McHenry Times

City of Harvard City Council met Feb. 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 Leone, 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.

Mayor Kelly related that the City has begun Live Streaming all City Council and Committee Meetings on the City’s YouTube Channel to provide more transparency in the decisions the City Council makes for our City.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

None

CITIZENS AWARD OF APPRECIATION – GRACE PETERS 

Chief Bauman read a Citizens Award of Appreciation that was presented to Grace Peters regarding her job performance as an Asset Protection Officer for the Harvard Walmart. From December to February, she has reported 25 retail thefts that occurred at Harvard Walmart, for which the Police Dept. was able to file charges in all 25 cases. Since her employment at the Harvard Walmart, her due diligence, investigative skills, organization, thoroughness, dedication, and cooperation with the officers of the Harvard Police Dept., has had a direct impact in charges being filed, arrests being made and the solving of these cases. Grace’s commitment to her duties and responsibilities are above and beyond that has not only made a difference for Walmart, but also the community and especially the Harvard Police Dept.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Gorman, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Lavallee, aye; Gorman, aye and Perkins, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of February 8, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye and Haderlein, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Carncross to approve the Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes of February 15, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Meza, aye; Luna, aye and Schulz, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

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 January 24, 2023

b. Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of February 8, 2023

c. Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes of February 15, 2023 

d. Park Board Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2022

e. Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes February 1, 2023

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. Resolution Declaring the 82nd Harvard Milk Days 2023 a Legal Holiday Weekend

o. Resolution to Close Route 173 between Jefferson St. and Division St. for the Harvard Milk Days Parade on June 3, 2023

p. Harvard Garden Club request to host annual spring plant sale at Harvard Diggins Library Plaza on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 8 am – 1 pm

q. Harvard Wrestling Club’s request to waive the “No Parking” restrictions in the 1100 block of the west side of Garfield Rd. for the 39th Annual Harvard Chevy Classic Wrestling Tournament on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Harvard High School

r. Appoint Patty Lindgren to the “Spirit of 76” Bicentennial Scholarship Board 

s. Confirmation of appointment of Lou Leone to represent the City of Harvard on the Harvard Woodstock Enterprise Zone Board replacing recently retired Dave Nelson

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Consent Agenda, Items #8a-s, as presented. Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye and Lavallee, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

PAYMENT OF BILLS - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Schulz to approve payment of the bills as presented in the amount of $709,344.11. 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.

PUBLIC WORKS SUPT. JIM KRUCKENBERG’S RETIREMENT - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderman Carncross to approve Public Works Supt. Jim Kruckenberg’s letter of retirement with his last day in office on April 28th, 2023, with sincere regrets. Aldermen voting aye: Haderlein, Schulz, Lavallee, Carncross, Gorman, Meza, Perkins and Luna. All ayes. Motion carried.

VIDEO GAMING LICENSE APPLICATION - BOPP’S - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderman Meza to approve the Video Gaming license application submitted by Bopp’s LLC, 103 E. Front St., Harvard. 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.

VIDEO GAMING LICENSE APPLICATION - LOS JALAPENO BROTHERS - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderman Schulz to approve the Video Gaming license application submitted by Los Jalapeno Brothers Family Restaurant, 21 N. Ayer St., Harvard. Roll call vote: Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

IDOT RESOLUTIONS AYER STREET STREETSCAPE PROJECT - APPROVED 

There are two IDOT Resolutions for the Ayer Street Streetscape Project. One resolution authorizes the City to use our full allotment of RBI funds on the project in the amount of $622,594.50. The second resolution authorizes the City to use MFT funds for the balance in the amount of $20,000. A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the resolutions 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.

AWARD BID AYER STREETSCAPE PROJECT - APPROVED 

The bid opening for the Ayer Streetscape Project was held on February 16, 2023. 

A motion was made by Alderman Gorman, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to award the contract to Schroeder Asphalt Services for their low bid amount of $634,835.15 for the base bid and $680,032.15 for the alternate bid and to authorize execution of all contract documents. Additional discussion ensued noting that only the base bid should be awarded; items included in the alternate bid (landscaping, trash cans, benches and planters) will be done in house. Alderman Gorman and Alderwoman Haderlein amended their motion and second respectively to strike the following from the motion “and $680,032.15 for the alternate bid”. Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye and Haderlein, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC COLLABORATIVE (NIMEC) AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPROVE A  CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST COST ELECTRICITY PROVIDER FOR A PERIOD UP TO 36 MONTHS - APPROVED 

The proposed resolution is for the NIMEC bid for the City’s commercial accounts and authorizes the Mayor to execute all necessary contract documents and grants the Mayor authority to name the City Administrator as his designee in matters concerning the bid. City Administrator Leone indicated that the City would know the bidding prices on Thursday. A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the proposed resolution. 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.

2023 ZONING MAP UPDATE - ORD. 2023-103 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Meza to approve the 2023 Zoning Map as presented and to authorize the City Clerk to publish in the Northwest Herald. Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye and Lavallee, aye. Ordinance 2023-103 approved eight to zero.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 2023/2024 MFT BUDGET - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Committee’s recommendation to allocate $120,000.00 of MFT funds for rejuvenation of roadways built in the last five years and the remaining $100,000.00 of MFT funds to be used for stopgap repair projects. Alderman Lavallee requested that the word “rejuvenation” be changed to “pavement preservation”. Alderman Perkins and Alderwoman Haderlein amended their motion and second respectively to make the requested change. Alderman Gorman will call a Transportation Committee Meeting to determine which roads built in the last five years to include and to identify the stopgap repair projects. Roll call vote: Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye and Carncross, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION – NO PARKING LOCATIONS - DEFERRED 

Alderwoman Haderlein requested to pull the item from the agenda and defer action. After speaking with the owner of the Starline Building, she felt the City owed it to Orrin to sit down at a meeting to discuss the parking and the roadway situation prior to taking action. A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Perkins to refer the item back to the Administration Committee for further discussion. 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.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION – TRAFFIC, VIOLATION/PENALTY ORDINANCE 2023-104 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the proposed ordinance Amending Section 15.22 (A) and (B), Traffic, Violation/Penalty. Roll call vote: Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye and Meza, aye. Ordinance 2023-104 approved eight to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION – BANQUET HALL LICENSE ORDINANCE 2023-105 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the proposed ordinance Amending Section 21.15A, Banquet Hall, License Required. Alderwoman Haderlein clarified that the ordinance regulates language for a banquet hall license to make two sections of the code consistent (banquet hall and liquor license). Roll call vote: Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross; aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye and Perkins, aye. Ordinance 2023-105 approved eight to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AUTHORIZING SALE OF SURPLUS  PROPERTY - ORD. 2023-106 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the proposed ordinance Authorizing the Sale/Disposal of Personal Property Owned by the City. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye and Luna, aye. Ordinance 2023-106 approved eight to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - CGI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,  COMMUNITY VIDEO PROGRAM - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve an agreement with CGI Communications, Inc., d/b/a CGI Digital, for a Community Video Program. Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye; Meza, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye and Haderlein, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING  HARVARD DIGGINS LIBRARY - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Harvard Diggins Library. Alderwoman Haderlein commented that she serves on the Library Board and this is a really important agreement that has been reached. It does not change anything about the relationship between the City and the library which has been very good for a long time. The MOU documents what that relationship is, how it works and how the organizations are related and work together which should be good for both the City and the library. 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.

CALL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING 

A Committee of the Whole meeting was called for March 15, 2023, at 6:30 pm.

DEPT. HEADS REPORT 

Written reports as submitted.

Utilities Supt. Grant updated the City Council on the WWTF project. The contractor will meet with the engineers and City Administrator to work out a schedule to get back on track for completion.

Supt. Kruckenberg reported that it will take a couple of weeks to clean up after the recent ice storm. The department is also televising sanitary mains.

Supt. Knop reported that the dog park is fully open and operational. During the budget workshop, $20,000 was approved for capital improvements for the dog park this upcoming summer.

Chief Bauman noted that the two new recruits are in the shadow phase of field training so they’re in the car driving around on their own and the FTO shows up on their calls. If everything goes well, they will be on their own in the next two weeks.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

ALDERMAN GORMAN 

Alderman Gorman called a Transportation Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023, at 6:30 pm to determine which roads built in the last five years to include and to identify the stopgap repair projects. Finance Director Bejot and Supt. Kruckenberg reported there is a partial list of stopgap locations north of McKinley St. Gary has a list of roads that were done in the last five years through the road program, but Deb wasn’t sure he was directed to evaluate them for pavement preservation. City Administrator Leone will work with Gary on stopgap and pavement preservation locations.

ALDERMAN MEZA 

Alderman Meza thanked Supt. Kruckenberg for his years of service.

ALDERMAN PERKINS 

Alderman Perkins thanked Supt. Kruckenberg for his years of service.

ALDERWOMAN LUNA 

Alderwoman Luna thanked Supt. Kruckenberg for his years of service.

ALDERWOMAN HADERLEIN 

Alderwoman Haderlein thanked Supt. Kruckenberg for his years of service.

Alderwoman Haderlein brought up discussion to confirm the next Administration Committee Meeting which would normally be held on March 8th. She felt that discussion with Orrin Kinney should not be on next week’s agenda but perhaps the following meeting. A better approach would be to sit down with him first with a couple of folks on a more personal level prior to him coming to any meeting. This can be discussed at the Committee meeting. Alderman Carncross indicated he would like to make sure that discussion and/or questions asked would be documented and reported back to the Committee to have a clear idea of what went on to make sure what happens is conveyed to the committee for an informed decision on how to proceed to which Alderwoman Haderlein agreed. Mayor Kelly related to be clear you can’t have a private meeting; pursuant to the Open Meeting Act, you can’t have a non-committee meeting. You could have a meeting with Orrin that would include no more than two representatives from the elected body. Alderman Perkins is unable to attend on March 8th; the meeting was changed to March 9th at 6:30 pm. Agenda items include: Flock camera systems presentation, police car early purchase order, TreeCity USA and a fund balance policy.

ALDERMAN SCHULZ 

Alderman Schulz thanked Supt. Kruckenberg for his years of service.

ALDERMAN LAVALLEE 

Alderman Lavallee thanked the department heads for attending the Budget Workshop on Saturday well prepared. The budgets were relatively painless to get through and the process went pretty smoothly.

ALDERMAN CARNCROSS 

Alderman Carncross thanked Supt. Kruckenberg for his years of service and the amount of time he spends outside of office hours to make sure streets are cleared of snow, trees are cut down, etc. He congratulated Jim on running a well-oiled machine with his department which is one of the most public facing departments that has direct day to day lifestyle impact.

Alderman Carncross reiterated Alderman Lavallee’s statement reference the budget workshop and commented it was the smoothest and transparent he has attended thus far. He further noted the small details that go into the budget and the everyday things that staff does on their own time to save dollars that the public doesn’t see. One example is Ryan Knop getting the kits to rebuild the pumps for the pool.

TREASURER’S REPORT 

Report as submitted. Mayor Kelly thanked Finance Director/Treasurer Bejot for her involvement with the budget workshop. She has definitely shown and demonstrated herself in her new position within the City.

NO REPORT 

City Attorney Clifton had no additional report.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 

City Administrator Leone outlined a project he started when he first got here with National Incident Management System (NIMS) training certifications. This is the framework that FEMA came out with shortly after Katrina to provide a basic understanding for uniform language/equipment to operate as a cohesive entity during emergency situations. Full time employees are required to take the classes. So far, in two months, almost 44% on average are completed. Throughout the process, A Stop the Bleed class was taught by Sgt. Tobias that was completed by all 38 full time employees. He would like to include and encourage the council members in doing some of these classes, many of which can be done online. He will send out a list to the City Council with links to the classes. The ICS 300 & 400 courses are geared towards elected/appointed officials. There are 14 NIMS classes and 4 first aid-based classes. By the time we’re done, hopefully by the end of the year, every full-time member will have at least 18 certifications. At Alderman Schulz’ inquiries, City Administrator Leone noted the classes are free and are done on City time. In about 4 years, FEMA has indicated they will use the certifications as a point system towards grants. The more elected and full-time staff that are doing the training, the more points the City will get towards grants. There are four classes that he is currently working with the McHenry County EMS to provide an instructor to set up time frames for staff/elected officials. This will also be opened up to the public.

Alderman Schulz inquired what the City is doing to address the generator issue in response to the recent power outage which left the Police Dept. without enough power to run. The generator hasn’t been serviced in two years; the City is putting out a bid for a service contract to get the generator serviced. Finance Director Bejot noted that the current generator doesn’t have the capacity to handle both the Police Dept. and City Hall. She further noted that the generator may be covered under a two- year warranty; the City is waiting to hear back from the electrical contractor. City Administrator Leone has reached out to the USDA Rural Development regarding a community grant for public safety, including generators.

CLERK’S REPORT – UPCOMING MEETING DATES 

March 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting – POST TO CANCEL

March 9 Administration Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm

March 15 Committee of the Whole Meeting, 6:30 pm

March 20 Park Board Meeting, 6 pm

March 22 Transportation Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm

March 28 Regular City Council Meeting, 7 pm

The McHenry County Clerk sent out Economic Interest Statements via email; filing deadline is May 1st.

MAYOR’S REPORT 

• Habitat for Humanity was awarded a large grant to assist homeowners with property maintenance issues. Owner occupied residential housing, which requires some kind of substantial structural repair, where the homeowner doesn’t have the means, would be eligible to get some help to get their homes repaired. Code Enforcement Officer Nutley has helped identify individuals in the community who fall into that criteria to connect them to those resources. Application Clinics will be held in the Community Hall on Saturday, March 4th at 11 am and Wednesday, March 8th at 5 pm. Brown Bear Daycare has donated computers to give to the first 15 respondents who attend.

• Mayor Kelly thanked the City Council and staff who participated in the Budget Workshop. 

• Mayor Kelly noted we are slowly starting to see our senior staff retire. The Mayor thanked Supt. Kruckenberg, who has a couple months left before his retirement, for his dedication and said he is looking forward to having a retirement party with him to celebrate his time serving the community.

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/14690/ccminutes2023-02-28.pdf