McHenry Times

City of Harvard City Council met Oct. 24.

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, Lancaster, Gorman, Perkins and Luna. Also present: City Administrator Leone, Treasurer/Finance Director Bejot, Chief Bauman, Community Development Director Day, Supt. Public Works Lamz, City Attorney TJ Clifton and members of the audience.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA 

None

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of October 11, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Carncross, aye; Gorman, aye and Perkins, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to approve the Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes of October 17, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Carncross, aye; Lancaster, aye and Luna, 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 September 26, 2023

b. Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of October 11, 2023

c. Community & Economic Development Committee meeting of October 17, 2023 

d. Park Board Meeting Minutes of September 18, 2023

e. Administrators Report

f. Building & Grounds Report

g. Community Development Department Report

h. Harvard Diggins Library Directors Report

i. Parks & Recreation Report

j. Police Department Report

k. Public Works Department Report

l. Utilities Department Report

m. Annual Treasurer’s Report

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Consent Agenda, Items #6a-m as presented. Roll call vote: Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Lancaster, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye and Schulz, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

INDIVIDUAL ACTION CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 

None

PAYMENT OF BILLS - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Schulz to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $1,053,545.20. Roll call vote: Lancaster; aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye and Carncross, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

PETITION FOR DRIVEWAY VARIATION 

Jose Ramirez Variation from Section 19.15.B3, Driveways and Private Parking Lot, 900 Second St. Ordinance 2023-128 Approved

The petitioner was in attendance relative to his petition requesting relief from Section 19.15B3, Driveways and Parking Lots, to widen the driveway to the right side of the existing driveway with dimensions of 10’ x 27’. Subject property is located at 900 Second St. The requisite notice was sent to adjoining property owners; no objections have been received. A motion was made by Alderwoman Luna, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the petition as presented. Roll call vote: Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye and Lancaster, aye. Ordinance 2023-128 approved eight to zero.

Alderwoman Haderlein inquired if there was a way to amend the driveway ordinance, particularly for those requests that will ultimately be approved, to reduce the number of variations that come before the City Council. Community Development Director Day indicated this was briefly discussed at the last Community & Economic Development Committee, under New Business. Staff is currently allowed to issue a driveway widening up to 6’; if it were increased to 9’ or 10’ that would alleviate many of the variation requests. At Alderman Gorman’s inquiry, Donovan indicated that if the driveway ordinance was amended, adjacent property owners wouldn’t have to be notified; when the language is drafted, setbacks for a sideyard lot line can be created. It was noted that there haven’t been any objections to the driveway variations that have come before the City Council. There was discussion as to what ordinance items are under the purview of the Administration Comm. This particular discussion started in the Community Development Comm.; the actual ordinance will come before the Administration Committee.

CHRISTMAS IN HARVARD - APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to approve Harvard Milk Days’ request as outlined regarding Harmilda’s Christmas Parade to be held December 2nd at 6 pm. Roll call vote: Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Lancaster, aye and Gorman, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Luna, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to approve Tacos El Terrible’s request to operate a Mobile Food Truck at Harvard Diggins Library and Harvard City Hall during the Christmas in Harvard event. At Alderwoman Luna’s inquiry, Mayor Kelly noted that the City requires a current McHenry County Health Dept. permit but doesn’t require a Certificate of Insurance. Alderwoman Haderlein inquired about the time frame for Christmas in Harvard and noted that the application only requested hours of operation from 10 to noon. After discussion, Alderwoman Luna and Alderwoman Lancaster amended their motion and second respectively to approve the outdoor market until 8 pm. Roll call vote: Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Lancaster, aye; Gorman, aye and Perkins, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION – AMEND FY23/24 BUDGET ORD. 2023-129 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to approve the Committee’s recommendation to adopt the proposed ordinance for a budget amendment for the Police Pension Fund and to reallocate funds from the Route 14 Sidewalks to Engineering Services for the Post Office Sidewalk Project. Roll call vote: Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Lancaster, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye and Luna, aye. Ordinance 2023-129 approved eight to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AMEND SECTION 27.04.E, CITY SOUND  PERMIT – ORD. 2023-130 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Carncross to approve the Committee’s recommendation to adopt an ordinance Amending Section 27.04E, City Sound Permit. Roll call vote: Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye; Carncross, aye; Lancaster; aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye and Haderlein, aye. Ordinance 2023-130 approved eight to zero.

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION BACKYARD CHICKENS The Committee recommended to send the matter regarding backyard chickens to the City Council to make a determination whether or not to propose a zoning text amendment to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing. A motion was made by Alderman Perkins, seconded by Alderwoman Haderlein to send the matter of backyard chickens to propose a zoning text amendment on behalf of the City Council to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing in December. Roll call vote: Lavallee, no; Carncross, no; Lancaster, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye and Schulz, aye. Motion approved six to two.

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION BUILDING/PERMIT FEES – ORD. 2023-131 APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to approve the Committee’s recommendation to adopt an ordinance Amending Section 20.06, Building & Permit Fees as presented to the Committee. Roll call vote: Carncross, aye; Lancaster, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye and Lavallee, aye. Ordinance 2023-131 approved eight to zero.

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION SAFEBUILT  AGREEMENT – APPROVED 

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to approve the Committee’s recommendation to enter into an agreement with SAFEbuilt Illinois, LLC and to authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement. At Alderman Lavallee’s inquiry, Community Development Director Day provided an overview of the agreement. Roll call vote: Lancaster, aye; Gorman, aye; Perkins, aye; Luna, aye; Haderlein, aye; Schulz, aye; Lavallee, aye and Carncross, aye. Motion approved eight to zero.

DEPT. HEADS REPORT 

Written reports as submitted.

Community & Economic Development Director Day

• Tomasz has started his third foundation on 8th St.

• Local developer Lori Weber has submitted two permits for single family homes on 6th St. 

• A new coffeehouse business is going in the old Firehouse Depot; expected opening by Thanksgiving. 

• Dunkin Donuts is progressing nicely; Dunkin corporate will be providing interior buildout plans. There is no proposed completion date for Dunkin.

• The Ford expansion is moving along nicely.

• Lou and Donovan attended the Illinois Economic Development Council (IEDC) training. One of their ideas the City would like to implement in Harvard next year is to develop a program and set up business and retention expansion meetings with local businesses to help them succeed.

• Lou and Donovan attended a seminar by the John Shellard Group with a topic of becoming a destination business to increase sales and profits. Donovan is looking at ways to have the Shellard Group come to Harvard in the future to provide the same type of seminar for our businesses.

• Donovan thanked those who attended the Greenway Storage and Edward Jones grand openings. 

• Donovan is working with the owners of the grocery store at 201 S. Ayer St. who are interested in the City’s revolving loan program to update the façade of their building.

Public Works Supt. Lamz

• Ayer St. Streetscape is progressing with underground, electric and concrete for the poles. 

• The signs have been placed in front of Starline for no parking/loading only. The signs for Dogs Way are on order. Chairman Schulz commented that last Wednesday cars were still parked after the sign; Rob related that the area can be painted with a one foot section with cross hatch to delineate the zone. City Administrator Leone commented that might be warranted to go that route in this situation. 

• ISO testing for the Fire Dept. has been completed; results indicate adequate fire flow. 

• The Public Works crew did a hot mix patch at the WWTP.

• Alderman Perkins noted there is tree at the southeast corner off of Johnson and Washington that blocks the stop sign. Rob will check to see if it is in the City’s easement.

• The PRV valve replacement is completed.

Utilities Supt. Grant

In Utilities Grant’s absence, City Administrator Leone mentioned that the pump for Well 9 has been installed and Well 9 is back on line.

Parks & Rec Supt. Knop

• Upcoming events/programs: Egg Nog Jog, Zumba Class, Limber Life Class, Gingerbread Showdown and the Basketball Program. Ryan will let the Mayor know if additional sponsorship is needed for the Basketball Program.

• The water main should be connected in the dog park next week.

Police Chief Bauman

• Officer Vialpando is almost three-quarters through field training and is doing well.

TREASURER’S REPORT 

Report as submitted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

ALDERMAN CARNCROSS 

• Alderman Carncross thanked the Public Works Dept. for their informative Facebook posts and thorough communications.

• Alderman Carncross called a Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting for Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, at 6:30 pm. Lou will notify the interested parties.

ALDERMAN SCHULZ 

Alderman Schulz thanked Supt. Knop and the Park Board for the changes to the dog park which have been very well received.

ALDERWOMAN HADERLEIN 

• Alderwoman Haderlein gave an overview of the Library’s Big Read Program sponsored by Illinois Humanities which encourages individuals in the community to read the same book(s) at the same time with discussion sessions in different locations. The program runs December – March.

• Alderwoman Haderlein reported there have been two occasions where a City mower threw a rock and broke a library window. Rob will address the situation with City staff.

• The Administration Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 20th, 2023, at 7 pm.

TREASURER’S REPORT 

Report as submitted.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 

City Administrator Leone reported that it has been a busy and productive month for the City and preparations are being made for colder weather.

NO REPORT 

Aldermen Lavallee, Luna, Perkins, Gorman and Lancaster and City Attorney Clifton had no additional report.

CLERK’S REPORT – UPCOMING MEETING DATES 

October 27 & 28 Strategic Vision Workshop, 9 am

November 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, POST TO CANCEL 

November 15 Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm 

November 20 Park Board Meeting, 6 pm

November 20 Administration Committee Meeting, 7 pm

November 28 City Council Meeting, 7 pm

MAYOR’S REPORT 

• Mayor Kelly reiterated the importance of the City Council Strategic Vision Workshops. 

• Sandra Alcazar is organizing the Festival of Trees and is looking for volunteers and sponsors.

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/14698/ccminutes2023-10-24.pdf