McHenry Times

City of McHenry Committee of the Whole met May 13

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order 

The Committee of the Whole of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at McHenry City Hall, 333 S. Green Street, McHenry, IL. 

Roll Call 

Mayor Jett called the roll. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch, Mayor Jett. 

Public Comment 

No members of the public wished to comment during the public comment portion of the meeting. 

Implementation Workshop - Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan project 

Members of HDR Engineering explained where in the process we are at in the Comprehensive Plan project. Surveys have been submitted by members of the public, and twelve strategies were introduced that the City Council could consider. Those strategies were: 

1. Develop a Citywide land Development Framework 

2. Maintain Small-Town Character in New Neighborhoods 

3. Increase the Diversity of McHenry's Housing Stock to Ensure Availability of a Variety of Housing Types and Affordability Levels 

4. Prioritize the Protection, Restoration, and Expansion of Ecologically Sensitive Natural Areas, Agricultural Lands, and Other Natural Open Spaces 

5. Redevelop Large Vacant Shopping Centers to Accommodate Housing with the Retail/Commercial Uses, and Includes Walkable Streets, Mixed-Use Buildings, and High- Quality Public Spaces 

6. Actively Recruit Businesses that Provide Entertainment and Activities for Younger Residents (Ages 12 to 20 Years)

7. Develop a Citywide Mobility Framework to Promote a Safe and Healthy Transportation Network by Right Sizing Roadway Designs and by Separating Vehicles from Vulnerable Streets Users 

8. Develop Additional Trail Connections and Riverwalk Segments to Create a Continuous Trail Network Throughout the Whole City of McHenry

9. Prioritize Shared Use and Multi-Benefit Nature- Based Infrastructure Including Best Management Practices Such as Bioswales, Bioretention, Enhanced Swales, Enhanced Stormwater Detention and Retention 

10. Prioritize Water, Wastewater, Roadway Infrastructure Upgrade to Existing System Over Service Extension and Expansion to Undeveloped Areas to Prevent Development Sprawl and Preserve Agricultural Land and Natural Open Space 

11. Support Development Around the Metra Station to Increase Ridership and Train Frequency 

12. Prioritize Catalyst Developments at Strategic Points to Encourage Developers and Property Owners to Invest in Downtown McHenry

Council and Staff members were given the opportunity to select which strategies were important to them by placing stickers on each strategy. Council, Staff, and invited stakeholders that were present were divided into two separate groups. Each group worked on finding what already exists and what needs to be done to make each strategy a reality. Once each group finished their strategies, both groups came together to share their ideas. 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Santi to adjourn to executive session at 8:18 p.m. to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)). Roll Call Vote: 6-Yes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 1: abstain: Alderman Davis. Motion carried. 

Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch, Mayor Jett. 

Adjournment 

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Roll Call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Anderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. Motion. carried.

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/mchenryil/Document_Center/BoardDocs/City%20Council/5-13-24%20COW%20minutes.pdf