McHenry Times

City of Crystal Lake City Council met Sept. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order

Acting Mayor Haleblian called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Acting Mayor Haig Haleblian, Councilmembers Ellen Brady, Cathy Ferguson, Brett Hopkins, Cameron Hubbard, Mandy Montford and Ian Philpot were present. City Clerk Nick Kachiroubas was also present.

Also present were City Manager Gary Mayerhofer, Deputy City Manager Eric Helm, Assistant to the City Manager Nick Hammonds, Director of Public Works and Engineering Mike Magnuson, Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch, Finance Director Jodie Hartman, City Engineer Abby Wilgreen, f ire Rescue Chief Paul DeRaedt and Chief of Police Jim Black. City Attorney John Cowlin was also present.

Pledge of Allegiance

Olivia Georgy and Natalia Galindo led the Council and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Acting Mayor Haleblian asked them if they are liking e-leaming this year so far and thanked them for their help.

Approval of Minutes

Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting. Councilman Philpot seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Accounts Payable

Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the Accounts Payable in the amount of $2,510,698.12. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Public Presentation

Acting Mayor Haleblian asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on matters of general public interest or concern not included in the regular agenda, advising they would be given an opportunity to speak when the agenda item was considered.

Bonita Drew, resident of 353 Grove Street and Library Board member, provided the City Council with an update regarding Crystal Lake Public Library operations. The Library will be opening on Monday, September 14, 2020, with the same hours as curbside pickup (4 hours per day, 5 days a week). Approximately 40 patrons will be allowed in at one time for 45 minutes

allowing staff time for cleaning public areas. Reservations will be taken online and via phone. Temporary measures have been taken to improve building airflow and online programing continues to be offered. Patrons accessed 389 materials online in the first two months of 2020 and this has jumped to 1,100 items in the next 5 months. Sixty-eight virtual programs have been offered online. Library offers online tutoring to students who need assistance and has hot-spots available for check out if students are having wifi problems with e-learning. She thanked the City Council for their time.

Acting Mayor Haleblian thanked Ms. Drew and the Library for the creativity and efforts during the pandemic. Councilwoman Brady provided an example of the creativity - a Shark Week photo taken at Three Oaks Recreation Area.

Althea Ore, resident of 298 Lorraine Drive and a second-grader, asked the City Council for a pedestrian crosswalk/controlled signal on Route 176 to help people cross the roadway. Ms. Ore provided a drawing to the City Council to help illustrate her concern.

Director of Public Works and Engineering Mike Magnuson agreed with Ms. Ore, saying it can be difficult for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the street. He said the City is working on several projects that will help make it easier to cross the roadway, including a traffic signal at Main Street and Route 176, and working with the Crystal Lake Park District and McHenry County Conservation District for a bike path connection from Main Street to Lorraine Drive to the bike path in the future. He thanked Ms. Ore for her comments.

Councilwoman Ferguson agreed with Ms. Ore and said there is a lot of traffic at that location travelling fast and thanked her for her comments.

Acting Mayor Haleblian thanked her and suggested naming this portion of the bike path after her. He then closed the Public Presentation portion of the meeting.

Acting Mayor's Report

Acting Mayor Haleblian wished everyone a happy and safe Labor Day.

City Council Reports

Councilman Philpot encouraged people to wear masks if you are not able to social distance.

Consent Agenda

Councilwoman Brady moved to approve a Consent Agenda including Item 9a, and adding Items 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. Councilman Philpot asked that Item 13 be removed from the Consent Agenda.

Councilwoman Brady amended her motion, removing Item 13 from the Consent Agenda. Councilman Hopkins seconded the amended motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Acting Mayor Haleblian asked if anyone wished to speak on the Consent Agenda. No one wished to speak. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

9a. No action taken on the County Zoning Request for 5707 Meadowbrook Lane.

10. Approved the Willow Creek Crystal Lake request to hold a special event at the Three Oaks Recreation Area from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2020 with a rain date of Sunday, September 20, 2020.

11. Approved the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and adopted an Ordinance granting the variation for a fence at 330 Dolle Lane.

12. Approved the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and adopted an Ordinance granting the Special Use Permit and Variations for a replacement radio transmission tower at 300 W Terra Cotta Avenue.

14. Rejected October 15, 2019 bids received/or the Steam Boiler Feed System Replacement Project.

Awarded the 2020 Steam Boiler Feed System Replacement Project Bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Sherman Mechanical and adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Sherman Mechanical for $56,832.00 with a 10% contingency for unforeseen expenses and to authorize the City Manager to review and approve necessary completion date change orders relating to the contract.

15. Awarded the bid for the Municipal Complex Fuel Island Replacement Project to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Crowne Industries, Ltd. in the amounts bid and adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Crowne Industries, Ltd. in the amounts bid, execute warranted change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount, and execute warranted contract completion date change orders.

16. Adopted an Ordinance authorizing the City to enter into the Local CURE Program Financial Support Conditions and Certification.

17. Approved the appointment of William Eich, President/CEO of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, to the Economic Development Committee for a term ending September 30, 2023 and approved the appointment of Rhienna McClain to the Economic Development Committee for a term ending September 30, 2022.

Approved the appointment of three applicants, Samantha Zurawski, Lisa Janezic and Cordell Crane, to fill three vacancies on the Sustainability Committee for terms expiring September 30, 2023.

18. Awarded the proposal for water and sewer utility bill printing and mailing services to the most responsive and responsible proposer, Sebis Direct Inc. and adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Sebis Direct Inc. in the amount proposed.

13. 1079 North Shore Drive, Chip and Denise Yager -Amendment to remove a prior Ordinance condition setting the front yard setback for this lot, and a variation to encroach 10.49 feet into the required 68.64-foot front yard setback

Chip Yager, resident of I079 North Shore Drive, provided the City Council with an overview of the request. Mr. Yager provided a history of the zoning of his property and surrounding lots, including setbacks.

He said they would like to improve the deck off the house, but it would not impede sight lines of neighbors and would be consistent with decks in the area.

Acting Mayor Haleblian asked if anyone in the public wished to comment on this request. No one wished to speak.

Councilman Philpot said he knew the PZC had a close vote on this item and he wanted to make sure the petitioner had a chance to present their request. He asked Mr. Yager if he was opposed to keeping the porch open and not enclosed.

Mr. Yager said they actually support keeping the porch open, as enclosing it would block views from the windows.

Councilman Philpot said he supports the request, but that he wanted to hear from the petitioner on this issue.

Councilwoman Montford said she supports the request and looked at the sightlines from the lakeside earlier in the day. She said she supports the request and was happy the petitioner asked the neighbors about the proposed improvements.

Councilwoman Ferguson said she supports the request and asked the petitioner if they had been informed of conditions on the lot when they purchased the property. Mr. Yager said they were informed and knew that they would have to receive approval to build the deck. He said that they had understood this was not guaranteed, but this would not have deterred them from purchasing the property.

Mr. Yager said they did not have a complete understanding of the history, but after working with City Planner Elizabeth Maxwell, who provided extensive information, they do. He said the process was excellent.

Councilman Hubbard said he has no issues with the request.

Acting Mayor Haleblian said he has no issues with the request.

Councilwoman Brady moved to approve the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and adopt an Ordinance granting the removal ofthe prior Ordinance condition and a variation for a deck in the front yard setback for I079 North Shore Drive. Councilman Philpot seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Council Inquiries and Requests

None.

Adjourn

There being no further business, Councilwoman Brady moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. On voice vote, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

https://ecode360.com/documents/CR2206/public/563998542.pdf