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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 01/05/2009 - City Council REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 5, 2009 A Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Low at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, January 5, 2009 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, and Condon. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were: Deputy City Administrator Martin, City Clerk Jones, City Attorney McArdle, Assistant City Administrator Hobson, Director of Finance Black, Director of Public Works Schmitt, Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt, City Engineer Wegener. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION: 10 MINUTE LIMITATION There was no one who signed in to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session. CONSENT AGENDA At the request of Alderman Glab, Consent Agenda Item A, Resolution authorizing an increase in water and sewer usage fees, was removed from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Murgatroyd, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended: B. Payment to Maneval Construction Company for construction of Ace Hardware/Post Office Cross-Access in the amount of $51,520.81; and future payment upon satisfactory completion of project landscaping in the amount of $5,724.52; C. Payment to L.C. United Company for painting Water Tower No. 2 in the amount of $195,950; future payment of $3,000 upon satisfactory completion of project landscaping in the amount of $3,000; and change order no. 1 adding $17,950 to original contract amount; D. Easement agreements for Lots 159 and 162 in Oaks at Irish Prairie Subdivision. Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA ITEM A: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN WATER AND SEWER USAGE FEES Alderman Glab expressed concerns regarding raising water and sewer usage rates, particularly in light of current trying economic times. Alderman Condon inquired if the proposed increase was the typical annual increase. Director of Finance Black responded the fee increase was discussed by the Finance and Personnel Committee. All possible cost-saving measures have been taken. The only alternative at this time to ensure moving toward a self-sustaining Water and Sewer Fund is to increase rates until the system pays for itself. Alderman Condon noted even with the increase McHenry would still have one of the lowest water and sewer usage rates in the surrounding municipalities. Director Black responded that is correct. Alderman Glab opined a 7% increase is excessive. He stated there must be January 5,2009 Page 2 something that could be done to slow down the rate of increase of water and sewer usage fees. The proposed increase would create a hardship on many homeowners. Alderman Schaefer inquired about consumption averages and cost per user. Director Black responded the average consumption is approximately 13,000 gallons per two-month billing cycle. The increase on such consumption for an average user would be about $2.34 per month, $4.68 per billing cycle. Alderman Murgatroyd concurred with Alderman Glab's concerns. However, he stressed the Water Sewer Fund is meant to stand alone. The Finance and Personnel Committee has looked at the Fund carefully, particularly during the 2008-2009 budget process. The rates have to go up at some point. The Committee judged it was best to raise the rates gradually, spread it out over time, rather than a one-time significant increase. The proposed 7% increase is a part of the gradual process to increase the rates to ensure that the Fund can support itself. Motion by Condon, seconded by Murgatroyd, to pass a resolution authorizing a 7% increase in water and sewer usage fees, effective February 15, 2009. Voting Aye: Santi, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: Glab. Absent: None. Motion carried. SIGN VARIANCE — KATHRYN'S BRIDAL AND DRESS SHOP, 3807 WEST ELM STREET Mayor Low announced Agenda Item No. 6, Sign Variance for Kathryn's Bridal and Dress Shop, located at 3807 West Elm Street, has been removed from consideration at this evening's meeting at the applicant's request. AMENDMENT TO EXISTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT— MCHENRY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 156, 4724 WEST CRYSTAL LAKE ROAD Deputy City Administrator Martin stated McHenry High School District 156 is seeking an amendment to its existing conditional use permit for the property located at 4724 West Crystal Lake Road. The original conditional use permit was granted in 1995 and allowed a second principal building (District Administrative Offices) and accessory structure (maintenance garage) on the premises. Deputy City Administrator Martin noted the District is seeking an amendment to allow a second accessory structure on the site. The District received a monetary grant to allow District students to construct a 120 square foot solar-powered concession stand. The stand has been constructed and is located immediately south of the high school building on the site. Deputy City Administrator Martin stated Staff has reviewed the request and supports the proposed amendment to the existing conditional use permit. If Council concurs, an ordinance granting the request has been prepared for Council consideration. Alderman Glab opined it is a shame the building has already been constructed prior January 5,2009 Page 3 to obtaining the expansion of the conditional use permit. However, he has no concerns regarding the placement of the structure. Alderman Condon stated it was a good project for the high school students. Alderman Condon concurred with Alderman Glab's concerns regarding the structure being built prior to securing an expansion of the District's conditional use permit. Motion by Glab, seconded by Condon, to accept Staffs recommendation, to pass an ordinance granting an amendment to the existing conditional use permit for McHenry High School District 156 allowing a second accessory structure on the District's property located at 4724 West Crystal Lake Road. Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: AMENDMENTS TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE Mayor Low noted several members of the City's Landmark Commission were in attendance. Deputy City Administrator Martin stated the Community Development Committee has recently reviewed the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance and recommended amendments to allow the ordinance to reflect actual City procedures regarding historic preservation. The City's Landmark Commission has also reviewed potential amendments to the ordinance. Deputy City Administrator Martin noted the majority of the modifications are small text edits and deletion of items that typically do not fall under the scope of Landmark Commission duties. Other changes relate to the process of historic district designation and the procedure necessary to obtain a certificate of appropriateness. Deputy City Administrator Martin stated if Council concurs with the suggested amendments, an ordinance has been prepared authorizing the modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 2, Section 2, Article VII, Historic Preservation Ordinance. Alderman Peterson questioned the removal of Paragraph S on page 8 of the proposed ordinance, relating to the periodic monitoring of designated landmarks and preservation districts for demolition by neglect. He inquired if monitoring of these structures would no longer be required. Deputy City Administrator Martin responded this matter has never been actively pursued. It was therefore determined that it should be eliminated from the text. Alderman Condon stated she wished to publicly acknowledge the extensive contributions toward the proposed amendments by Landmark Commissioners. January 5,2009 Page 4 Motion by Santi, seconded by Schaefer, to accept the recommendation of the Community Development Committee to pass an ordinance providing for amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 2, Section 2, Article VII, the Historic Preservation Ordinance as presented. Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: AMENDMENTS TO TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE Deputy City Administrator Martin stated the Community Development Committee considered amendments to the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance as recommended by the City's Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning. Proposed amendments would clarify the need for tree removal permits, the cost of the permit, tree replacement schedule, remuneration fees, and fines to be assessed when the ordinance is violated. Deputy City Administrator Martin stated it is the recommendation of the Community Development Committee to pass an ordinance providing for the proposed amendments. Alderman Santi noted the proposed amendments to the Tree Preservation Ordinance were thoroughly reviewed by the Community Development Committee. He stated he is comfortable with the proposed amendments. r' Alderman Glab concurred with Alderman Santi. Alderman Murgatroyd stated he agrees with the amendments to the ordinance, but wonders if this is a good time to initiate the changes which include higher fees, particularly in light of the current state of the economy. Alderman Peterson stated the proposed amendments might not please developers; however, the cost of tree planting is steadily increasing. He opined the proposed amendments result in a good tree preservation ordinance. Motion by Santi, seconded by Condon, to accept the recommendation of the Community Development Committee to pass an ordinance providing for amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 24, the Tree Preservation Ordinance, as presented. Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: Murgatroyd. Absent: None. Motion carried. MAYOR— STATEMENT AND REPORT Mayor Low wished everyone a Happy New Year and announced the Character Counts! pillar for January is Caring. January 5,2009 Page 5 COMMITTEE REPORTS There were no Committee Reports. STAFF REPORTS There were no Department Head Reports. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no Future Agenda Items discussed. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Schaefer, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The eeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. MAYOR CITY CL RK i