McHenry Times

Crystal Lake City Council met Monday, Dec. 12.

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. Council meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in Council Chambers of City Hall at 100 W. Woodstock St.

Here are the minutes as provided by Crystal Lake:

The City of Crystal Lake PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL December 6, 2016

Call to Order Mayor Shepley called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call On roll call, Mayor Aaron Shepley and City Councilmembers Ellen Brady, Ralph Dawson, Cathy Ferguson, Haig Haleblian, Brett Hopkins and Cameron Hubbard were present. None were absent. City Clerk Nick Kachiroubas was absent. Deputy City Clerk Eric Helm was present.

City Manager Gary Mayerhofer, Director of Finance George Koczwara, Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch, City Engineer Abby Wilgreen, Economic Development Manager Heather Maieritsch, Director of Public Works Mike Magnuson, Deputy Chief of Police Derek Hyrkas and Assistant to the City Manager Brad Mitchell were also present.

Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Shepley led the Council and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayoral Proclamations in recognition of Milestone Business Anniversaries in the City of Crystal Lake for Pablo's Mexican Restaurant (30 years) and Pop's Corn Crib (50 years). Mayor Shepley congratulated representatives of Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant and Pop's Corn Crib and issued and read aloud proclamations for both businesses in recognition of their milestone anniversaries of 30 years for Pablo's Mexican Restaurant and 50 years for Pop's Corn Crib. Mayor Shepley also presented both businesses with Community Investment Award plaques from the City Council and the City's Economic Development Committee. Present for Pablo's Mexican Restaurant were Jennifer Falbo, owner, Fred Falbo and Sarah Sobel, Chief Financial Officer. Present for Pop's Corn Crib were Lisa Villareal, owner and Kim Borman, a long time employee.

Mayor Shepley also commended the City's Economic Development Committee members on their efforts to not only attract new businesses but retain the City's longstanding businesses.

Approval of Minutes Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the minutes of the November 15, 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 $2,354,911.87. 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 payments to Centegra McHenry EMS and Centegra Occupational Health. Motion passed.

Public Presentation Mayor Shepley asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on matters of public interest or concern not included in the regular agenda, noting that they would be given an opportunity to speak when the agenda item was considered.

Diana Kenney, Executive Director of the Crystal Lake Main Street organization which hosted the annual Festival of Lights Parade on November 25", congratulated the Crystal Lake Strikers percussion band for winning the "Best Use of Music' Trophy and presented it to Mayor Shepley and Councilman Hopkins, two members of the Strikers. Mayor Shepley and Councilman Hopkins both agreed that the parade is fabulous, gets better every year, and it is one of their favorites. Mayor Shepley added that even though the Strikers participate in many regional parades throughout the year, including the Chicago and Mag Mile parades, they always look forward to Crystal Lake's Festival of Lights and Independence Day parade the most, and thanked the organizers and volunteers of those parades.

Mark Oshinski, 103 N. Caroline Street, asked if there would be any consideration by the City Council of the traffic problem at Caroline Street and Crystal Lake Avenue. City Engineer Abby Wilgreen advised that the City's Traffic Safety Committee would discuss the matter and would follow-up with Mr. Oshinski.

Mayor's Report None.

City Council Reports

Councilwoman Ferguson noted that she really enjoyed seeing the hundreds of Santas in the “Kiwanis Santa Run” race on McHenry Avenue recently as she waited in traffic.

Councilman Hopkins congratulated the Prairie Ridge football team on winning the State Championship. Mayor Shepley advised that he had attended a rally at Prairie Ridge High School on Saturday, and he highly commended Coach Chris Schremp for the fine job he is doing there. He stated that the City has reached out to the Prairie Ridge team about coming to a City Council meeting for recognition.

Consent Agenda Councilwoman Brady moved to approve a Consent Agenda Items consisting of Items 10a and b with the addition of Items 11, 13, 14, 15 (no objection) and 16. Councilwoman Ferguson seconded the motion, Mayor Shepley asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on any of the listed items, noting that without any objection, they would most likely be approved. No one wished to speak. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.

10a, Continuation of Annexation Public Hearings for Space Management, Chicago Title Land Trusts 1004004 149 & 1004004152 & Reinhardt/Kirk Annexation Public Hearings - Continued the Annexation Public Hearing for the Space Management property to the January 3, 2017 regular City Council meeting, and the Annexation Public Hearings for the Chicago Title Land Trusts and Reinhardt Kirk properties to the January 3, 2017 regular City Council meeting.

10b. Copley Annexation Agreement reconsideration - Continued the reconsideration to the January 3, 2017 regular City Council meeting.

11. Special Service Area 46 Refinancing Bond Ordinance - Adopted an Ordinance providing for the issue of not to exceed $2,600,000 Special Service Area Number Forty Six Refunding Bonds, Series 2016, for the purpose of refunding the outstanding Special Service Area Number Forty Six Bonds, Series 2007, and paying the expenses incident thereto, providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, authorizing a bond reserve for said bonds, authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof and authorizing and directing the execution of an escrow agreement in connection with the issuance of said bonds,

13. Ultra Strobe, 748 Tek Drive - Adopted an Ordinance granting a Variation for a freestanding sign with a 4-foot setback, with the recommended conditions, for 748 Tek Drive,

14. Walnut Glen Townhome Association-Walnut Glen Subdivision- Approved the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and adopted an Ordinance granting the Final Planned Unit Development to allow the disconnection of Walnut Glen Drive and Crabapple Drive within the Walnut Glen Subdivision.

15. 2316 Route 176 - The City Council did not object and took no action on a County Zoning Request for a Variation to allow an accessory structure at 236 Route 176.

16. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the County of McHenry, the City of Crystal Lake, the City of Harvard, the City of Marengo, the City of McHenry, the City of Woodstock, the Village of Huntley, the Village of Johnsburg and the Village of Ringwood for general public Dial-A-Ride Transit Service in 2017.

12. Las CaZuelitas, 21 Crystal Lake Plaza - City Code Amendment to increase the number of Class '28" Liquor Licenses from the current permitted 11 to 12 licenses and to increase the number of Video Gaming Licenses from the current permitted 11 to 12 licenses. Carlos Sanchez, Manager, was present. Mr. Sanchez, showed the proposed layout and stated that the clear windows had already been covered. Mayor Shepley confirmed with Deputy City Manager Eric Helm that the City's ordinance requirements were met.

Mayor Shepley asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on the matter. No one wished to speak.

Councilwoman Brady moved to adopt an Ordinance increasing the number of Class “28 Liquor Licenses from the current permitted 11 to 12 licenses and to adopt an Ordinance increasing the number of Video Gaming Licenses from the current permitted 11 licenses to 12 licenses. Councilman Haleblian seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes, except Councilwoman Ferguson and Councilman Hopkins voted no on principle. Motion passed.

17. Bid award and Resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with Monroe Truck Equipment for the purchase and installation of a service body, lift gate, air compressor, and miscellaneous equipment; and reiection of all previous bids from September 23, 2016. Public Works Director Mike Magnuson explained that the truck body and auxiliary equipment had been initially bid as a package and only one bid had been received which was higher than expected. The truck body and auxiliary equipment were re-bid separately, resulting in a savings of over $6,400 from the first bid. He stated that staff was requesting the Council to reject the first bid and award the second bid.

Councilwoman Brady moved to reject all bids from the previous bid openings for the purchase and installations of a service body, lift gate, air compressor, and miscellaneous equipment. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed,

Councilwoman Brady moved to award the bid for purchase and installation of lift gate, air compressor, and miscellaneous equipment to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Monroe Truck Equipment, and to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Monroe Truck Equipment for the purchase and installation of the aforementioned items in the amount bid. Councilman Haleblian seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.

Council Inquiries and Requests. Councilman Haleblian expressed concern about itinerant vendors in the City and stated that he had spoken with Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch about it and she advised that permission was issued by the Police Department which conducts background checks, but the City has only had one other itinerant vendor in the past 20 years. Councilman Haleblian stated that he was concerned about itinerant vendors collecting and submitting sales taxes, and the general appearance for the City. He stated that he was interested in keeping a level playing field for established businesses. Councilman Dawson agreed. Ms. Rentzsch advised that staff could develop an ordinance expressly prohibiting itinerant vendors for the Council’s consideration.

Mayor Shepley thanked the City's Public Works crews for the great job they did on the downtown holiday lighting, stating that he receives many comments on how great the downtown looks, and the rest of the Council agreed.

Adiourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of pending and probabie litigation, the sale, purchase or lease of real property, collective bargaining, and Personnel. Councilwoman Brady moved to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. Councilwoman Ferguson seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.

Reconvene to Regular Session.

Councilman Hopkins moved to reconvene in Regular Session at 8:30 p.m. Councilwoman Ferguson seconded the motion, Onroll call, all voted yes, Motion passed.

Adjourn There being no further business, Councilwoman Ferguson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. On voice vote, all voted yes. Motion passed