McHenry Times

City of Harvard Transportation Committee met June 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Gorman called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Committee members present: Chairman Gorman, Alderman Lavallee, Alderman Perkins, and Alderwoman Haderlein. Also, present were Mayor Michael Kelly, City Administrator Nelson, Jim Anderson, Gilbert Whaples, Geoff Gentry and Stephanie Micelli.

Public Comment:

Jim Anderson addressed the committee concerning an accident that his mother had in front of 109 W. Front. The report is attached and is part of the official record of the committee.

Gilbert Whaples addressed the committee about a parking problem at 19 North Ayer where bakery employees have been parking for more than two hours. There was also a problem with the Dispatch center being rude to him when he called in the parking violation. Mr. Whaples further opined that there was a problem all along Ayer Street with 2 hour parking.

Project Review

Administrator Nelson went through project schedules that was supplied to the committee and attached to these minutes. Administrator Nelson noted that all of the projects are on schedule except for the Marengo Road and Bridge project which will be delayed one year for construction due to funding restrictions. The city was able to secure additional financing for the project of $1,400,000 but we have to wait until 2026. Administrator Nelson also updated the committee on the RTA access to transit grant whereby we have submitted and should have some determination on the applications in the month of July 2022.

Bourn Street Parking

Alderwoman Haderlein addressed the committee over a concern she received from a resident about parking along Bourn Street after school while attending soccer games. People who visit the soccer field at the Jr. High use the path that was constructed by the school and terminates in the 700 block of Bourn Steet, and park on both sides of the street. This parking is creating a safety hazard for the residents backing out of driveways and a hazard for travelers on the street as it becomes effectively a one lane street.

Motion made by Alderwoman Haderlein seconded by Alderman Gorman to amend the municipal code to have no parking along the south side of Bourn Street from Grant Street to O’Brien Street. All ayes motion passed.

Parking at North Hart and Harrison Street

Alderman Perkins addressed the committee about a parking problem when drop off and pick up for school takes place at Jefferson School. Parents of School children are parking to close to the corners of intersections and not following the protocol set up by the school. When every car is not going the same way it creates a safety problem for school children. Alderman Perkins thinks we should consider some kind of parking restrictions to stop this from happening. Administrator Nelson recommended that we contact the school and sit down to have a discussion about the City’s concerns. Administrator Nelson will have the School Resource Officer reach out to Jefferson School to see if they have interest in talking with the city and to further seek some dates on when they can be available.

Handicap Parking along West Front Street

Mr. Geoff Gentry owner of Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center 109 W. Front Street has a concern for his customers for the lack of handicap parking along Front Street. A majority of Mr. Gentry’s customers are using cane, walkers and wheel chairs. Mr. Gentry submitted his comments in both verbal and written form which is attached to these minutes and made part of the official record. The committee discussed each issue brought up and decided that a handicap parking stall along Eastman Street would be the most appropriate.

Motion Made by Alderman Gorman seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to create a handicap parking stall in the diagonal parking area at the north west corner of Eastman Street and Front Street. Further, as part of that motion it was directed to have city staff repair the railing on the handicap ramp at the north east corner of Eastman Street and Front Street and to paint the new handicap parking area. All Ayes motion passed.

New Business

Alderwoman Haderlein was approached by the McHenry County Defenders about the possibility of locating some electric charging stations in the City of Harvard. Alderwoman Haderlein is inquiring if the committee had interest in looking at this concept. Alderman Gorman does not have an issue with exploring this and asked Alderwoman Haderlein if she could follow through with the defenders to see when they would like to have a meeting.

Motion made by Alderman Perkins seconded by Alderman Lavallee to adjourn the meeting. All Ayes motion passed.

Meeting adjourned 7:45

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/transportation_committee/meeting/14607/minutestransportation2022-06-09.pdf