McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Aug. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order:

The City Council of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, July 15, 2019, at 7: 00 p. m. in the McHenry City Council Chambers, 333 S. Green Street, McHenry, IL.

Roll Call: Mayor Jett called the roll call:

Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Members absent: Alderwoman Baehne. Others present: Attorney McArdle, Administrator Morefield, Interim Director of Public Works Strange, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of Economic Development Martin, and Chief of Police Birk, and City Clerk Trisha Ramel.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Public Comments: None

Consent Agenda: Motion to Approve the Following Consent Agenda Items:

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Schaefer to approve consent agenda items A as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 6- ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Baehne- absent, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0- nays, 0- abstained. Motion carried.

A. Repeal of existing ordinance and passage of replacement ordinance for a Property Tax Abatement Agreement between City of McHenry and Brake Parts Inc.;

B. Zoning Map Amendment for the property located at the southeast corner of Northside Avenue and Illinois Route 120 from C- 5 Highway to 1- 1 Industrial;

C. Authorize Snowplowing Contract for Feger' s Subdivision for 2019/ 2020;

D. Authorize the acceptance of quote from Burris Equipment Company in the amount of $12,908.07 and a 10% contingency amount of$ 1,291.93;

E. Authorize the rejection of all bids for the Snow Removal and Cul-De-Sacs and Eyebrows Contract;

F. Authorize the rejection of all bids for the Well 8 Raw Water Line Rehabilitation Project 

G. Parks & Recreation Facilities Alcohol and Special Use Permit Requests;

H. Block Party Request;

I. July 15, 2019, City Council Meeting Minutes;

J. July 18, 2019, Special City Council Meeting Minutes;

K. Issuance of Checks in the amount of$ 348, 905. 94.

Individual Action Item Agenda.

Ethics Issues:

The City of McHenry is required have an ethics Advisor and Ethics Commission. Neither of these have been set up for the City of McHenry as there was an idea that the City and County could work together to form a Commission. The City was waiting on the County to form their Commission before proceeding, because an ethics complaint had never been filed. The City recently received an ethics complaint, and that issue is still pending because the County has not yet formed their Commission. Attorney David McArdle suggests that the City name their own Ethics Advisor and form their own Commission to handle the issue until the County has their Commission set up. Once the County has approved their Commission, the Council could choose to disband its own Commission and join with the County. Having an agreement with the County could be a positive route to go because it could be more objective and avoid awkwardness between Council members.

A motion was made by Alderman Scahefer and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to appoint Brandy Quance as the City' s Ethics Advisor and to appoint Dr. Michael Roberts, Richard Huber, and John Jones as the City' s Ethics Commissioners. Roll Call: Vote: 6- ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0- nays, 0- abstained, 1- absent: Alderwoman Baehne. Motion carried

Motion to approve or deny a Class F ( Full Service Personal Care Establishment) Liquor License to Valerie' s Salon located at 3407 W. Elm Street, McHenry.

Valerie Ziebel explained her issues with her liquor license application to the Council. She is disappointed that she received no feedback from the Council after most recent letter she sent through an email. She also is disappointed that she is not able to sell liquor and only able to give it away for free. The costs she will incur make this license type cost prohibitive, and she wants her business to be a high end establishment. Many members of the Council stated that they did not receive her most recent email. It is thought that there may be a technical issue with the form being used on the City' s website to handle the emails.

Attorney McArdle stated that this liquor license type was written into the Code of Ordinances because it was his and the Council' s understanding that this is what was requested at the time. He stated that the Council could accommodate her request but changes to the liquor code would have to be made. Chief Birk explained that she is not eligible for Class A or B licenses, which are the serve and pour licenses. A new classification would have to be made. City Administrator Morefield cautioned the Council that they do have the ability to form a new license class, but they needed to be aware that this would open the door again for allowing other businesses to apply for such licenses and to apply for video gaming. Following a discussion, it appeared that a majority of the Council was unwilling to form a new liquor class. Ms. Ziebel was asked if she wanted to move forward with the Class F license that does not allow her to sell liquor, or if she wanted to pull her application and not have the Council vote. She decided to have the Council vote to approve the Class F Full Service Personal Care Establishment license.

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Schaefer to approve a Class F ( Full Service Personal Care Establishment) Liquor License to Valerie' s Salon located at 3402 W Elm Street, McHenry. Roll Call: Vote: 6- ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0- nays, 0- abstained, 1- absent: Alderwoman Baehne. Motion carried.

Pulled Agenda Items*

Mayor Jett explained that it had been requested by Joe Doherty to postpone any action regarding his liquor and video gaming license applications.

Staff Reports:

According to Director Bill Hobson, fun events that will be occurring in McHenry include the Sprit of 45, Blues, Brews & BBQ, and National Night Out that supports our Police Department. The River Walk Donut Boat has been delivered and is on the river. Miller Point is complete except for the lighting needs to be finished. He also explained future events such as Light the Night fire pit over the water, which has the support of many local businesses. There is an effort to host a larger benefit concert next June with big named bands to benefit local organizations, with one being the splash pad project.

Director Troy Strange reported that August 19th is the start date of certain local road programs. Public Works is also working on additional modeling of detention basins for Lakeland Park.

Chief Birk reported that upcoming vape shop zoning changes will hopefully be ready for approval by the end of September.

Mayor' s Report:

Mayor Jett welcomed new City Clerk Trisha Ramel and congratulated Troy Strange on his new baby.

City Council Comments: Alderman Santi gave his complements on Knox pool and their staff for the cleanliness of their locker rooms. Alderman Mihevc reminded the Council that a Finance Meeting is scheduled for August 19th. Alderman Schaefer commented on the grand opening of Pearl Street Commons. The facility is very nice inside and already almost full of residents.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Alderman Glab and seconded by Alderman Santi to adjourn the meeting at 8: 00 p. m. Roll call: Vote: 6- ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0- nays, 0- abstained, 1- absent: Alderwoman Baehne. Motion carried.

http://cityofmchenry.org/vertical/Sites/%7B32BA702A-197A-429A-BC8D-0F4D5E307CAD%7D/uploads/Aug_5_19_Minutes.pdf