McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Dec. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order

The City Council of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met at McHenry City Hall, 333 S Green St, at 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Deputy Clerk Johnson called the roll. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Harding, Alderman Strach, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, Mayor Jett. Others present: Attorney McArdle, Administrator Morefield, Director of Public Works Strange, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, Director of Economic Development Martin, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, and Chief of Police Birk.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Jett lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

Mary Gibbard stated that many people have spent a lot of time and money working on developing the Riverwalk. There is much interest in what is developed on Waukegan Road, and traffic is a major concern. Mayor Jett explained that the previous proposal from Lynmark is no longer being considered.

Consent Agenda

A. Ordinance authorizing the purchase of and accepting the real estate contract for 1405 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry, Illinois between Patrick M. Summers and the City of McHenry

B. Ordinance amending the FY21/22 Water and Sewer Fund Budget in the amount of $75,000; and, waive competitive bidding and award a contract purchase order to Water Well Solutions Illinois Division, Inc, LLC of Elburn, Illinois in the amount of $64,752 for the Raw Water Well #5 Pump Replacement and Well Casing Relining emergency repairs

C. Motion to approve an Ordinance amending the FY21/22 Water and Sewer Fund Budget in the amount of $25,000; and, to award a purchase order to Sabel Mechanical, LLC of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin for base elbow repairs to the Millstream Lift Station in the amount of $18,258

D. Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Liquor, Section 6, License Classification and Fees; Approval Authority; Limitation on Number of Licenses

E. Award of bid in the amount of $85,930 to Winkler Tree and Landscaping, Inc. of LaGrange Park, Illinois for the 2021-2022 Winter Tree Trimming Program

F. Dual Representation and Waiver of Conflict Agreement between the City of McHenry and Baggio Properties, LLC - Car Wash Series

G. November 15, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes

H. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $234,379.72

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

Individual Action Item Agenda

Motion to pass a Resolution approving the destruction of any executive session recordings that exist more than 18 months, for the approval of executive session minutes, for the release of certain minutes, and to keep certain minutes confidential.

Alderman Glab clarified that not all executive session minutes will be released, and there are minutes from meetings that still need to remain confidential. A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to pass a resolution approving the destruction of any executive session recordings that exist more than 18 months, for the approval of executive session minutes, for the release of certain minutes, and to keep certain minutes confidential. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Strach, Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Harding, Alderman Devine. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

Discussion Items

Discussion regarding municipal waste hauling services and direction to release the proposed scope of services

Director Strange explained that there are multiple scope options listed that could be considered by Council. The biggest recommendation is eliminating the Saturday drop-off at Knox Park. There also seems to be universal support for a spring clean-up day. Those two items should be included in all of the options. He is open to paring down the number of alternatives to be presented to prospective bidders. Alderman McClatchey asked for a definition of spring clean-up, and Director Strange explained that this is one day when there are unlimited bulk items that can be placed on the curb for pick-up. Alderman Glab believed April is too early and that May would be better for most residents. There were no objections to having spring clean-up in May.

Alderwoman Miller had an “I Want List” that she shared with the Council. She believes having three options of toters would make it more expensive for the haulers. She suggests keeping the sticker program along with one large size toter for garbage and 35 and 95 gallon toters for recycling. She agrees that unlimited yard waste at the curb should be offered with no drop-off at Knox Park. Another request from Alderwoman Miller is for a food waste/compost hauler option. This could be an additional cost that each resident would pay for as an option instead of having a cost for all residents. She also wishes to keep the weekly bulk item and an annual e-collection event.

Alderman Glab questions how many residents would use the composting service and warns that offering more services could be more expensive. He also has reservations about unlimited yard waste pickup as that could be abused by landscaping businesses. When looking at cost comparisons to other municipalities, McHenry is already more expensive than Crystal Lake and Cary. Director Strange explained that the most probable reason for our higher costs is due to our offering the sticker program. Our base price is higher because we offer a sticker system and our costs would be lower if everybody was required to use toters. Alderman Devine, Alderman Strach, Alderman Harding, and Alderman McClatchey all were happy with using Alternate 1 for bidding with the removal of the Saturday drop-off. Anderman Santi is happy with Alternate 1 but would also like to see a pricing if we did not offer the sticker program.

There was discussion about the number and sizes of toters and why we would only offer one toter for garbage but two for recycling. Alderwoman Miller stated that for garbage people could either have the large toter, or they had a sticker option if they did not have much garbage. Some people don’t recycle as much so they could have a large and small recycling option. Director Polerecky explained that if you forced people to have a large toter, there would be code compliance issues. Many people don’t have the room in their garage for a large toter, and it is illegal to store the toters in front of houses or garages. Small toters would be a better option for those with limited room. Council then suggested that offering two refuse size options would be a good idea along with recycling.

Director Strange summed up the discussion by stating the majority of the Council would like to go with Alternate 1, with two sizing options each for recycling and garbage, an alternate for compost, an unlimited curbside leaf collection, one weekly bulk item, an e-waste recycling date, and collection for municipal owned facilities.

Discussion regarding scope for redevelopment of the former Central Wastewater Treatment Plant

Administrator Morefield gave an overview of how the City has reached this point and how we now need to hit the reset button. There is currently no proposal or concept before the Council, and the next step is to see what could or should be developed at that site.

The property served as a wastewater treatment plant for a number of years. The City currently owns that site, generates no taxes, and serves no purpose. It is now a prime location on the Fox River, close to downtown, and is a good site to develop. Two years ago an RFP for the site was released with few guidelines for development. At that time there was a lot of feedback from developers that there were issues coming up with a development because the structures from the old treatment plant were still intact. There were demolition and site cleanup issues and developers had no idea how to figure in those costs. The City obtained a $500,000 grant to use toward cleanup and demolition costs, and the City moved forward with demolition. Demolition costs were approximately $1 million, half of which was paid for with the grant.

With a clean site that was ready to develop, the City recently released another RFP that garnered some interest but only produced one official proposal. That proposal was from Lynmark and they went through an interview with staff members to make sure they were legitimate and had the ability to produce the development that they proposed. Lymark made a proposal to Council to see if they were comfortable moving forward on negotiations. Council decided not to move forward with Lynmark and Administrator Morefield has not spoken to them since. We are now here to see what Council’s vision for the site might be. If Staff can get an idea of what Council would consider, we would then be able to give some direction to developers.

Alderman Harding suggested that the City consider using a consultant group to come with us with multiple plans. A restaurant group is an option with a relaxed atmosphere with bags and pickleball courts. A park could be developed similar to what is at Miller Point or Veterans Park. He also asked about our relationship with Lynmark because he might be interested in one of their developments at Bull Valley/Route 31, Bull Valley/Crystal Lake Road, or on the former bank property at Green/Elm.

Alderwoman Miller explained that she is looking at this from the river coming in. She hears the same public voice with concerns about traffic. With the Fox River we could have boat and tourist traffic utilizing that property. She isn’t opposed to mixed development with some commercial with restaurants. She would like to focus on the water and have less intensity on the residential aspect of the property.

Alderman Devine does not like having high density on that property. He would like to take advantage of the river and possibly see some mixed use or turn it into property where people have ownership and want to stay in McHenry.

Alderman McClatchey agrees with Alderwoman Miller’s suggestions. He would like to see mixed use in that area and have it a destination when people go up and down the river. He is not for giving that property away and lowering the developer donation fees.

Alderman Strach stated that as much as people don’t want to see high density or multifamily use, that is a trend and the direction the industry is going. Many people want to move into a community and don’t want to own or maintain their property. As much as we don’t want to see a development like that from Lynmark, we will see more and more of that coming. He agrees with comments regarding mixed use on the property, but that also brings in traffic.

Alderman Glab stated that whatever is developed we are building for the future. Just because something is a trend now that doesn’t mean it will be here five to eight years down the road. This town has been a family oriented and homeowner community. Just because that trend is changing in the area doesn’t mean that McHenry has to change. He is also disturbed by the talk of money and the TIF district. He heard from Lynmark how their development would bring in money for the City, but we also have residents who have lived here their whole lives and we shouldn’t have to change our town because other people from out of the area want something different here. He does not want to see a five story building anywhere in McHenry. Townhomes may work at that location. The current townhomes have blended in beautifully with the Riverwalk, but he is unsure how many new townhomes could be built on that property.

Alderman Santi sees a piece of land bordered by the Country Club, the Fox River, and a marina. The Riverwalk project is moving forward and a lot of resources have been used for that project. Although some Council members have mentioned mixed-use with retail and a restaurant, he likes the concept of ownership along with it. We could be promoting businesses on the waterway side of things. He understands that we need to pitch this property and go to developers.

Administrator Morefield stated that in terms of this process, he wanted to come here to see what Council had to say about possible development. His suggestion for a next step would be to create a redevelopment or site profile based on what he heard from Council and draft a version to bring back for the Council to review. He will summarize the Council member comments and bring it back for another discussion. Maybe after hearing other ideas tonight there might be other suggestions to bring back as well. He also stated that the TIF district will soon be ending but the City is in the process of extending it another twelve years. This is important for a developer because a better development can go into that property with a longer TIF life.

Mayor Jett told the members of the public that he wants their voices and comments to be heard. They are welcome to submit their comments or suggestions to him so we can see what they envision. Alderman Glab suggested that money that is collected from this development should go back into the Water & Sewer fund because money was taken from that fund for the demolition and cleanup of the site. He would like to see that money help pay off the debt service because the residents should not have to pay for that.

Staff Report

Director Polerecky gave an update of the Authentix project at Blake Farms. The sewer connection has been made at Blake Boulevard and Route 31, and it is moving east into the project area. Staff met with residents and Alderman McClatchey regarding the tree line on the east that serves as a buffer. That tree line was saved. Questions were raised from a resident regarding a walking path in the project area. During the conceptual plan phase, staff recommended the addition of a walking path for those residents to recreate. The interior walking path was approved at both the Planning & Zoning level and Council level. The walking path will not connect to Almond Lane. There have been two minor revisions made to the project so far. Some contour grading was changed to keep the tree line to ensure the water would drain properly. A minor adjustment was also made to the retaining wall on the eastern property line. No other changes have been made to what was presented and approved by the Council.

Mayor’s Report

There was no report from Mayor Jett.

City Council Comment

Alderwoman Miller reported that she has had quite a few residents call her about the new HOA at Patriot Estates. There is a new management of the HOA that has caused a lot of disruptions, fee increases, and unhappy residents. She responded that this was not a City issue but thanked them for keeping us updated.

Alderman Santi thanked Staff and Mayor Jett for getting the purchase of 1405 Riverside accomplished. Parking has been a concern in that area of town and this should make for a great improvement to Riverside Drive.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Strach to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Roll call Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman Harding, Alderman Strach, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0- abstained. Motion carried.

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