McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Aug. 19

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order

The City Council of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 7:00 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

Chris Moore spoke as a resident for fifteen years. He has two kids that have gone through the Landmark School and thanked those who supported keeping it open. He disagreed with the Mayor’s stance that the Landmark School isn’t an issue for the City Council or the Mayor to deal with. He asked the Council to be more vocal and to support those parents that want to keep the school open.

Consent Agenda

A. Waive competitive bidding and authorize the purchase of two maintenance vehicles from Castle Auto Group for a combined price not to exceed $114,148.00

B. Approve the closure of the alley west of Riverside Drive on Sunday, September 8, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

C. Parks & Recreation Facilities & Special Use Permit Requests

D. August 5, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes

E. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $347,443.36

F. As Needed Checks in the amount of $734,397.30

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve the consent agenda items as presented.

Alderman Koch and Alderman Glab both stated that they normally want purchases to go out for bid, but they are satisfied that the vehicle purchase is being done locally and at a reasonable price. Alderwoman Bassi requested a correction of the minutes reporting the Mayor’s apology, and wished to include that Alderwoman Bassi was in fact against eminent domain. Alderman McClatchey and Alderman Santi both amended their motions to include a change to those minutes.

A roll call vote was taken. Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried.

Individual Action Items

Don’s Subs Liquor and Gaming

Alderman Glab noted that no changes were anticipated for the business which previously had liquor and gaming, and he had no issues with reissuing the licenses. A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve a Class B liquor license and video gaming license to Don’s Subs, located at 323 Front Street, and to pass an Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Liquor, Section 6, License Classification and Fees; Approval Authority; Limitation on Number of Licenses; and Title 4, Chapter 6, Video Gaming Terminals, Editing Section 4-6-8, Subsection A – Number of Licenses, of the McHenry City Code. A roll call vote was taken.

Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried.

Car Meet-up Ordinance

Alderman Glab questioned if the fines were per instance or per vehicle. Chief Birk explained that the parking violations are associated for each individual vehicle. If there is a fine being given for the failure to get a permit, then the fines would be $50 per individual present. Alderwoman Bassi asked if the wording for the certification of the ordinance could have the term “Alderman” changed to “Alderpeople”, and Clerk Johnson agreed to make the change. Alderman Koch asked how many cars would be considered a meet-up. Chief Birk stated that 3 or more would be considered a gathering.

Alderwoman Miller asked if on the backend we can monitor those frequently in violation, and Chief Birk stated that we can currently look at the calls for service. Moving forward we will have a record of violations by each offender. She also asked if, through conversations with other communities, we are seeing the same people here that meet up in other communities. Chief Birk explained that a majority of these people aren’t from McHenry and aren’t utilizing our businesses or other services that we offer. Many cause issues with conflicts for other planned events, criminal activity, hit and run accidents, and unlawful use of weapons. These have been affecting the safety of our community. Alderwoman Miller asked if the ordinance has enough teeth to make a difference, and Chief Birk stated that this is a good ordinance and a good start.

Alderwoman Bassi asked how often these meet ups were occurring. Chief Birk stated that these happen multiple times a week, and mostly after 4:00 p.m. There are usually between 10 and 40 cars. He explained that they try to work with the people that they don’t have problems with, but they need to stop the problems that come with the gatherings. Alderman Koch asked if the ordinance could be enforced at the parks. Chief Birk explained that they would need a permit to legally meet up in our City parks. Alderwoman Miller asked if we currently impound cars. Chief Birk explained that for certain violations the City does impound cars, and the fee is $500. This ordinance proposes a $1,000 impound fee for offenses like drag racing and reckless driving.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Koch to pass a car meet up ordinance as presented amending the following:

1. Title 6, Public Safety, Chapter 5,

2. Title 6, Public Safety, Chapter 8,

3. Title 7, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 4

4. Title 7, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 10

Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried.

R.I.S.E. Up Foundation Concert 2025

Alderman Koch asked if the City Employees were the ones performing the cleanup of the park. Director Hobson explained that the Rise Up Foundation has an extensive cleanup crew that does most of the cleanup after each concert, but Parks Department employees are present helping manage the trash cans and cleaning restrooms during the concerts. Mayor Jett explained that approximately 30 people work from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings to clean up the park. A separate service cleans the porta potties.

Alderman McClatchey thanked the Mayor for putting on the event to raise money for the City. He asked if the closing time has always been 11:00 p.m. He also asked if there are noise complaints from running later at night. Chief Birk explained that these times were modeled after the Fiesta Days hours, and alcohol ticket sales end at 10:30, and alcohol is done being served by 10:45 p.m. The only noise complaints came from when fireworks were being set off, but fireworks are not part of these shows this year. Alderwoman Bassi also asked if detailed logs are kept tracking complaints. Chief Birk stated that he does not recall any complaints being received for the previous concerts.

Alderman Glab questioned holding a concert with no restrictions for sound. He stated that he can hear the noise from his residence. He asked if that met the sound ordinance when noise should stop at 10:00 p.m. Director Polerecky stated that the noise ordinance restriction would begin at 11:00 p.m. Alderman Glab asked how much money in fees were being waived. Director Hobson explained that for the similar three-day Fiesta Days festival, the City incurs approximately $20,000 in expenses, and the Chamber of Commerce pays 50% of those fees. It was also noted that a majority of those costs were for paying the Police Department for their services. 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve the 2025 RISE Up Foundation Concert as presented. Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried.

Discussion Items

Pavement Management Analysis

Director Wirch brought this discussion item back again after receiving a request from certain Council members. Information regarding the program is contained in the packet, and the revised price is now $28,000 less than the previous proposal. Alderwoman Miller stated that she feels it is essential to have a strategic plan in place and believes in having this third party do an independent analysis. She strongly supports this program and believes this gives the City the accountability and objectivity to give us direction on our future road repair.

Alderman Santi asked for clarification regarding the possibility of reducing the asphalt removal to 1.5 inches if possible. Director Wirch explained that once the decision has been made for which roads will be done the next year, we do core samples to figure out if we need a full replacement or if we can simply remove the top wear and save money. Alderman Santi also asked if the work that is done by staff membersfor ADA ramps can slow down the work needed for the road repair. Director Wirch explained that the work for the ADA ramps that we perform is done in the fall before the road program, so we are always done and out of the way for the next year’s paving program.

Alderman Glab asked what services we were losing to get the price reduction from the pavement analysis company. Director Wirch explained that we still get our full rating of each street, but we no longer see what their opinion is of how to implement the program. Alderman Glab stated that the Council should discuss the road program at a separate Committee of the Whole meeting. He also stated that more money should be found to fix more roads.

Alderwoman Bassi asked where the money for this pavement analysis program is coming from, and Director Wirch explained that he already had it budgeted out of the Public Works funds. Aldermen McClatchey, Davis, and Santi all agreed that this program is important and that looking at all of the road conditions now are beneficial as compared to the last study done.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan Presentation and Discussion

Director Hobson explained that the Parks Master Plan process began in May of 2023 with the inventory process. We have now completed a staff and community outreach, and Council now gets to see the results of the outreach and give their input for what they feel is needed or wanted.

Bridget Deatrick of Hitchcock Design Group lead the discussion. She explained the five phases of the master plan: Analyze, Connect, Envision, Prioritize, and Implement. A map of the City’s current parks was shown, along with demographic information for the City of McHenry. She explained the different categories of the parks and how the City of McHenry compares to the NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association) benchmarks and other local park districts or park departments similar in size to McHenry.

Ms. Deatrick gave a detailed explanation of the Connect phase, and gave a report of the survey taken by 753 participants. Demographics of the survey respondents were given, along with what they were satisfied with and what they would like to see come to McHenry.

Alderman Glab pointed out that some people want amenities, but they may not want to pay for them. He also questions the need or want of walking or biking paths and the expenses needed for those. Alderwoman Miller was impressed with the number of respondents we had, and asked if there were any surprises from the responses. Ms. Deatrick said that the responses were typical, although with McHenry near the Fox River, we have a unique situation that gives us more opportunities than many other communities.

Alderwoman Bassi stressed her wish for bike trails and walking paths and our need to keep citizens safe. She also asked for the raw data that may have the results of the “other” responses in the survey. Alderman Davis explained that although we may not need more bike paths, we do need them connected. It is currently difficult to get from one path to another in a large number of neighborhoods. Mayor Jett asked if there was a difference in our comparisons for Park Districts versus Park Departments. Ms. Deatrick confirmed that about half of the comparisons were for districts and half for departments.

Alderman Glab stated the need for us to develop parks and amenities for our residents and not for the entire area. He warned that some of the amenities that are being asked for could be trends and not something that will last. He also mentioned the high school baseball fields and swimming pools and wants the City to work with the schools to make sure we don’t duplicate something that is already there. Alderwoman Bassi wished for outdoor activities in the winter like cross country skiing.

Alderman Koch asked if there was a way to use McCullom Lake for ice skating or ice hockey. Director Hobson explained that it has been done in the past, but weather plays an important part in that happening. It is also very time consuming for staff to get it set up. He explained that Freund Field used to be flooded with a liner, but the new refrigerated rink at Miller Point Park has benefited us.

Ms. Deatrick began the workshop portion of the meeting. Each City Council member was instructed to use note cards and write down what they believe the Park Departmentshould focus on for the next 5-10 years. Once done, each Council member wrote down their top two choices, and those were collected and put into a group on the wall. Once grouped together, each Council member used stickers to note their top two choices for what needs to be done. Aquatics (both indoor and outdoor) had the highest vote total, followed by bike and pedestrian paths. Other topics of interest included indoor facilities, disc golf, bike park, and a barn upgrade. Ms. Deatrick explained that they will compile all of the results and work on the next phase of the master plan.

Staff Reports

Director Hobson reported that the Bands, Brews and BBQ festival finished up over the weekend with no major issues. Attendance wasn’t great but the weather could have been a factor. This Saturday will be the next free concert at Miller Point Park from 4:00-9:00 p.m. The power pole behind Bimbos has been removed and power was transferred with no issues.

Director Polerecky thanked those who provided comments for the comprehensive plan. He is meeting with the consultants on Thursday, so any additional comments need to be submitted to him by Wednesday afternoon. The next step in the comprehensive plan process is to take theproposed plan to Planning & Zoning for a hearing in September, followed by a possible discussion and adoption by Council in October.

Council Comments

Alderman Koch asked when the Main Street parking lot would begin repair. Director Wirch stated that it will start this week. Alderman Koch asked what happens to the vehicles that are being replaced. It was explained that used vehicles being disposed of usually are auctioned off.

Alderman McClatchey reported that the Pearl Street Market was rained out this past week so it will be rescheduled for September 26th.

Alderman Glab commented that he is saddened to hear that the City has nothing to say about the Landmark School. He believes we are supposed to be leaders of the community. He is also happy to have a joint meeting with the school board to discuss their issues and our property tax problem. He mentioned that the Landmark School was given a landmark status, and asked if that protected the building from future plans. Deputy Clerk Johnson explained that the ordinancethat protects certain City landmarks was not passed until well after the school was plaqued.

There have only been three buildings with landmark status that were approved since that ordinance was passed. Clerk Johnson was not willing to give a legal opinion on the buildings that gained their status prior to the passage of the ordinance. He did point out, however, that the Landmark school was never approved for the landmark status at a Landmark Commission meeting or at a City Council meeting. The minutes from when it was given a plaque simply state that somebody took a plaque to present to the school for a celebration. Alderman McClatchey asked if it was too late to get the Landmark School the appropriate status, and Deputy Clerk Johnson explained that it should be possible to go through the proper steps now.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi to adjourn the meeting at 9:39 p.m. Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried.

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