McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Nov. 18 

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, Director of Public Works Wirchabsent, Deputy Clerk Johnson, and City Clerk Ramel.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett led the pledge.

Public Comment:

Jessica Bedwell, a resident, explained why it would be important for The City to give Landmark historical status she Tracy West, a resident, talked about the date of November 12th, and her daughter who was involved in a car accident on Dartmoor and Curran, where she was T-boned. This was followed up by another accident the next day in the same spot. She also stated that the Boone Creek sign and how it has been hit several times, along with the dangers of crossing there, especially with the obstruction of corn fields, would like something to be done about it. Mayor Jett thanked them for their input.

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

B. Resolution Designating November 30, 2024, as Small Business Saturday in the City of McHenry (Director Martin)

C. November 4, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes

D. Issuance of $170,765.44 Checks

E. As Needed $787,826,30 Checks

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.

*Clerks note: this item was pulled by Alderman Koch.

A. Resolution establishing the date and time of Monday, December 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. for conducting a Public Hearing for establishing the 2024 City of McHenry Property Tax Levy in the amount of $3,112,374 and, upon closing the Public Hearing, the consideration of the 2024 Property Tax Levy Ordinance in the amount of $3,112,374. (Director Lynch)

Alderman Koch pulled this item because he wanted to know if the 1.2% was included in the levy, and Directory Lynch confirmed it. He also questioned if this could be earmarked, it could be done per Director Lynch if wanted during the budget meeting.

Alderman Santi wanted to know the approximate total amount coming to the city, which is $38K, per Director Lynch.

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Koch 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.

Individual Action Item Agenda

A. Use Variance at 1860 N Richmond Road

A motion to pass an ordinance granting a Use Variance to allow an expansion of the Self-Storage Facility/Mini-Warehouse at 1860 N Richmond Road (Planner Sheriff) 

Alderman Santi with the pass of this variance wanted to understand where the actual space between that building and the south and wanted to know if there is some type of security. There is no difference than you have a lock and you are responsible for that, per Director Polerecky including security cameras.

Alderman McClatchey was up for this at first, but being outdoors not going to look good and is not for them being outside, not what the city would want.

Alderman Koch wanted to know if there is a second floor to this, no single story per the petitioners.

Per Directory Polerecky, stated that U-Haul has a similar setup right now as well, they are in the process of building but wanted to clarify that. 

Alderman Glab was not happy with the pods that occurred there, they were part of the original plans but he is not in favor of these. Looking through the plan he did not see anything to approve the drainage, however not at this step yet, per Director Polerecky. Alderman Glab also stated that he is not voting for something he does not have enough information to vote on, meaning the engineering on it.

The petitioner, Steve Schwartz, stood at the podium stating that the design has to be engineered and approved along with the grading, has to be compliant, and would be addressed.

Alderwoman Miller supports the variance, where the drive-up units are going would be a good place and could be aesthetically pleasing where placed.

Alderman Santi stated that The City staff members will do their jobs and appreciate the staff members who review the documents and work with engineers, who need to rely on these people.

Alderman Davis stated that he is not in favor of the units.

No public comment.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve Individual Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 2-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderwoman Miller. 5-nays, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis,

Alderman Koch. 0-abstained. Motion Denied.

*Clerks Note: Alderman Davis made a motion to reconsider the variance change without the portable units/pods. (This would reverse the motion that was already made).

A motion was made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve Individual Agenda with the removal of the freestanding pods/units: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 2- nays, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey. 0-abstained. Motion approved

B. Revolving Loan – Little Bow Peeps Shop

A motion to approve the loan documents, promissory note, and loan guaranty for My Little Bow Peeps Shop, LLC, for a revolving loan for $56,362.82 for paying off equipment expenses including a Direct to Garment Printer, Direct to Film Production Press and four heat presses, subject to the applicant providing a sufficient UCC-1 Financing Statement in favor of the City of McHenry (Director Martin)

Alderwoman Bassi asked Director Lynch if this is not taxpayers' money where would it come from. Director Martin stated in the 80s they had received the grant and that is what it is being used for. The APR is 0-4% per Director Lynch. Craig the petitioner was at the podium and stated that he is the co-owner/manager as clarified by Alderwoman Bassi and likes that they will be in the western part of town. 

Alderman Koch wanted to know the percentage on this loan about 8%, a little over $300,000 is in this grant.

Alderman Glab commented that the grant money was given to do exactly what is being done with it, and wanted to commend the shop for coming to the west side of town could be a stepping stone to the development of that side of town.

No public comment.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Koch 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. Landmark School Historical Designation

A motion to pass an Ordinance Designating the Landmark School building at 3614 Waukegan Road as a Historical Landmark (Planner Sheriff)

Public Comment: Jeff Varda, resident, spoke regarding the Landmark School history and shared some photos as well, the preservation of history was also touched upon. The commission was started 40 years ago. Would like us to revisit how the history is preservedhere in McHenry and how it could move forward with it.

Chris Moore, a resident expressed how important that this building doesn’t go anywhere 130 years old, and makes sure that nothing happens to it.

Alderman McClatchey wanted to thank the former and current commissioners of the Landmark Commission for all their hard work.

Alderman Davis agrees that it is a landmark, but what will happen in the future with it and question the upkeep of the building?

Alderwoman Bassi is in complete support of this.

Mayor Jett extended a thank you to the Landmark Commissioners and the residents that worked hard for the historical designation.

This conversation went on for some time.

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey 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.

D. Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Plan

A motion to pass an ordinance adopting a new Comprehensive Plan (Titled” “City of McHenry Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan”) and Downtown Plan (Titled: “City of McHenry Vision 2050 Downtown Plan”) (Planner Sheriff)

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: None

Staff Reports: Administrator Ostrovsky announced two dates for the Committee of the Whole:

December 2nd to discuss the Parks Master Plan and then December 16th for the Downtown Development both at 5:30. The date for the 16th is going to be reconsidered because Alderman Glab is not able to attend, and it was a meeting that he did request.

Alderman McClatchey thanked the parks department for the Christmas lights.

Mayor’s Report: Thank the Parks Department for getting the ice rink up and going.

City Council Comments:

Alderman Koch wanted to know if there is something that can be done about the high school traffic at the upper campus. Chief Birk stated that an officer is helping to direct traffic the best they can with the traffic including the traffic lights.

Executive Session:

Executive Session to discuss the performance of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1))

A motion was made by Alderman Santi seconded by Alderwoman Miller to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:55 pm to discuss the performance of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1))

Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting from the Executive Session at 9:36 p.m. A motion was made by Alderman Glab and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi to return to an open session. 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. 

Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 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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