McHenry Times

McHenry County Law & Government/Liquor Commission met April 30.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

1. CALL TO ORDER

Meeting called to order at: 8:30 AM by Robert Nowak.

PRESENT: Nowak, Aavang (8:30 AM - 11:11 AM), Acosta, Jung Jr. (8:30 AM - 11:06 AM), Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

ABSENT :

Also present: Peter Austin, County Administrator; Scott Hartman, Deputy County Administrator; Judge James Cowlin; Kathy Keefe, Circuit Clerk; Sandy Salgado, Sheriff's Department; Dan Wallis, Court Services; County Board member Yvonne Barnes and interested public.

2. MINUTES APPROVAL

1. Law & Government/Liquor - Public Meeting - Mar 26, 2019 8:30 AM

Chairman Nowak informed members the meeting would move to agenda item No. 6.B.1.

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Michele Aavang

SECONDER: Charles S Wheeler

AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Acosta, Jung Jr., Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

Disclaimer: The names listed for public comment are the author's best interpretation of names written by individuals requesting to provide public comment during today's meeting, and individuals who spoke, but did not write their names on a list.

Sandra Theriault, Harvard, IL provided comments concerning her support of Laura Evers for appointment to the Harvard Fire Protection District Trustee Board.

Pat Lawlor, Marengo, IL stated she lives within the Harvard Fire Protection District, and provided comments concerning her support of Laura Evers for appointment to the Harvard Fire Protection District Trustee Board.

Michael Kelly, Mayor of Harvard, IL provided comments concerning his support of Laura Evers for appointment to the Harvard Fire Protection District Trustee Board.

Laura Evers, Harvard, IL introduced herself and mentioned she was interviewed during last month's meeting via telephone.

4. MEMBERS' COMMENTS

None.

5. PRESENTATION

None.

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. New Liquor License, Manager and/or Amusement License Requests

1. Motion: Alibi Pub & Grub, LLC - new liquor license

Mr. Wilbeck made a motion, seconded by Mr. Jung, to vote on both agenda item No. 6.A.1 and No. 6.A.2 at the same time. The motion passed with all members present voting aye on a voice vote (Aavang, Acosta, Jung, Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck and Nowak).

Hank Strombach and Kathy Ehorn came before the Committee and requested Class "A" and "D" liquor licenses for a new establishment known as Alibi Pub & Grub, LLC, located in Wonder Lake, Illinois. It was noted the McHenry County Health Department has not inspected the premises or issued a Health Permit as of the time of the meeting. Members reviewed the remaining paperwork and found it to be in order.

Mr. Strombach and Ms. Ehorn came before the Committee and requested a Coin-Operated Amusement Device License for a new establishment known as Alibi Pub & Grub, LLC, located in Wonder Lake, Illinois. Members reviewed the application and supporting documents and found them to be in order.

Mr. Wilbeck made a motion, seconded by Mr. Jung, to approve the Class "A" and "D" liquor licenses for Alibi Pub & Grub, LLC pending receipt of the McHenry County Health Permit, and a Coin-Operated Amusement Device License. The motion passed with all members present voting aye on a roll call vote (Aavang, Acosta, Jung, Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck and Nowak).

RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Thomas Wilbeck

SECONDER: John Jung Jr.

AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Acosta, Jung Jr., Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

2. Alibi Pub & Grub, LLC - new Coin-Operated Amusement License

See above motion and vote.

3. Motion: The Snuggery Pub - new manager

Fred Hoffmann (owner) and James Rosato (manager for the Snuggery Pub located in McHenry, Illinois joined committee members. Mr. Rosato applied to be the manager of this establishment. Members reviewed the fingerprint application and supporting documents for Mr. Rosato and found them to be in order.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Charles S Wheeler

SECONDER: Thomas Wilbeck

AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Acosta, Jung Jr., Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

4. Motion: Bebop's Inc. - new liquor license and managers

Ronald Onesti came before the Committee and requested Class "A" and "D" liquor licenses for a new establishment known as Bebop's Inc., located in Union, Illinois. Dania Millette and Randy Donley came before the Committee and informed members they were applying as co-managers of Bebop's Inc. It was noted the McHenry County Health Department has not inspected the premises or issued a Health Permit as of the time of the meeting. Members reviewed the remaining paperwork and found it to be in order. Ms. Wegener made a motion, seconded by Mr. Wilbeck, to approve the Class "A" and "D" liquor licenses for Bebop's Inc., pending receipt of the McHenry County Health Permit. The motion passed with all members present voting aye on a roll call vote (Aavang, Acosta, Jung, Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck and Nowak).

Chairman Nowak informed members the meeting would move to agenda item No. 7.2.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kelli Wegener

SECONDER: Thomas Wilbeck

AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Acosta, Jung Jr., Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

B. Resolutions

1. Resolution Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation to the Circuit Clerk of the Court's FY2019 Budget in the Amount of $60,000.00 for Computer Software Enhancements for the McHenry County Specialty Court Information System

Judge Cowlin, Mr. Wallis and Ms. Keefe joined committee members and presented the proposed resolution. Mr. Wallis informed members the resolution requests an emergency appropriation in the amount of $60,000 to the Circuit Clerk's 2019 budget for computer software enhancements for the Specialty Court computer information system. The enhancements will allow the State's Attorney, Public Defender's Office and the Office of Special Projects to provide greater oversight of individuals participating in the Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court and the DUI Court.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Charles S Wheeler

SECONDER: Jeffrey T Thorsen

AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Acosta, Jung Jr., Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

2. Ordinance Establishing Civil Fees and Criminal and Traffic Assessments to be Charged by the Clerk of the Circuit Court

Judge Cowlin, Mr. Wallis, Ms. Keefe and Mr. Austin joined committee members and presented the proposed resolution.

Ms. Keefe provided members with a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Criminal & Traffic Assessment Act" and provided information on the following topics:

-Statutory Court Fee Task Force

-Four Key Findings of the Task Force

-Five Core Principles of the Task Force

-Six Task Force Recommendations

-Ordinances Repealed

-Ordinances Amended

-Civil Filing Fees

-Civil Appearance Fees

-Miscellaneous Fees

-Current County General Fund Fees-Civil

-Civil Waivers

-Criminal Schedules-Felony

-Criminal Schedules-Misdemeanor

-Criminal Schedules-Traffic

-Pre-Pay Tickets-Schedule 12

-Tickets Paid Without Court Appearance

-Sets $25 Minimum Fine

-Current County General Fund Fees-Criminal

-New Criminal Funds Added

-State Police Fine Money

-New-Criminal Waivers

-Revenue Difficult to Predict

Chairman Nowak informed members the meeting would move to agenda item No. 6.A.1.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kelli Wegener

SECONDER: Jeffrey T Thorsen

AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Acosta, Jung Jr., Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

C. Other

1. Legislative Update

None.

D. Deliberation and Selection of Paul Fritz for Recommendation to the County Board Chairman for the McHenry County Emergency Telephone System Board to Fulfill Marengo Police Department Representative Term to Expire November 30, 2019

Mr. Wilbeck made a motion, seconded by Mr. Acosta, to vote on both agenda item No. 6.D and 6.E at the same time, and to recommend the appointment of Paul Fritz as a member of the McHenry County Emergency Telephone System Board to fulfill Marengo Police Department's representative term to expire November 30, 2019 and to recommend the appointment of John Bucci as a member of the McHenry County Emergency Telephone System Board to fulfill Algonquin Police Department's representative term to expire November 30, 2019. The motion passed with all members present voting aye on a roll call vote (Acosta, Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck and Nowak). Absent were Aavang and Jung).

Chairman Nowak informed members the meeting would move to agenda item No. 10-Adjournment.

E. Deliberation and Selection of John Bucci for Recommendation to the County Board Chairman for the McHenry County Emergency Telephone System Board to Fulfill Algonquin Police Department Representative Term to Expire November 30, 2019

See above motion and vote.

7. OLD BUSINESS

1. Motion: Deliberation and selection of up to one candidate for recommendation to the County Board Chairman for the Harvard Fire Protection District Trustee Board for a term expiring on May 1, 2022

Mr. Wheeler made a motion, seconded by Mr. Thorsen, to recommend the appointment of Laura Evers as a member of the Harvard Fire Protection District Trustee Board for a term expiring on May 1, 2022.

Mr. Acosta stated he feels Ms. Evers is qualified for the position, but commented he feels the other applicant, Mario Sanchez, is also a qualified candidate and encouraged Mr. Sanchez to continue his interest in public service.

Ms. Aavang left the meeting at 11:11 a.m.

Chairman Nowak informed members the meeting would move to agenda item No. 6.D and 6.E.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Charles S Wheeler

SECONDER: Jeffrey T Thorsen

AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Acosta, Thorsen, Wegener, Wheeler, Wilbeck

ABSENT: Jung Jr.

2. Resolution Authorizing the County to Include an IMRF Service Buy Back Option for Lateral Transfers for Employment by the McHenry County Sheriff (Organizational Advancement and Services)

Ms. Salgado and Ms. Barnes joined committee members for further discussion of the proposed resolution. Chairman Nowak reminded members this matter was discussed during the last committee meeting, and additional questions were raised during the April 16, 2019 County Board meeting. Ms. Barnes informed members she has two proposed amendments to the resolution, one of which being there wasn't detailed financial information regarding how much the IMRF portion will cost the County. She stated County Board members have been told, in the past, that anytime a resolution comes through committees which concerns IMRF to pay attention to it because there is a significant cost to the County. That information was not contained in the resolution, and that is one reason she had the resolution pulled from the agenda. Ms. Barnes stated her second reason is because it appears to be changing the procedures the County has regarding these types of approvals, and this resolution will take away the Human Resource Director's authority to be the point person for the process. IMRF and the County have different procedures concerning IMRF buy back, and she provided members with information on IMRF buy back. Ms. Salgado provided members with information on IMRF buy back, and the contingency the County is responsible for at the end of the year for all lives in IMRF. IMRF buy back amounts vary pertaining on when a person applies for a buy back. Ms. Barnes mentioned the buy back would be more expensive for the County than it will be for an employee. No vote was taken since this matter was on the agenda for further discussion.

Chairman Nowak informed members the meeting would move to agenda item No. 3-Public Comment.

8. REPORTS

None.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION (AS NECESSARY)

None.

10. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Wilbeck made a motion, seconded by Ms. Wegener, to adjourn the meeting at 11:14 a.m. The motion passed with all members present voting aye on a voice vote.

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