McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met April 15

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

City Council Chambers, 333 S Green St, McHenry, IL 60050

Roll Call: Mayor Jett called the roll call.

Members present Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Others present Attorney McArdle, Administrator Ostrovsky, 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 Hearing: Call to order a Public Hearing for the proposed Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget.

Mayor Jett called to order the Public Hearing at 7:01 PM, there was no public comment.

A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve the exit of the Public Hearing 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.

Motion to adopt the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve the adoption of the Fiscal Year Budget 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.

Alderman Koch had a question for Director Hobson, the money is there for the projects that are outlined in orange referring to the information that had been shared with The Council, and wanted to know if there is a time restraint, the question marks are to be done within the year.

Also wanted to know if things are going to be inspected, there is not a form but he is working on developing one, per Director Hobson. Alderman Koch would like to see that there are inspections a bit more often, also after mowing, etc. 

Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know what the actual budget amount is for the park's maintenance, $57,000 contractual $96,000 materials, and supplies, not including mowing portable toilets, per Director Hobson. Will that replace the swing set in East Park, no because that is a Capital project per Director Hobson, answering Alderwoman Bassi, who also commented that they have shifted more to maintenance than replacement capital. Some examples of the $96,000, are a variety of things such as gravel replacement, limestone screenings, fence repairs, mulch, paint shelter repairs, etc. 23-24 fiscal year. Alderwoman Bassi had asked what neighborhood parks were repaired, Director Hobson stated that there has not been a document for that because it was a culmination of work order repairs, most of those reported are the larger repairs for the accomplishment sheets. It could be sent out every quarter if it was something that would like to be seen, which in conclusion will be presented.

Director Hobson also encourages the public to help make the park system better. Alderwoman Bassi also spoke regarding a study that she had reviewed about the home value going up when the parks are maintained but the opposite occurs when they are in disarray. Also asking which park is the first one addressed, Director Hobson, stated that safety is always the priority, next looking at high profile more used parks.

Alderman Santi had questions about the overall budget for Finance Director Lynch, $59,400 for the revenue side, she confirmed, and $63,300 on the expense side. Total budget amendments there were 4, about $90,000.

Alderman Glab wanted to bring up the parks issue again, have not heard many complaints but did not hear any accolades either. Would like to see how the level can be higher for them, or to be a little more creative. In the budget, there was talk about a transfer of $130,000 he feels it should come out of the donation funds, rather than the General Fund. The more that can be kept in the General Fund would allow for other projects.

Director Hobson responded by stating that they are nearing the end of the survey for the Parks and Recreation Department, there were 750 respondents, and there will be a workshop to review those survey results, based on what the residents stated.

Public Comment: No public comment. 

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

A. Annual appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Other Offices (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

B. Approval of FY24/25 Liquor License Renewals (May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025) as presented, conditioned upon receipt of required paperwork and payment of fees (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

C. Approval of FY 24/25 Video Gaming License Renewals (May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025) as presented, conditioned upon receipt of required paperwork and payment of fees (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

D. Approval of a street closure on Sunday, August 4, 2024, of Park Street from 1304/1309 Park Street to Elm Street from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for use by the Liberty Club, NFP (PLAV). (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

E. Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Prairie Grove for plan review and building inspection services (Director Polerecky)

F. Approval for (1) the Mayor to sign three-year renewal terms and condition agreements for In-Time, and ThinkGard and (2) approve IT professional services subscription renewals for FY 24/25, for In-Time, TKB Associates, Tyler Technologies, and ThinkGard for total amount not to exceed $248,685.12 (Chief Birk)

G. Mayor Designation to Affix Signature (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

I. April 1, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes

J. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $537,624.99

K. As Needed Checks in the amount of $271,019.07

A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderwoman Miller 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. 

*Clerks Note: This item was pulled by Alderman McClatchey.

H . Fox River Day Proclamation (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

Alderman McClatchey asked if Deputy Clerk Johnson could read the proclamation to The Council, and he moved forward doing so.

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi 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. Sam Oil Liquor License

Motion to approve a Class C Liquor License to Sam Oil LLC, located at 4608 W Crystal Lake Road, contingent on the successful background check of a qualified agent/manager within 30 days (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

This is a change of ownership, per Deputy Clerk Johnson, nothing major is changing they will have to get an occupancy permit.

Alderman Glab asked when the sale happened, it is occurring right now per Deputy Clerk Johnson, it will not be issued until ownership has gone through.

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

B. Patina McHenry Liquor License

Motion to approve a Class C Liquor License to Patina McHenry LLC, located at 1202 Riverside Drive Unit 10, and if approved, pass an ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Liquor, Section 6, Limitation on Number of Licenses, of the McHenry City Code (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

Alderwoman Bassi asked the petitioners about the taste testing, the petitioners stated that it would be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the daytime. hours testing 11-6 Sun 11-4 Thurs 12-6. There will be employees present and monitoring so that nobody will be leaving the shop with their tasting. The state law has to be enforced per Chief Birk, regarding the tastings as well. Alderwoman Miller congratulated the petitioners feel it will compliment the town. No Comment.

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

C. Zoning and CUP for 4016 W Crystal Lake Road

Motion to pass an Ordinance granting a Zoning Variation and Conditional Use Permit to allow an Open Sales Lot in conjunction with Automotive Sales at 4016 W Crystal Lake Road (Director Polerecky)

Alderwoman Miller is ok with the conditional use Permit, the public will provide feedback if that is what they want there. Would like to see a use there, that stretch helps put somebody in there.

Alderman Glab stated that if the residents like it that is fine, we allow these types of uses to go in over there feels it is not a good spot for this. There are other places than an area like this, this property needs to be redeveloped and cannot support this.

Alderman McClatchey wanted to know how many cars will be on the lot, it was confirmed there will be 40-50 cars on the lot and inside 15 also including motorcycles, per the petitioners.

Alderman Santi wanted to know if the remodeling would occur, yes, it would be fixed up, and added light would be there because it is very dark at night. They are bringing another business to McHenry. He wished them good luck, Alderwoman Bassi doesn’t have an issue with the used car lot but is not comfortable with the location, and may need more visibility.

The petitioners stated that 95% of their customers come from online websites.

It was confirmed that they are the tenants of the property with experience and a following of a customer base.

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Koch to approve

Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 4-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 03-nays- Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

D. Central WWTP Site NFR Letter

Motion to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $40,680 to HR Green, Inc. for the Central WWTP Site Remediation Program. (Director Wirch)

Alderman Santi wanted to know once the letter is received then we will not have to do anything further like this, yes, confirmed by Director Wirch.

A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman

Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

Discussion Item Agenda

A. Orchard Beach Road – Property Annexation (Director Polerecky)

Alderman Glab wanted to say this has been a long time coming and thinks it will be a benefit for them and us to bring them in.

Alderman Santi asked how many homes there are, there are 9 that are spread out and there are some homes that may be between those homes, per Director Polerecky could be up to 24.

This is a discussion to move forward asking The Council if they are comfortable doing so tonight. The residents then will receive a form letter about the services, per Director Polerecky.

Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know when going down Orchard Beach Road, if the homes that are not on the river will be included in the annexation, per Director Polerecky there are two of them that could potentially be annexed the rest may be too far north.

Alderman Koch asked where the sewer is located and it was mentioned that the West side is where it would be located which is the opposite side of the river per Director Polerecky.

Alderwoman Miller is in favor of the annexation, this would set a presence of the right way of doing things correctly in the future.

Alderman McClatchey wanted to know how many total properties were included, confirmed with the above comments.

This discussion went on for some time with the majority of The Council moving forward with it.

Staff Reports:

Provided the 1st meeting of each month.

Director Hobson wanted to provide an update to Shamrocks the Fox, a successful year was more than able to cover all costs, and $20,000 was returned to the tourism fund. That does not include the business sales tax etc.

Mayor’s Report: None

City Council Comments: None

Executive Session:

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller seconded by Alderman Santi to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. to discuss the purchase of real property for use of the public body, including meetings held to discuss whether particular buildings and parcels should be acquired (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)), for litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)), and for personnel (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).

Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting from the Executive Session at 10:05 p.m. A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman McClatchey 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.

All members of the Council were still present.

Discussion regarding possible reinstatement of committees or possibly regular committee of the whole meeting; no action.

Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman McClatchey to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 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. 

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