McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met July 1

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Roll Call: Mayor Jett opened with the roll call.

Members present Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, 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 Comment: None

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

A. Approve the block party request on Millstream Drive on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., based on the map produced by Staff with the closure to occur only to the east of the business ramp (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

B. Pass an Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Groundwater as Potable Water Supply by the Installation or Use of Potable Water Supply Wells or by any Method Within a Certain Area in the City of McHenry (Director Polerecky)

C. Appoint Michael Beattie to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term expiring April 30, 2025.

D. Parks & Recreation Facilities & Special Use Permit Requests

E. June 17, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes

F. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $255,907.61

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

Alderman Glab has several questions about the Block Party regarding Consent Agenda Item

A. It appears that the resident was inviting anyone and everyone to the party. Steve Glennon, a resident who is coordinating the block party, came up to the podium to explain this. He had given The Council the wrong flyer and brought the corrected one with him, stating that the party would include about 100 people and be limited to the block. Also answering another question Steve stated that there will be no sales of hot dogs, raffle tickets, etc. He will be providing balloons, and glow sticks for the kids.

Alderman Santi stated for Item B during the minutes to note: during the discussion about 1111 N Green St, the topic of apartments came up 3 times and rent came up twice.

Individual Action Item Agenda:

A. Marulli Liquor License

A motion to approve a Class A liquor license to Marulli Event Co, located at 3315 Pearl Street (Deputy Clerk Johnson)

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller 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 Davis, Alderman Koch. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

B. Sign Variance – 409 N Front Street

A motion to pass an Ordinance Granting a Sign Variance to 409 N Front Street to allow a free-standing sign not to exceed 23.67 feet in height (Director Polerecky)

Alderman Glab stated that he has gone by this sign for years, has been well maintained, moved back several feet, and has no problem with it.

Alderman Santi stated with IDOT coming in it is nice to be proactive to get this completed.

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

C. Water and Sewer Rates

A motion to pass an Ordinance Amending Title 9-2C-5 Subsection B and Title 9-4B-1 Subsection F of the McHenry Municipal Code about Waterworks and Wastewater Rates (Director Lynch)

Alderman Glab talked about staff going through the cost evaluation every year, and that this 5% is just on the sewer and water rates the entire bill will not reflect that.

Alderman McClatchey wanted to know if we could balance things out like last year, per Director Lynch this year was not able to do so.

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 Glab, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch. 2-nays-Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

D. Skate Park Repairs

A motion to waive competitive bidding and to approve a proposal from American Ramp Company for repairs at the Ryan Buss Skate Zone Park for $40,000 (Director Hobson)

Alderman McClatchey wanted to know how many people use the Skate Park, per Director Hobson in the summer it is really busy.

Alderman Glab wanted to mention that as far as a stated park there used to be a lot of complaints about skateboards downtown, but since the skate park opened that has diminished.

Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know where the funding comes from, per Director Hobson it comes from the Parks Developer Foundation.

Alderman Koch wanted to know how much to replace it all $500-600,000, after hearing that stated that the repairs do sound reasonable.

Alderman Santi appreciated the time with Director Hobson on the phone and wanted to make sure that the bases are covered. The contractor will be responsible for the pay wages.

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

E. Miller Riverfront Parking Lot Paving

A motion to award a unit price contract for the Miller Riverfront Park Parking Lot Paving Project to Curran Contracting Company in the amount of $202,865.00 (Director Hobson)

Alderman Glab wanted to know if this is a limited total amount and wanted verification. Per Director Hobson, in talking with those involved anticipate it coming in lower than that amount.

Wanted to know if the money has been received yet, but it is not.

Alderman Koch wanted to know where the funding comes from, The Parks Developer Fund as well per Director Hobson.

Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know if the above amount is minus the grant money and that was also confirmed by Director Hobson.

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

Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

F. Riverwalk Phase 4 - Electrical Addendum

A motion to execute a Custom Work Agreement with AT&T in a not to exceed the amount of $37,569.31; sign a Construction Invoice with Comcast for $5,148.67 to complete the line burial adjacent to the proposed Phase 4 of the Riverwalk; and pass an ordinance for a budget amendment to the FY2024/25 budget to utilize funds from the TIF Fund for $42,717.98 (Director Hobson)

Alderman Santi, again thanking Director Hobson for his time today. He wants there to be an eye on this project to make sure they are covering their bases, the motion does not include the 9K engineering invoice, which will be addressed later. Director Hobson gave some history regarding this item's background.

Alderman Glab wanted to know if there was a look at the contracts, They will not claim any responsibility towards the others. Wanted to make sure this is ironed out for the future. Don’t want to see this project hauled because of this.

John Smith, Riverwalk President talked about the 30-40 meetings that he had with ComEd. It became a major surprise to him that ComEd owned those poles and that whoever was hanging on them had to do their own thing. One of the most complicated projects that he has been involved in, is very poor performance on ComEd’s behalf. 

Alderman Koch stated that those who hang off the ComEd poles will have to pay rent.

Alderman Bassi, wanted to know when the River Walk Phase 4 items will be done, per Director Hobson we are way ahead and would not be brought forward if the project was not ready for this. There is nothing left to do out there, per Director Hobson. She also asked for the current balance of the TIF or if there is enough money for these expenses, right now it is in the negative, which we are aware will replenish itself, that is what the funds are for, Per Director Hobson. Is this coming out of the General Fund, yes but the bank account is shared per Director Lynch.

Alderwoman Miller stated this is the most complex being privately held property, but once this phase is done we are almost completed, there are a ton of moving parts.

Alderman McClatchey wanted to know when the lot will be paved, per Director Hobson they are ready to go next week. The goal of the second week before Fiesta Days.

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch. 1-nays: Alderwoman Bassi. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

G. Riverwalk Phase 4 - Change Order – Gutter and Catch Basin

A motion to approve the change order to the Riverwalk Phase 4 contract with Alliance Contractors for $19,095 for the addition of a curb and gutter and a catch basin; and to pass an ordinance for a budget amendment to the FY2024/25 budget to utilize funds from the TIF Fund for $19,095.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman McClatchey to approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch. 1-nays- Alderwoman Bassi. 0-abstained. Motion approved.

H. Pickleball Expansion

A motion to waive competitive bidding and to approve a proposal from American

Sealcoating for the painting of pickleball courts adjacent to the Ryan Buss Skate Zone Park at Knox Park for $24,000; and pass an ordinance Amending the FY 2024/25 Budget to utilize $10,000 from the Parks Developer Donations Fund to fund the necessary amenities for the addition of the 6 pickleball courts (Director Hobson)

Alderman Glab wanted to know if these are smaller than tennis courts, and could be expanded, per Director Hobson they could. Wanted to know if the public could use the tennis courts from the high school, if needed that conversation could occur.

Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know the turnaround time, per Director Hobson the gentleman painting them would be about 4-6 weeks if on schedule. Nets, fencing, and painting will be completed as he explained as well. Already have 25K in budget per Director Hobson and wanted to know about 10K that is confirmed developer donations for the balance, no impact on the General Fund for this.

Alderman Koch wanted to know if we have used American Sealcoating before, per Director Hobson, yes they have done many projects around the city.

Alderwoman Miller wanted to know how much it would cost to illuminate them, probably about 100K per Director Hobson.

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

Discussion Item Agenda

A. 2025 Road Program (Director Wirch)

Director Wirch briefed The Council 6 ½ years for next year and will continue to do that over time. There is some extra money that can be used. With the funding blanacing 6.5 miles of road and would be able to fund the project Venice and Court Street resurfacing and curbs. If this is a project to move forward with the sanitary sewer would need to be upsized, being ahead with this would help per Director Wirch.

Alderman Santi is comfortable moving forward with this.

Alderman Glab asked some questions about the sewer, directionals were shared with him by Director Wirch, it is more of an upsizing. Looking at wards feel they are lopsided but would be ok moving forward,

Alderman McClatchey is for stated that Director Wirch did a good job.

Alderman Bassi and Davis also agree.

Alderman Koch stated that Director Wirch does a great job on board.

Alderwoman Miller is grateful and would like to move forward as well, wanted to hire an engineering firm to analyze what roads need the most attention, lastly was 2019.

This conversation went on for some time.

Staff Reports.

Provided the 1st meeting of each month. Director Hobson, reminder Fiest Days will be starting Thursday, July 11th, and July 14th is the fireworks show.

Deputy Clerk Johnson sent an email out to see who would like to be involved in the parade.

Mayor’s Report:

At the last meeting, Shodeen requested a special meeting next Wednesday to discuss all other development sites on where The Council stands at this point. Next Wednesday at 6 pm would be the meeting, July 10th, it will be a public meeting. City Clerk Ramel stated that she will not be able to attend that meeting, Deputy Clerk Johnson will be taking minutes in her absence.

City Council Comments: Alderwoman Miller had out-of-town guests stating that the flowers are stunning and wanted to let the teams know that they are doing a great job with those. 

Alderman McClatchey wanted to tell everyone to have a great 4th.

Alderman Santi heard good things about the taste. Director Hobson stated that everything was good and it was a success.

Executive Session if necessary: Not needed

Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderwoman Bassi and seconded by Alderman Santi to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nay-, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

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