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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03/13/1996 - City Council (2) REGULAR MEETING MARCH 13, 1996 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Cuda at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, March 13, 1996 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Lawson, Baird. Bates arrived at 7:37 P.M. Absent: Locke. City Staff in attendance was City Clerk Althoff. Absent: Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Chief of Police Joyce, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito, City Attorney McArdle. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION Curt and Donna Pepe of 3609 Cornell Court addressed Council stating their strong opposition to the Use Variance request of Jiffy Lube International, which is scheduled for Council's consideration at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting March 20, 1996. The Pepes presented a visual rendering of the Jiffy Lube's proximity to the adjacent homeowners to the west, stating their concerns with safety, potential home devaluation and excess noise and exhaust fumes. Alderman Bates arrived at 7:37 P.M. The Pepes respectfully requested Council keep their concerns in mind when considering the Use Variance request of Jiffy Lube International on Wednesday, March 20 ,1996. Mayor Cuda reminded Council that at the beginning of the 1994 calendar year, Council determined that the second regularly scheduled meeting of each month would be utilized as a working meeting to discuss relevant issues concerning development, planning and other City related matters. BUDGET DISCUSSION 1996-97 CAPITAL PROJECTS Finance Committee Chairman David Lawson referred Council to the proposed _ Capital Outlay Projects list. Lawson explained if all the proposed water capital development projects are included in the 1996-97 Budget, an approximate $380,000 deficit is contemplated. He, therefore, recommended Council review the Water Division proposed capital projects, prioritizing these projects in order of need in an attempt to eliminate the $380,000 projected deficit. WATER FUND Millstream - Maple Avenue Water Main Replacement It was the decision of Council to retain this capital expenditure of $200,000 in the 1996-97 Budget. Repainting of Sioux Avenue Tower Discussion noted that repainting the Sioux Avenue Water Tower had been postponed for the past two years, and painting extends the life of the tower. It was the decision of Council to defer this $120,000 project to the 1997-98 Budget. The replacement of Truck #522 in the amount of $25,000, and the plate compactor for $1 ,800, as well as the $50,000 expenditure for Water Plant #1 were retained in the 1996-97 Budget. SEWER FUND Donovan Street Lift Station Alderman Lawson stated the Inland - McCullom Lake Road Annexation Agreement provides for an additional $70,000 toward this project, and as the City was successful in its bid for the Community Development Block Grant in an amount of $185,000, the actual expense to be incurred by the City for this project will be approximately $156,000. It was the determination of Council to retain this project as part of the 1996-97 Budget in compliance with the Community Development Block Grant Contract. City Clerk Althoff was directed to provide the payment schedule for the $70,000 as stipulated in the Inland - McCullom Lake Road Annexation Agreement, as well as the payment terms of the Community Development Block Grant Contract. March 13, 1996 Page 2 River Road Property Purchase It was the determination of Council to take the balance of the 1115 River Road property purchase for the purpose of constructing a lift station from the Capital Development Fund. Financing of the extension of sanitary sewer to the "East of the River" properties, as well as the expansion of the South Wastewater Treatment Plant, needs to be investigated further and discussed at length by Council. Alderman Lawson noted Harold Warren of Warren & Associates had made a bond presentation to the Finance Committee earlier this evening. Lawson explained that if it is determined by Council to issue revenue bonds to finance the extension of sanitary sewer lines to the "East of the River" properties, sales tax revenue from this area shall be used to underwrite the bonds, which will decrease the General Fund by approximately $375,000. The return sludge piping and control renovation project for $50,000, the concrete work for $48,000 and the Anne Street lift station piping for $40,000 were retained in the 1996-97 Budget proposal. City Clerk Althoff was requested to provide further information on all three of these projects. RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS Alderman Lawson stated the Recreation Program Fund would also reflect a deficit balance if all the capital development projects proposed were included in the 1996-97 Budget. Council, therefore, should again prioritize these proposed projects in order of need and importance. City Clerk Althoff noted the budgeted $3,000 chlorine feed system project will in actuality be expended during the 1995-96 Fiscal Year. A new account was established for the Mass Barn improvements capital project. After lengthy discussion, it was the determination of Council to reduce the proposed $154,850 project to $21 ,000, reflecting the barn's rental income amount. The $21 ,000 will be used for fence and barn safety repairs. It was the consensus of Council to postpone further expenditures on this project until a decision is made for a permanent use of this structure. ADMINISTRATION - GENERAL FUND City Clerk's Department All capital projects in the proposed budgeted amounts for the City Clerk's department shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget, with the exception of the $15,000 car expense which has been replaced with a $250.00 per month, or $3,000 per year, car allowance. Police Department All capital projects in the proposed budgeted amounts for the Police Department shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget. It was noted that $31 ,000 collected during i a drug sting operation will be utilized to defray the $48,544 expense for eight mobile data terminals. Public Works/Administration After a lengthy discussion, it was the determination of Council to reduce the proposed $15,000 amount for City mapping to $2,500. Public Works/Streets and Park Division All capital projects in their proposed budgeted amounts for the Public Works/Streets and Park Division shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget, with the exception of the automatic sprinkler for Veteran's Park in the amount of $7,500 and the automatic sprinkler for the Knox Park soccer field in the amount of $6,500, which were completely struck from the budget, and the replacement of a sewer jet in the amount of $163,000 of which one-half will be budgeted in the 1996-97 Fiscal Year and the remainder shall be budgeted in the 1997-98 Fiscal Year. March 13, 1996 Page 3 Public Works/Building and Grounds Only the Council room's video and monitoring equipment shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget. The resurfacing of the Municipal Center parking lot and storm sewer, as well as the removal and straightening of the northwest corner of the parking lot were struck from the 1996-97 Budgeted capital projects. Building and Zoning All capital projects in the proposed budgeted amounts for the Building and Zoning Department shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget, with the exception of the $15,000 budgeted for the City map development which was lowered to $2,500. ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND It was the determination of Council to Budget $50,000 in the Road and Bridge Fund for a comprehensive traffic study consultant. MOTOR FUEL TAX FUND Alderman Lawson noted that much of the City of McHenry's Street and Sidewalk Program is budgeted through this fund, and although 1996-97 is the City's "off year", monies need to be reserved for the 1997-98 Streets and Sidewalk Program. It was the determination of Council to include all the proposed Motor Fuel Tax capital projects in the 1996-97 Budget as follows: • Crystal Lake Road/Dartmoor traffic signals - $ 60,000 • Green Street Stage III construction and engineering $125,000 • Route 31/Shamrock Lane traffic signal - $ 10,000 • Route 31 turn lane at Gary Lang Auto Group - $ 50,000 • Main Street/Borden Street improvements - $200,000 Route 31/McCullom Lk. Road engineering was eliminated from the budget. In addition, $150,000 was budgeted for the straightening of Industrial Drive. Discussion of Motor Fuel Tax capital projects included the intent to submit Stage III Green Street construction to the Council of Mayors for Federal monies. Although lowering the Route 31/Shamrock Lane traffic signal project from $100,000 to $10,000, Council stated their willingness to work with the Illinois Department of Transportation and other affected property owners to obtain a traffic signal for this intersection. The Main Street capital project was increased from $150,000 to $200,000 in order to improve all of Main Street from Green Street west to the railroad tracks. If any monies are left after all Main Street improvements are completed, consideration should be given to the curb and guttering of Borden Street. In response to Alderman Baird's inquiry, Mayor Cuda stated the left turn lane to be constructed by Gary Lang in front of his automotive dealership on Route 31 is scheduled for completion in August of 1996, as per the annexation agreement. Staff was directed to give an updated status report on this project at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting on March 20, 1996. PARK DONATION FUND All the capital projects at the proposed budgeted amounts shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget, with the exception of the Brookside Park development project, which was decreased from $300,000 to $75,000. Alderman Lawson reported that this year's Brookside Park grant application would be resubmitted for consideration, and Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel informed Council that the $75,000 amount would be sufficient to begin the park's development this season. Alderman Baird also recommended $200,000 from the General Fund be transferred into the Parks Donation Fund and earmarked for the construction of a recreational center. March 13, 1996 Page 4 DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION An amount of $50,000 was budgeted for each of the downtown areas: Riverside Drive, Main Street and Green Street. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Alderman Lawson stated that during Finance Committee meetings, several miscellaneous projects had been designated for further discussion. A list of these miscellaneous items was included in Council's agenda packet and Council was directed to refer to this list for further consideration. Lakeland Park Stormwater Engineering and Contracted Drainage Work After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of Council to decrease the proposed $100,000 for the Lakeland Park stormwater engineering project to $30,000, limiting the scope of this project to mowing and cleaning the ditch on a regular basis. No engineering studies or dredging will be contemplated within this fiscal year. Contracted mowing will remain in the 1996-97 Budget in an amount of $100,000, with the addition of Petersen and Knox Parks to the 1996-97 mowing contract. WATER DIVISION Travel, training and dues in an amount of $3,000, as well as miscellaneous well improvements under the contractual line item in the amount of $20,000 shall be retained in the 1996-97 Budget. BUILDING AND ZONING Contractual weed mowing, in the amount of $10,000 shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget. CITY CLERK - ADMINISTRATION The Beautification Committee line item was decreased from $15,000 to $10,000 in the 1996-97 Budget. The Economic Development Commission contribution was eliminated altogether. The $45,000 budgeted for the Special Census shall be included in the 1996-97 Budget, however, ordinance codification and planning consultant amounts will be discussed under Personnel issues at a later regularly scheduled Finance Committee meeting. Council also determined that $5,000 should be budgeted in the Capital Development Projects account in Building and Grounds for a garage door replacement in the Police Department's sally port. It was also the consensus of Council to budget $15,000 in the Recreation Program's Capital Development Fund for ice rink improvements at the Freund Field tennis court. NEW BUSINESS Alderman Bates stated he had previously had discussion with Curt and Donna Pepe and iterated their offer to visit their property and view the proximity to the proposed Jiffy Lube International building. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bates, seconded by Baird, to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. _ Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M. r^ I MAYOR CITY Cl-. RK f ,