McHenry Times

City of Harvard Streets & Alleys Committee met Sept. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Schulz called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Committee members present: Chairman Schulz, Alderman Carncross, Alderman Meza (6:15 pm), and Alderman Opper. Also present were Mayor Mike Kelly, Alderwoman Haderlein, Alderman Gorman, City Administrator Nelson, Supt. Public Works Kruckenberg and members of the audience.

Public Comment:

• Harold Trebes, 700 Sixth St., addressed the Committee about the roads, leaf buildup and clearing out the brush in the area of Sixth/Brown. At Mayor Kelly’s inquiry, Supt. Kruckenberg noted it has been a couple years since the brush down the path on the other side of the tracks was cleaned out.

• Jerry Karr, Sixth St., addressed the Committee about repainting the white lines downtown. City Administrator Nelson noted that could be addressed during the next budget cycle.

Crowley Road Plat of Vacation

• City staff reached out to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Dept. and the HFPD, both of whom were invited to attend the meeting. Staff did not hear anything back from the Sheriff’s Dept. and the Fire Chief had one concern about potable water mains. Mayor Kelly attended the recent Trustees Meeting and they cited the same concern. That shouldn’t be an issue as the mains are not live in that area.

• Alderman Gorman reported on an Alden Twp meeting that he and Alderwoman Haderlein attended. They discussed closing the road at the Erickson driveway on one end and at the lift station on the other end with Alden Twp. plowing that extra 1⁄4 mile. Mayor Kelly reached out to Bart Schnulle, Alden Twp. Highway Commissioner, who was willing to negotiate some type of intergovernmental agreement with the City. If the Committee pursues closing a portion of the road, Mayor Kelly recommended that a committee member be appointed to meet with Alden Township.

• Mark Gunderson, 19405 Crowley Rd., advised that Bart Schnulle informed them if the City vacates the road and it becomes a private road, Alden Twp. cannot legally plow or do anything to that road. Mr. Gunderson stated they didn’t have any issue with closing the road as proposed.

• The Committee discussed maintaining that portion of the road that would remain open which would still need grading, gravel, drainage, culvert replacement, etc. as needed. City Administrator Nelson noted that for liability purposes, state law requires certain minimal standards as a reasonable expectation of maintenance.

• Alderman Carncross noted he received some feedback from Ward 2 residents who expressed the sentiment that they didn’t want to see budget money spent outside of city limits when there are other streets that are in dire need of repair within the City limits.

Alderman Opper made a motion to recommend to the City Council to close off Crowley Rd. at the pump station and at the edge of the Erickson driveway and to appoint a Committee member to meet with Alden Township to discuss plowing and general maintenance. Alderman Opper suggested that whoever negotiates should work out a 5-10-year plan and ask Alden Township to factor in mowing, plowing, and general maintenance with the exception of culverts, with the expectation that it would be used as a driveway and not a thoroughfare. Alderman Carncross suggested adding to the motion that City Administrator Nelson update the rough estimate to reflect that portion of the road that the City would still have liability on. City Administrator Nelson noted that sidewalk ratings are done so staff will be asking to have another meeting next month at which time Supt. Kruckenberg can be prepared to discuss maintenance costs. Alderman Carncross seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. Chairman Schulz stated he would meet with Alden Township.

IDOT REBUILD Illinois Grant Project Alternatives

Administrator Nelson reviewed his memo outlining the IDOT REBUILD Illinois Grant Project. Staff recommends a continuation of the streetscape on South Ayer St. and to piggy back grant funding from the CDBG program, RTA engineering money and possible grant funding from IDOT called ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program). A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Meza to move forward with the staff recommendation. All ayes. Motion carried.

A motion made by Alderman Opper to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Carncross. All ayes motion passed

Meeting adjourned at 6:53 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/streets_and_alleys_committee/meeting/13751/minutesstreets2020-09-16.pdf