McHenry Times

Village of Huntley Village Board met June 13

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER:

A meeting of the Village Board of the Village of Huntley was called to order on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7:02 p.m. in the Municipal Complex, Village Board Room, 10987 Main St., Huntley, Illinois 60142.

ATTENDANCE:

PRESENT: Village President Timothy Hoeft; Trustees: Vito Benigno, Ronda Goldman, Mary Holzkopf, John Piwko, and Ric Zydorowicz

ABSENT: Trustee Westberg

IN ATTENDANCE:

Village Manager David Johnson, Deputy Village Manager Lisa Armour, Police Chief Linda Hooten, Village Attorney Betsy Gates-Alford, Director of Development Services Charles Nordman, Communications and Compliance Manager Sarah Palaszewski, and Management Analyst Morgan Kaiser.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Village President Hoeft invited former Huntley Police Chiefs Robert Porter and John Perkins to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

5. Administration of the Oath of Office: Linda Hooten, Chief of Police

Village Manager/Village Clerk David Johnson administered the Oath of Office to Chief Linda Hooten.

Village Manager Johnson acknowledged the large audience of family, friends, and guests of Chief Hooten. Village Manager Johnson expressed gratitude to former Huntley Police Chiefs Porter and Perkins for their service to the community and attending Chief Hooten’s Oath of Office. Village Manager Johnson recognized the professional growth and experience of Chief Hooten. Upon reflecting on her resume, he highlighted “provided guidance to a troubled teen with weekly meetings where solutions were discussed.” He stated that this represents the type of officer and leader Chief Hooten is. 

Chief Hooten thanked the Village Manager, Village President, and Village Board for the opportunity to lead the Huntley Police Department. She expressed deep gratitude for the support of the volunteers and community members present that evening. Chief Hooten expressed her thanks to Chiefs Porter and Perkins for mentoring her throughout her career. Chief Hooten thanked her partner, Deputy Chief Williams, for her support and friendship. Chief Hooten recognized her personal support system of family and friends. She thanked her parents for instilling a hard work ethic, compassion, and unwavering faith in her. She acknowledged her siblings for pushing her and developing her “thick skin.” She thanked her in-laws and friends for their endless support. She shared she was saving the best part of her for last, which is her husband, Jim. She thanked him for being at her side at every stage of her career and for believing

in her. She concluded by acknowledging how humble and grateful she is to serve the Village as Chief of Police.

Trustee Goldman congratulated Chief Hooten and stated she knew she was destined to be Chief of Police. She shared that the community supports Chief Hooten.

Trustee Zydorowicz stated that selecting Chief Hooten was a great choice and wishes her nothing but the best.

Trustee Holzkopf stated that she felt relief when it was announced that Chief Hooten will replace Chief Porter in his retirement, because no one else is more deserving. Trustee Holzkopf stated that although Chief Hooten said she did no one thing extraordinary to become Chief, she actually does everything extraordinary. She concluded that she is proud of Chief Hooten.

Trustee Piwko shared that he has witnessed Chief Hooten in different roles and saw the path of her professional development. Trustee Piwko stated Chief Hooten and Deputy Chief Williams were a great team to support Chief Porter.

Trustee Benigno stated that the crowd in attendance show the type of person Chief Hooten is.

Trustee Benigno concluded by stating the community is fortunate to have someone with Chief Hooten’s character as Chief of Police.

Village President Hoeft stated he has known Chief Hooten for twenty-two years. He acknowledged that this is a great accomplishment for Chief Hooten and the Village. He stated he is proud that Chief Hooten is an internal promotion. He asked Chief Perkins and Chief Porter to stand so he could acknowledge their service and mentorship of Chief Hooten. Village President Hoeft stated that the attendance of other law enforcement agencies in attendance speaks volumes of what people think of the Huntley Police Department. He concluded by stating that he is proud of the Huntley Police Department and Chief Hooten.

CONSENT AGENDA:

All items listed under Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the Village Board and may be approved and/or accepted by one motion with a Roll Call Vote. If further discussion is needed, any member of the Board may request that an item be moved off of the Consent

Agenda to Items for Discussion and Consideration.

Village President Hoeft read aloud the following Consent Agenda items:

6.1 Consideration – Approval of the May 23, 2024 Village Board Meeting Minutes

6.2 Consideration – Approval of the June 13, 2024 Bill List in the Amount of $762,421.36

6.3 Consideration – Approval of Payout Request No. 1 to Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc. for the 2024 Street Improvement Program in the Amount of $594,998.82

6.4 Consideration – Approval of Payout Request No. 3 to Boller Construction for the West WWTP Screening Replacement in the amount of $201,313.31Village President Hoeft asked if the Village Board had any comments related to the consent agenda; there were none.

Village President Hoeft asked if the Village Board had any comments related to the consent agenda; there were none.

A MOTION was made to approve the June 13, 2024 Consent Agenda.

MOTION: Trustee Zydorowicz

SECOND: Trustee Benigno

AYES: Trustees: Benigno, Goldman, Holzkopf, Piwko, and Zydorowicz

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Trustee Westberg

The motion carried: 5-0-1

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION:

7.1 Conceptual Review – Proposed Site Plan and Building Elevations for a Pet Crematorium on Lot 2 of the Wing Pointe Commons Resubdivision, Generally Located at the Southwest Corner of Haligus Road and Huntley-Dundee Road Director of Development Services Charles Nordman stated the petitioner, DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service, has submitted a conceptual site plan for a pet crematorium on Lot 2 in the Wing Pointe Commons Subdivision. The subject lot is located directly east of the existing DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service property and is zoned “B-2 (PUD)” Highway Service District – Planned Unit Development. DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service intends to develop a pet crematorium that would include a pet viewing room, three garage spaces, and a second floor caretaker residence.

Staff Analysis

The conceptual site plan proposes construction of a ±4,800 square-foot building upon the ±1 acre lot. The two-story building is proposed to support a pet crematorium, garage spaces for company vehicles, and a caretaker residence. The lobby, merchandise, viewing room, pet crematorium, and three garage spaces are located on the structure's first floor, with the twobedroom caretaker residence on the second floor at the rear of the structure. The proposed crematory and caretaker suite would require approval of a Special Use Permit.

Access

The site will be accessed via a cross-access easement shared with the neighboring retail center to the east and the funeral home to the west. The easement provides access to the retail center’s driveway on Haligus Road and the driveway in front of the funeral home on HuntleyDundee Road.

Parking

The customer parking lot is in front of the proposed building and within the existing parking row along Huntley-Dundee Road. The new parking area will be paved to align with the neighboring properties. In compliance with PUD Ordinance (O) 2005-01.06, a cross-access easement agreement and reciprocal parking agreement will remain for the three lots, allowing shared parking between the three properties.

Elevations

The proposed building is comprised principally of siding with a stone wainscot at the base of the building and upon the piers supporting the front entrance canopy. The building has been designed to match the neighboring DeFiore Funeral and Cremation Service building. Windows are proposed upon each elevation and the west elevation includes three decorative garage doors.

Landscaping

Landscape plans will be required in accordance with the Commercial Design Guidelines as part of the formal development application.

Signage

No formal sign package has been provided for conceptual review, but will be required as part of the formal development application.

Required Approval

The proposed plans will require the Plan Commission and Village Board to review and approve Special Use Permits for the Crematorium and Caretakers Residence, as well as Final Planned Unit Development.

2022-2025 Strategic Plan Alignment

The Strategic Plan identifies “Strong Local Economy” as a strategic focus and the following goal:

“Location of Choice for New and Expanding Businesses of all Sizes.”

Financial Impact

None.

Legal Analysis

The necessary approvals will require a public hearing by the Plan Commission and Village Board.

Notification of the public hearing will be provided in accordance with State Statute and Village Ordinance, which includes publication in a newspaper, written notice to all property owners within 250 feet of the proposed development, and the posting of a sign on the property.

Courtesy Review

The petitioner has requested the Village Board to conceptually review the proposed plans. The Village Board is not required to provide a formal position statement on the proposal, and the petitioner shall not be required to comply with any position statements which are offered. The concept review shall provide the petitioner with initial comments and concerns that should be considered as they proceed in the formal review process. The Village Board and its individual members are not bound by any comments made during the discussion and the petitioner acknowledges that it cannot claim in the future any reliance whatsoever on those comments.

Action Requested

The Village Board is requested to review the proposed site plan and building elevations and provide any questions, comments, or concerns for the petitioner to consider as they proceed in the formal review process.

Village President Hoeft invited Petitioner Carol DiFiore to approach the podium for questions and comments from the Village Board.

Trustees Zydorowicz, Goldman, Benigno, and Holzkopf expressed their support for this development.

Trustee Goldman inquired if the DiFiore Funeral Home currently has a therapy dog. Petitioner

DiFiore stated her sister brings her dog to work with her.

Trustee Piwko inquired if this proposed development will be a separate building from the current funeral home; Petitioner DiFiore replied in the affirmative.

Village President Hoeft inquired if the current garage will be a part of this proposed development;

Petitioner DiFiore replied in the affirmative. Village President Hoeft concluded by expressing his support for this development.

This item was presented for discussion purposes only.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY’S REPORT: None

VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT: None

VILLAGE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Village President Hoeft invited the community to come to this Saturday’s Farmers Market. This free rain or shine Market is located in downtown Huntley  along Coral Street every Saturday from 8:00am-1:00pm during the summer months. Summer Concerts on the Square start Tuesday, June 25th at 7:00pm.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: None

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Yes

A MOTION was made at 7:41 p.m. to Enter into Executive Session for discussion on Property acquisition, purchase, sale, or lease of real estate and appointment, employment, dismissal, compensation, discipline and performance of an employee of the Village of Huntley.

MOTION: Trustee Piwko

SECOND: Trustee Zydorowicz

AYES: Trustees: Benigno, Goldman, Holzkopf, Piwko, and Zydorowicz

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Trustee Westberg

The motion carried: 5-0-1

A MOTION was made at 8:12 p.m. to Exit Executive Session.

MOTION: Trustee Holzkopf

SECOND: Trustee Zydorowicz

AYES: Trustees: Benigno, Goldman, Holzkopf, Piwko, and Zydorowicz

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Trustee Westberg

The motion carried: 5-0-1

POSSIBLE ACTION ON ANY CLOSED SESSION ITEM: None

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further items to discuss, a MOTION was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m.

MOTION: Trustee Holzkopf

SECOND: Trustee Benigno

The Voice Vote noted all ayes and the motion carried.

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