, S. Lehr

● Public Works Director, J. Moirano

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 10, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Alderman Ferrero and Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Pro-Tem McHugh read the National Payroll Week Proclamation for the record.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik reported that the next Blood Drive will be held at the Hickory Hills Community Center on Sunday, August 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2025, for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2025. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1245, Payment Request #07 Partial – MYS Incorporated in the amount of $493,133.01. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 87th Street and Roberts Road Project. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #1245 in the amount of $493,133.01 to MYS Incorporated. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

Resolution #25-04 – Mr. Spolar requested approval for Resolution #25-04 for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $44,000.00. This outlay is for crack sealing the City’s roadways. Alderman Waight moved to approve Resolution #25-04 for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $44,000.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of July 2025 in the amount of $245,649.82. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Makropoulos, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman and Treasurer Vodicka summarized their proposed water and sewer rate adjustments for 2025 and 2026.

They proposed to increase the water usage rate to $9.16 (per 1000 gallons) in 2025 and then increase the water usage rate to $9.91 (per 1000 gallons) in 2026. The current rate is $8.41 (per 1000 gallons). The proposal is to also increase the water line rate to $6.00 per unit in 2025. The current rate is $5.50.

They proposed to increase the sewer usage rate to $1.85 (per 1000 gallons) in 2025 and then increase the sewer usage rate to $2.20 (per 1000 gallons) in 2026. The current rate is $1.50 (per 1000 gallons). The proposal is to also increase the sewer line rate to $4.70 per unit in 2025. The current rate is $4.20.

The proposed changes will decrease water and sewer budget deficits and provide additional funding for water and sewer system maintenance. Water rates were last increased in 2021, and sewer rates were last increased in 2018.

Fonte/Public Safety

Per City Council input, Chief Gulczynski stated that the opening and closing times for the fitness area under the I-294 bridge will be 6 a.m. to dusk daily.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Alderman Zimmerman was absent. Director Lehr stated that Public Works received a quote for an F600 chassis cab to replace a 2012 F550. Public works will remove the chipper box from the old chassis and place it on the new chassis. This Sourcewell cooperative purchase has a cost of $72,579.00. The purchase is a budgeted item. Public Works also received a quote for a 60” rear discharge zero turn Toro mower. This budgeted item came in at $14,893.24. The City Council had no objections or concerns.

Director Lehr provided an update regarding Veterans Park. The contractor is waiting for a sub-contractor to stain the motif and military pavers have not been delivered yet. Once the pavers come in, the last of the concrete can be poured. The garage window will be completed in two weeks. Once motif and pavers are installed, the Park can be opened.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh stated that maintenance was completed on the Parkview Apartments air conditioning units and that replacement of the units will not take place this year.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

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 aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/08/july-24-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/