HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06/11/1997 - City Council (2) REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 11 1997
The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor
Pro Tem, Alderman William Bolger at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, June 11 , 1997 in the
Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were
present: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd. Alderman Baird arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Absent: Mayor Steven Cuda. City Staff in attendance were: City Clerk Althoff, City
Attorney McArdle, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel. Absent: Chief of Police
Joyce, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito.
TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION
No one signed in to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by McClatchey, seconded by Murgatroyd, to approve the Consent
Agenda as follows:
1) June 4, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes;
2) Request from Pioneer Center for Reduction in Vehicle Sticker Fees;
3) Block Party Requests, as follows:
• Ms. Kim Lister, South Broadway, between Bull Valley and Miller Roads on
June 28, 1997 from 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.;
• Mr. Mike Campana, Windhaven Trail and Windhaven Court on July 26,
1997, 3:00 p.m.-?;
• Laurie Maim-Schachtner, east half of Crystal Trail on July 26, 1997 from
4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.;
• Julie Berlin, Calista Street from Crestwood to South Street on Sept. 6,
1997.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: Baird.
Motion carried.
Mayor Pro Tern Alderman Bolger stated that often the second regularly scheduled
meeting of each month is utilized as a working meeting to discuss relevant issued
concerning development, planning, and other city-related matters. This evening's
Agenda is devoted to various parks and recreation items.
MCCULLOM LAKE CLEAN LAKES GRANT REPORT
Bob Kirschner, Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission Environmental Planner,
was in attendance. Mr. Kirschner presented a status update on the McCullom Lake
restoration and protection project, explaining the City of McHenry had been awarded
a Clean Lakes Grant by the USEPA in July of 1993 to implement the following
objectives:
• Improve water clarity for aesthetics, swimming and other water contact activities and
enhancing the quality of boating and fishing opportunities;
• Eradicate in base of exotic plant, Eurasian water mill foil, an animal species, the common
carp;
• Promote public health by reducing bacterial contamination of lake water;
• Reduce the risk of fish winter kill;
• Enhance future lake management opportunities through public entity acquisition of
additional lake bottom shoreline in near shore/critical watershed areas.
Mr. Kirschner noted the chemical treatment scheduled to eradicate the Eurasian
milfoil was not implemented due to the unexpected appearance in the summer of 1994
of an aquatic weevil. The aquatic weevil feeding has temporarily kept the invasive
Eurasian milfoil in check. Funds originally budgeted to apply the chemical treatment
have been used to cover the cost of continued lake monitoring by the Northeastern
Illinois Planning Commission staff.
Alderman Baird arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Mr. Kirschner explained the USEPA is interested in extending the grant for one
additional year. The grant expires July 1 , 1997. Significant funds remain to allow for
continued lake monitoring. Some discussion followed.
June 11 , 1997 Page 2
In response to Mayor Pro Tern Alderman Bolger's inquiry, Mr. Kirschner stated
the agency would most certainly supply a letter of support for grant funds to extend
sewer service to those homes in West Shore Beach still on septic along McCullom
Lake shoreline. In response to Alderman McClatchey's inquiry regarding dredging, Mr.
Kirschner noted extensive dredging was cost prohibitive; however, if required in public
access areas, to enhance recreational use, dredging can be provided.
Motion by Baird, seconded by Glab to authorize the extension of the USEPA
McCullom Lakes Clean Lakes Grant at no additional cost to the City of McHenry for
one year to continue the monitoring and study of the Eurasian milfoil aquatic plant
population, the aquatic weevil, and implementation of shoreline protection programs.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF RESUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR BROOKSIDE
PARK DEVELOPMENT
Grant consultant, Ken Fiske, of McHenry County Soil and Conservation
Services, was in attendance. Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel informed
Council the City of McHenry has applied for grant monies to the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources for the development of Brookside Park in 1994, in 1995, and in
1996. Each year, revisions in the grant application have been made in response to the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources comments and scoring. Director of Parks and
Recreation Merkel stated the remaining area of required revision is the project's
funding formula. Important points are forfeited as 63% of the project's submitted
funding costs are related to infrastructure construction.
Grant consultant Ken Fiske stated the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
grant board seeks to award grant monies to entities improving and increasing
recreational activities and/or the use of recreational areas. Infrastructure costs and/or
improvements are not considered a viable expenditure. Grant consultant Ken Fiske
recommended the City of McHenry resubmit their Brookside Park Grant Application
excluding the infrastructure construction costs in an amount of $57,000. A lengthy
discussion followed.
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel and grant consultant Ken Fiske stated
the importance of submitting a grant application that demonstrated the City's
commitmentto provide infrastructure construction and/or improvements as well as site
development. Mr. Fiske then reviewed the grant submission process noting the grant
award and subsequent contracting would be expected sometime in March or April of
1998. Grant winners would have one year to complete their projects. Some
discussion followed regarding the feasibility of committing funds, specifically the
$57,000, for the cost of infrastructure to serve Brookside Park.
In response to Mayor Pro Tern Alderman Bolger's inquiry, Director Merkel stated
the proposed parking lot size must not be reduced. At the initiation of Parks and
Recreations Committee Alderman Baird, some discussion followed regarding funding
sources for the project, whether to utilize Park Donations or General Fund monies. It
was the consensus of Council to resubmit the Brookside Park Grant, eliminating the
$57,000 infrastructure/utility expenditure and obtaining from Director of Public Works
Batt a reasonable cost estimate to extend utilities to the Brookside Park site. —
Motion by McClatchey, seconded by Baird to authorize the resubmission of the
Brookside Park Grant Application, eliminating the $57,000 infrastructure/utility
expenditure as per the recommendation of grant consultant Ken Fiske.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab to pass a resolution supporting the
Brookside Park Grant Application which will enhance recreational activities and
opportunities for the residents of the City of McHenry.
June 11 , 1997 Page 3
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel informed Council the City of McHenry
had conducted in 1990 an Attitude and Interest Survey for the Parks and Recreation
Department. A Parks and Recreation Master Plan was developed in 1993 in response
to the recommendations listed in the final report of the Survey. Most of the
recommended projects have been implemented with the exception of the following:
• Recreation Center Development
• Knox Park Pool Improvement
• Brookside Park Development
• Petersen Park Waterfront Improvements.
Director Merkel stated the Parks and Recreation Committee should address the
development of a new five year Capital Development Plan within this 1997-1998 fiscal
year. The plan can be used as a guideline in setting priorities in park projects and
allocating funds within the Park Development Fund. Director Merkel reminded Council
the 1997-1998 budget reflects a $20,000 expenditure for preliminary park planning.
Parks and Recreation Chairman Baird scheduled a Parks and Recreation
Committee Meeting for Monday, July 7, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. stating the Committee
would focus on prioritizing parks spending efforts and the development process for a
new five-year Capital Development Plan.
In response to Alderman Glab's inquiry City Clerk Althoff provided an update
on the Mass Barn Project, noting substantial work was being completed and invoices
had been submitted to the Illinois State Capital Development Board for reimbursement.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no Committee Reports.
STAFF REPORTS
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel provided Council with an update on the
Intergovernmental Agreement negotiations between the City of McHenry and
Elementary School District 15 regarding the Backhaus potential school site. Director
Merkel presented a site rendering for Council review. He noted the importance of
obtaining an access point on the west end of the site to alleviate traffic flow on
Dartmoor Road. He suggested at the time of final platting Council address obtaining
the necessary right of way. Director Merkel also noted the City would incur little park
developmental costs as the site currently was being utilized as a sod farm. Director
Merkel noted Elementary School District 15's Board was as yet undecided as to what
type of school building would be built and as to the construction time frame. City
Attorney McArdle reported he and Elementary School District 15's attorney were
reviewing the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement as well as addressing some of
the unresolved issues.
City Clerk Althoff distributed a pre-Agenda Supplement regarding the waste
disposal proposals noting the complexity of the proposal specifications. City Clerk
Althoff suggested a separate a separate committee or special meeting be scheduled
to review and analyze the intricacies of the proposal. After some discussion, it was
the consensus of Council to await Mayor Cuda's recommendation regarding
scheduling a special or committee meeting to review the waste disposal proposals.
City Clerk Althoff also requested Council take formal action regarding the
scheduling of Special Meetings for City Administrator Candidate interviews.
Motion by Glab, seconded by McClatchey to schedule Special Meetings in order
to conduct City Administrator interviews on Tuesday, June 17, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. in
the Aldermen's Conference Room, and on Thursday, June 19, 1997, at 6:30 p.m. in
the Aldermen's Conference Room
June 11 , 1997 Page 4
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab to go into Executive Session at 8:55
p.m. to discuss Personnel.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Council went into Executive Session at 8:55 P.M.
Motion by Baird, seconded by Glab, to go back into Open Session at 9:07 P.M.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Council went back into Open Session at 9:07 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by McClatchey, seconded by Baird, to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:08 P.M.
MAYOR P 0 TEM ItITY CLERK