The Crystal Lake City council met Tuesday, May 3.
The Crystal Lake City Council is comprised of the mayor and six council members who provide leadership for Crystal Lake by envisioning and setting the city’s direction and goals, establishing policies and passing laws involving matters that include finance and budgeting, community development, and appearance and legal issues.
Here is the minutes of the meeting as provided by Crystal Lake:
The City of Crystal Lake
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
May 3, 2016
Mayor Shepley called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Roll Call
On roll call, Mayor Shepley and City Councilmembers Brady, Dawson, Ferguson, Haleblian, Hopkins and Hubbard were present. None were absent. Clerk Nick Kachiroubas was absent. Deputy City Manager Eric Helm was present as Deputy City Clerk. City Manager Gary Mayerhofer, Assistant to the City Manager Brad Mitchell, City Attorney John Cowlin, Director of Finance George Koczwara, Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch, Director of Public Works Victor Ramirez, City Engineer Abby Wilgreen, Building Commissioner Mike Magnussen and Chief of Police James Black were also present.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Shepley led the Council and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Proclamations in honor of Milestone Anniversaries for Think Ink, Country Donuts and Ed's Rental
Mayor Shepley congratulated each business on their tenacity and success, noting that collectively, they represented 130 years in the City of Crystal Lake. Mayor Shepley presented individual proclamations and awards plaques to each business in honor of their milestone anniversaries and many years of commitment and caring in the City of Crystal Lake.
Think Ink was honored for its 30 year milestone anniversary which began as a way for Fred and Klara Kaiser to help their son make money for college and quickly became a successful family design and printing business. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser and their adult children, Fred Kaiser, Jr. and Carissa Stauss were present to accept the honor.
Country Donuts was honored for its 40 year milestone anniversary which began when Larry Swanson and Scott Offord became business partners. Mayor Shepley noted that the first place his daughters want to go when they come home from college is Country Donuts. Mr. Swanson and Mr. Offord were present to accept the honor.
Ed's Rental was honored for its 60 year milestone anniversary, which was started by grandfather of the current owner, Don Thennes. Mayor Shepley recalled when he was a teenager, many of his friends worked for Ed's Rental on the tent crew. Mr. and Mrs. Thennes were present to accept the honor.
Mayor Shepley thanked the City's Economic Development Committee for their work in recognizing milestone anniversaries for Crystal Lake businesses, saying that although it was important for the City to attract new businesses, it was more important to recognize and retain the businesses already here.
Approval of Minutes
Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2016 Regular City Council meeting. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. On voice vote, all voted yes.
Motion passed.
Accounts Payable
Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,633,982.74. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes, except in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest, Mayor Shepley abstained on the invoices from Centegra Occupational Health. Motion passed.
Mayor's Report
None.
City Council Reports
Councilwoman Brady noted that Indian Prairie School would be holding their 25th anniversary celebration on April 21st, starting at 6:30 p.m. Councilman Dawson noted that Councilwoman Brady had recently celebrated a birthday and all joined in wishing her a very Happy Birthday.
Public Presentation
Mayor Shepley asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on matters of general public interest or concern that were not included on the regular agenda. No one wished to speak.
Consent Agenda
Councilwoman Brady moved to approve a Consent Agenda consisting of Item lOa with the addition of items 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18. Councilwoman Ferguson seconded the motion. Mayor Shepley asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on any of the listed items. No one wished to speak. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.
Regarding Item 18, Councilwoman Ferguson requested that when the bike path is rerouted from Sterne's Woods, the traffic light remain in place. City Engineer Abby Wilgreen agreed.
JOa. Lucky Brake Bicycles - Approved the closure of Country Club Road between Lake Avenue and Golf Course Road on Sunday, October 2, 2016 between 8 a.m. and Noon, and a waiver of speed limit and traffic laws for bicycles during the Run and Roll for the Dole Duathlon, subject to the conditions contained in the agenda supplement.
I I.First Congregational Church -Approved a request for the use of McCormick Park and closure of Pierson Street between Florence and King Streets from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2016/or the First Congregational Church picnic, subject to the conditions contained in the agenda supplement.
12. St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 485 Woodstock St. - Approved a Temporary Use Permit for a Special Promotion (Flea Market) on Saturday, June 4, 2016 and a waiver of fees, subject to the conditions contained in the agenda supplement.
13. Lakeside Legacy Foundation, 401 Country Club Road -Approved a request for the issuance of two Class "19" Temporary Liquor Licenses and an application for a Special Event for the 37th Annual Lakeside Festival to be held on June 30 through July 3, 2016, subject to the conditions contained in the agenda supplement.
14. Lakeside Legacy Foundation, 401 Country Club Road-Adopted an Ordinance amending the City Code to increase the number of Class "21" liquor licenses from the current permitted 1 license to 2 licenses.
16. Adopted a motion to repeal Chapter 38 of the City Code; Article V Panhandling.
17. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Crystal Lake Park District, The McHenry County Conservation District, and the City of Crystal Lake of the re-routing of the Prairie Trail.
18. Resolution authorizing the execution of the local agency agreement for Federal participation with !DOT for design engineering for the Prairie Trail re-route improvement.
15. Bentley's Pet Stuff, 5300 Northwest Highway, Unit 5 - New Retailer Job Creation and Investment Program Matching Grant.
Lisa Senafe, Head of Operations for Bentley's, described the healthy nature of the pet foods to be offered. She stated that the company had grown from one store to a current number of 22 stores, with 20 in Illinois. She noted that the owners live not far from Crystal Lake and that many of the home office employees would be, or already had, moved to Crystal Lake. Mayor Shepley confirmed with Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch that the business had met all of the grant eligibility requirements. Mayor Shepley asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on the matter. No one wished to speak. Councilwoman Brady moved to approve the grant agreement with Bentley's Pet Stuff and to award $10,000 in grant funding for the new retail business's furniture, fixtures and equipment and employees, pursuant to the condition listed in the agenda supplement. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.
20. Resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to extend the agreement with Prairie Analytical for one year for Water and Wastewater sample laboratory services, with the option for a second, one-year extension.
Councilwoman Brady moved to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to extend the agreement with Prairie Analytical for one year for water and wastewater sample laboratory services with the option for a second, one-year extension, in the submitted bid amount. Councilwoman Ferguson seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.
21. Bid award and resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with American Painting Inc. for staining at Three Oaks Recreation Area. Councilwoman Brady moved to award the bid for staining at Three Oaks Recreation Area to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, American Painting Inc., in the bid amount of $39,950.00 and to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with American Painting Inc. with a 20 percent contingency for additional quantities. Councilwoman Ferguson seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.
19. Discussion only-Text amendments for various provisions of the City Code. Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch opened the discussion advising that the proposed amendments were intended to address issues observed by City staff, based on day to day applications, and would simplify the requirements and procedures for businesses and residents. City Engineer Abby Wilgreen presented the following proposed changes:
241-33. This proposed change would apply in situations where a contractor wants to work on Saturdays and needs an inspector. The change would provide an hourly set rate for overtime, rather than the actual hourly rate of the staff person performing the work. Mayor Shepley asked how it is handled currently. Ms. Wilgreen stated that the fee is 1.5 times the employee's hourly rate including benefits. She noted that this type of situation does not happen often. Councilwoman Ferguson asked about ifthe unions would have any opposition to this change and it was noted that the Community Development Department employees are not unionized. Councilwoman Ferguson agreed that a standard set fee would be more efficient. Ms. Wilgreen stated that with a set fee ($100 for the first hour and $25 per quarter hour after that), contractors would know the exact cost in advance.
241-34 - Ms. Wilgreen explained that this proposed change would add additional language requiring that the owner or permittee pay for any additional items for which the City may need to retain a professional consultant or technician, such as economic impact analysis, environmental analysis, plan review or other due diligence costs.
241-3 5 A and B - These proposed changes pertain to fee computations for the above.
241-3 8 These proposed changes add specific Storm water fees to the City Code which mirror McHenry County's fees. Mayor Shepley confirmed with Ms. Wilgreen that the City does not currently charge these fees.
251-2- These proposed changes clarify language in the Fire Code regarding parking/road widths for new developments. Building Commissioner Michael Magnussen presented the following proposed changes:
392-2 - This proposed change reflects an amendment to the Illinois State Plumbing Code regarding the installation of clothes washing machines under counter tops to avoid flooding. In response to Mayor Shepley's question, Mr. Magnussen stated that the proposed changes would match surrounding communities. Mayor Shepley asked who would possibly "push back" against these changes. Mr. Magnussen stated that historically, that would be the Chicago unions, but Crystal Lake now allows lower cost materials more beneficial to property owners. In response to Councilman Haleblian' s question about the materials, Mr. Magnus sen said that they are all listed in the City Code and do not include any new materials but rather ones that have been in the Illinois Plumbing Code for decades. Councilman Dawson stated that these changes to the Plumbing Code had been a long time coming, were a step forward, and he supported them. He stated that the changes would benefit homeowners and make it easier for contractors to know they were following the Illinois State Plumbing Code. Mr. Magnussen noted that the other proposed changes to Chapter 392 were all clarifications with no actual changes. Ms. Wilgreen presented the proposed change to 515-2, stating that it was to update the City's surety process and had been recommended by the City's Special Counsel after his review at City staffs request. Director of Public Works Victor Ramirez presented proposed changes regarding water and sewer.
515-3 - This proposed change pertains to water main size and had been recommended by the Fire Chief. Councilman Dawson stated that he had no issue with Fire professionals recommending this change.
515-13 - This proposed change clarifies the responsibility of property owners regarding abandoned sewer lines including that they needed to be properly disconnected from the sewer main because if it were to collapse or leak it could cause significant inflow to the sewer system. Councilman Dawson asked if the line could be capped at the right of way rather than having to go under a street and Mr. Ramirez stated was included in the proposed change.
515-29 - This proposed change is a basically a "housekeeping" change which clarifies fees regarding disputed water and/or sewer bills.
515-43 - This proposed change pertains to water service lines and clarifies the property owner's responsibility for the line from the BBox to the home for repair and maintenance. A discussion ensued regarding lead water pipes, which Mr. Ramirez said can be found all of the way from the water main to a home, and if the homeowner wished to replace the line, the City would replace the portion from the BBox to the water main. He noted that the EPA had recommended either leaving the lead pipe in place or replacing the entire line rather than just a portion of a line. He stated that such replacements would be triggered by resident requests. Councilman Haleblian asked how many water services in the City had lead pipes. Mr. Ramirez stated staff was currently working on the list, but there were approximately 700. Councilman Haleblian asked if the homeowners would be notified and Mr. Ramirez stated that they would once all of the information was compiled and the City would assist those residents. He noted that the June City Newsletter had a very informative article on the subject. He stated that the City is in compliance with EPA lead standards and there is an additive in City water which buffers the lead to keep from leaching as readily. Councilwoman Ferguson stated that she has an older home with a lead water line and had been advised to let the water run for 2 minutes before using it. Mr. Ramirez agreed that that would a good idea. He noted that the City would provide more information as it becomes available. Councilwoman Ferguson added that if homeowners are aware of lead water lines, they may be more willing to pay to have them replaced. Councilwoman Brady noted that a water filter would be cheaper for them. City Engineer Abby Wilgreen presented the final proposed changes.
570-1 - This proposed change is a "housekeeping" change regarding parking lots.
575 - This proposed change recommends changing the number of qualified traffic consultants from 6 to 3 to help streamline the process. Ms. Wilgreen noted that there is a wide range of quality in the current 6 approved traffic consultants. Councilman Dawson stated that he was not in favor of this change and preferred having a larger pool of 6 approved consultants.
Council Inquiries and Requests.
None.
Adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of pending and probable litigation, the sale, purchase or lease of real property, collective bargaining, and personnel. Councilwoman Brady moved to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:38 p.m. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.
Reconvene to Regular Session.
Councilwoman Brady moved to reconvene in Regular Session at 8:47 p.m. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.
Adjourn
There being no further business, Councilwoman Brady moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On voice vote, all voted yes. Motion passed.
Alerts Sign-up