McHenry Times

City of McHenry City Council met Feb. 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-absent, Acting Director of Public Works Adams, Deputy Clerk Johnson, and City Clerk Ramel.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett led the pledge

Public Comment Jeff Barta, resident president of the Landmark Commission, gave The Council each a packet regarding articles on the plain deal regarding the Landmark building. He is here because d15 has put the building up for sale. They are hoping it can be for sale for public use, and that is why he is here today. Referencing the packet to support this conversation. He would like to include history when decisions are being made.

Molly Ostap- Chamber of Commerce, here to support the TIF district. Talked about making places look attractive and talked about the areas that are thriving and some of the misconceptions that some people may not fully understand how this can help with long-term success.

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

A. Authorize the execution of the following Farm Lease Agreements:

a. Lease Agreement with David Laufer (former Levy Property)

b. Lease Agreement with Bauer Family (Petersen Farm)

c. Lease Agreement with Charles Schaefer (Riverside Hollow Property)

d. Lease Agreement with Charles Schaefer (Petersen Ballfield Annex Property)

e. Lease Agreement with Charles Schaefer (Curran Road Property)

C. Authorization allowing the Mayor to execute a five-year agreement with a monthly lease not to exceed $2,164.74, with the Gordon Flesch Company for the lease of printers and copiers, including annual toner maintenance, effective March 2025

D. February 3, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes 

E. Issuance of $850,971.66 Checks

F. As Needed $952,674.94 Checks

A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Santi 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: Alderwoman Bassi pulled this consent Agenda Item.

B. Fiesta Days Event (McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce) – As presented, a) accept the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Fiesta Days event schedule; b) grant use of Parks, Police, and Public Works for various services related to the event at 50% of the actual cost; c) approve the special event liquor license; d) approve placement of temporary advertising signs as presented; and e) approve the fireworks display on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in conjunction with the event (Director Bill Hobson)

Alderwoman Bassi pulled this item due to concerns from the residents that there is too much drinking at some of the city events, she is ok with two or three but not all five. 11 a.m until 10:15 pm on the free family day, is concering. She also noted that she is not comfortable with the hard alcohol being sold on Friday and Saturday and should not have it in tents as VIP either. The noise is also a concern regarding the concerts, wanted to know if there can be any changes to this item.

Molly Ostep President of the Chamber addressed some concerns at the podium; she very rarely receives any complaints from their festival, it has been going on for 77 years and is not a City event. The VIP is part of the fundraising event to help with the support. The adding the hard alcohol stated there were not any additional issues after speaking with Chief Birk.

Alderwoman Miller stated that this is a well-run festival and stated that The Chamber is thinking out of the box and providing something different for the community. Stated that there has been encouragement for groups to join several of the events, and there is much encouragement for connections.

Alderman Glab stated that Fiesta Days used to be the resident's event of McHenry, run by volunteers, he takes offense to the VIP tent as well. The focus was always supposed to be on the community and not as much on fundraising. Molly from The Chamber clarified that this is to support the business and give them visibility and opportunities to sponsor and interact with the community. There are plenty of events that do not make a profit, but they have to make money somewhere, many sponsors help with the big costs.

Director Hobson stated that they partner with The Chamber to help with the free events but raise awareness of areas that many do not know about, such as the beach. There is a strong  partnership with The City and The Chamber to make things a family event.

A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote:6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Davis, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 1-naysAlderwoman Bassi, 0-abstained. Motion carried.

Individual Action Item Agenda

A. Buddyz Pizza Liquor License

A motion to approve a Class A liquor license to Wade’s Wave, Inc., located at 1138 N Green Street (Deputy Clerk Monte Johnson)

Alderman Santi is looking forward to meeting with the owners.

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

B. B & R Petroleum Liquor License

A motion to approve a Class C liquor license to B & R Petroleum LLC, located at 4713 W Elm Street (Deputy Clerk Monte 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 Davis, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0- abstained. Motion approved.

C. Kane Avenue Water Main Replacement

A motion to accept the bid from Ganziano Sewer and Water for $377,520 and a 10% contingency of $37,752 for the Kane Avenue Watermain Replacement (Acting Director Russ Adams)

Alderman McClatchey was curious about the pricing, per Russ, the new casing below the rail line makes it more expensive, it helps with the elevation of the track to not disturb that as well. Alderman Glab wanted to know how old the one that collapsed was; it was confirmed about 50 years approx. Were there any concerns about going over budget, per Russ, there is funding available in the water and sewer fund for projects like this.

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

D. Barnesville Road Resurfacing

A motion to authorize the Mayor to sign and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Barreville Road Surface Transportation Program Project (Acting Director Russ Adams)

Public comment: Chris Moore- wanted to know where this is going, south of Charles Miller intersection right about to Prairie Grove Village Hall. His concern was about the Route 31 project and how people cut through, which will cause more resurfacing issues because of the volume of traffic.

Alderman Glab stated a good point that was brought up when thinking about alternative routes that can be possibly used regarding safety, etc. Talked about how the compression of the traffic on the road could help preserve the roads further.

Alderman Koch wanted to make sure there were no semis on that road; it was verified that the weight limits needed to be followed.

Alderwoman Miller stated that this is a good opportunity to prepare people for the upcoming construction.

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

Discussion Item Agenda

A. TIF Districts

Administrator Ostrovsky presented the TIF District Financial discussion.

Why So Many Vacancies

• Obsolete big-box stores

• Non-conforming lots

• Legacy industrial uses

• Disinvested Property owners

• Economic Environment

Why a strong commercial base supports the entire community

• Offsets residential property taxes

• Offers employment opp.

• Creates spaces for small businesses

• Allows residents to spend tax dollars on their own

• Helps create a place where businesses want to locate and residents want to live.

Tax increments Financing

• -Defined areas for growth and reinvestment 

• fills the financial gap for developers, making development possible.

There was a visual added defining the TIF, how it works, and the facts of it.

There are TIF requirements, and the allowable uses for the funding were also explained.

Downtown TIF

• Created in 2002 for 23 years

• Recently extended to 2037

• $900,000 a year for TIF-eligible projects

Downtown Tif Projects were broken down from 2019-2025, per request by Alderwoman Bassi. For example, Phases I-IV of the Riverwalk were included with this.

There is nothing final regarding the TIF; this is the first conversation. A visual of the maps was brought in front of The Council of what the TIF could be like. It takes time to create a TIF.

3 general areas: Richmond Road, West IL Rte 120, and Main Street.

There are no plans at this time; this is just a discussion, as emphasized by Administrator Ostrovsky.

The TIF Creation Process was covered next.

This presentation went on for some time.

Alderman Glab wanted to know why there is not a discussion on how this will affect the taxpayer. He asked Finance Director Lynch what the taxes would be on an average of a $300,000 home, for example. It will be a hard sell without a total concept in mind.

This conversation went on for some time, ending with a decision to do a Committee of a Whole meeting with a professional overview from an outside consultant to help explain the TIF.

Staff Reports

Provided the 1st meeting of each month.

Administrator Ostrovsky passed out the Riverside Streetscape Master Plan to The City Council and touched upon it during the meeting. We were awarded $771,263 for grand funding and must accept or reject by 2/28/25, the total applied for was $2M. Needing to know The Council’s thoughts on moving forward with the grant.

Landmark Commission meeting tomorrow at 7 pm. 

Mayor’s Report: McHenry Music Festival will be announcing on Monday the headliners.

City Council Comments: Alderman Santi to thank Director Adams for snow removal Alderman Koch wanted to give Director Adams some comments on how well they did with the snow removal.

Executive Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1))

A motion was made by Alderman Santi, seconded by Alderman Davis, to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:55 pm to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1))

Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting from the Executive Session at 10:25 p.m. A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Davis 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 Koch and seconded by Alderman Santi to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 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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