McHenry Times

City of Crystal Lake City Council met Sept. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order

Mayor Haleblian called the meeting to order at 7 :00 p.m.

Roll Call

Mayor Haig Haleblian, Councilmembers Ellen Brady, Brett Hopkins, Cameron Hubbard, Mandy Montford and Ian Philpot were present. City Clerk Nick Kachiroubas was also present. Council member Cathy Ferguson attended the meeting telephonically.

Deputy City Manager Eric Helm, Director of Public Works and Engineering Michael Magnuson, Director of Community Development Kathryn Cowlin, Finance Director Jodie Hartman, Chief of Police James Black, Fire Rescue Chief Paul DeRaedt, and City Attorney John Cowlin were also present. Special Legal Counsel Victor Filippini was also present telephonically.

Approval of Councilmember Ferguson Telephonic Attendance

Councilman Hopkins moved to approve Councilwoman Ferguson's telephonic attendance of the City Council Meeting. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Haleblian introduced Dave and Marge Olsen, whose grandson Adam Wright, and his wife, both serve in the Army and are stationed in Germany.

Approval of Minutes

Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Accounts Payable

Councilwoman Ferguson moved to approve the Accounts Payable in the amount of $2,981,125.10. Councilman Hubbard seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Public Presentation

Mayor Haleblian asked if there was anyone in the public who wished to make a public presentation regarding an item not on the agenda.

No one else wished to speak.

Mayor's Report

None.

City Council Reports

None.

Consent Agenda

Councilwoman Brady moved to approve a Consent Agenda, including Items 9a, 9b and 9c and adding Items 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20,21, and 22, and the denial of Item 14. Councilman Philpot seconded the motion.

Councilwoman Ferguson mentioned that traffic on North Main Street will be moving pretty quickly with the traffic signal and trucks and SUV's are parked on the roadway at Prairie Street. Public Works and Engineering Director Mike Magnuson said City staff would work with the Police Department regarding enforcement in this area with the new intersection configuration and traffic signal.

Mayor Haleblian asked if anyone wished to speak on the Consent Agenda. No one wished to speak. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

9a. Approved the following requests for St. Thomas the Apostle Church's Oktoberfest to be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022, including the issuance of a Class 16 Temporary Liquor License for the St. Thomas the Apostle Oktoberfest and the application for a special event pursuant to staff recommended conditions, including the closure of part of Lake Street.

9b. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute an Amendment for the Joint Funding Agreement between the United States Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey and the City of Crystal Lake for a Water Resource Investigation of Crystal Lake.

9c. Adopted a Resolution approving an Agreement for use of Right-of-Way between the City of Crystal Lake and Everstream and authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute a Fiber Optic Agreement between the City of Crystal Lake and Everstream.

10. Adopted a Resolution designating an Interim City Manager.

11. Approved a Special Event Permit for the Crystal Lake Brewing Company Oktoberfest to be held September 9,10,16 and 17, 2 022 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

14. Denied the variation request for a Sarah Ridge Subdivision sign.

15. Approved the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) recommendations and adopted an Ordinance granting the Planned Unit Development Amendment and Sign Variation for McHenry County Community College at 8900 Route 14.

16. Adopted an Ordinance making it unlawful to stop, stand, or park any vehicle on the east and west side of North Main Street from the intersection of Route 176 to the intersection of Prairie Street.

17. Adopted an Ordinance amending various sections of the City Code.

18. Adopted a Resolution approving and authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute a sole source agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the purchase of twenty (20) replacement Tasers and Taser Equipment in the amount of$32,499.90.

19. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement with Gewalt Hamilton and Associates for the Pedestrian Connections to the Regional Prairie Trail Improvement Design Engineering Consultant Services in the amount of $98,070, approve warranted changes for up to 10 percent of the agreement cost, and to approve warranted completion date extensions; and Adopted a Resolution appropriating $108,000 in MFT funds for the Pedestrian Connections to the Regional Prairie Trail Improvement.

20. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (Metra) for the Crystal Lake Depot Train Station Lighting Repairs and Upgrades including grant funding by Metra in the amount of $33,000 to perform the station lighting repairs and upgrades.

21. Rejected the Crystal Lake Depot Train Station Lighting Repairs and Upgrades bids from the bid opening on June 9, 2022; and Awarded the bid for the Crystal Lake Depot Train Station Lighting Repairs and Upgrades to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Associated Electrical Contractors, LLC, and adopted a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute a contract with Associated Electrical Contractors, LLC for Crystal Lake Depot Train Station Lighting Repairs and Upgrades in the amounts bid.

22. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute a Sales Agreement and Software License Agreement for a five year term with Novotx LLC for the implementation and annual fees of an Asset Management System in the amounts proposed, allowingfor a 10% annual contingency for unforeseen changes.

12. City Code Amendment to increase the number of Class 28 Liquor Licenses and to increase the number of Video Gaming Licenses - Applicant: Indian Chapata Swad Inc., d/b/a Jalsa Bar and Restaurant, located at 1295 Randall Road, Suite 112

Councilwoman Brady moved to adopt an Ordinance increasing the number of Class 28 Liquor Licenses from the current permitted 15 licenses to 16 licenses for Indian Chapata Swad Inc., d/b/a Jalsa Bar and Restaurant, located at 1295 Randall Road, Suite 112. Councilman Hopkins seconded the motion. On roll call, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

Councilwoman Brady moved to adopt an Ordinance increasing the number of Video Gaming License from the current permitted 15 licenses to 16 licenses for Indian Chapata Swad Inc., d/b/a lalsa Bar and Restaurant, located at 1295 Randall Road, Suite 112. Councilman Philpot seconded the motion. On roll call, Mayor Haleblian and Councilmembers Brady, Philpot, Hubbard and Montford voted yes. Councilmembers Ferguson and Hopkins voted no. Motion passed.

Mayor Haleblian explained the City's regulations regarding the sale of alcohol to the owners of lalsa Bar and Restaurant. He also explained the City's IMPACT program, wished them the best of luck with their business, and thanked them for investing in the community

13. 123 Edgewater Drive - Variations from Article 3 Density and Dimensional Standards: maximum building coverage of 40% to allow 47%, maximum impervious surface coverage of 50% to allow 57%, 7-foot interior side yard to allow 2 feet 10 inches, combined total side yard setbacks of 18 feet to allow 12 feet, 71.68-foot front yard setback to allow 13.83 feet, and 21.2-foot yard abutting a street setback to allow 11.2 feet; and

Variations from Article 7 Nonconformities to allow the enlargement of a nonconforming structures for an addition to the house increasing the footprint and the volume, to allow the connection of the garage to the house, and the increase in volume to install a second story to the garage

Director of Community Development Kathryn Cowlin provided the Mayor and City Council with an overview of the petitioner's request. She explained the scope of the project and requested variations, and explained how setbacks are determined for properties on Crystal Lake. The existing setback from the lake will not change as a part of the project, and the existing house does not conform to setback requirements in this area.

Ms. Cowlin said at the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) meeting, it was discussed that storm water does flow from Edgewater Drive to a portion of this lot. As a result, a fully engineered plan is required for the property as a condition of approval in order to move forward with the building permit process.

Tim Parrish said the hardship in the situation is that the structures on the property were built prior to existing setback regulations existing. He explained that water from several properties flows to this lot, and that a plan has been designed to build a swale on the east side of the property to accommodate the water. The home design is a result of this plan.

Ryan Farrell, attorney for the petitioner said the request has met findings of fact at the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Mayor Haleblian asked if anyone from the public wished to speak on the petitioner's request. No one wished to speak.

Mayor Haleblian asked if the City Council had questions or concerns.

Councilwoman Montford said she did not think this home would impact neighbors' sightlines along the lake, and planning had been completed to address water concerns.

Mayor Haleblian asked if water runs off the property into the lake. The petitioner said the swale would run along the north side of the property and empties in to the lake. The rocks will be used in the swale to help filter water.

Councilman Hubbard said he does not have concerns with the plan.

Councilwoman Ferguson said she does not support the plan. She said the City has spent a lot of time and money into addressing water issues by the lake. She said it feels like too much house for the space, but she may be able to support it if impervious surface coverage was reduced.

Councilman Philpot asked if the property would be a summer retreat or if they would live there full time.

Mr. Parrish said he respects Councilwoman Ferguson's vote, however, the current house is too small for a family of two that lives there full time, and needs to be improved if his family would be living there full time.

Councilman Philpot said he shares Councilmember Ferguson's concerns and if there is room to reduce impervious surface coverage.

Councilwoman Brady said she does not have concerns with the petitioner's request. Mayor Haleblian also said the does not have issues with the request.

Councilwoman Brady moved to approve the requested variations for 123 Edgewater Drive. Councilwoman Montford seconded the motion. On roll call, Mayor Haleblian and Councilmembers Brady, Hopkins, Hubbard and Montford voted yes. Councilmembers Ferguson and Philpot voted no. Motion passed.

Council Inquiries and Requests

Mayor Haleblian recognized former City Manager Gary Mayerhofer's retirement. He said Gary was a tremendous manager, and from the first day, he had a positive attitude and helped build a great staff. He had the foresight to have someone on staff to take over and keep things moving forward.

Mayor Haleblian welcomed Eric Helm as Interim City Manager.

Adjourn

There being no further business, Councilman Hopkins moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m. Councilwoman Montford seconded the motion. On voice vote, all present voted yes. Motion passed.

https://ecode360.com/CR2206/document/682779490.pdf