McHenry Times

City of Harvard City Council met Aug. 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Kelly called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm and led the pledge to the flag. City Clerk Moller called roll to establish a quorum. Aldermen present: Haderlein, Schulz, Carncross, Heinsohn, Gorman, Meza and Perkins. Alderman Opper was absent. Also present: Treasurer Bejot, City Administrator Nelson, Chief Krause, Code Enforcement Officer Nutley, Community Development Director Santeler, Supt. Parks & Recreation Knop, Supt. Public Works Kruckenberg, Supt. Utilities Grant, City Attorney Clifton, Representative Steve Reick and members of the audience.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Doug MacKenzie notified the City Council that there will be a 100 Year Time Capsule Opening at the Masonic Temple, 66 N. Ayer St., Harvard on Sunday, September 1, 2019. He anticitpates the ceremony to last a couple of hours and requested permission to close Diggins St., which is a one-way street, from 5-points to the end of his building from 11:45 am – 2:15 pm. Residents would be able to get in and out. Chief Krause had no objections.

CONSENT AGENDA 

Mayor Kelly stated that items under the Consent Agenda are acted upon in a single motion. There is no separate discussion of these items prior to the Council vote unless a Council Member requests that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate action. 

a. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of July 23 and July 30, 2019 

b. Park Board Meeting Minutes July 29 & August 19, 2019 

c. Administrators Report 

d. Building & Grounds Report 

e. Community Development Department Report 

f. Harvard Diggins Library Directors Report 

g. Parks & Recreation Report 

h. Police Department Report 

i. Public Works Department Report 

j. Utilities Department Report 

k. Payment of bills in the amount of $340,083.60

The following item was removed from the Consent Agenda: e. Community Development Department Report

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Meza to approve the Consent Agenda, Items 4a – d and f - k, as presented. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye and Perkins, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

INDIVIDUAL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 

Item 4e – Community Development Report At Alderwoman Haderlein’s request, Community Development Director Santeler updated the City Council on potential development of single family homes in Huntington Ridge Subdivision and Oak Grove Crossings.

Alderwoman Haderlein noted the list of citations for parking on the grass and inquired what the ordinance requirements are. Code Enforcement Officer Nutley clarified that homeowners are issued a letter when they repeatedly park in the grass or right of way giving them 7 days to abate, after which they are issued a citation if they are not in compliance.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderwoman Heinsohn to approve the Community Development Report as submitted. Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye and Haderlein, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

PETITION FOR VARIATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 504 UNIVERSITYST. 

Adam Harasimowicz, Variation from Section 19.15.B3, Driveways and Private Parking Lots - Denied Arturo Flores, 7207 Quill Ct., Woodstock, IL was present on behalf of the petitioner. Mr. Flores reviewed the petition requesting relief from Section 19.15B3, Driveways and Parking Lots, in order to widen the driveway at 504 University. Mr. Flores related the owner is selling the property and is trying to make it more appealing to a prospective buyer to have their own private driveway. Subject property is a single family home located at 504 University St. The requisite notice was sent to adjoining property owners and no objections have been received.

Mayor Kelly opened the floor to comments/objections:

Subject property is a single family home that has five available parking spaces and a community gravel driveway that serves several properties. The minimum parking requirement for a single family home is two parking spots. 

Alderman Schulz suggested a solution to simply lower the price of the house by the cost of the estimate to add the driveway. Mr. Flores thought the homeowner felt he could get more for the property with the driveway improvement.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Heinsohn, seconded by Alderman Carncross to deny the petition. Additional discussion ensued:

Mr. Flores inquiry why the motion was to deny the petition. Alderwoman Heinsohn responded she felt the request would take up too much surface, there is already adequate parking on the property and if the owner was having a problem selling the property, he could reduce the price. 

Attorney Clifton clarified that the motion is to deny so voting yes is voting to deny the request. 

Mr. Flores further inquired if the decision could be appealed. Administrator Nelson thought there was a one-year waiting period. 

Alderman Meza brought up discussion about the community driveway and that all the petitioner wants is parking closer to the house. In the event a property owner would try to keep people from using the shared driveway, Attorney Clifton indicated there would be some legal relief for the property owners who share that community driveway to prevent the property from being landlocked.

If the property owner wished to hard surface a portion of the gravel driveway, he would need to get a permit from the Community Development Dept. 

Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, no; Perkins, aye; Haderlein, aye and Schulz, aye. Motion to deny the petition approved six to one.

PETITION FOR VARIATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1208 3rd St. 

lan and Brittany McCafferty Variation from Section 19.15.B3. Driveways and Private Parking Lots 

Ordinance 2019-117 Approved 

The petitioners, Ian and Brittany McCafferty reviewed their petition requesting relief from Section 19.15B3, Driveways and Parking Lots, in order to widen the driveway at their residence to accommodate a pickup which doesn't fit in their garage and encroaches on the public sidewalk when parked outside. Subject property is located at 1208 3rd St. The requisite notice was sent to adjoining property owners and no objections have been received.

Mayor Kelly opened the floor to comments/objections:

Adjoining property owner, Alan Tody, 1212 3rd St., noted his support of the petition. 

Alderman Haderlein commented that driveway variations seem to come before the City Council freqeuently. After discussion, the consensus was to have the Ordinance Committee review the existing driveway ordinance.

After discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Perkins to grant the variation as requested. Roll call vote: Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye and Carncross, aye. Ordinance 2019-117 approved seven to zero.

DOUG MACKENZIE PERMIT REQUEST FOR TREE BANK PARKING - APPROVED 

Doug MacKenzie, owner of 66 N. Ayer St., reviewed his request seeking permission to utilize the tree bank area on West Diggins for parking. The area is public right-of-way and Section, 6.03 requires anyone looking to use the right-of-way to seek a permit from the City Council. The proposal would accommodate two vehicles. City Administrator Nelson related that the request would not impact snow plowing as the City wouldn't plow the area, Doug recently had a survey prepared, a copy of which was included in the aldermen's folders. The survey shows a 3.5' area coming off the building that is actually his property but Stahl Insurance normally uses all of the spaces in the parking lot encroaching on his property. He will be talking to them in the future to see if they would consider allowing him one space at the end of the building next to the steps. Doug stated he is seriously considering donating the building to the City of Harvard at some point. His vision for the building is a cultural art center with a stained glass studio, pottery studio and glass blowing. Community Development Director Santeler had no objections with the request. After discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Carncross to approve the permit as requested. Roll call vote: Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye and Heinsohn, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE/PARKS DEPT. - APPROVED 

The Harvard Parks Dept. is requesting a Special Event Liquor License for Saturday, September 21, 2019, from 8 am - 10 pm in conjunction with the Co-Ed Softball Tournament to be held at Moose Field. The fees have been paid. A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the license application as submitted. Roll call vote: Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye and Gorman, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

SURPLUS PRROPERTY BIDS/607 NORTH HOWARD ST. - APPROVED

The City offered for sale property located at 607 North Howard St., with a minimum bid of $8,000.00. Clerk Moller opened the bids as follows:

1. Francisco Castaneda, 848 Washington St., Woodstock, IL                                 Bid Amount $8,500 

2. Dean Clemetsen, Red Brick Homes, LLC, 23650 W. 64th St., Arvado, CO         Bid Amount $8,250

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Gorman to accept the high bid of $8,500 submitted by Francisco Castaneda. Roll call vote: Perkins, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye and Meza, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

Alderman Schulz made a motion, seconded by Alderwoman Heinsohn to put the $8,500 into the Parks Money Market Account. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye and Perkins, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY2019/2020 BUDGET - ORDINANCE 2019-118 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Schulz to approve the proposed Ordinance Amending the Budget for FY2019/2020 Relative to the Police Dept. and Waste Water Treatment Plant. Roll call vote: Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye and Carncross, aye. Ordinance 2019-118 approved seven to zero.

ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 1.14, SETTLEMENT OF OFFENSES. 11.13F. STORAGE OF GARBAGE RECEPTACLES, 11.131, FINES AND 25.06E, ONE TIME LICENSE FEE ORD. 2019-119 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Heinsohn, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the proposed Ordinance Amending Sections 1.14, Settlement of Offenses, 11.13F, Storage of Garbage Receptacles, 11.131, Penalty and 25.06E, Liquor, One Time License Fee. Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye and Haderlein, aye. Ordinance 2019-119 approved seven to zero.

ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE ADDITION OF SECTION 23.10 IMPOSING A MUNICIPAL CANNABIS RETAILERS'OCCUPATION TAX -ORD. 2019-120 APPROVED 

Alderman Schulz noted an error in Paragraph 2 where the statute numbers were transposed. A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the proposed Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of Hary ard by the Addition of Section 23.10, Imposing a Municipal Cannabis Retailer's Occupation Tax, as corrected, to become effective January 1, 2020. Roll

call vote: Carncross, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Haderlein, aye; and Schulz, aye. Ordinance 2019-120 approved seven to zero.

PARK BOARD RECOMMENDATION TO CONDUCT CONTROLLED BURN - APPROVED 

The Park Board recommends to the City Council approval of a controlled burn for vegetation control throughout the parks system this fall and winter, similar to last year, as outlined by Supt. Knop. The controlled burn would be executed before it snows and Supt. Knop will ensure the winds are calm and aren’t blowing towards the Food Pantry and Sr. Center. Homeowners will be notified as necessary. The Harvard Fire Protection District, Police Dept. and Dispatch will also be notified prior to the burn. A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderwoman Heinsohn to approve the Park Board’s recommendation to execute a controlled burn. Aldermen voting aye: Haderlein, Schulz, Carncross, Heinsohn, Gorman, Meza and Perkins. All ayes. Motion carried.

SCHEDULE DATES FOR COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE & FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING 

A Committee of the Whole Meeting was called for Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at 7:00 pm for the Strategic Vision Quarterly Review and to discuss the disposition of the 7 acres of City-owned property north of town.

A Finance Committee Meeting was called for Thursday, September 12, 2019, at 6 pm to meet with the auditors to review the audit.

DEPT HEADS REPORT 

Reports as submitted.

Supt. Kruckenberg updated the City Council on various Public Works projects and reported that the valve on Harvard Hills Rd. has been repaired. The bolts rusted away resulting in about one million extra gallons of water being pumped per day. The water was running into a drainage ditch heading into one of the ponds on the old Motorola property.

Supt. Knop reported that the pool was shut down last week due to some unforeseen circumstances and is being prepared for winter.

Community Development Director Santeler noted there is a conflict with the fence requirements between the pool and the fence codes and requested that the Ordinance Committee review the ordinance. He would like to see the fence requirements more in line with industry standards to be less burdensome for people.

Code Enforcement Officer Nutley thanked Representative Steve Reick for his assistance in obtaining the $100,000 grant for the vacant homes.

Police Chief Krause thanked Karen Sutera for use of the library for the awards ceremony and all those who attended for their support. He also added that Officer DeMink will not be leaving the department for a year or two as previously thought for military service.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ALDERWOMAN HEINSOHN 

Alderwoman Heinsohn brought up available dates to schedule an Ordinance Committee Meeting to discuss fire pits, driveways and fences as they relate to pools. No immediate dates were apparent so Bona will send out a doodle poll to find a convenient date for the Committee to meet.

Alderwoman Heinsohn brought up the reimbursement grant that the Sr. Center received for the resurfacing of their parking lot and inquired as to the status of the letter requesting the City’s assistance to temporarily do a MOU for funds. City Administrator Nelson reported there is movement at the staff level trying to obtaining a signed contract from McHenry County and staff will communicate that information to the Sr. Center.

ALDERMAN CARNCROSS 

Alderman Carncross thanked the Chief for an amazing event as opposed to the awards simply being a footnote in the minutes as well as helping a fellow townsperson last week during a time of crisis.

ALDERMAN SCHULZ

Alderman Schulz complimented Park Board Member Joel Kriete who was able to secure a donation of picnic tables from McDonalds which have been placed in Milky Way Park.

A Special Park Board Meeting has been called for Monday, September 23, 2019, at 6 pm to specifically discuss the future of the pool. A survey will be created for public input.

ALDERWOMAN HADERLEIN 

Alderwoman Haderlein related there is a McHenry County Water Forum at McHenry County College on September 11, 2019, at 5:30. The focus of discussion is on the flooding issue, changes in flooding patterns/trends and what can be done.

NO REPORT 

Attorney Clifton, City Administrator Nelson, Treasurer Bejot and Aldermen Perkins, Gorman and Meza had no additional report.

CLERK'S REPORT 

September 3 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - POST TO CANCEL

September 12 Finance Committee Meeting - 6 pm

September 16 Regular Park Board Meeting - 6 pm

September 17 Regular Events Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm

September 18 Committee of the Whole - 7 pm

September 23 Special Park Board Meeting - 6 pm

September 24 Regular City Council Meeting - 7 pm

MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Kelly thanked Chief Krause and the Police Dept. for putting together the awards ceremony to recognize Officers Noren and Salas and the Library staff for hosting the event.

• Mayor Kelly is still seeking individuals to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission. There are two open seats on the Commission.

At 8:05 pm, a motion was made by Alderwoman Heinsohn, seconded by Alderman Carncross to adjourn the meeting. Aldermen voting aye: Haderlein, Schulz, Carncross, Heinsohn, Gorman, Meza and Perkins. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/9441/ccminutes2019-08-27.pdf