McHenry Times

City of Harvard City Council met June 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Kelly called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm. City Clerk Moller called roll to establish a quorum. Aldermen present: Haderlein, Schulz, Heinsohn, Gorman, Perkins and Opper. Aldermen Carncross and Meza were absent. Also present: Treasurer Bejot, City Administrator Nelson, Chief Krause, City Attorney Clifton and members of the audience. Department Heads were not required to attend.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

PUBLIC HEARING

A motion was made by Alderman Opper, seconded by Alderman Gorman to open the public hearing. City Clerk Moller called roll. Aldermen present: Haderlein, Schulz, Heinsohn, Gorman, Perkins and Opper. Aldermen Carncross and Meza were absent. The Public Hearing was called to order at 7:00 pm regarding a plan to issue (A) not to exceed $5,450,000 in aggregate principal amount of the City’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020A (the “Series 2020A Bonds) and (B) not to exceed $1,300,000 in aggregate principal amount of the City’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020B (the “Series 2020B Bonds, and together with the Series 2020A Bonds, the “Bonds”). Mayor Michael Kelly as Hearing Officer read the following statement:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This hearing will come to order. Let the record reflect that this is a public hearing being held pursuant to the requirements of Sections 10 and 20 of the Bond Issue Notification Act of the State of Illinois, as amended (the “Act”). Notice of this hearing was published on June 1, 2020, in the Northwest Herald newspaper, being a newspaper of general circulation in the City. This is a hearing regarding a plan to issue (A) not to exceed $5,450,000 in aggregate principal amount of the City’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020A (the “Series 2020A Bonds”) and (B) not to exceed $1,300,000 in aggregate principal amount of the City’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020B (the “Series 2020B Bonds”).

The proceeds of the Series 2020A Bonds will be used to (i) current refund and restructure outstanding Debt Certificates, Series 2019, and other outstanding obligations of the City, and (ii) pay certain costs of issuance of the Series 2020A Bonds. The Series 2020A Bonds will be issued by the City in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Local Government Debt Reform Act of the State of Illinois, as amended, and shall constitute a general obligation of the City, payable from (i) all collections distributed to the City from Retailer’s Occupation Taxes, Service Occupation Taxes, Use Taxes and Service Use Taxes (the “Sales Taxes”), (ii) income taxes imposed by the State of Illinois pursuant to the Illinois Income Tax Act and distributed pursuant to the State Revenue Sharing Act, and (iii) ad valorem taxes of the City for which its full faith and credit have been irrevocably pledged, unlimited as to rate or amount.

The proceeds of the Series 2020B Bonds will be used to (i) current refund and restructure an outstanding Harvard Industrial Park TIF bank loan, and (ii) pay certain costs of issuance of the Series 2020B Bonds. The Series 2020B Bonds will be issued by the City in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Local Government Debt Reform Act of the State of Illinois, as amended, and shall constitute a general obligation of the City, payable from (i) the distributive share of incremental taxes derived from the Harvard Industrial Park TIF Redevelopment Project Area, (ii) all collections distributed to the City from Retailer’s Occupation Taxes, Service Occupation Taxes, Use Taxes and Service Use Taxes, and (iii) ad valorem taxes of the City for which its full faith and credit have been irrevocably pledged, unlimited as to rate or amount.

This public hearing is required by Sections 10 and 20 of the Act. At the time and place set for the public hearing, residents, taxpayers and other interested persons will be given the opportunity to express their views for or against the proposed plan of financing, the issuance of the Series 2020A Bonds and Series 2020B Bonds and the purpose of the issuance of the Series 2020A Bonds and Series 2020B Bonds.

The Hearing Officer asked if there was anyone who wished to submit written comments. There were none. The Hearing Officer asked all residents, taxpayers or other interested persons attending the hearing and desiring an opportunity to express their views for or against the proposed Bonds, to please stand so that they may have an opportunity to make those comments or statements. There were none.

The Hearing Officer concluded the public hearing regarding a plan to issue (A) not to exceed $5,450,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020A and (B) not to exceed $1,300,000 in aggregate principal amount of the City’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020B. At 7:07 pm, a motion was made by Alderman Opper, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Opper, aye and Haderlein, aye. Motion approved six to zero.

CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVED

Mayor Kelly stated 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 an item be removed for separate action. No items were removed from the Consent Agenda.

a. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 26, 2020

b. Park Board Meeting Minutes of May 18, 2020

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. Resolution Declaring the 79th Harvard Milk Days 2020 a Legal Holiday Weekend (Oct 16-18)

l. Resolution to Close Route 173 between Jefferson St. and Division St. for the Harvard Milk Days Parade on October 17, 2020, contingent upon transition into Phase 5: Illinois Restored

m. Proclamation Designating June, 2020, as Pride Month

n. Payment of bills in the amount of $843,931.75

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the Consent Agenda, items 5a - n, as presented. Roll call vote: Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Opper, aye; Haderlein, aye and Schulz, aye. Motion approved six to zero.

CITY HALL LOAN - APPROVED

Mayor Kelly noted that the amount of the loan is a not to exceed amount as noted in the public hearing for the Series 2020A Bonds in the amount of $5,450,000. A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Opper to approve refinancing the current City Hall loan. Roll call vote: Heinsohn, aye; Gorman, yes; Perkins, aye; Opper, aye; Haderlein, aye and Schulz, aye. Motion approved six to zero.

EXTENSION OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT - APPROVED

Chief Krause clarified that the School District didn’t realize the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the School Resource Officer (SRO) was coming up at the end of this month and didn’t have a meeting board prior to the expiration to address the agreement. The extension is a stop gap between this and the newer MOU which will incorporate updated changes for new reporting restrictions between us and the School District and the updated pay scale. A motion was made by Alderwoman Heinsohn, seconded by Alderman Opper to approve the Extension of the School Resource Officer Agreement; the agreement term runs through July 31, 2020. Roll call vote: Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Opper, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye and Heinsohn, aye. Motion approved six to zero.

FYI: POLICE DEPT. “BIAS FREE POLICING” POLICY

Mayor Kelly noted the ongoing “Bias Free Policing” Policy that was included in the City Council Packet and finds that the Police Department handles themselves quite professionally. He felt it was important for the City Council to review the policy which will be shared with the community. Alderwoman Haderlein thanked Chief Krause and commented that the policy was outstanding and is a testament to the professionalism that he runs the department with.

DEPT HEADS REPORT

Written reports as submitted.

Chief Krause stated that the Executive Memo that he forwarded reflects what we’ve been doing, what we are doing and what we plan on continuing to do under Bias Free Policing. Chief Krause noted he is a firm believer in public trust and felt that measures such as this allow the department to maintain a positive relationship with the community.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ALDERMAN GORMAN

Alderman Gorman thanked Chief Krause for putting together the Bias Free Policing Policy and commented that Harvard is different than a lot of towns. This is where all the training and high quality of hires pays off because even with what’s going on in other parts of the country, we have little to fear here and everything is under control and going smoothly.

ALDERMAN SCHULZ

Alderman Schulz noted there is an issue at the retention pond in Park Pointe. One of the Park Board members pointed out at the last meeting that there are 11 boats on property back there that most likely are being used in the pond. At one point, there was a sign posted for no swimming and no boats; however, there is not an ordinance on the books to that effect which is needed for enforcement. Mayor Kelly asked Ordinance Committee Chairman, Alderwoman Heinsohn, if she wanted the committee to review or have staff prepare an ordinance. Alderwoman Heinsohn indicated she was part of the discussion at the Park Board Meeting and as long as the rest of the committee didn’t have any objections, she preferred that staff prepare an ordinance that prohibits boating or swimming in the retention ponds at Park Pointe and Shadow Creek. The draft ordinance to be brought back to the City Council at the July meeting for review.

NO REPORT

City Attorney Clifton, Treasurer Bejot and Aldermen Opper, Perkins, Heinsohn and Haderlein had no additional report.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

City Administrator Nelson thanked the City Council for redoing the bond issues which is part of the City’s long-term plan for a little financial stability.

CLERK’S REPORT

July 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - CANCELLED

July 13 Special Park Board Meeting – 6 pm

July 20 Regular Park Board Meeting - CANCELLED

July 21 Regular Events Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm

July 28 Regular City Council Meeting - 7pm

Mayor Kelly commented that prior arrangements had been made with the Library to host the summer City Council meetings in the library. He is fully anticipating to be in Phase 4 of Restore Illinois by the next City Council meeting which will allow the Council to meet in person verses a virtual meeting. However, it might be difficult to maintain the required 6’ social distancing at the library particularly if there are attendees. Therefore, meetings will be held in the City Council Chambers.

MAYOR’S REPORT

• The City continues with the Edward Gong litigation (former Motorola facility); the next court date is in late June.

• NRSA funding was approved in an initial amount of $87,000 to be utilized in the NRSA neighborhood by Mary’s Park with the first project going towards sidewalks. The project is on the approved list but needs final approval through the County Board. There should not be any issues and the project should commence next spring.

• The City has also received funding of almost $600,000 for resurfacing Diggins Street from Lawrence Road to the tracks.

• Construction of the police station continues to move forward.

• The WWTP project is moving forward; the project is on the IEPA approved loan list. Two grant applications have been submitted, each in the amount of $5 million, to try and reduce the total funding. The project is scheduled to break ground in late September.

At 7:28 pm, a motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Opper to adjourn the meeting. Aldermen voting aye: Haderlein, Schulz, Heinsohn, Gorman, Perkins and Opper. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/12441/ccminutes2020-06-23.pdf