HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03/04/2019 - City CouncilCity Council
Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2019
Page 1
City Council Meeting
March 4, 2019
Call to Order
Deputy Clerk Meadows called the regular meeting scheduled for March 4, 2019 of the McHenry
City Council to order at 7:00 pm in the McHenry City Council Chambers, 333 S. Green Street,
McHenry, IL.
Roll Call
Deputy Clerk Meadows called the roll. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Devine, Alderman
Mihevc, Alderman Curry, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, and Alderman Santi. Others
present: Attorney Farrell, Director of Public Works Schmitt, Director of Community Development
Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of
Economic Development Martin and Chief of Police Birk,
Mayor Pro Tem
The Council Members acknowledged Mayor Jetts' absence, a Motion was made by Alderman
Curry and seconded by Alderman Santi to appoint Alderman Glab to preside over the City
Council Meeting and to serve as Mayor Pro Tem Roll call: Vote: 6-ayes by unanimous voice vote.
0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Pro Tem Glab proceeded to lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
Mayor Pro Tem Glab asked if anyone in attendance wished to address the Council Members at
this time. Those in attendance offered no comments.
Consent Agenda:
Motion to Approve the Following Consent Agenda Items:
A. Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2017/2018;
B. Ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 13 Traffic and Motor Vehicles of the
City of McHenry Municipal Code;
C. Ordinance designating the McHenry Savings Bank issued note of $305,500 as a bank
qualified tax exempt obligation pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code and authorize
the City Attorney to complete IRS form 8038-G (Tax -Exempt Governmental Bonds);
D. Ordinance authorizing the Mayor and Deputy Clerk to sign and execute a four (4) year
collective bargaining agreement between the City of McHenry and Fraternal Order of
Police (Unit 1) for a term starting May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2023;
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Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2019
Page 2
E. Authorization to execute a farm lease agreement with Mr. James Finch for
approximately 24.5 acres of land at a rate of $123 per acre ($3,014 total) for the
former Levy Property; and, a farm lease agreement with Mr. Kevin Bauer for
approximately 64 acres of land (Petersen Farm) at a rate of $182 per acre ($11,648
total) for the period March 4, 2019 through February 29, 2020;
F. Parks & Recreation Facilities Alcohol and Special Use Permit Requests;
G. February 18, 2019 Council meeting minutes;
H. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $215,629.34,
Mayor Pro Tem
Glab asked if any of the Council
Members wished
to remove
any item from the
consent agenda
for separate consideration. The
Council Members
offered no
comments.
There being no further discussion on the motion, a Motion was made bvAlderman Schaefer and
seconded by Alderman Devine to approve the consent agenda items A-H as presented. Roll call:
Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Devine, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Curry,
Alderman Santi and Alderman Glab. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Individual Action Item Agenda:
Ordinance approving the Final Plat for a Long -Term Skilled -Nursing Care Facility located at the
northeast corner of Ridgeview Drive and Bull Valley Road,
Mayor Pro Tern Glab ask if the applicant wished to comment on the proposed Final Plat approval
request. Mr. Andrew Heinen the Civil Engineer of the project approached the podium. He stated
that he was present to represent Mr. Troy Bertsch, the developer and owner of the subject
property. He continued on to report that the preliminary plat had already been through the
planning and zoning process and was approved. In addition, the final plat is in substantial
conformance with all City ordinances relating to a final plat of subdivision and was unanimously
approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission,
Director Martin commented on Developers of the McHenry Senior Partners request for a
variance from Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance Section 6.13 to allow for above-
ground structures along Bull Valley Road which was also unanimously approved by the Plan
Commission. In addition, the developer is required to make a monetary contribution in lieu of
constructing a partial bike path along Bull Valley Road due to the fact that there is already a bike
path in the general vicinity and there are future plans to expand Bull Valley Road.
Alderman Santi questioned if Staff knew the amount of the monetary donation requirement.
Director Martin responded no, due to the fact that Staff has not yet received the engineer's
opinion of probable construction cost.
Alderman Schaefer asked if the building plans would be brought before the Council Members for
review. Director Martin replied no, the building plans would be reviewed by Staff during the
permitting process. However, the building plans would be brought before the City Council if there
were any deviations from the City's ordinances.
City Council
Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2019
Page 3
Alderman Mihevc questioned the Final Plat with respect to the language noting that the
stormwater easements and other underlying easements will be vacated. He recommended that
the easements be vacated priorto the recording of the final plat. In addition, he questioned who
the named responsible party was for the stormwater oversight. Alderman Mihevc recommended
that both the vacation of the easements and the named responsible party for stormwater
management be included as part of the conditions. The Council Members concurred with
Alderman Mihevc's recommendations.
Mayor Pro Tem Glab asked those in attendance if they had any comments on the matter under
consideration. Those in attendance offered no comments.
There being no further discussion on the motion, a Motion was made by Alderman Santi and
seconded by Alderman Mihevc to approve an Ordinance approving the Final Plat for a Long -
Term Skilled -Nursing Care Facility located at the northeast corner of Ridgeview Drive and Bull
Valley Road with conditions which were expanded to include the vacation of easements and
the named responsible party with respect to stormwater management prior to the recording
of the final plat. Roll call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine,
Alderman Curry, Alderman Schaefer and Alderman Glab. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Discussion Only Items:
Discussion regarding amending Article III (Raffles), Section 12=64 Prizes.
Chief Birk commented on the fact that the success and notoriety of the McHenry Queen of Hearts
raffle was the driving force behind concerns with pedestrian foot traffic, increased motor vehicle
traffic and parking issues. He stated that is the reason Staff is asking Council to reexamine the
maximum cash prize limit to any one single winner with respect to raffles in general.
Mayor
Pro Tem Glab asked
VFW's Commander
Ben Keefe if he would like to comment on this
matter.
Commander Keefe
eagerly approached
the podium. He provided the Council Members
with an
update on the VFW
operational changes
and improvements.
Mr. Keefe reported that the VFW is in the process of expanding their parking lot and adding over
250 parking spaces. Upon completion of the expansion there will be over 400 parking spaces
designated to accommodate Queen of Heart Players. In addition, the parking lot expansion will
eliminate the need for over flow parking which was located on the south side of Route 120.
However, he noted that the completion of the parking lot expansion was weather dependent.
Mr. Keefe continued on to report that the VFW will be changing their ticket prices from 6 tickets
for $5 dollar to 1 ticket for $5. This change will reduce the amount of time players remain on the
property to complete their ticket information. In addition, Mr. Keefe reported that the VFW has
ordered a trailer that will be used for the sole purpose of selling tickets and allow them to manage
the flow of the ticket sales lines.
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Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2019
Page 4
Mr. Keefe concluded his improvement updates by commenting on the change in ticket sale hours
which will be held weekly only on Tuesday and Thursdays 11am-8pm and Saturday and Sundays
from 9am-5pm. The VFW is also installing sidewalks in front of the building to assist in managing
the foot traffic.
Alderman Santi commented on the impact the previously Queen of Hearts Raffle had on the
Police Department. He asked Mr. Keefe if the VFW would consider suspending ticket sales while
the City was hosting seasonal special events. Mr. Keefe responded yes.
Mayor Pro Tem Glab asked Mr. Keefe if the changes in the ticket sale schedule would allow the
VFW to once again offer there Friday Fish Fry and other events that patrons have come to enjoy.
Mr. Keefe responded yes.
Alderman Curry suggested that the Council Members consider reducing the maximum cash prize
awarded in any one raffle to $3,000,000.00 until the end of June and then reducing the cash prize
to $1,000,000.00 thereafter. The Council Members concurred with Alderman Curry's
recommendation and Mr. Keefe was also in favor of the reduction in the limits.
The Council Members, Mr. Keefe and Chief Birk all noted that in the past all the parties involved
in the Queen of Hearts had been able to work together to reach a common goal that benefits the
community at large.
Staff will
draft an Ordinance reducing
the raffle prize
limits and the Ordinance
will be placed on
the next
Council meeting agenda, Mr.
Keefe thanked
the Council Members for
their time.
Executive Session:
There were no matters to discuss in executive session.
Staff Reports.
Director Hobson provided the Council Members with updates on the upcoming special events.
He reported that the McHenry Chamber Expo will held this Saturday from 9am-2pm at the West
Campus High School. The Police Department along with the Parks and Recreation Department
will have an exhibition booth showcasing park programing offerings and community service
outreach programs.
Director
Hobson
discussed the ShamRocks the
Fox event which will be held on
March 16th and
17th. He
reported
that he will be sending out an
email highlighting the schedule
of events.
Administrator Morefield reported that he had distributed the draft FY19/20 Budget which
included the General Operating Fund, Recreation Fund, Water/Sewer Fund and the Utility Fund.
He noted that the budget will be discussed during the next Finance and Personnel Committee
meeting scheduled for Monday, March 11th at 5:30 pm.
City council
Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2019
Page 5
Mayor and City Council Comments.
Alderman Schaefer thanked Director Schmitt for responding quickly to his concerns with regards
to large potholes on State Route 31. He noted that this roadway is not located within the City's
jurisdiction. However, Director Schmidt contacted the property authorities and the matter was
addressed in a timely manner.
Adjournment.
There being no further public business to discuss, a Motion was made by Alderman Sant! and
seconded by Alderman Devine to adjourn from the public meeting at 8:16 p.m. Roll call: Vote:
6-ayes: Alderman Curry, Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Mihevc
and Alderman Devine.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Meadows
Ma or �ep, ty Clerl