Village of Cary Board of Trustees met Sept. 2

Cary Village Mayor Mark Kownick | Village of Cary Website

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Sep 28, 2025

Village of Cary Board of Trustees met Sept. 2

Here is the agenda 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 David Prusina

Others Present

Village Administrator Morimoto, Assistant Village Administrator Radcliffe, Community Development Director Simmons, Public Works Director Noonan, Capital Projects Manager Ward, 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 in the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. Open Forum

Martha Ritter, 239 N. School Street, thanked the Public Works Department for the great job they did cleaning up after the storm.

Chris Reike, 446 Lloyd Street, thanked everyone who contributed to the storm cleanup.

There being no further items to discuss, Mayor Kownick closed Open Forum at 6:05 p.m.

V. Mayor's Report

A. Employee Recognition - Mackenzie Hartman, Public Works Department, 1-Year Employment Anniversary

Mayor Kownick recognized Mackenzie Hartman of the Public Works Department on her 1-year employment anniversary.

B. Proclamation - Chamber of Commerce Week, September 7-13, 2025

Mayor Kownick proclaimed September 7-13, 2025, as Chamber of Commerce Week.

VI. Consent Agenda

Motion:

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

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

Motion Passed.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

A. Consider for Approval the Warrant Dated September 2, 2025

B. Consider for Approval the August 19, 2025, Village Board Meeting Minutes

C. Consider for Approval the Temporary Closure of First Street, from Saints Peter & Paul Parking Lot, 410 N. First Street, to Cary-Grove High School, 2208 Three Oaks Road, on September 26, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Cary-Grove High School Homecoming Parade

D. Consider for Approval a Resolution Authorizing the Village Administrator to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of Cary and the McHenry County Conservation District for Storm Debris Storage

E. Consider for Approval a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Emergency Purchase Agreement with The Davey Tree Expert Company for Storm Debris Grinding Services Related to the August 16, 2025, Storm

VII. Items for Separate Action

A. Consider for Approval an Ordinance Approving a Waiver of Building Permit Fees for Village Properties Impacted by the Storm Event on August 16, 2025 Director Simmons provided an overview of the proposed ordinance.

Chris Reike, asked if there will be enough inspectors for the required work.

Director Simmons stated the Village contracts out inspections so staffing will be sufficient.

Trustee Stefani asked about the cost related to inspections.

Director Simmons stated inspections cost $40 and the typical permit for this kind of work requires two inspections, so the total cost would be $80.

Trustee Stefani asked if there are ways to offset the cost to the Village.

Mayor Kownick stated FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is evaluating storm damage for possible federal funding; however, the state-wide storm damage total would need to exceed $25 million in order to qualify. Mayor Kownick stated it would be difficult to meet this threshold due to the nature and speed of the weather event.

Mr. Reike stated a ComEd worker told him Cary was the hardest hit area.

Director Simmons stated based on the damage observed by staff, he would estimate the cost to the Village related to waiving permit fees to be around $30,000.

Trustee McAlpine stated proposed ordinance would be a good faith gesture since this type of weather event is rare.

Motion:

I will entertain a motion to approve an ordinance approving a waiver of building permit fees for Village properties impacted by the storm event on August 16, 2025.

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

Motion Passed.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

VIII. Administrator's Report

Assistant Administrator Radcliffe stated there are still volunteer positions open for Cary Main Street Fest and encouraged anyone interested to sign up. Assistant Administrator Radcliffe stated Senator Wilcox and Mayor Kownick will host a Constituent Services Event on September 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Cary Municipal Center. Assistant Administrator Radcliffe stated Village staff will be present to discuss upcoming projects and initiatives.

IX. Department Head Reports

None.

X. Future Agenda Items and Discussion by Village Board

None.

XI. Adjourn

Motion:

There being no further items to discuss, Mayor Kownick entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:17 p.m.

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

Motion Passed.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSTAIN: None.