McHenry Times

City of Harvard City Council met Aug. 23.

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 Bauman, Supt. Parks & Rec Knop, Supt. Public Works Kruckenberg, Supt. Utilities Grant, City Attorney TJ Clifton and members of the audience.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

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 July 26, 2022

b. Park Board Meeting Minutes of July 18, 2022

c. Administrators Report

d. Building & Grounds Report

e. Community Development Department Report

f. Harvard Diggins Library Directors Report

g. Parks & Recreation Report

h. Police Department Report

i. Public Works Department Report

j. Utilities Department Report

k. Appointment of Deputy Chief Carmen Sacco to the Harvard Police Pension Board

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the Consent Agenda, items 5a-k, as presented. 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.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Schulz to approve payment of the bills as presented in the amount of $1,182,412.36 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.

PETITIONS FOR DRIVEWAY VARIATION

Dennis and Karen Portell Variation from Section 19.15.B3, Driveways and Private Parking Lot, 602 N. First St. Ordinance 2022-122 Approved

Dennis and Karen Portell, 3912 Wilson Rd., Woodstock, IL, were in attendance relative to their petition requesting relief from Section 19.15B3, Driveways and Parking Lots. The petitioners are seeking relief for their rental property at 602 N. First St. to widen the driveway 12’ to the south of the existing driveway into the front yard. The current driveway is approximately 8’ wide and has a pole within it as an obstruction. There is not enough room to open the vehicle door without hitting the neighbor’s fence. The requisite notice was sent to adjoining property owners and no objections have been received. Mayor Kelly opened the floor to comments/objections. At Alderman Lavallee’s inquiry, the petitioners confirmed that the home is a single-family rental unit with no garage that sits on a half-lot. The petitioners have contacted ComEd to see about relocating the pole, but ComEd is unable to move the pole. Their intent is to have a contractor repave the entire driveway and remove/replace the existing sidewalk. A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Perkins to grant the driveway variation as requested. Alderwoman Haderlein noted her understanding that other houses in the neighborhood that have done something similar but in general she’s not a fan of having the driveway and cars parked in front of the house. Alderman Meza inquired if a car would block the sidewalk if parked in the proposed expansion. The plat of survey shows there is 21’ from the edge of the house to the sidewalk so with the existing deck there would be about 15’ available space. Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, no; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, no; Schulz, aye and Lavallee, aye. Ordinance 2022-122 approved six to two.

Matthew and Sherry Briggs Variation from Section 19.15.B3, Driveways and Private Parking Lot, 707 Casey Ln. Ordinance 2022-123 Approved

Matthew and Sherry Briggs, 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 3’ to the east of the existing driveway. Subject property is located at 707 Casey Ln. The requisite notice was sent to adjoining property owners and no objections have been received. Mayor Kelly opened the floor to comments/objections. Alderwoman Luna inquired if the proposed driveway aligns with the fence; the petitioner indicated there would be a 2’ setback to the property line which is the City’s current setback. A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Meza to grant the driveway variation as requested. At Alderman Carncross’ inquiry, the petitioner stated their intent is to repave/widen the entire driveway and make the necessary curb cut. City Administrator Nelson noted that the curb cut is part of the City’s Engineering Specs. Roll call vote: Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye and Carncross, aye. Ordinance 2022-123 approved eight to zero.

Alderman Schulz recused himself from the meeting at 7:12 pm.

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION - APPROVED

The Harvard Chamber of Commerce is requesting a Special Event Liquor License for September 7th – 11th, 2022, at Milky Way Park during the American Veterans Traveling Tribute. The fees have been paid. A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderman Carncross to approve the Special Event Liquor License Application as presented, pending the submission of dram shop insurance. Roll call vote: Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye and Gorman, aye. Motion approved seven to zero.

Alderman Schulz returned to the meeting at 7:14 pm.

IDOT RESOLUTION FOR MAINTENANCE & SIDEWALK PROJECT BID - APPROVED

The bid opening for the Page/Eastman/Park/Washington Streets Sidewalk Project is scheduled for September 13, 2022. This is a ten-block area that is part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA). Weather constraints could delay getting the projected completed this year if there is a delay in approval until the next Council Meeting. A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the IDOT Resolution for Maintenance and to authorize the Mayor to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder and execute all necessary contract documents. At Alderman Schulz’ inquiry, City Administrator noted that the contract award is roughly $130,000 with a City match of $30,000. Contracts have been signed with McHenry County. 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.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AND REQUIRING THE SUBMISSION OF THE PROPOSITION OF A MUNICIPAL SALES TAX IN THE CITY OF HARVARD, MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS AT THE CONSOLIDATED ELECTION TO BE HELD APRIL 4, 2023 ORD. 2022-124 APPROVED

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Schulz to adopt the ordinance as presented. Roll call vote: Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye and Perkins, aye. Ordinance 2022-124 approved eight to zero. Mayor Kelly said the ordinance will be filed with the McHenry County Clerk after the General Election, likely in December.

CALL A COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

Chairman Carncross called a Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting on September 21, 2022, at 6:30 pm, to discuss an Economic Development budget.

DEPT. HEADS REPORT

Written reports as submitted.

Utilities Supt. Grant updated the City Council on the WWTF project. The lab administration building will be turned over to the City within the next month with a tentative move by the end of September.

Supt. Knop reported that the pool has closed for the season and will be winterized over the next month.

Chief Bauman reported that the offenders responsible for damaging the pool have been caught due to the diligent investigative efforts of DC Sacco and Officer See.

Chief Bauman updated the City Council on the two new hires:

• Cesar Salas, swearing-in ceremony, Monday, August 29th at 8 am. Cesar will report to the Illinois State Police Academy on September 11th.

• Alexandra “Alex” Mendlik, swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday, August 30th at 8 am. Alex will report to the PTI (Police Training Institute) at Illinois University Champaign-Urbana on September 11th.

Chief Bauman also noted the Police Dept. Facebook page has really taken off.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ALDERMAN LAVALEE

Alderman Lavallee inquired as to a timeline for the proposed storage units on Northfield Ave. City Administrator Nelson reported that the owner is looking to so some mass grading pending a stormwater permit from McHenry County. He would like to put in a slab for the main building so it can be constructed over the winter and begin diligently in the spring with the storage units. All of the above are dependent upon his engineers and the stormwater detention plan.

ALDERWOMAN HADERLEIN

Alderwoman Haderlein noted the “For Sale” sign on the lot that’s supposed to be Popeye’s. Several aldermen noted that the sign has been there for a long time. City Administrator Nelson reported that both Popeye’s and Starbuck’s are currently under building permit review.

Alderwoman Haderlein inquired about the former Motorola property. Mayor Kelly reported that he met with the consultants on the next phase of the TIF. Their action items are to supply a list of information that is needed from the owners to begin that process.

ALDERWOMAN LUNA

Alderwoman Luna inquired about a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. After discussion, a Special City Council Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 13th, 2022, at 6 pm.

ALDERMAN PERKINS

Alderman Perkins inquired if there was an update on the pending background check for Bopp’s. City Administrator Nelson and Chief Bauman reported that the background check has been completed.

ALDERMAN MEZA

Alderman Meza related that a driver recently had a medical emergency and their car went through the lobby of FNBO. He gave props to the Chief and the Police Dept. who were on scene within 3 minutes.

ALDERMAN GORMAN

Alderman Gorman indicated there is a Transportation Committee Meeting on Thursday, August 25th to go over the mapping software for the roads; this will be a video conference with the CMAP road consultant. The project software tracking has been updated to be reviewed by the Committee. Mayor Kelly related that City Administrator Nelson is updating the City’s Project Directory which is available on the City’s website: https://www.cityofharvard.org/projects

NO REPORT

City Attorney Clifton and Aldermen Carncross and Schulz had no additional report.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Report as submitted.

CITY ADMINISRATOR REPORT

City Administrator Nelson thanked Code Enforcement Officer Anne Nutley who attended a two-day training on the CMAP road software.

City Administrator Nelson commented that the City has been working over the years on the concept of getting sidewalks constructed along Highway 14 and Route 173 as a pure safety issue. There may be a funding source through the RTA who seems to be buying into the program. The City Council and Transportation Committee will need to stay on top of this to apply for additional grants that will be available in late 2023 or 2024. At Alderwoman Haderlein’s inquiry, the Mayor and City Administrator noted that with the adoption of the UDO in 2018, all new businesses along Route 14 are required to put in sidewalks.

CLERK’S REPORT – UPCOMING MEETING DATES

August 25 Transportation Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm

September 6 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – 7 pm

September 13 Special City Council Meeting/WWTP Tour – 6 pm

September 14 Administration Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm

September 19 Park Board Meeting – 6 pm

September 21 Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm

September 27 Regular City Council Meeting – 7 pm

MAYOR’S REPORT

• The Parks Foundation Golf Outing is Wednesday, August 31st, 2022. Mayor Kelly encouraged City Council support of the fundraiser which benefits City parks.

• The Harvard Chamber of Commerce is hosting the American Veterans Traveling Tribute on September 8th- 11th, 2022 at Milky Way Park. Anyone able to volunteer should contact Crystal Musgrove.

• Mayor Kelly related that the Transportation Committee’s change of street markings on Harrison St. was a very good improvement for Jefferson School. Chief Bauman said he made a specific point to reach out and meet with administration and teachers who thanked the City for making the changes and reported that just strictly the lines and arrows made a dramatic improvement for traffic flow. It didn’t really help with the backup on Hart St. just because of the the sheer numbers of people dropping their kids off. Mayor Kelly stated this is a great example of a collaborative effort involving all the stakeholders to discuss solutions on an issue.

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/14537/ccminutes2022-08-23.pdf