McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Aug. 1.

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, Director of Public Works Strange, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, Director of Economic Development Martin, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Chief of Police Birk, and City Planner Sheriff.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Jett led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

Laura Conter spoke about her property on Timothy Lane. She supplied pictures of her property showing water issues. She described what happens during rain falls in McHenry and asked if the Council could do something about her problems. Mayor Jett offered to meet with her and Director Strange to review the situation.

Alderman Glab announced that he has a constituent watching the meeting online and asked that all Council members speak up because it is not possible for them to hear the meeting.

Consent Agenda

A. Appointment of Beth Staley as Landmark Commission Chair through April 30, 2023

B. Parks & Recreation Facilities & Special Use Permit Requests

C. July 18, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes

D. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $1,206,404.54

Alderman McClatchey asked to pull consent agenda item 5A.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve consent agenda items B through F 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.

Pulled Item 5A: Appointment of Beth Staley as Landmark Commission Chair through April 30, 2023.

Alderman McClatchey wished to give a shoutout to Beth Staley. He has known her for a long time, she has deep roots in the City, and he looks forward to working with her on the Landmark Commission. A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Harding to approve the appointment of Beth Staley as Landmark Commission Chair through April 30, 2023. 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 Items

Annexation of Property – Approve an Ordinance annexing approximately 148.03 acres of unincorporated tracts of land in McHenry County, Illinois

Director Polerecky explained that the State statutes allow us to annex land that is 60 acres or less and surrounded on all sides by properties already annexed. Notices were sent out to all property owners and a notice was published in the Northwest Herald. Staff was directed by Council to move forward with annexing all surrounded properties in February of 2021. Director Polerecky and Planner Sheriff are available to answer any questions.

Alderwoman Miller explained that a motion she will make will contain language to waive any fees needed for incoming properties to go through the Planning & Zoning process if necessary. Some properties may need use variations because they may be nonconforming to current City code. The City does not wish to make them stop any current uses and does not want to charge them fees to get their properties in compliance with use variations.

Alderman McClatchey asked if it might be possible that some properties would get zoning changes. Director Polerecky stated that some properties may be farmed, and per ordinance they come into the City with a zoning classification that is very restrictive. One property may come in as Estate but will need to be changed to Agriculture to allow it to be farmed. Because the City and County’s zoning areas are different, we will go through the process to get them changed to the appropriate City zoning district.

Mayor Jett allowed members of the public to speak on the matter. Michael Bartolone stated that many people are apprehensive about this situation. He doesn’t understand what benefits the City will give him for his tax increase. Many of these properties are unique and he hopes the City will treat everybody as though they are individuals who purchased properties many years go. He hopes the City doesn’t take away certain rights and raises taxes at the same time.

Barbara Stoffel stated that this has been handled in a cold, insensitive, and disrespectful manner. Although they benefit from the City’s service, the City also benefits from them. They have had generations of law abiding citizens without being in the City’s boundaries. She did meet with Director Polerecky and Planner Sheriff, who were pleasant and informative. They have already had issues with Flood Brothers as they haven’t received any information on the trash service. She also mentioned an issue with the LED sign at Petersen Park, which shines in her home 24/7.

A former auctioneer explained that the Council members need a lesson on how to project their voices. He also explained he left his former town because he didn’t like politics and wanted to be left alone. The short notice he was given didn’t give him enough time to contact the Council members individually. He wants time to find out the City’s plan, doesn’t want to be restricted, and wants to be able to talk to Council members individually. He asks that the Council reconsiders and gives residents time.

Kathleen Sanchez stated that this annexation is not good for them and just costs them more money. She feels they are being singled out.

Mitch Hodges moved to the county in 1973 to stay away from the city. He asked if the City will honor their rights and privileges just as the county did, what the City’s intentions were, and what benefits they get from being annexed. He asks that the City honor his agreement that they have with the County when they got their property’s zoning changed.

Pam Spain explained that she is not part of the annexation but her neighbors are. She does not want to be annexed and does not want services from the City. She fears what the cost of well and septic would be if annexed. The fixed income people are not looking forward to this, and doesn’t feel people should be forced into something they don’t want.

Nick Stubblefield stated that he previously called the City to ask if they could be involuntarily annexed. He realizes the person he spoke to doesn’t speak for this Council. He pointed out that we all pledged allegiance to the flag for liberty and justice for all, but they are now without liberty in this matter. He feels like his house is being burned down. He chose this unincorporated property so that he could use it for agriculture, and wants to stay zoned for agriculture.

Peter Culver bought this property eight years ago where they could have horses, chickens and goats, but they can’t have that in the City of McHenry. They also don’t have City water or sewer, and live 160 feet from a hookup. It would be expensive to have to tie on. He wants his freedom and does not want a code enforcement officer telling him what is right and wrong. He loves the people of McHenry and gets along with most of them, likes living here, and hopes to stay as long as he can afford it.

A resident on Lillian Street asks if they are being singled out in their neighborhood. She didn’t hear from any of their neighbors. On a separate topic, she noted that Lillian Street has been crazy today because of the construction with the railroad tracks.

Mayor Jett closed the public comment part of the meeting and opened it up for Council Discussion. Director Polerecky said he could help clarify some of the questions made by audience members. He explained that the City is not going to force anybody to hook up to the City’s water or sewer. If the well or septic fail in the future, however, the County will not allow well or septic to go back in if the services are available outside their homes. They may want to plan for the future but are not being forced into it with this annexation. He also explained that nobody is being singled out, as all properties wholly surrounded are being annexed. There is some additional land on Riverside that will be annexed in the future but weren’t able to be part of this annexation. All of Ponca Street is surrounded and all of those properties are coming into the City.

Alderman McClatchey asked Chief of Police Birk what the difference is for police services for those inside or outside of the City limits. Chief Birk explained that all 911 calls come through the City’s dispatch center. Calls for the City are handled immediately by our officers, while those for the County or other agencies are forwarded on. The City police should also have a quicker response time than those waiting for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department to respond on scene.

Alderman Santi stated that he realizes nothing anybody can say tonight will make everybody feel better. This issue has been in front of the Council for years and we are finally acting on it. Other municipalities, like Crystal Lake, have begun this process as well. These are tough decisions but ones that need to be made. He appreciated everybody that came to the meeting tonight and appreciates the fact that they are comfortable and willing to speak. He also is confident in our availability to our citizens. He has had some discussions with audience members, and thanked them for speaking their minds.

Alderwoman Miller introduced herself as the Council member for Ward 7. She knows many people coming into our City and is sure that they will be able to quickly find her when needed. She and Planner Sheriff have engaged in good conversations with her residents and wants them to be able to keep their property use similar to how it is now. She explained that it is past time for the Council to move on this issue, and they have kicked the can down the road too long. She does not want them to be unhappy residents, and she is a solution finder and not a problem maker. She is willing to listen and states that we are all here to help our residents.

Alderman Glab addressed comments made that people support the library, fire district and schools. The issue is that each have different boundaries and they are different taxing bodies. The City’s taxes only make up a small portion of the property tax bill. Residents get a lot more for their money from the City’s part of the tax bill. Many people claim that they will not get anything in return by being annexed to the City, but Alderman Glab stated that most people have already been getting those benefits with the benefit of not having to pay taxes for them. The City plows many of the roads used by residents in these unincorporated pockets. He also stated that this is a scary process for everybody, but going through the Planning & Zoning process will help sort out what can and can’t be done.

Alderman Santi asked Finance Director Lynch what portion of the property tax bill belongs to the City, and she stated that it is usually around six to seven percent.

Alderwoman Miller brought up discussion about the traffic on Lillian Street with the road closure on Route 120. Chief Birk stated that they have been out all day trying to mitigate the issue. Detours and assignments are out of the City’s control as it is an IDOT issue. We have informed them that their current system is not working correctly. They have mitigated the issues on Main Street and Lillian is controlled by two signals. They are having a meeting with a traffic control person from IDOT in the morning to try to fix the timing on the lights to help traffic flow better.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Strach to approve an Ordinance annexing approximately 148.03 acres of unincorporated tracts of land in McHenry County, Illinois, and to waive all fees associated with going through the Planning & Zoning process to make the properties conforming and zoned properly. Roll Call: Vote: 8-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Harding, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, Mayor Jett. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

Mayor Jett announced to the audience that the City wants to work with them, and that Cody Sheriff will work to make a good partnership and relationship. Planner Sheriff explained that his direct line and email address is in the letter that was sent to all annexed properties. He is in the process of putting a joint application together, and if people need zoning changes, they can discuss it with him.

Executive Session

A motion was made by Alderman McClachey and seconded by Alderman Strach to adjourn to executive session at 8:00 p.m. to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).); and to discuss potential litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).). 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.

Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting out of executive session at 8:26 p.m. A roll call vote was taken. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Harding, Alderman Strach, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, Mayor Jett.

Mayor’s Report

There was no report from Mayor Jett.

City Council Comment

Alderman Strach sent an email to Director Hobson to begin thinking about the future for our marina site and winter storage for boat owners. Director Hobson explained that we started in the spring and did not reach out to the other two marinas in town. He apologized to the Council for not going through that process but stated that he did reach out to Miller Marina and the Munson’s about what we could do next year. He did not receive a response back from Miller and had a discussion with Mary Jo Munson, although they may no longer be interested based on the fact that the City receives half of the revenue as the slip owners. The current leasee is interested in continuing again next year and possibly using the cold boat storage for this winter. Director Hobson will get all of the information from each marina together and come back to the next meeting with an agenda item to act on.

Director Hobson explained that the current Riverwalk expansion is nearing completion. The railing should be completed in two weeks. He is happy with the way things look and how it wil turn out. The brick work behind After the Fox looks great. The installation of the splash pad is a month behind. Equipment has been delivered and Public Works has installed directional bores for water and sewer. The company should be on-site next week for installation. The contractor will lay the gravel base soon for the parking lot so that it may be paved. It will probably be two weeks before the project is completed. He also reported that a pump went out at the aquatic center. Fortunately, a contractor was able to fix the pump on site, so the pool should be running again tomorrow. Contractors did a good job on the foundation of the barn at Petersen Park, and we are waiting for installation of the roof.

Alderman McClatchey asked about future dates for the Riverwalk construction. Director Hobson stated that we need money to take the plans from 80% completion to 100% completion. The property has been secured for the section between the two bridges. The next step is to finish those plans this year to hopefully bid for that work next summer.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Strach to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 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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