McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Aug. 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

In light of the current COVID- 19 public health emergency, this meeting will be held remotely only. The public can observe by connecting online at: https://citvofmchenry.zoom.us/1/ 93854825282. The public can also call in to the following number: +1 312 626 6799, Meeting ID 938 5482 5282.

Call to Order: : The City Council of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met in regular session at 7: 00 p. m. via Zoom due to the COVID- 19 pandemic in compliance with the Open Meetings Act per guidelines by the Illinois Attorney General' s office.

Roll Call: Mayor Jett called the roll call.

Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Harding absent, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, 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, Chief of Police Birk, City Planner Sheriff, and City Clerk Ramel.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett led the pledge

Public Comments: None

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

A. Accept the proposal from Advanced Automation and Controls of McHenry, IL in an amount not to exceed $ 20, 365.00 to replace the Water Division SCADA server and upgrade the operating software; ( Public Works Director Strange)

B. Block Party Permit Application for Jennifer Lane on 8/ 22/ 20;

C. August 3, 2020, City Council Meeting Minutes;

D. Issuance of Checks in the amount of$ 224, 327. 82;

E. Issuance of As Needed Checks in the amount of$ 292, 196. 69.

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

Individual Action Item Agenda

A. Motion to pass an Ordinance approving text amendments to Chapter 13: Fences of the City of McHenry Municipal Code. (Community Development Director Polerecky) As explained by Director of Community Development Polerecky.

Alderman Glab asked if fences are part of the zoning ordinance, they are actually part of the building code per Attorney McArdle. Confirmation by Director of Community Development Polorecky, these are all under the municipal code. Building set backs are different than fences per Attorney McArdle. Some conversation went on regarding this topic per Alderman Glab, not favorable of this ordinance. Alderwoman Miller clarified how she interpreted this ordinance felt it was streamlining processes. Many communities around us have this kind of ordinance to help streamline the processes. No public comments

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

B. Motion to approve the continuation of the local disaster emergency for the City of McHenry pursuant to Section 6- 1- 14, Declaration of Local Emergency, of the Municipal Code to September 21, 2020 (City Attorney McArdle)

Attorney McArdle stated that The City is getting closer to hear if there will be reimbursement by the state.

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

C. Motion to Adopt Proposed Resolution Authorizing a Binding Public Question to be placed on the November 3, 2020, General Election Ballot, on the Question of Appointing the McHenry City Clerk

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

Discussion Items:

A. Discussion and direction regarding moving forward with facilitating an extension of the existing Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District. (Staff)

This Discussion Item was presented by Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson via PowerPoint. The public improvements can utilizing this funding. Many of the projects were explained in the presentation and the future plans were also listed for The Council. Some improvements included; Streetscapes, Main Sewer Replacement, LED lighting, and Veterans Park improvements. Estimated performance of the TIF in the future was also explained to The Council, a chart was presented for those to view. There were some major sites presented where development is needed. Downtown maintenance costs were presented as one of the biggest issues that need upgrading. The extension process was also described to The Council.

Administrator bodies. Morefield explained that there has been discussions with several of the taxing Alderman Glab wanted to know what the future plans are regarding some of these topics, wants to see focus on long range plans. Alderwoman Miller is in favor of this, likes the amount of future work of the redevelopment, she would like to see the extension of the TIF. Some discussion went on regarding this topic. Many spoke positive of the presentation and idea of support of the TIF extension. Mayor Jett spoke of the developers that are interested in the town, supports this as well. There will be an ordinance to actually vote on now that many are interested to extend the TIF, per Director Hobson, offered to give the presentation out to whom would like it and would be happy to answer any questions.

B. Discussion regarding criteria and process for revision of McHenry Ward Map. (City Attorney McArdle) - No Supplement Provided

Attorney McArdle asked if this is something that The Council would like to discuss. There was some discussion regarding rooftop numbers and how many numbers are in the ward. The census would come into play regarding the household numbers. Attorney McArdle stated that once the census comes out a committee could be formed to address these issues.

Staff Reports: Administrator Morefield, reminded The Council that Tuesday September 8th is the next meeting, due to holiday. Budget wise he will brief The Council regarding that information, may be added as a discussion item. Super Aggregates sent an invitation to do tours on Aug 22 and Sept 12 for tours. Several council members were interested in attending. Monday 24th 6pm Public Works meeting was also brought up as a reminder by Director of Public Works Strange.

Mayor' s Report: Stop by to check out the paving and striping that Parks and Recreation did, commended the job of The Council on that project.

City Council Comments: Alderman Schaefer stated that there was positive comments regarding the tree debris removal, much appreciated regarding this. Wanted to know if we could get counts on the gravel trucks, to Director Polerecky from Alderman Schaefer. He will reach out to see if we can get that information. Alderwoman Miller stated that the curb pick up has been positive in her ward, thankful for that.

Executive Session: Not at this time.

Adjourn: A motion was made Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Schaefer to adjourn the meeting at 8: 35 PM. Roll Call: Vote: 7- ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Harding- absent, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0- nay-, 0- abstained. Motion carried.

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