McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Sept. 5

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Roll Call: Mayor Jett called the roll call.

Members present Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey-absent, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Others present Attorney McArdle, Administrator Morefield, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of Economic Development Martin, Chief of Police Birk, City Planner Sheriff-absent, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Operations Manager Wirch and City Clerk Ramel.

Public Comment: Brigitte Birong- Doube R Double J Ranch

Hickory Creek Farms tenant, Brigitte wanted to say a special thank you from the bottom of her heart for the new roof and how amazing the contractors have been following through on the work. She explained that the barn is not just a boarding facility to her as it was to her predecessor that occupied it before. The barn was opened up to the public in October 2022, the first time in 20 years that the community stepped onto the property and the second time was the first anniversary, the Kentucky Derby party.

Opening up to the public in the future will take some time, make sure that it is safe and secure for the public to come in. They are hosting field trips, birthday parties, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and lessons going out of the barn. She also introduced her team, Fran, Kim, Denise, her husband, and many more who are part of the team.

It was noted that she would love to give the council a tour of the barn to please call her. Mayor Jett stated that he did a tour and stated it is getting cleaned up and they are doing a great job.

Denise Deccico – Spoke as well, she is part of the team at the barn as well. The gentleman who ran it before took good care of the horses but the property was not well maintained. She had gathered some information regarding the economic impact of the horse industry, she presented some handouts regarding this and thanked the help of the council.

Consent Agenda. Motion to Approve the following Consent Agenda Items as presented:

A. Proclamation identifying September 3rd of each year as “It’s Our Fox River Day.” (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

B. Resolution adopting the McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

C. Award a contract for the North Riverside Drive Parking Lot Project to Chicagoland Paving of Lake Zurich, Illinois in the amount of $307,000 and approve a construction contingency in the amount of 10% ($30,700) of the awarded contract price. (Staff Engineer Gruen)

D. Task Order with Robinson Engineering Ltd for Professional Engineering Services for the Phase III Construction Engineering for the North Riverside Drive Parking Lot Project on a Time and Materials basis not to exceed $34,700. (Staff Engineer Gruen)

E. Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 3: Adult Business and Uses, Article C: Massage Establishments and Massage Therapists. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

F. Award a contract to Visu-Sewer of Illinois, LLC for the FY23/24 Sanitary Sewer Lining (Joint Bid) Program in an amount of $114,804.10 and to approve a construction contingency in the amount of 10% ($11,480.41) of the awarded contract price. (Staff Engineer Gruen)

G. Award a contract to Benchmark Construction Company, Inc. of Bartlett, Illinois for the FY23/24 Sanitary Sewer Lining (Illinois Route 120) Program in the amount of $198,800 and to approve a construction contingency in the amount of 10% ($19,880) of the awarded contract price. (Staff Engineer Gruen).

H. Block Party Request – September 16, 2023, Springdale Lane. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

I. August 7, 2023 City Council Meeting Amended Minutes;

J. August 21, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes;

K. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $1,166,372.64.

Alderman Santi had a question on 5F, and asked for clarification from Operations Manager Wirch, explaining the requirements of IDOT.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey-absent, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

Individual Action Item Agenda 

A. Sign Variance – 1850 N. Richmond Road (new Panera) 

Motion to grant a Sign Variance for the new Panera, located at 1850 N. Richmond Road, to allow two (2) additional wall signs not to exceed 46.5 sq/ft and one (1) additional menu board not to exceed 12 sq/ft in area. (Community Development Director Polerecky)

Alderwoman Miller agrees with how huge the menu boards are now, thank you for being understanding with the sign variance.

A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey-absent, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

No public comment.

Discussion Item Agenda 

A. Lead Service Presentation (DPW Field Operations Manager Wirch)

Operations Manager Wirch gave a brief presentation regarding Lead Water Service, the history and problems regarding lead, what is being done in the future regarding fixing the lead problem, and the timeline line doing so. It is estimated about $220,000 year for 15 years to correct the lead. The next steps needed are to decide on how to move forward and the funding that is needed for the replacements to be looked at.

Alderman Glab wanted to know how many repairs fall in the TIF district, Administrator Morefield stated this is brought before right now to bring before the council and the options of cost can be discussed down the road. The topic was also raised about homes being sold and the discolusre of the lead pipes. There is a date that has to be disclosed per Operations Manager Wirch.

Alderman Santi asked what bond comes off the books, it is 2010 that comes off in 2030, per Director Lynch, which could be an option per Santi.

Alderwoman Miller would think most homeowners do not know, until there is a problem, hoping that the education value is being applied. Per Operations Manager Wirch they notified the residents, along with information.

Alderman Strach wanted to know if the pipes were too small to line, yes, confirmed by Operations Manager Wirch.

Alderman Koch would like to see the map regarding those affected.

This discussion went on for some time and Mayor Jett thanked Operations Manager Wirch for the presentation this evening.

B. Façade Grant Funding Requests for Remainder of FY23/24. (City Administrator Morefield)

Administrator Morefield stated this discussion is to talk about the rest of the fiscal year budget regarding the Façade Grant Funding. Would like to bring this before everyone regarding the potential grants pending for the rest of this year.

Alderman Glab thanked the staff for the list of the last two years regarding the grants. Feels there can be a time when enough is done for this year. The whole idea was to encourage businesses to fix up the facades, which should not be done after the fact.

Alderwoman Miller stated this may be the time to stay that our funds are run out for the year, and would state we are done for this year. The program is good, learned that the applications have been all over the board, and suggested when this is revisited that the limitations may need to be different to help more businesses for fewer grants, which could be something to help others.

Alderwoman Bassi, stated that she agreed, that once the money is out to come back next year.

Alderman Santi echoed those above as well, would we do first come first serve for next year? Administrator Morefield stated they can reapply after May 1st of next year if they are willing to wait for the money.

Alderman Koch, there is $6,000 left and there is $28,000 worth of funds that have been applied for per Administrator Morefield.

Staff Reports: Provided the 1st meeting of each month.

Administrator Morefield stated that Mark Peterson would like to have a special meeting regarding the city administrator. The 25th of September would be the time for that.

Director Hobson- Light the Night on September 16th, 4-10 for that evening. The third quote for the Riverwalk electric has been received as well and will be brought in front of the council.

Mayor’s Report: None

City Council Comments: Alderman Koch, is there a map of where it goes after Riverside Drive, Operations Manager Wirch, will take care of the worst first.

Alderwoman Miller wanted to thank the Deputy Chief for the newsletter. Elizabeth Roth and Nicole Meyer helped create this, per Deputy Clerk, Johnson.

Alderwoman Miller also asked Chief Birk about electric bikes and the rules of the road for those. Chief Birk did speak of the restrictions for those and also noted they should be following the flow of traffic.

City Clerk Ramel commented on how beautiful the River Walk looked and it was a fun time to visit there.

Alderman Glab stated many abuse golf cards, have no seat belts, and do not have a license. Also, motorized bicycles have increased as well.

The horse barn is also another item he wanted to bring up, feels that we still need to have that meeting for an opportunity that the city could have.

Also, talked about the new baseball fields for D156, the council needs to be aware of projects going on in the community.

Mayor Jett stated they have ad hoc meetings with school districts and there can be a discussion regarding that along with plans as well. Director Polerecky stated that he could get with the maintenance team and walk through it.

Executive Session as needed: None 

Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Strach to adjourn the meeting at 8:01. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey-absent, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nay-, 0-abstained. Motion carried.  

X Mayor Wayne Jett

X City Clerk Trisha Ramel  

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