McHenry Times

City of Harvard City Council met June 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Kelly called the Regular City Council Meeting to order and led the pledge to the flag at 7:00 pm. City Clerk Moller called roll to establish a quorum. Aldermen present: Haderlein, Schulz, Lavallee, Carncross, Gorman, Meza, Perkins and Luna. Also present: City Administrator Nelson, Treasurer/Finance Director Bejot, Code Enforcement Officer Nutley, Chief Tyson Bauman, Supt. Parks & Rec Knop, Supt. Utilities Grant, City Attorney TJ Clifton and members of the audience.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2022, as presented. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye and Perkins, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED

A motion was made by Alderman Gorman, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2022, as presented. Roll call vote: Lavallee, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye and Haderlein, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – LACK OF QUORUM

There was not a quorum at the Community Development Committee Meeting on June 22, 2022, so minutes were not generated.

CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVED

The items under the Consent Agenda are acted upon in a single motion. There is no separate discussion of these items prior to the Council vote unless a Council Member requests that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate action.

a. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 24, 2022

b. Park Board Meeting Minutes of May 23, 2022

c. Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2022

d. Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2022

e. Community Development Committee Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2022 – No minutes generated.

f. Administrators Report

g. Building & Grounds Report

h. Community Development Department Report

i. Harvard Diggins Library Directors Report

j. Parks & Recreation Report

k. Police Department Report

l. Public Works Department Report

m. Utilities Department Report

n. Proclamation Declaring June Pride Month

o. Payment of bills in the amount of $1,679,974.86

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Meza to approve the Consent Agenda, items 7a-o, as presented. Roll call vote: Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye and Schulz, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

PETITION FOR DRIVEWAY VARIATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1320 TENTH ST.

Mike and Lacey Krass Variation from Section 19.15.B3, Driveways and Private Parking Lot Ordinance 2022-115 Approved

The petitioners, Mike and Lacey Krass, were in attendance relative to their petition requesting relief from Section 19.15B3, Driveways and Parking Lots, in order to widen the driveway at their residence. Subject property is located at 1320 Tenth St. The requisite notice was sent to adjoining property owners and no objections have been received. Mayor Kelly opened the floor to comments/objections. Alderwoman Haderlein noted that the house next door already has a widened driveway in front of the house similar to the petitioner’s request. A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderman Schulz to grant the driveway variation as requested. Roll call vote: Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye and Carncross, aye. Ordinance 2022-115 approved eight to zero.

Alderman Schulz recused himself from the meeting at 7:05 pm.

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE HER’S LEAGUE – APPROVAL SANCTIONED

The HERS League requested a Special Event Liquor License for this past Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the HERS Softball Fields. The fees have been paid and dram shop insurance was submitted. A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Meza to sanction the Mayor’s approval of the Special Event Liquor License. Alderwoman Haderlein inquired from a practical standpoint, what would happen if a majority of the City Council voted not to sanction the Mayor’s approval of the license. Attorney Clifton noted it would really be a moot point as the event would have already happened and they were given prior approval. Roll call vote: Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye and Gorman, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

NOXXE FUEL, INC. LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION EXTENDED HOURS – APPROVED

Abdul Mahmood, Noxxe Fuel Inc. submitted a Liquor License Application for Saturday and Sunday Extended Hours License which allows for early opening. The petitioner currently has a Class B License. Fees have been paid. A motion was made by Alderman Meza, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the application as presented. Roll call vote: Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye and Meza, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

Alderman Schulz returned to the meeting at 7:10 pm.

2022 SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM – BID AWARDED

Project bids were opened on June 21, 2022. A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Meza to award the bid to Triggi Construction Inc. for their low bid in the amount of $135,015.20 and to authorize execution of all contract documents. Roll call vote: Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye and Perkins, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

DEWEY ST./MARENGO RD. WATER MAIN EXTENSION – BID AWARDED

Project bids were opened on June 21, 2022. A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to award the bid to Berger Excavating Contractors, Inc. for their low bid in the amount of $418,669.00 and to authorize execution of all contract documents. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye and Luna, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

AMEND SECTION 14.04C, SIGNS – ORDINANCE 2022-116 APPROVED

A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Administration Committee’s recommendation to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 14.04C, Signs. At Alderman Meza’s inquiry, Alderwoman Haderlein confirmed that the requested change was that signs could not extend more than 6’ from the building wall (the current limit is 12”). Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, no; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye and Haderlein, aye. Ordinance 2022-116 approved seven to one.

AMEND SECTION 15.14, METRA PARKING LOTS – ORDINANCE 2022-117 APPROVED

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Schulz to approve the Administration Committee’s recommendation to adopt an ordinance amending Section 15.14, Metra Parking Lots to delete Section 15.14b, with regard to Overflow Parking on the east side of the Police Dept. (on Eastman St.). Roll call vote: Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye and Schulz, aye. Ordinance 2022-117 approved eight to zero.

AMEND SECTION 3.01, CITY ADMINISTRATOR DUTIES – ORDINANCE 2022-118 APPROVED

A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Administration Committee’s recommendation to adopt an ordinance amending Section 3.01, City Administrator, Duties. Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye and Lavallee, aye. Ordinance 2022-118 approved eight to zero.

ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY2022/2023 BUDGET – ORDINANCE 2022-119 APPROVED

A motion was made by Alderman Gorman, seconded by Alderman Schulz to adopt the proposed ordinance amending the FY2022/2023 Budget relative to the Police Pension General Obligation Bond Issue 2022A, 2022/2023 Principal and Interest Payments. Roll call vote: Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye and Carncross, aye. Ordinance 2022-119 approved eight to zero.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Carncross to approve the Committee’s recommendation directing City staff to prepare an ordinance amending Section 15.06, Parking Resident, to add no parking along the south side of Bourn St. from Grant to O’Brien St. Roll call vote: Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye and Gorman, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Committee’s recommendation to create a handicap parking stall in the diagonal parking area at the northwest corner of Eastman St. and Front St. Roll call vote: Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye and Meza, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

City Administrator Nelson noted that the City Council previously received a draft copy of the Capital Improvement Plan 2022-2027 (CIP). There have not been any changes to the draft and he recommended that the plan be adopted as presented, even though there is no formal committee recommendation. A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Carncross to adopt the CIP as presented. Roll call vote: Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye and Perkins, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

Alderman Meza brought up discussion of showcasing Harmilda better by lighting it up at night. Mayor Kelly noted that there are pedestal lights but they don’t work due to water issues and recommended that Alderman Meza bring the item up for discussion perhaps at the Community Development Committee.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A Committee of the Whole City Council Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 6:30 pm, to discuss the City Administrator position.

DEPT. HEADS REPORT

Written reports as submitted.

Utilities Supt. Grant updated the City Council on the WWTF project.

Code Enforcement Officer Nutley reported that KLM pulled two building permits for homes in Huntington Ridge. Plans for Starbucks/Popeyes are currently under review by the private inspection firm that was hired by the City to review plans for commercial and industrial work. At Alderman Gorman’s inquiry, City Administrator Nelson noted that the City is ready to issue a permit for Starbucks; they either need to pay for the building permit or apply for the Enterprise Zone. They have done neither. Mayor Kelly noted the same is true for the storage area/Dunkin Donuts as the owner hasn’t pulled a permit yet.

Supt. Knop reported that pool passes and daily admissions are down a little. At Alderman Schulz inquiry, Supt. Knop replied that there haven’t been any complaints about not offering swimming lessons.

Chief Bauman reported that Officer Macko was released on his own earlier in the month and is on sole patrol. Officer Andrade is in week 7 at the police academy; there was a delay as he had a two-week military obligation over the summer. Chief Bauman updated the City Council on a variety of police activities over the last week with a discharge of a firearm on Ayer St., a physical domestic and the two missing juveniles. The Chief thanked his department for all their hard work and dedication.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ALDERMAN CARNCROSS

Alderman Carncross stated he was impressed with how fast the kidnapping case was resolved. He further wanted to pass on his congratulations to the Milk Day Board on a great job with Milk Days this year as both the parade and carnival were awesome this year.

ALDERMAN LAVALLEE

Alderman Lavallee attended the grand re-opening of the Harvard Historical Museum a couple weeks ago. The museum has a lot of great history and the volunteers did a great job fixing it up.

ALDERMAN SCHULZ

Alderman Schulz noted that Saturday, July 2nd is the Red, White & Blue Food Truck Feastival and encouraged the City Council to attend the event.

ALDERWOMAN HADERLEIN

Alderwoman Haderlein mentioned that she was approached by a woman who is looking for about 10 acres near Harvard to start a community garden and learning facility. Her concept would be for a home and barn that would be a non-profit that would provide opportunities for local people to have garden space and also growing produce for the Food Pantry. Alderwoman Haderlein asked her if she might be interested in an adaptive reuse of an existing historic structure and that there may be a possibility with the Coventry House and barn on the old Motorola property. The woman is also looking at a plot of land that the school district owns that backs up to the library. Alderman Schulz noted that parcel is zoned agriculture and would need to be rezoned.

ALDERWOMAN LUNA

Alderwoman Luna inquired about the status of the brewery. Mayor Kelly stated that the petitioner withdrew their original application and are reapplying at the July 5th Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting.

ALDERMAN GORMAN

Alderman Gorman called a Transportation Committee Meeting for July 7, 2022 at 6 pm. Agenda items: • McHenry County Environmental Defenders presentation regarding vehicle charging stations.

• Discussion with Dr. Floeter, Principal Jefferson School and possibly Carl Hobbs, Principal High School regarding parking issues/traffic flow around Jefferson School.

NO REPORT

City Administrator Nelson and Aldermen Perkins and Meza had no additional report.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Report as submitted. Finance Director Bejot gave an update on the recently hired Front Office Clerk, Jannette Nunez, who started June 6th. She is doing really well and will work out fine.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT

City Attorney Clifton updated the City Council on an ongoing situation with the IEPA which began in 2020 regarding some perceived issues with the WWTP. At that time, staff met with representatives and provided a bunch of information. The City didn’t hear anything further until May of this year at which time a letter was received notifying the City that the situation had been referred to the Illinois AG’s office for potential pursuit of alleged violations. A phone call was held with the AG’s office a couple weeks ago and they talked about the wastewater treatment plant and progress on the new plant. The AG will present a settlement proposal to the City with different components which will be reviewed by the City Attorney for a determination on how to proceed. It seems there was also an issue with the IEPA receiving reports; Supt. Grant has proof of delivery for the exact reports in question. There are some issues with the old WWTP; once the new WWTP is online, the City should be good go to. The City is putting together a narrative outlining the work the City has done to get the new WWTP online as well as working with what we had with respect to the old WWTP. The AG indicated there was no set timeline, so it may be a couple months before the City gets a response.

CLERK’S REPORT – UPCOMING MEETING DATES

July 5 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – 7 pm

July 7 Transportation Committee Meeting – 6 pm

July 12 Committee of the Whole City Council Meeting – 6:30 pm

July 18 Park Board Meeting – 6 pm

June 28 Regular City Council Meeting – 7 pm

MAYOR’S REPORT

• Mayor’s Monarch Pledge locations: the center island at the pool which is being planted, plots by Washington School and at Brink St./Marengo Rd.

• The Harvard Economic Development Council (HEDC) has disbanded. The City is looking to keep activities going. In the meantime, the City will probably look to hire a consultant who will likely be Charles Eldredge who was the HEDC Executive Director. The City needs to negotiate a contract for those interim services until we get a replacement and decide how to organize that structure after Dave’s replacement is put into place. The interim will probably last until next spring.

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderman Schulz to adjourn the meeting. Aldermen voting aye: Haderlein, Schulz, Carncross, Lavallee, Gorman, Meza, Perkins and Luna. All ayes. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/14535/ccminutes2022-06-28.pdf