McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Oct. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Roll Call: Mayor Jett called the roll call.

Members present Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller-absent, 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, Director of Public Works Wirch, Deputy Clerk Johnson, and City Clerk Ramel.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett led the pledge.

Public Comment: none

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

A. Authorize the Mayor to sign the Third Addendum to the Tolling Agreement with the other designated parties to toll the video gaming Push Tax through October 31, 2024. (City Attorney David McArdle)

B. Appoint Kathryn Frey to the Landmark Commission with a term to expire 4/30/2025, and appoint Marta Martin to the Landmark Commission with a term to expire 4/30/2024. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

C. Resolution establishing the schedule of meetings of the McHenry City Council for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

D. Award of bid for the 2023-2024 Winter Tree Trimming and Pruning Program to Advanced Tree Care of Lincolnshire, Illinois in an amount not to exceed $90,000. (Director of Public Works Wirch)

E. October 2, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes;

F. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $410,193.22;

G. As Needed Checks in the amount of $149,811.80.

Alderman Glab would like to see a potential council meeting during the time frame of Dec 18th until January 6th because otherwise it will be four weeks without a meeting, would like to discuss that for next year.

There was also a discussion on when the first meeting should be for newly elected officials, it is the the last meeting in April, but Administrator Morefield was not sure what it used to be. Attorney McArdle stated that the new Mayor would not be sworn in during that April meeting. Could take out the word “annual meeting” and could make that work so that the timeframe could be adjusted.

A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

Individual Action Item Agenda

A. Class B Liquor License - 4 Eggs Hospitality, LLC, located at 3307 W Elm Street. Motion to approve the transfer of a Class B Liquor License from Windhill Pancake Parlor, Inc. to 4 Eggs Hospitality, LLC for the business located at 3307 W. Elm Street (Windhill Pancake Parlor). (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Koch to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 2-nays, Alderman Santi, Alderman McClatchey. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

No public comment.

B. Video Gaming License - 4 Eggs Hospitality, LLC, located at 3307 W Elm Street. Pending the approval of a Class B liquor license (agenda item 6A), motion to approve a Video Gaming License to 4 Eggs Hospitality, LLC for the business located at 3307 W Elm Street (Windhill Pancake Parlor), subject to a video gaming development agreement with the City Administrator. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

Alderman McClatchey asked the petitioners what the rest of the property was going to be. There is going to be an area for a deck, down back by the river, and also would like to add another restaurant with the possibility of connecting to the Riverwalk.

Administrator Morefield explained the agreement items that follow video gaming. Alderman Glab would like to create an ordinance regarding this for the future. No public comment

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

No public comment.

C. Class A Liquor License – SW Sales, LLC, located at 4005 W. Kane Avenue Motion to approve the issuance of a Class A Liquor License to SW Sales, LLC for a business located at 4005 W. Kane Avenue, Unit L, and if approved, pass an ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Liquor, Section 6, Subsection D-1: Limitation on Number of Licenses. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

Alderman Glab questioned why not these were not two items, this was an amended item, per Administrator Morefield. Seems to be more video gaming only, and will not have support from Alderman Glab. He also wanted to know if the gaming could be opened a year later, maybe this is the route that it should go to see if it can survive without it, as directed towards the council.

Alderman Santi wanted to ask the petitioner, Tom, who stood at the podium what his plan was and talked about how they could make something different for McHenry. The petitioner explained that he owns the International Wine and Cheese and the success that he has had with it as well. He talked about bringing in different ideas that McHenry has not had in the town, to draw in the residents.

Alderwoman Miller is in strong support of Tom, the petitioner, with his many years of experience, asked about some high-end collection of bringing some of the specialty stuff per the conversation she had with Tom. He has some opportunities to purchase things that are different in the industry.

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderwoman Miller. 2-nays, Alderman Glab, Alderman Koch. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

No public comment.

D. Video Gaming License – SW Sales, LLC, located at 4005 W. Kane Avenue Pending approval of a Class A liquor license (agenda item 6C), motion to approve a Video Gaming License to SW Sales, LLC for a business located at 4005 W. Kane Avenue, Unit L, subject to a video gaming development agreement with the City Administrator, and if approved, pass an ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 6, Video Gaming Terminals, Editing Section 4-6-8, Subsection A – Number of Licenses. (Deputy City Clerk Johnson)

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman McClatchey to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Strach, Alderwoman Miller. 3-nays, Alderman Santi, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Koch. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

No public comment.

E. Kensington Drive as Alternate Bid to 2024 Road Resurfacing Program Motion to add Kensington Drive to the 2024 Road Resurfacing Program as an alternate bid project. (Director of Public Works Wirch)

A motion was made by Alderman Koch and seconded by Alderman Glab to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 4-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Koch. 3-nays, - Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Strach, Alderwoman Miller. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

No public comment.

Discussion Item Agenda:

A. Presentations and Discussion - Cold Springs Park

Per Director Hobson two proposals were first presented in 2009 and were initially approved, then brought back to the council, and were voted down. Then in 2022 it was brought back, chose to move forward to come up with a new course layout further away from home. Many are opposed to the disk golf and would like it to remain more natural with bike paths, which was a proposal a month ago, to leave it as a passive area. He explained that each group will have some time to further discuss, the PDGA and Friends of Cold Spring Park along with some input if needed by The Land Conservancy.

Mike Castiglione, resident of Crystal Lake, representing the PDGA, talked about disk golf, He presented the history and positive side of what disk golf could do for the area. He also talked about the fact that there would not be disruption of wildlife and harm to trees during the game. Much of the supporting documents can be viewed per the information shared by Director Hobson.

Also speaking on behalf of the Friends of Cold Spring Park was Curt Pepe and Iver Johnson, who discussed the importance of revitalizing the park, and how it could be done with volunteers and at minimal costs. Would like to see it remain a park without the disk golf due to concerns for the environment along with other factors such as parking and the traffic that could affect the park and the adjacent neighborhood. Also, representing was Lisa Haderlein who spoke from The Land Conservancy in regards to their efforts to support the Friends of Cold Spring Park as well. Also represented in the information from Director Hobson.

Alderwoman Bassi asked Mike if this would be a tournament area and it was confirmed that there are tournaments held for disk golf.

Alderwoman Miller, whose ward this is representing, is concerned about the Cold Springs, likes to maintain natural areas and does not walk them but sees that it is overlooked, happy the land conservatory could help, not anti-golf may not be the space for it. Too much to preserve there, maybe need to look at other places.

Alderman McClatchey wanted to know from Director Hobson about other areas, did look today at other places since he has gotten some feedback. Could find 9 holes.

Alderman Glab talked about the senior class that bought and gave to the school district a golf course, and how the poles and baskets were beautiful and they had disappeared. Is there a multi-use property that could be used that would not impact neighborhoods?

Mayor Jett talked about meeting with Mike and how they could drive around and look for other properties. The community does need this, figure out what parks work and how they can be funded and make it a good 18-whole course as well.

Alderman Strach talked about the annexation agreement and the earmarking of the natural area. A disk golf environment is not a destruction of what is around nature. Cold Spring has topography and natural structure, elevation changes are what makes this an attractive area. Would love to find another place as well. Talked about a 9 9-hole course in a smaller footprint and maybe double boxes could be fun as well. Disk golf is a good way to draw people outside again, back into nature.

Alderwoman Miller that that this is a great opportunity to work with the private sector and can work with disk golf and the nature committee. Would like to see this improved and feels strongly about this being in her ward. Need to work together to find the right spot.

Alderman Santi asked Lisa Haderlein from The Land Conservancy, who would maintain the park, the idea is that volunteers would be sponsored to do the restoration work and training. There was also discussion on a connection to the bike path through the park, also pointed out by Alderman Santi there would also be some traffic there with the bikers.

In conclusion, Mayor Jett will drive around and look for other options where the disk golf could be placed, he had asked Alderman Strach, since he plays disk gold to go with him along with Director Hobson.

Alderwoman Bassi stated that we needed to give the residents peace of mind that the park will not become a disk golf, as a nod of hands. However, there is not a motion for this due to it being a discussion item.

Staff Reports.

Provided the 1st meeting of each month.

Administrator Morefield wanted to know when to bring back the barn discussion will be after the master plan. It was confirmed that the conversation regarding the barn will be tackled after other discussion items.

Mayor’s Report: None

City Council Comments: Alderman Glab people having issues with Authentix stated that things are getting out of hand, and problems are happening per the residents next to it. Wanted to make sure that the residents are not impacted by this since it was approved by the council.

Per Alderman Strach stated that not all the issues are wrapped around the Authentix residents, after reviewing the email from Chief Birk that was sent to the council. Mayor Jett stated that they will get to the bottom of it with further review.

Executive Session:

A motion was made by Alderman Santi seconded by Alderman McClatchey to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:43 p.m. to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Litigation. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.

Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting from the Executive Session at 9:52 p.m. A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi to return to an open session. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to adjourn the meeting at 9:57. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nay-, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/mchenryil/Document_Center/BoardDocs/City%20Council/5.E.%20Oct%2016%20Minutes.pdf