McHenry Times

Village of Cary Board of Trustees met Aug. 6

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

ATTENDANCE 

Village Board of Trustees 

Mayor Mark Kownick, Trustee Dale Collier, Trustee Rick Dudek, Trustee Ellen McAlpine, Trustee Anthony Stefani, Trustee Rick Walrath, Trustee Jennifer Weinhammer 

Others Present 

Village Administrator Morimoto, Assistant Village Administrator Sage, Community Development Director Simmons, Public Works Director Noonan, Police Chief Finlon, Village Attorney Uhler 

I. Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kownick at 6:00 p.m. 

II. Roll Call 

The roll was called and all were present. 

III. Pledge of Allegiance 

Mayor Kownick led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mayor Kownick stated he received some questions about why tonight's meeting was labeled a 'Special' Village Board meeting. Mayor Kownick stated the Village Board typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month; however, due to an anticipated schedule conflict, tonight's meeting was not included in the approved 2024 schedule of regular Village Board of Trustees meetings. Mayor Kownick stated recent schedule changes caused this date to become available to conduct a Village Board meeting. Mayor Kownick stated any meeting added to the approved schedule must be labeled a 'Special' Village Board meeting. Mayor Kownick stated there will also be a Special Village Board Meeting on August 27, 2024. 

IV. Open Forum 

Al Tuman, 219 S. Wulff Street, stated he does not support the zoning change to allow residential development of the proposed Ridgefield Park project. Mr. Tuman feels the Village should focus more on bringing businesses to Cary instead of residential development. 

Mayor Kownick invited Mr. Tuman to meet with Village staff to discuss economic development in Cary. 

Dave Gwinn, 321 Bryan Drive, feels driver speeds on Decker Drive are increasing and becoming dangerous. Mr. Gwinn would like to see a solution to address this situation, such as the installation of radar speed signs. Mr. Gwinn stated he has purchased lawn signs he hopes to place on Decker Drive to remind motorists to slow down. 

Mayor Kownick stated he appreciated Mr. Gwinn working with the Cary Police Department regarding this issue, and they will continue to explore enforcement options. 

Mr. Gwinn suggested a speed study might be helpful. 

Trustee Weinhammer asked how much radar speed signs cost. 

Chief Finlon stated radar speed signs cost approximately $2,500 each, depending on whether they are battery or solar powered. 

Chief Finlon stated he will share Decker Drive traffic study data with Mr. Gwinn. 

Administrator Morimoto stated staff will reach out to Mr. Gwinn to discuss this matter further. 

There being no further comments, Mayor Kownick closed Open Forum at 6:11 p.m.

V. Mayor's Report 

A. Proclamation - School's Open Safety Week - August 19-23, 2024 

Mayor Kownick proclaimed August 19-23, 2024, as School's Open Safety Week. 

B. Employee Recognition - Bill Freeman, Public Works Department, 20-Year Employment Anniversary 

Mayor Kownick recognized Bill Freeman of the Public Works department on his 20- year employment anniversary. 

C. Employee Recognition - Kealan Noonan, Director of Public Works & Engineering, 1-Year Employment Anniversary 

Mayor Kownick recognized Kealan Noonan, Director of Public Works & Engineering, on his 1-year employment anniversary. 

D. Employee Recognition - Travis St. Amand, Public Works Department, 1-Year Employment Anniversary 

Mayor Kownick recognized Travis St. Amand of the Public Works Department on his 1-year employment anniversary. 

E. Employee Recognition - Joshua Costabile, Public Works Department, 1-Year Employment Anniversary 

Mayor Kownick recognized Joshua Costabile of the Public Works Department on his 1-year employment anniversary. 

F. Employee Recognition - Jackson Moretti, Police Department, 1-Year Employment Anniversary 

Mayor Kownick recognized Jackson Moretti of the Police Department on his 1-year employment anniversary. 

VI. Consent Agenda 

Trustee Weinhammer stated Agenda Item C is a proposed zoning map amendment, and noted that a previously proposed zoning map amendment was not granted to the school district regarding the Maplewood property. 

Mayor Kownick asked if Trustee Weinhammer would like Agenda Item C pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion. 

Trustee Weinhammer stated she did not want Agenda Item C removed and will vote to approve the Consent Agenda. Trustee Weinhammer stated she feels the petition for the current Ridgefield Park zoning map amendment and the petition for the Maplewood property zoning map amendment were not treated equally. 

Mayor Kownick stated the map amendment item currently on the Consent Agenda and the previously proposed zoning map amendment regarding the Maplewood property are very different in terms of location and type of use. 

Motion: 

I will entertain a motion to approve Consent Agenda items A-E as shown on the Village's website and as displayed on the video monitor during the Village Board meeting. 

Motion moved by Trustee McAlpine and motion seconded by Trustee Walrath. Motion Passed. 

AYES: Collier, Dudek, McAlpine, Stefani, Walrath, Weinhammer 

NAYS: None. 

ABSTAIN: None. 

A. Consider for Approval the Warrant Dated August 6, 2024 

B. Consider for Approval the July 16, 2024, Village Board Meeting Minutes 

C. Consider for Approval an Ordinance Granting Approval of a Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, and Planned Development for the Ridgefield Park PUD 

D. Consider for Approval an Ordinance Granting a Variance to Reduce the Rear Yard Building Setback from Forty (40) Feet to Zero (0) Feet for the Property Located at 405 Cary Avenue 

E. Consider for Approval a "Class F" Temporary Liquor License Permit to the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove for a Craft Beer Event on September 28, 2024

VII. Administrator's Report 

Administrator Morimoto stated the next Village Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 27th, and noted that because the meeting is taking place on a date other than what is listed on the 2024 meeting schedule, it is considered a Special Village Board meeting. 

VIII. Department Head Reports 

Chief Finlon stated National Night Out will take place on Thursday, August 8th, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and will culminate with a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Chief Finlon stated the event will take place at the Cary Municipal Center and in the Kaper Park area. 

IX. Future Agenda Items and Discussion by Village Board 

None. 

X. Executive Session: 

Litigation: Pending or Imminent, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) 

Real Estate: Purchase or Lease (Buy) 

Mayor Kownick and Trustees Collier, Dudek, McAlpine, Stefani, Walrath and Weinhammer entered into Executive Session at 6:19 p.m. Others present included Administrator Morimoto, Assistant Administrator Sage, Community Development Director Simmons and Village Attorney Uhler. 

Motion:  

Mayor Kownick entertained a motion to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss Litigation: Pending or Imminent, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), and Real Estate: Purchase or Lease (Buy), 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5). 

Motion moved by Trustee McAlpine and motion seconded by Trustee Stefani.  Motion Passed. 

AYES: Collier, Dudek, McAlpine, Stefani, Walrath, Weinhammer  

NAYS: None.  

ABSTAIN: None. 

Motion:  

Mayor Kownick entertained a motion to exit Executive Session at 6:56 p.m. 

Motion moved by Trustee Collier and motion seconded by Trustee McAlpine. Motion Passed. 

AYES: Collier, Dudek, McAlpine, Stefani, Walrath, Weinhammer  

NAYS: None.  

ABSTAIN: None.

XI. Adjourn 

Motion:  

There being no further items to discuss, Mayor Kownick entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. 

Motion moved by Trustee Walrath and motion seconded by Trustee Dudek. Motion Passed. 

AYES: Collier, Dudek, McAlpine, Stefani, Walrath, Weinhammer  

NAYS: None.  

ABSTAIN: None.

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