McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Sept. 16.

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, August 191 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, Alderwoman Bahne and Mayor Jett. 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 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. Award bid to Maneval Construction Company Inc. for the Ringwood Road Water Main Extension Project in the amount of $102, 112. 35; 

B. Waive bidding requirements and award Cul- De-Sac Snow Removal Contract to Langton Snow Solutions Inc. in the amount of $48,976.56; 

C. Authorization # 1 to Curran Contracting Company for McHenry Road Resurfacing Program in the amount of $31, 043.74; 

D. Parks & Recreation Facilities & Special Use Permit Requests; 

E. Block Party Request; 

F. September 2, 2019, City Council Meeting Minutes; 

G. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $687,975,27, 

H. Issuance of As Needed Checks in the amount of $261, 928.27.

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve consent agenda items as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0- nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

Individual Action Item Agenda. 

Motion to extend the original capital development and impact fee reduction with a waiver of fees for single family homes, with the option to prepay, for period not to exceed 120 days, or January 24t" 2020.

Community Development Director Polerecky presented facts regarding the above motion. Staff has been working with Baxter and Woodman regarding this. Talked about analyzing data and needing time to do so. Alderman Schaefer, wanted to know if we can extend 90 days would it make it easier for calendar year books and if that would be helpful. Community Development Director Polerecky agreed that it is doable at the 90 days, but wanted to make sure he is giving enough time for those meetings to occur. Alderman Santi wanted to know what the time table is for the Baxter/Woodman completion. They are waiting for options to be presented, hoping next meeting finalized within the next two weeks. Alderwoman Baehne supports what time extension there needs to be, supporting this because there was an investment regarding these analysis. Many on the City Council support the idea that there is a lot of information that is needed to go over, and want to allow enough allotted time to go over the study. Alderwoman Miller brought up the idea to make sure that there is enough time allotted maybe more time such as 120 days would be better than a shorter period of time. Discussion was lengthy and continued regarding the fees and length of time for approval, many opinions were presented regarding this Individual Action Item.

A motion was made by Alderman Baehne and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve consent agenda items as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, 1- nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried

Discussion Items: 

Prairieland Disposal Yard Waste Program

Interim Director of Public Works Strange, introduced Steve from Prairieland Disposal regarding the yard waste program. Three years ago the program started as stated and the program has increased, but now are hearing complaints that people from out of the area are utilizing this free yard waste service. Are starting to worry that people from other areas outside of McHenry are abusing the use of the program. Steve stated that we may need to look for another way to help police the drop off because we do not have stickers. Alderwoman Baehne wanted to know if there is a way to help with people that are out of town. There would need to be someone from the city to help police the problems of out of town people dropping off yard waste. Steve presented that fact that over 500 cars in 6 hours attended the drop off at Knox Park. Alderman Glab thought maybe having a city person out there may help until we get this under control, wants to come up with a better solution. Alderwoman Miller wanted to know if the surveys are successful for items such as this, how the participation would be. There was discussion regarding a public survey and learned that the success rate regarding this somewhere around 25%. Alderwoman Miller wanted to know what parameters would work for the survey, how it would question the citizens. Director of Public Works Strange supported the feedback from the public regarding this topic. The current proposal is offering two bags at the curb with no charge. The average is 40 yards right now, the agenda packet states the specifics. Mayor Jett, suggested putting a staff member to go out the next two Saturdays to study the situation at the yard waste program. Discussion continued regarding surveys and how to get the public opinion to this program and how to move forward. Is the recommendation to do a survey per Mayor Jett, is this the direction that we want to take, financially to do a survey or to provide stickers for those that live in the city. Chief Birk will be policing the next weeks of drop off and will go ahead and report back to us. Several public comments occurred at the end of this discussion, Chris from the community, has been using the drop off for years. She thanked Steve from Prairie Land Yard Waste. She did talk with neighbors stated that they need really need the Saturday drop off. Stated some other neighbors wanted to use their own containers to help with recycling. Jan, made public comment regarding yard waste as well. Dave lives who lives in Fox Ridge, has used the drop off for many years and feels it's a great service, however people that do not live here should be policed. Gave his opinion regarding how much he likes the service at Knox Park. Stated the wants the Council to support the people here. Eric another community member wants people to be ID for the drop off and is in favor of the service and really likes the and is in support for keeping the program and would even pay small fee.

Mayor Jett asked if anyone in the audience had any further requests to speak before the Council before it adjourned to closed session. There were no further comments or discussions.

Executive Session: 

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and second by Alderwoman Miller to close executive session: for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).). Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, 0- nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and second by Alderwoman Miller to return to open session: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0- abstained. Motion carried

Staff Reports: 

Hobson stating how cool the Riverwalk Fire Globe Event how cool it was and how neat it was to have the relationship with the Riverwalk Foundation. The fire globes will be continued to be it during Saturday's through October, and the thought that smaller concerts could be involved as well. Weather permitting the dates are tentative Sept 28 Oct 12t" October 26th LED's will be added after the fire is done being lit.

Mayor's Report: 

No further business to discuss.

City Council Comments: 

Discussion on how much rain occurred and also if it could be the same as a 100 year rain.

Adjourn: A motion was made Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Baehne to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Baehne, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, 0- nays, 0- abstained. Motion carried

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