McHenry Times

City of Crystal Lake City Council met May 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order 

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

Roll Call 

Mayor Aaron Shepley and Councilmembers Ellen Brady, Ralph Dawson, Cathy Ferguson, Haig Haleblian, Brett Hopkins, and Cameron Hubbard were present, City Clerk Nick Kachiroubas was absent. Deputy City Clerk Eric Helm was present.

Also present were City Manager Gary Mayerhofer, City Attorney John Cowlin, Deputy City Manager Eric Helm, Assistant Director of Finance Laura Herrig, Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch, Director of Public Works Mike Magnuson, City Engineer Abby Wilgreen and Chief of Police James Black, David Pardys, special counsel, was also present.

Pledge of Allegiance 

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

Approval of Minutes Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2019 Regular City Council meeting. Councilman Haleblian seconded the motion. On voice vote, all voted yes. Motion passed.

May 15, 2018 and June 5, 2018 Regular City Council Meeting Minute Amendments Councilwoman Ferguson moved to amend the May 15, 2018 and June 5, 2018 Regular City Council meeting minutes. Councilman Haleblian seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes, Motion passed.

Accounts Payable 

Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,564,221.55. Councilman Haleblian seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes except in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest, Mayor Shepley abstained on payments to Centegra Occupational Health or Nortliwestern Occupational Health or any related entities. Motion passed.

Public Presentation 

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

Janelle Butler, resident of 105 Dole Avenue, asked the Mayor and City Council what is going to happen to the Freund house, located at 94 Dole Avenue, directly across the street from her home both in the short and long term. She thanked the Crystal Lake Police Department for all of their efforts in this situation, but indicated there is tall grass, garbage and numerous people that stop at the house,

David Pardys, special counsel, provided an update on actions the City has taken regarding this property, including notices of violation and legal proceedings to obtain access to the property and mowing of grass and cleaning up garbage on the property. He indicated people stopping in the driveway do not have a legal right to be on the property, and the Police Department would respond to complaints received,

Nancy Thompson, resident of 85 S. Oak Street, thanked the City for the level of professionalism in communications regarding 94 Dole Avenue. She stated that is has been hard living next to the property for the past seven years. She said the neighbors are struggling with what has happened there. She stated she understands the City is taking the legal steps necessary regarding the 94 Dole property, but hoped that the house will be demolished as quickly as possible to help the community heal.

Rick Ferguson, resident of 101 Dole Avenue, thanked the Crystal Lake Police Department for their efforts. He stated that he has had issues with the property owner in the past, and the Police Department responded. He also thanked Mayor Shepley and City Manager Gary Mayerhofer for meeting with neighbors, and was impressed by their professionalism,

He stated that he thinks ultimately, the house will be torn down. He stated that he does not think constructing a park at the location of the home as has been talked about on social media is a good idea, as Dole Avenue is a busy street and will lead to traffic issues. He said the most respectful thing would be to have another house built at the location and offered the City should consider altering the Independence Day Parade route to Oak Street if the house is still standing at that time.

Mayor's Report 

None.

City Council Reports 

Councilwoman Ferguson reminded residents that May is Mental Health month. There are hotline numbers and a Mental Health Board that are available resources.

Consent Agenda 

Councilwoman Brady moved to approve a Consent Agenda consisting of Item 10a, 10b, 10c, with the addition of Items 11 and 13, and removing Items 14 and 15 from the Agenda. 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. There was no public comment,

On roll call, all voted yes, Motion passed.

Mayor Shepley explained the consequences for being caught in a liquor sting to the representatives of Blazin Wings, Inc. He also explained the IMPACT Program.

10. a. Approved a Special Event Request for Moe-B-Dick's North Shore Pub, 1050 North Shore Drive, to allow a washer tournament, pursuant to the recommended conditions. b. Referral of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments to the June 5, 2019 Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. c. County Zoning Request, 2411 Country Club LLC, 2411 Country Club Road, Woodstock, Illinois – No Action.

11. Adopted an Ordinance increasing the number of Class 13 Liquor Licenses from 31 to 32 to allow for the issuance of a new Class 13 liquor license to Blazin Wings, Inc., DBA Buffalo Wild Wings, located at 5575 Northwest Highway,

13. Approved the PZC recommendation and Adopted an Ordinance granting an Alternative Use Permit for an axe throwing lounge at 975 Nimco Drive.

14. Public Highway Al-Grade Crossing Agreements with Union Pacific Railroad -- Crystal Lake Avenue at Main Street Improvement - Removed from Agenda.

15. Appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for the railroad crossing improvements for the Main Street and Crystal Lake Avenue Intersection Improvement - Removed from Agenda.

12. 45 W. Franklin Avenue, Crystal Lake Central High School, High School District 155 Special Use Permit to allow for an accessory structure over 900 feet in area.

Jeff Daurer, Director of Operations, High School District 155, presented the request, explaining the District would like to build a 3,600 square-foot grounds building on the east side of the Crystal Lake Central Campus. Equipment would be stored in the building. The petitioner objected to the PZC recommendation for the installation of motion sensitive lighting on the outside of the building but agreed to all other recommended conditions.

Bob Vetter, resident of 223 S. Walkup Avenue, said he was present at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and does not have objections to the overall look of the project and has no objections to the lighting, as the lights would be located between two baseball fields and hard to see. He is concerned with the gravel driveway located at the end of Walkup Avenue and gating this off somehow. There are already issues with use of the fields for graduations and baseball games. The access in and out is a concern.

The petitioner indicated that the District is working with City staff to ensure they will be in compliance with the PZC recommendations regarding the access issue,

Councilwoman Brady moved to approve the PZC recommendations, eliminating condition #4 regarding motion detection lighting and adopt an Ordinance granting the Special Use Permit for an accessory structure at 45 W. Franklin Avenue, subject to the recommended conditions. Councilwoman Ferguson seconded the motion. On roll call, all voted yes. Motion passed.

16. Stormwater Solutions: Purchasing of various materials and contractor assistance and waiving of the formal bidding process as defined by Chapter 102-3 of the City Code and authorizing the approval of individual purchases to the lowest responsible and responsive proposers. 

Councilwoman Brady moved to waive the formal bidding requirements of Chapter 102-3 of the City Code and to authorize the City Manager to approve individual purchases to the lowest responsible and responsive proposers for the Thomwood Lane Drainage Project for a total project cost of $48,470.93 with a 10 percent contingency for unforeseen conditions. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. On roll call, Mayor Shepley, Councilwoman Brady, Councilman Hubbard, Councilman Hopkins, Councilman Haleblian, and Councilwoman Ferguson voted yes, Councilman Dawson voted no. Motion passed.

Council Inquiries and Requests, 

None.

Adjourn

There being no further business, Councilman Hopkins moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m. Councilman Haleblian seconded the motion. On voice vote, all voted yes, Motion passed.

https://ecode360.com/documents/CR2206/public/493758451.pdf