City of McHenry City Council met March 2
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, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Others present: Attorney McArdle-absent, Administrator Ostrovsky, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch-absent, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of Economic Development Martin, 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:
Joel Williams, President/CEO of Habitat for Humanity, Lake-McHenry County, took the podium. He explained to the Council that he is new to the McHenry side for Habitat for Humanity, which has just merged with its Lake County affiliate program. Kyle Steiner, Board Chair, was also present.
Together, they want to learn more about the needs they can meet for Habitat for Humanity, explaining that they help with the organization and construction of houses, and help people get into those houses.
They are looking for an opportunity to serve this area. The Volunteers help build a house and help those who need it get a mortgage to purchase the house. Another area they help with is fixing homes that need something a person cannot afford, such as a roof or furnace—getting a lot of support regarding that as well. The Restore is a discount home improvement store; they accept donations or no-longer-needed items, as well as new items donated by the manufacturer. Looking forward to a greater impact. All the profits help those with housing in the future; he just wanted to introduce himself. HabitatLMC.org is a website to check out if you’re interested in helping.
Consent Agenda: Motion to Approve the following Consent Agenda Items as presented:
A. Resolution Authorizing the Deputy Clerk to Update the Official Zoning Map and to Publish a Notice of the Zoning Map Update (Deputy Clerk Johnson)
B. Petersen Farm Lease with Steven Bauer for approximately 58 acres at a rate of $195.00 per acre for a total annual rent of $11,310.00 for the period of March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027 (Director Hobson)
C. Approve the Purchase of the Toro Field Pro 6040 and the Included Attachments from Reinders of Mundelein, IL via the Sourcewell Program for $37,758.38 (Director Hobson)
D. February 17, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes
E. Issuance of Checks in the Amount of $273,837.12
A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderwoman Baehne to approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote:7-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Individual Action Item Agenda
A. Windhill Pancake Parlor Video Gaming
Motion to Approve a Video Gaming License to 4 Eggs Hospitality LLC, Located at 3307 W Elm Street in McHenry, Subject to the Completion of a Video Gaming Development Agreement, and if Approved, Pass an Ordinance Increasing the Number of Location Licenses for Video Gaming (Deputy Clerk Johnson)
Alderwoman Bassi stated that, as of January, Fox Lake, Woodstock, and Crystal Lake have issued, in this order, 29, 25, and 22 gaming licenses. These are the cities or villages with the 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-highest numbers of gaming licenses in McHenry County. With McHenry issuing the most, totaling 44.
Alderwoman Bassi stated her concerns that she has heard repeatedly from residents that there is too much gaming, which causes a negative reputation for the City. Also stating that businesses requesting a gaming license with their liquor license, particularly in the Downtown Districts, need to change by default. Closing that she can appreciate that Windhill previously held a gaming license, but we need to draw the line somewhere, so I am voting “no.”
Phil Siudak, the petitioner, talked about the funding, time, and money that he will be putting into the restaurant and is looking for help with creating additional income to do so. He explained to the Council the changes that he would like to make as well.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Baehne and seconded by Alderman Doherty to approve the Individual Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 1-nays-Alderwoman Bassi. 0-abstained. Motion carried.
B. TIF Fund Budget Amendment
Motion to Pass an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Amendment to the 25/26 Tax Increment Financing Fund (Director Lynch)
Alderman Glab stated that he voted against the property, which the Council passed, but doing the tax increment is the only proper way to do it, though it will take a big bite out of the TIF fund, and he wanted to make sure we do not get too far in the hole, being cautious.
Alderwoman Bassi stated that she voted “no” to purchase this property because she does not want to see the 1939 building, which is significant to McHenry’s history and culture, demolished, with the land then marketed to a corporate developer. Also acknowledging that the purchase has already been completed, she will be voting “yes” to using TIF money rather than the General Fund to purchase. She also commented that this will put the TIF Fund over half a million dollars in debt to the General Fund, stating that this money needs to be repaid before any additional TIF spending is budgeted for the upcoming fiscal year.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Glab to approve the Individual Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion carried.
C. Intergovernmental Agreement with Fire District for Sale of Property
Motion to Pass an Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor’s Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the McHenry Township Fire Protection District for the Sale of a Vacant Parcel of Land West of Dot Street (PIN 09-28-151-026) for a Gross Sale Price of $52,000 (City Administrator Ostrovsky)
Alderwoman Bassi stated she will be voting “yes,” but would like the proceeds to go towards the City’s portion of the 31 expansions.
A motion was made by Alderman Doherty and seconded by Alderman Koch to approve the Individual Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Discussion Item Agenda: none
Staff Reports
Provided the First Meeting of Each Month.
Director Adams stated that Alderwoman Bassi pointed out that the Arbor Day celebration was not mentioned; it is April 1st for the deadline to donate a tree, and it is on the city website and newsletter.
Mayor’s Report: none
City Council Comments
Director Hobson reminded everyone that Shamrocks of the Fox will be on March 13th-15th, including all the events such as the dying of the river, the Shamrock Shuffle, the music tent, etc.
Alderwoman Bassi thanked Parks, and maintenance said all the lights are up and they look amazing throughout town. Congratulations on all the hard work that they got done.
Alderman Doherty acknowledged that Bob Mrachek lost a huge member and a big supporter of the community—condolences to the family. Mayor Jett stated that Bob hasbeen involved in the community for a long time, and he will be greatly missed in the community.
Alderman Glab is concerned about creating a new TIF and hopes that, as that moves forward, we get some Committee of the Whole meetings together so that we are all on board to figure out the ending goals, etc.
Alderwoman Baehne stated that the State of McHenry luncheon was great and stated that it was an incredible event. Mayor Jett thanked everyone for their support at the event as well.
Executive Session if Needed: Not needed
Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderman Koch and seconded by Alderwoman Baehne to adjourn the meeting at 7:20. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Glab, Alderman Doherty, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nay-, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
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