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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 04/23/1997 - City Council (2) ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 23, 1997 The Annual Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Cuda at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, April 23, 1997 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Locke arrived at 7:40 P.M. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were: City Clerk Althoff, City Attorney McArdle, Chief of Police Joyce, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel. Absent: None. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION Nancy Porstner of 1632 N. Riverside Drive addressed Council, stating she represented the Riverside Drive Outreach Committee made up of Riverside Drive property owners, both within and contiguous to the City of McHenry's corporate limits. She informed Council that Outreach Committee representatives had recently met with Chief of Police Joyce to review the results of increased patrols with regard to speeding violations and truck violations. Committee representatives have also met with Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel to review a proposed bike path plan along Riverside Drive. She expressed the Committee's intent to continue working with City representatives to make Riverside Drive a safer thoroughfare. Alderman Locke arrived at 7:40 P.M. D.A.R.E. PRESENTATION TO McHENRY POLICE DEPARTMENT McHenry Area Jaycees President Patricia Kutz and Committee Chairperson Don Wengerter addressed Council. Mr. Wengerter informed Council that $540.00 in proceeds had been collected from the McHenry Area Jaycees' sponsored Family Fun Night held on February 3, 1997 at the Family Sports Center. Mr. Wengerter and Mrs. Kutz presented a check in the amount of $540.00 to D.A.R.E. Officer Patricia Laycock and Chief of Police Joyce. CONSENT AGENDA In response to Alderman Bolger's question regarding purchases at Sam's Club, City Clerk Althoff informed Council a substantial discount was obtained when purchasing bulk quantities of supplies at Sam's Club. Motion by Lawson, seconded by Baird, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) Career Development Program payments as follows: ■ Thomas Beyer Police Officer 1 $ 500.00 ■ Daniel Kreassig Police Officer 1 $ 500.00 ■ James Molnar Police Officer 1 $ 750.00 ■ William Brogan Police Officer III $1,000.00 ■ Jeffrey Foerster Police Officer III $1,000.00 ■ Roland Wood Police Officer III $1,000.00 (2) Investigator Stipend payments: ■ Jeffrey Foerster $ 375.00 ■ Roger Pechous $ 375.00 (3) Payment of Clothing Allowance for Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Police Personnel; (4) Semi-Annual Principal and Interest Payment on 1993 Water/Sewer Revenue Bonds in the amount of $478,212.50; (5) Agreement with McHenry Township to Provide Mosquito Management Services for the 1997 Season; (6) Payment to Joel Kennedy Construction Company in the amount of $442,665.00, subject to the receipt of all missing waivers for the East of the River sanitary sewer extension totalling $161 ,556.00; (7) Monthly Treasurer's Report; (8) Monthly Budget Report; (9) Final Bills for End of Fiscal Year 1996-97; April 23, 1997 Page 2 General Fund 85649 ACME BRICK & SUPPLY CO $ 379.00 85650 DAN ADAMS STEEL SERV INC $ 72.63 85651 R A ADAMS ENTERPRISES INC $ 97.50 85652 ALEXANDER LUMBER CO $ 91.15 85653 ALTHOFF INDUSTRIES INC $ 472.01 85654 AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOC $ 55.90 85655 ARCH $ 134.97 85656 ARROW UNIFORM RENTAL INC $ 172.48 85657 ARROW ROAD CONST CO $ 1090.20 85658 BADGER UNIFORMS $ 1750.50 85659 FREDRIC C BATT $ 36.45 85660 BATTERY NETWORK INC $ 103.08 85661 G W BERKHEIMER CO INC $ 9.71 85662 BERTHOLD NURSERY $ 890.00 85663 BONCOSKY OIL COMPANY $ 1909.19 85664 BONE SAFETY SIGNS $ 356.10 85665 BURGESS ANDERSON & TATE $ 144.74 85666 COMED $ 9627.24 85667 CONTRACTING & MATERIAL CO $ 1849.22 85668 CONVERSE EQUIPMENT CO INC $ 103.00 85669 DON'S TOWING $ 75.00 85670 FOTO FAST $ 16.80 85671 FOX VALLEY SYSTEMS INC $ 85.50 85672 GEORGE P FREUND INC $ 259.10 85673 FREUND INTERNATIONAL $ 183.44 85674 JOSEPH FRETT & SON INC $ 6572.00 85675 ARTHUR J GALLAGHER & CO $ 544.00 85676 WILLIAM J GITZKE D/B/A $ 179.30 85677 GLOBAL COMPUTER SUPPLIES $ 95.07 85678 DON HANSEN'S ALIGNMENT $ 35.00 85679 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS $ 169.39 85680 HOYLE ROAD EQUIPMENT CO $ 128.02 85681 HUGHES INC $ 9972.85 85682 JOSEPH H HUEMANN & SONS $ 493.34 85683 IDEAL UNIFORM SERVICE $ 380.65 85684 INNOVATIVE PACKAGING INC $ 788.74 85685 JEPSEN TIRE CO INC $ 45.59 85686 KAR PRODUCTS $ 439.04 85687 KDS TECH SERVICES INC $ 362.00 85688 LANDGRAF'S LTD $ 164.50 85689 GARY LANG CHEVROLET INC $ 68.25 85690 GARY LANG PONTIAC- $ 64.60 85691 LEACH ENTERPRISES INC $ 1206.23 _. 85692 LIGHT IMPRESSIONS $ 32.65 85693 MAIN PAINT & DECORATING $ 45.05 85694 JAY MAYWALD $ 43.90 85695 MEYER MATERIAL COMPANY $ 3597.21 85696 MOTOROLA $ 42088.00 85697 ANTHONY P MUCCIANTE $ 187.20 85698 MCANDREW & CUNABAUGH $ 5600.00 85699 MCHENRY COUNTY CHIEFS OF $ 65.00 85700 MCHENRY COUNTY CLERK $ 10.00 85701 MCHENRY PRINTING SERVICE $ 92.16 85702 MCHENRY SPECIALTIES $ 15.00 85703 BRIAN J MCKEEN $ 187.20 85704 NORTHWEST AUTO ELECTRIC $ 235.00 85705 NORTHERN SAFETY CO INC $ 176.79 85706 NORTHWEST ELECTRICAL $ 1087.86 85707 NORTHWEST HERALD $ 1809.82 85708 NUTOYS LEISURE PRODUCTS $ 1382.32 85709 OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY $ 1997.00 85710 PETALS & STEMS $ 33.00 85711 PETERSEN SAND & GRAVEL $ 1353.55 85712 P F PETTIBONE & CO $ 21.45 85713 PRECISION COMPUTER SYSTEM $ 1500.00 85714 PRECISION SHARPENING & $ 84.00 85715 PRO-CLEAN INC $ 500.00 85716 QUANTEX MICROSYSTEMS INC $ 133.00 85717 ROC CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY $ 110.00 85718 ROCKFORD INDUSTRIAL $ 94.45 85719 R & S DISTRIBUTORS INC $ 177.75 85720 RHONDA F LANG-RUSHING $ 26.13 85721 RYDIN DECAL $ 3104.00 85722 SAM'S CLUB $ 341.67 85723 SETON NAME PLATE COMPANY $ 55.25 85724 SHERMAN MECHANICAL INC $ 126.00 85725 THE SIDWELL COMPANY $ 43 .00 85726 SMITH ENGINEERING CONSULT $ 830.22 85727 STANS OFFICE MACHINES INC $ 51.80 85728 STATE TREASURER $ 66.05 85729 STRUCTURAL RUBBER PRODUCT $ 101.28 85730 SUMMERS PORTABLE TOILETS $ 276.00 85731 TJ CONEVERA'S INC $ 346.94 85732 TRAFFIC CONTROL & $ 1753 .15 85733 TRANSMATIC TRANSMISSION $ 895.00 85734 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE $ 37.33 85735 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS $ 3380.00 85736 USA BLUE BOOK $ 41.21 85737 WAL-MART STORES INC $ 124.05 85738 WARNING LITES OF ILLINOIS $ 1566.56 85739 WEARGUARD $ 295.60 April 23, 1997 Page 3 General Fund (cont'd) 85740 WEST PUBLISHING PYMT CTR $ 362.25 85741 WHOLESALE DIRECT INC $ 121.70 85742 WOLF CAMERA & VIDEO $ 653.13 85743 WOODWARD FORD-MERCURY INC $ 12.24 85744 ZARNOTH BRUSH WORKS INC $ 97.00 85745 ZEE SERVICE COMPANY $ 52.00 85746 SARA ZELEK $ 20.62 85747 APPLEBEE'S RESTAURANT $ 30.00 85748 CHAPU $ 20.00 85749 MOLINE HOLIDAY INN $ 189.81 85750 OFFICE OF ILLINOIS STATE $ 6.00 85751 WHITE HEN PANTRY $ 71.92 Report Totals 119430.75 Water/Sewer Fund 13418 DAN ADAMS STEEL SERV INC $ 75.45 13419 ALEXANDER LUMBER CO $ 577.47 13420 ARCH $ 74.95 13421 ARROW UNIFORM RENTAL INC $ 257.40 13422 BEST WAY TOWING $ 150.00 13423 BONCOSKY OIL COMPANY $ 820.32 13424 BURGESS ANDERSON & TATE $ 42.96 13425 COMED $ 23597.40 13426 CRYSTAL LAKE DISPOSAL INC $ 118.98 13427 ED'S RENTAL & SALES INC $ 455.86 13428 FISHER SCIENTIFIC $ 94.14 13429 W W GRAINGER INC $ 90.11 13430 IDEAL UNIFORM SERVICE $ 151.00 13431 JEPSEN TIRE CO INC $ 35.00 13432 THE KJELL CORPORATION $ 3045.00 13433 KTD MANUFACTURING AND $ 65.17 13434 GARY LANG CHEVROLET INC $ 21876.00 13435 LEACH ENTERPRISES INC $ 9.88 13436 LEWIS INTERNATIONAL INC $ 30.23 13437 MAIN PAINT & DECORATING $ 50.97 13438 METROTECH $ 185.82 13439 MIDWEST METER INC $ 3399.36 13440 MCHENRY ANALYTICAL WATER $ 1277.00 13441 MCHENRY ELECTRIC CO INC $ 216.10 13442 NCL OF WISCONSIN INC $ 58.02 13443 NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS $ 1727.25 13444 RELIANCE SAFETY EQUIPMENT $ 104.65 13445 ROWELL CHEMICAL CORP $ 2369.38 13446 JON SCHMITT $ 23.42 13447 SMITH ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS $ 46.44 13448 SMITH ENGINEERING CONSULT $ 2850.00 13449 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE $ 13.23 13450 WOODLAND RECYCLING & $ 3652.50 13451 ZEE SERVICE COMPANY $ 191.65 Report Totals 67733.11 Parks Fund 7171 AMER ACADEMIC SUPPLIERS $ 73.33 7172 BONCOSKY OIL COMPANY $ 65.77 7173 BURGESS ANDERSON & TATE $ 119.22 7174 CASTLE PRINTECH $ 3574.00 7175 CELLULAR ONE - CHICAGO $ 14.49 7176 IPRA $ 675.00 7177 PATTIE LUNKENHEIMER $ 41.29 7178 MCHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE $ 79.00 7179 SPORTDECALS INC $ 317.50 7180 S & S ARTS & CRAFTS $ 1152.70 7181 SHELLY TROST $ 26.33 7182 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE $ 28.33 7183 WAL-MART STORES INC $ 96.92 7184 MARIE BESTE $ 41.00 Report Totals 6304.88 Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. REQUEST FROM RESIDENTS IN WINDING CREEK REGARDING PARKING ON DRIFTWOOD TRAIL Mayor Cuda noted Bob and Linda Glascott were in attendance, as was District 15 representative, Superintendent William Dodds. Alderman Lawson explained at the regularly scheduled April 2, 1997 Council meeting, he requested consideration regarding restricting parking on the west side of Driftwood Trail be placed on a future meeting's agenda for Council discussion. Lawson explained traffic congestion at the Driftwood Trail and Winding Creek intersection is exacerbated between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by parents picking up their children from Riverwood School. The problem is further compounded at this time of year by snow at the curbs in inclement weather. The Glascotts and other Driftwood Trail residents have requested Council consideration of eliminating parking on the west side of April 23, 1997 Page 4 Driftwood Trail, or a police officer enforcing basic parking rules along this stretch of Driftwood Trail. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding both of these alternatives. Mr. Robert Glascott addressed Council and noted the problem is apparent only between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. At the suggestion of Mayor Cuda, it was the consensus of Council to direct Chief of Police Joyce and Director of Public Works Batt to visit the site, investigate the situation and recommend potential solutions. Elementary School District 15 Superintendent William Dodds offered to accompany Director Batt and Chief Joyce along with Riverwood Principal Susan DeRoche. ANNUAL LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS Mayor Cuda informed Council that liquor establishments located in the City limits must annually renew their licenses with the City of McHenry by April 30, the end of the Fiscal Year. He presented the list of 1997-98 establishments which have submitted their liquor license renewal applications, noting Walgreens, located at 4322 W. Elm Street, has stated their intent to no longer sell packaged liquors, and will not require a liquor license. In conjunction with this non-renewal, an ordinance reducing the number of Class F liquor licenses must be passed. Cuda also reported he had met with four of the Class A liquor license applicants regarding problems which had been experienced during the 1996-97 year. These owners had been put on notice. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to approve the renewal of the following liquor licenses for the 1997-98 fiscal year, subject to the receipt of fingerprinting results for those establishments whose fingerprinting records are not currently on file with the City of McHenry, so designated with an asterisk; and to pass an ordinance reducing the number of Class F liquor licenses to 7. CLASS "A" - BEER & LIQUOR $1,400 CLASS "G" - BEER & LIQUOR - SVC. BAR A-1 McHenry Country Club (Clubhouse) $700 A - 2 First Draft G-1 Plum Garden Restaurant A-3 Fox Hole Tap & Pizzeria G-2 Windhill Restaurant A-4 Ye Olde Corner Tap G-3 Grumpy's Touch of Italy A-5 Peking China Restaurant (to be called China Buffet) G-4 McHenry Villa A-6 The Gambler of McHenry G-5 Green Street Cafe A-7 Don's Submarine Sandwich Factory CLASS "H" - BEER & WINE ONLY $700 A-8 Whale's Tail H-1 Pizza Hut A-9 Bimbo's Bar & Grill H-2 McHenry Country Club(Snack Shop) A-10 Old Bridge Tavern A-11 Town Club A-12 After the Fox A-13 Main Street Saloon A-14 China Light A-15 Zubrzycki's Warsaw Inn A-16 Village Squire of McHenry* A-17 Main Street Station A-18 Tamara Royale Inn/Ramada Conference Center A-19 Sloppy T's, Inc. A-20 Haystacks Manor A-21 Cat-Man-Do, Inc. d/b/a Ed's Pizza & Pub A-22 K-Ron, Ltd. d/b/a Monaco's A-23 R.V.V.J., Ltd. d/b/a Vickie's Place A-24 DV8 d/b/a Diversions* A-25 Apple South, Inc. d/b/a Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar CLASS "B" - PACKAGED BEER & WINE $700 B-1 McHenry Drugs, Inc. B-2 Jewel Food Store B-3 White Hen Pantry - 3808 W. Elm B-4 Family Food Mart - 810 Front Street B-5 Eagle Food Center #223 B-6 Clark Refining & Mktg. d/b/a Clark Oil #2057* CLASS "D" - BEER & LIQUOR (NON-PROFIT) $100 D-1 Liberty Club of McHenry D-2 McHenry American Legion Post #491 D-3 VFW Veterans Club, Inc. CLASS "F" - PACKAGED BEER & LIQUOR $1,100 F-1 Sullivan Foods F-2 Gold Standard Liquors F-3 Osco Drug Store* F-4 Omni Super Store F-5 Shell Oil Company, E & S Mini Mart F-6 A.R. Schultz d/b/a Sunrise Grocery F-7 Family Food Mart April 23, 1997 Page 5 Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Alderman Bolger requested Council consider a review of liquor license costs. He suggested the cost of a liquor license be directly related to sales volume, citing the differences between sales at Sullivan Foods and Gold Standard Liquors involving the same class of liquor license. REQUEST FOR USE OF CITY SALES TAX EXEMPT I.D. NUMBER BY LOCAL DEVELOPERS FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Mayor Cuda reminded Council at the April 2, 1997 regularly scheduled Council meeting, City Clerk Althoff was directed to provide further information on the process and policy of other McHenry County municipalities regarding the use of their sales tax exempt numbers by developers who are constructing public infrastructure improvements. It was noted that the municipalities of Algonquin, Cary, Crystal Lake, Harvard and Woodstock all allow developers the use of their sales tax I.D. number. Three of the five municipalities also require written requests. Some discussion followed. Alderman Baird suggested any of the developers who are granted use of the City of McHenry's sales tax exempt number, also be required to provide written requests for its use and provide a written report every six months to the City of McHenry staff, citing which projects had required its use. Motion by Bates, seconded by Baird, to direct staff to develop a written policy regarding the use of the City's sales tax exempt I.D. number, including the stipulations that the request must be made in writing and a six month report must be provided to the City of McHenry staff, citing which projects required the use of the City's sales tax exempt I.D. number by all local developers. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. REQUEST FROM McHENRY SAVINGS BANK FOR LETTERS OF CREDIT City Attorney McArdle informed Council in December of 1996, then City Administrator Jordan received a request from McHenry Savings Bank Senior Vice President Wayne Amore to change the security for deposits of the City in excess of FDIC insured funds up to $100,000.00. McHenry Savings is requesting the City consider receiving a letter of credit as collateral for all deposits in excess of $100,000.00. Currently, the City of McHenry receives collateral in the form of securities, mortgages, or other bank deposits. Attorney McArdle noted a letter of credit was an appealing alternative, as it was an easier and quicker access to City monies as opposed to mortgages and securities. In response to Council inquiry, Attorney McArdle noted a letter of credit was a safe and acceptable means of collateral as long as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which would issue the letter of credit, remained financially healthy. He noted the Standard and Poors bank ratings analysis provided by McHenry Savings Bank indicated Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago to have a AAA credit rating, reflecting a high degree of liquidity, a negligible credit risk and a conservative lending and investment policy. Some discussion followed regarding obtaining more detailed information about the Federal Home Loan - Bank of Chicago and letters of credit in general. City Attorney McArdle was directed to pursue obtaining further information, perhaps from the Municipal League, regarding accepting a letter of credit from a banking institution as collateral for City of McHenry funds, as well as obtaining a source that could better explain the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's financial stability and credibility. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ILLINOIS AS ADDITIONAL DEPOSITORY FOR CITY FUNDS Mayor Cuda informed Council this agenda item would be withdrawn until the May 7, 1997 regularly scheduled Council meeting, as action needed to be taken by the newly elected Council. April 23, 1997 Page 6 REQUEST FROM McHENRY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITY OF McHENRY TO CO-HOST A HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY Director of Public Works Batt reported the City of McHenry has been approached by the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development to co- host the next McHenry County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day sometime in 1998. Director Batt noted if Council approves this action the City of McHenry would need to provide a suitable site and support services, specifically police to assist with traffic direction during the operational hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Sheriff's Department has also assisted each community with additional manpower.All publicity, volunteer recruitment, traffic barricades, etc. are provided by the County. Director Batt suggested Petersen Park be considered as the selected site, noting it was a good location and a logical choice. An estimate of the actual dollar cost to the City for support services is approximately $2,500.00. Director Batt noted these monies are already budgeted as projected over time expenses. Director Batt noted the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is a very popular program and promotes the removal of household hazardous materials from the solid waste mainstream. It is staff's recommendation to approve co-hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day and to pass the attached resolution. Motion by Bates, seconded by Bolger, to approve co-hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day with the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development sometime in 1998, utilizing Petersen Park as the collection site; and to pass a resolution recognizing the need to improve the environment through the implementation of a household hazardous waste collection day. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH McHENRY COUNTY TO CONTRACT WITH CREDIT MANAGEMENT CONTROL Chief of Police Joyce noted that the attached Intergovernmental Agreement allows McHenry County to contract with Credit Management Control to collect unpaid fines for traffic and misdemeanor offenses. Noting some problems had been unresolved, Chief Joyce requested this item be withdrawn from the agenda, and rescheduled for a future regularly scheduled Council meeting. Council concurred. The item was withdrawn from the agenda. RATIFICATION OF NISRA 1997-98 BUDGET Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Alderman Bates, reported Council had previously approved the 1997-98 payment of NISRA dues by the City of McHenry, however, the City annually reviews the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association budget for approval. The Association bylaws require 2/3 of the member district's governing budget for ratification. Some discussion followed with NISRA representative and Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Alderman Bates, providing more detailed information regarding the budget figures versus projected revenues with particular regard to park districts. Alderman Bolger, noting the need for NISRA programs, requested addresses of City of McHenry residents who utilized the NISRA programs, be provided. Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel noted NISRA Executive Director Brian Shahinian is scheduled to appear before Council on May 21 , 1997. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Bates, to approve the 1997-98 Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association budget, as presented. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. April 23, 1997 Page 7 CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF 1997-98 FISCAL YEAR CITY OF McHENRY BUDGET City Clerk Althoff stated as per the Finance Committee's direction, discussion of the proposed 1997-98 budget was placed on the April 23, 1997 Annual City Council meeting agenda. Review of the 1997-98 proposed budget after all capital outlay projects were prioritized was done by Budget Consultant Curt Carver. Mr. Carver submitted a written memo of his review which was distributed to full Council in Friday's agenda packet. Mr. Carver reminded Council that although the General Fund reserves appear to have been increasing over the past several years, this year's projected expenses substantially decrease much of these gains. He also noted the issue of fund reserves is even more critical in the Water/Sewer Fund. He stated that based on past revenue spending patterns, the additional capital needs of the system, and additional debt service requirements, that this component of the fund could be in the red in the next year or two. Some discussion followed regarding the inclusion of monies for the West McHenry Bypass and additional monies for the Shamrock Lane/Route 31 intersection improvements. It was the consensus of Council to appropriate monies for these projects, however, the budget should stand as presented. Alderman Baird stressed the need to ensure the City still retains access to the West McHenry Bypass right-of-way permitted in the Inland Business Park Annexation Agreement. He requested City Attorney McArdle review the Inland Business Park Annexation Agreement, providing Council with an interpretation of the terms of this agreement in obtaining the required right-of-way. Director of Public Works Batt also suggested Council direct City Clerk Althoff to appropriate a higher dollar amount for downtown redevelopment projects. Further discussion ensued regarding establishing a policy on fund balances. Alderman Bates suggested Council consider a two-month or 20% of annual expenditures benchmark for a fund balance. City Clerk Althoff was directed to prepare the budget for approval at the regularly scheduled April 30, 1997 Council meeting. In response to City Clerk Althoff's inquiry, it was the consensus of Council to approve the restructuring of the General Ledger accounts, specifically, the consolidation of the Vehicle License, Police Protection, Road and Bridge, and Recreation Department into the General Fund. MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS Mayor Cuda referenced a Northwest Herald news article appearing in the Tuesday, April 22, 1997 edition, noting the Village of Johnsburg's intent to offer a graduated five-year tax abatement to any new business locating on their Route 31 commercial corridor. A copy of this article will be provided to Council in Friday's agenda packet. Mayor Cuda requested Council consider this type of abatement when East of the River property owners approach the City of McHenry with regard to future annexation. STAFF REPORTS Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito reported the Mass Barn renovation bids were submitted and opened on Monday, April 21, 1997 at 11 :00 a.m.. Project Manager, Direct Design Architectural Firm, will review all submitted bids and make their recommendations for award. These recommendations will be submitted for Council approval at the May 7, 1997 regularly scheduled Council meeting. Director Lobaito also reported that he had been in contact with Matt Fiascone of Inland Land Management Company. Mr. Fiascone reported the silt fence installation has started and the berm and dirt stockpile will be seeded May 15, 1997. Director of Public Works Batt reported bids for the 1997 Streets Program had been submitted and opened on April 15, 1997 at 1 1 :00 a.m. The apparent low bidder is Advanced Paving of Fox Lake, IL , in a bid amount of $430,000.00. Approval of this project will be before Council at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting on April 30, 1997. Director Batt also reported the straightening of Industrial/Oak Drive was progressing. Two change orders will be presented for Council approval at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting April 30, 1997. Change Order #1 is required because additional topsoil must be purchased and imported in to the job site at an additional cost of $4,500.00; Change Order #2 is required because of the relocation of a catch basin at a cost of $900.00. April 23, 1997 Page 8 Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel informed Council the City's Arbor Day celebration will be held this Friday, April 25, 1997 at 3:00 P.M. in the Municipal Center. He noted three trees were donated this year: one for Whispering Oaks Park; one for Petersen Park; and one for the Municipal Center property. Director Merkel also reported Summer programs registration begins this Saturday, April 26, 1997. The end of the year dance recital will be held this weekend at West Campus. The Loyal Order of the Raccoons is hosting a clean-up day at the learning garden on Saturday, April 26, 1997. The prescribed burn conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on the Busch-Knox property on Friday, April 18th went well. The Department of Natural Resources provided training for Parks staff, and as the soils in the center of the property were too wet, a second burn will be scheduled for Fall, 1997. City Clerk Althoff reported the Environmental Advisory Commission would like to inform Council and the City of McHenry that classes on recycling for small businesses will be offered by McHenry County College on April 30, 1997 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Room B166. NEW BUSINESS Alderman Bates requested the Police Department patrol the area of Lauren Court, as he had received complaints regarding semi-trucks using the street for a turn-around. He also requested a warrant study be conducted on Washington Street for a possible stop sign location. He noted Washington Street was the only street with absolutely no stop signs. Alderman Baird noted the baseball field at Riverwood School was in need of a load of dirt and asked for Council approval to direct the City's Public Works Department to purchase and provide one truckload of dirt for Riverwood School's baseball diamond. Junior League baseball representatives would be responsible for spreading the dirt. Director Batt noted the cost of one truckload of dirt would be minimal. -- Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to authorize the Public Works Department to purchase and deliver one truckload of dirt to Riverwood School for use on the baseball field. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Bates, seconded by Lawson, to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Council went into Executive Session at 9:05 P.M. — Motion by Bolger, seconded by Baird, to go back into Open Session at 10:07 P.M. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. Alderman Bolger informed Council that Prime Commercial will not be developing Inland Land Management's Business Park property located at Bull Valley and Crystal Lake Roads. April 23, 1997 Page 9 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bates, seconded by Lawson, to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:09 P.M. �i iz ; j i 'MAYOR CITY,'CLERK