South Cook News

City of Hickory Hills City Council met Aug. 14

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, August 14, 2025, at 7:32 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

B. Waight

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

Karen Campbell

9145 South 84th Avenue

Ms. Campbell was concerned about homelessness and crime in a parking lot at 95th Street and Roberts Road.

Diana Abdelfattah

7920 West 91st Street

Ms. Abdelfattah inquired about the number of registered pets allowed in a household.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 24, 2025, as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented an Intergovernmental Agreement for co-sponsoring of the 2025 Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk with North Palos School District 117 on October 25, 2025.

Alderman Purtill moved to approve the agreement with the School District. Alderman McHugh second. There were no changes within this agreement relative to previous years’ agreements. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley noted that the August 8, 2025 “Back to School Bash” was well attended at Conrady Jr. High School.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Stachnik reminded the City Council and residents that Palos Township is processing 2025 Cook County Board of Review Appeals through August 15, 2025. Clerk Stachnik noted that appeal forms have been available at the window of the Hickory Hills Clerk’s Office for the past couple of weeks.

Justice Lions Club will be solicitating on October 10, 2025, at the City’s intersections.

The City of Hickory Hills Codified City Ordinance has been available on the City’s website.

Clerk Stachnik is finalizing the Hickory Hills Herald Fall Newsletter. He noted that the City Council may want to address trick or treat hours so it can be published in the Fall Newsletter. After some discussion, the consensus of the City Council is to allow trick or treating on Friday, October 31st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

CITY TREASURER

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

CITY ATTORNEY

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-12, an ordinance amending Chapter 6, Water Service, § 6.10 (c), Rates, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by Changing Water Rates. This ordinance increases the water usage rate to $9.16 (per 1000 gallons) in 2025 and then increases the water usage rate to $9.91 (per 1000 gallons) in 2026. The current rate is $8.41 (per 1000 gallons). The ordinance increases the water line rate to $6.00 per unit in 2025 from the current rate is $5.50. Alderman Kman moved to approve Ordinance #25-12, an ordinance amending Chapter 6, Water Service, § 6.10 (c), Rates, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by Changing Water Rates. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-13, an ordinance amending Chapter 7, Sanitary Sewer Service, § 7.09 (d), Residential Commercial and Industrial Users, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by Changing Sanitary Sewer Rates. This ordinance increases the sewer usage rate to $1.85 (per 1000 gallons) in 2025 and then increases the sewer usage rate to $2.20 (per 1000 gallons) in 2026. The current rate is $1.50 (per 1000 gallons). The ordinance increases the sewer line rate to $4.70 per unit in 2025 from current rate is $4.20. Alderman Kman moved to approve Ordinance #25-13, an ordinance amending Chapter 7, Sanitary Sewer Service, § 7.09 (d), Residential Commercial and Industrial Users, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code, by Changing Sanitary Sewer Rates. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Public Hearing – Mr. Cainkar opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Cainkar presented Ordinance #25-14, an ordinance amending § 6.041.9 I-1 Industrial District-Use Regulations, of the Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance, by Adding Municipal Buildings and Facilities Including Public Works and Dog Parks as a Permitted Use. No one from the public commented. The Public Hearing was then closed.

Alderman Fonte moved to approve Ordinance #25-14, an ordinance amending § 6.041.9 I-1 Industrial District-Use Regulations, of the Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance, by Adding Municipal Buildings and Facilities Including Public Works and Dog Parks as a Permitted Use. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Resolution #25-04 – Mr. Spolar requested approval for Resolution #25-05 for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $32,000.00. This outlay is for the 99th Street resurfacing work which is a joint project with Palos Hills. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #25-05 for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $32,000.00. Alderman Waight second. Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #02, Payment Request #02 – Partial from Ricci Construction Co. in the amount of $349,811.91. The invoice is for work pertaining to the 83rd Court Water Main Improvement Program. Alderman Purtill moved to approve Invoice #02 in the amount of $349,811.91 to Ricci Construction Co. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of August 2025 in the amount of $1,024,461.83. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman is working with Alliant regarding next year’s health insurance premium.

Fonte/Public Safety

Attorney Cainkar requested the opportunity to review the Police Supervisor Policy Manual. Discussion regarding tuition reimbursement was tabled.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr stated that there have been numerous occurrences of illegal dumping within the City.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh thanked Public Works and the Police Department for assisting with Foster Fest which benefited the Make-A-Wish foundation. The event was at the Roadhouse on August 9, 2025.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented two business license applications: Golden Cuts 2 (barbershop) located at 8801 South Roberts Road and Hickory Cuts Inc. (haircuts for men and women) located at 8859 South Roberts Road. No objections were noted.

Makropoulos/Health & Environmental Control & Auxiliary Police Advisor

Alderman Makropoulos was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero is working on the children’s Halloween Party which will include Bluey and Bingo characters, a magician, horse and buggy, among other activities.

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, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

https://hickoryhillsil.org/2025/08/august-14-2025-city-council-meeting-minutes/