City of McHenry City Council met Dec. 1
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Roll Call: Mayor Jett opened with the roll call.
Members present: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Others present: Attorney McArdle, Administrator Ostrovsky, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of Economic Development Martin (absent), Chief of Police Birk, City Planner Sheriff (absent), Director of Public Works Adams, Deputy Clerk Johnson, and City Clerk Ramel.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment: None
Presentation and Discussion: Downtown Parking Study (Kimley-Horn)
Peter Lemmon and Sophia Camp were at the meeting to represent Kimley-Horn and talk through the parking study results.
Key Objectives Presented:
➢ Collect Data: Inventory | Parking Utilization | Parking Turnover
➢ 4 days that were picked, busy, and had good weather, an active downtown environment, 9 am-9 PM, hourly counts were completed, through drone footage
➢ How long cars were parked, to help identify people who were staying downtown
➢ Color color-coded legend was presented during the peak of all the counts
➢ Conceptual Parking Rate 4.2-4.7 Parking Demand Rate per 1,000 square feet on Riverside and Green Street.
➢ Residential, Retail, and Restaurant parking were explained. They would recommend 411 spaces if the conceptual parking plan were used.
➢ Estimate future parking needs.
➢ Strategies & Improvements
➢ Short Term & Action Items
Peter Lemmon stood at the podium after the presentation to welcome any questions.
Alderwoman Bassi talked about the Green Street area, as she researched, did not look like it was useful for maximizing space, and was this analyzed for flow, and was layout and traffic flow something that was analyzed. Per the study and Peter Lemon, it was not something specifically to look at for allowing more spots, it was not. He explained that most efficient designs have spaces around the perimeters; there could be a few along the spot, but this would cause the loss of some internally. However, looking more west, some parts were highly under-utilized- referencing the pictures on display. The red zone referencing the map displayed may allow for some more spaces, but there are also other areas near that where there could be more, or at least a net gain of 10 spaces. Alderwoman Bassi also wanted to know if the length would increase parking. As explained by Peter Lemon, it would cause there to be longer aisles, so there may be a tradeoff regarding that for circulation, maybe a few more spaces, but not that significant, could be done.
Alderwoman Miller stated that she is surprised by the outcome, that there is adequate parking, and parking and not surprised that people do not want to walk due to the unevenness of the area. I wanted to know if paid parking is familiar with; however, is this being considered as asked? He stated that paid and meter parking is more about managing utilization than generating revenue, but it can help the market base control costs so that 75- 85% of those spots are parked. This can be very complicated; dealing with the different stakeholders on the street would also be involved, not recommended at this time.
Mayor Jett asked about June 20th, when the Vixen only sold 144 tickets; however, it has the capacity for 720 tickets. That is the lower end of the averages for the Vixen.
Alderman Doherty talked about the crossing of 120 and wanted to know who controls those lights and timing. It was confirmed that it is IDOT that controls that.
Alderman Glab talked about blending the downtown areas; however, each has their own characteristics it will get more complicated with the crossing and the amount of traffic, and that route 120 will be a difficult area in the future for crossings.
Alderwoman Baehne thinks that messaging is everything. For example, if you do not want to go through the crosswalk, using the Riverwalk would be ideal. Some of the lighting and clear identification, and messaging are important. The mural would be an interesting way of walking through, etc.
Director Adams spoke about the guidance needed from the Council, wanting to know where to move forward with some of the short-term action items. Looking for feedback regarding these.
Alderman Glab thinks that someone should talk to all the businesses and bring up the ideas, and explain how it could affect them. Agrees that signage could be better, creatures of habit, and you always go to your normal place where you went to park, not sure what it takes to teach those that there are other options, may take more than signage.
Mayor Jett stated that 60% of those visiting are outside of the city limits, other businesses can make maps, do a website, and signs are 100% needed. Talking to businesses should be done.
Alderwoman Miller, the short-term is signage, creating something bigger and better, and the connectivity on how to get to those lots that are not obvious. Miller Point has a small lot. Now that Venice will be done, will there be signage to help identify that she would like bigger, better signs?
Chief Birk stated that establishing addresses for the lots and getting them into Google Maps is another way to help with populating those.
This conversation went on for some time.
Consent Agenda. Motion to Approve the following Consent Agenda Items as presented:
A. Resolution Approving the Destruction of Executive Session Recordings, and for the Approval and Release of Executive Session Minutes (Deputy Clerk Johnson)
B. Parks & Recreation Facilities & Special Use Permit Requests (Director Hobson)
C. November 17, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
D. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $343,232.29
A motion was made by Alderman Doherty and seconded by Alderwoman Baehne to approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote:6-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Individual Action Item Agenda
A. Soap Box Derby
Motion to approve: 1) host All-American Soap Box Derby as presented; 2) authorize City support services and closure of certain portions of Waukegan and Green Streets in conjunction with the event; and 3) waiver of all associated fees (Director Hobson)
Alderwoman Bassi stated that this is a good family event, and the city should waive fees, and she will be voting yes.
Alderwoman Baehne stated that this event will be fun and that she is very excited about it. There is a song that Justin Bender created for the event.
Alderman Glab’s only concern is the waiver of the fees and would like to know afterwards to see how much it will impact the city down the road, so that when the event grows, it can be noted.
Alderman Davis wanted to know if there was anything else going on that day, a larger event. Not sure as a stand-alone event if the fees should be waived, wanted to know if it is part of a larger event. Not at this time, according to Director Hobson, but this could be an anchor event that could help get downtown more to help build more off this event.
Mayor Jett stated that Justin Bender would like to tie in the downtown as well to see how that area and the business or Chamber can tie everything together, helping to make it bigger in the future.
Alderwoman Miller stated that she is very excited about having it back. Miller Point will allow them to do a little shopping and wander back and forth, and this environment could help make this grow. Even the food trucks as a food court that has been done for Shamrocks of the Fox could also be done. Thinks it can be built into an event, and wanted to know if there can be a summer of events listed in plaques at each entry point, so it can show the schedule of what is coming up.
Alderwoman Baehne asked how many communities have the derby. Per Justin Bender, there are no longer any that have it anymore.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderwoman Baehne to approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays 0-abstained. Motion carried.
B. Purchase of 1219 Green Street
Motion to Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Proposed City of McHenry Notice of Exercise of Option to Buy 1219 Green Street, McHenry, Illinois (Deputy Clerk Johnson)
Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know where the $550,000 is coming from. Per Director Lynch, it will be coming from reserves at this point and also confirming that the City will not have to take out a bond. Per Director Lynch, that is correct. Alderwoman Bassi also asked what the intentions are for the building in the long term; will it be preserved or marketed to developers, which could lead to demolition? She also noted that it was built in 1939 and is important to the history of McHenry. Staff explained that the plan for 2050 shows the building to be removed, and the City has plans to develop that area, hence the purchase. The potential development ideas will go in front of the Council before any decisions for development or demolition occur.
A motion was made by Alderman Doherty and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote:4-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Doherty, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller. Alderman Koch-absent, 2-nays, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Bassi. 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Staff Reports
Provided the 1st meeting of each month.
Director Adams stated that Flood Brothers could not collect leaves due to the weather. They are not going to resume anytime soon, will collect leaves in the spring, and will coordinate dates with the residents. Bagged leaves can be collected until the 15th of December. There will be communication to the community regarding this.
Mayor’s Report: Joseph Stanek passed away, and Mayor Jett wanted to give his deepest condolences to the family, expressing his gratitude and sympathy. His impact on the City of McHenry was great, and also known as the “parks mayor”.
City Council Comments:
Alderwoman Bassi attended the Bulley Valley Bridge open house, wanted to thank Public Works it was very informative.
Alderwoman Miller wanted to do a shout-out to Director Adams and the crew, who did a great job. Wanted to shout out to Parks, the tree, and the lighting look amazing, and thanked them for all that has been done.
City Clerk Ramel stated that the streets were great and thanked Director Adams and the team for a great job on them.
Alderman Glab is not happy about the leaves, stating that Flood Brothers never came to get the leaves on time, along with comments that the billing process with them is also terrible.
Executive Session if necessary: Not needed
Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderwoman Baehne and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to adjourn the meeting at 8:30. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Dohtery, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nay-, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
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