HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03/14/2001 - City Council REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 14, 2001
A Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Cuda,
at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, March 14, 2001 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal
Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey,
Murgatroyd, Baird. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were: City Administrator Lobaito,
City Clerk Althoff, City Attorney McArdle, Chief of Police Kostecki, Director Community
Development Napolitano, Director of Public Works Batt, Director Parks and Recreation
Merkel, Assistant Administrator Maxeiner. Absent: None.
TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT
No one signed in to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session.
PUBLIC HEARING: MCHENRY SAVINGS BANK ANNEXATION
Mayor Cuda opened the Public Hearing on the annexation, annexation agreement,
zoning reclassification, conditional use permit, variance and Preliminary Plat approval for
McHenry Savings Bank Plaza, located on the east side of Route 31 at the entrance to
Knox Park at 7:30 p.m.
Citing a scheduling error, Mayor Cuda requested Council recess the Public Hearing
to March 21, 2001 the next regularly scheduled Council Meeting.
Motion by McClatchey, seconded by Bolger, to recess the Public Hearing on the
`— annexation, annexation agreement, zoning reclassification, conditional use permit,
variance and Preliminary Plat approval for McHenry Savings Bank Plaza, located on the
east side of Route 31 at the entrance to Knox Park, to Wednesday, March 21, 2001
regularly scheduled Council Meeting, at 7:30 p.m. in the McHenry Municipal Center
Council Chambers.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird, Cuda.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The Public Hearing was recessed at 7:31 p.m.
In response to Alderman Glab's inquiry regarding the status of his comments on the
proposed McHenry Savings Bank Property annexation, City Administrator Lobaito
requested all comments from Council be provided Staff for full Council edification in
Friday's Agenda Packet.
PRESENTATION: HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS BY RIVERWOOD SCHOOL
FIFTH GRADE CLASS
Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Petty, Riverwood School Fifth Grade science class, made a
power point presentation on hazardous household cleaners and the need for a hazardous
waste drop-off site within McHenry County. Their power point presentation addressed:
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■ harm presented by household chemicals;
■ why a site is needed;
■ how the site could be financed; and
■ provided a Riverwood web site address for additional information.
Ms. Hoffman noted the entire Fifth Grade Class prepared and provided research for
the presentation. A short question and answer period followed.
Mayor Cuda suggested City Clerk Althoff prepare a resolution in support of the
Riverwood Fifth Grade Class efforts in obtaining a County-wide Household Hazardous
Waste drop-off site. Council concurred. City Clerk Althoff was directed to prepare said
resolution for the April 4, 2001 regularly scheduled Council Meeting Agenda.
Mayor Cuda recessed the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at
7:55 p.m. with everyone still in attendance.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Motion by Bolger, seconded by Murgatroyd, to approve the Consent Agenda as
follows:
■ Approval: Release of Letter of Credit— Knox Farm Subdivision;
■ Approval: City Council Minutes:
■ February 13, 2001 Special Meeting. --�
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
ROUTE 31 WEST MCHENRY BYPASS PRESENTATION
Daryl Gavle, of Baxter and Woodman, was in attendance. Mr. Gavle explained
McHenry County's Transportation Department, in conjunction with their consulting firm,
Environmental Science and Engineering Inc., are conducting a feasibility study with regard
to the proposed West McHenry Bypass and possible routes. A technical advisory
committee comprised of representatives from various governmental agencies throughout
the County, has been working with McHenry County's Transportation Department and
Environmental Science and Engineering Inc.
Mr. Gavle distributed colored copies of the proposed potential routes for the West
McHenry Bypass. He stressed consideration of the proposed potential routes was in the
preliminary stage. Mr. Gavle noted the following criteria was utilized in determining
potential route location:
■ Engineering;
■ Socio-economics; and -�
■ Environment.
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'`— The environmental criteria included location of wetlands, flood plain, high quality
land masses and cemetery locations. He also noted the potential bypass location was
divided into four quadrants:
■ South Route 31 to Bull Valley Road;
■ Bull Valley Road to Route 120;
■ Route 120 to McCullom Lake Road; and
■ McCullom Lake Road to North Route 31.
Mr. Gavle also informed Council, Mayor Cuda, as a member of the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC), formally objected to the use of Ringwood Road between Route
120 and McCullom Lake Road as a potential bypass location. In addition, Ringwood
Village President Mack, also as a member of the TAC Committee, formally objected to the
proposed West McHenry Bypass routes which traversed through the Village of Ringwood.
Mr. Gavle also noted the proposed routes were subject to financial considerations and
engineering. Some discussion followed regarding the removal of Ringwood Road as a
potential route site.
Mayor Cuda informed Council a resolution had been passed several years ago by
a prior Council initiating this action.
Alderman Glab expressed concern regarding the increase in price if an entirely new
`.. route site was proposed. In response to Alderman McClatchey's inquiry, Mr. Gavle noted
the project approach for the West McHenry Bypass Study consists of five phases.
Currently, the project is at the beginning of Phase III, evaluation of the corridors. Individual
communities, schools, businesses, and gravel pit owners, will be consulted for input and
direction.
Mr. Gavle also noted the TAC Committee will continue to meet to review and
consider all comments, recommendations, and suggestions provided by the municipalities,
businesses, schools, and other impacted parties.
In response to Council inquiry, Mr. Gavle opined construction of the West McHenry
Bypass would not begin for a minimum of four to five years.
FIXED ASSSETS INVENTORY AND REPORT AWARD OF CONTRACT
City Clerk Althoff informed Council American Appraisal Associates of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, has, on an intermittent basis, performed fixed assets appraisal and Inventory
appraisal services, since 1986. An on-site fixed assets inventory and equipment tag
identification was completed by American Appraisal Associates of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
in 1998. These reports were updated annually by Staff. Recent personnel changes and
office reorganization have hampered the ability of Staff to maintain and update these
reports since the on-site inventory in 1998. Monies were allocated in this year's budget to
conduct another on-site fixed assets identification. In an effort to balance the budget,
�.. however, these monies were decreased from $5,000 to $3,000, with the thought part of the
service would be paid for within the 2000-2001 fiscal year, and the balance in the 2001-
2002 fiscal year. The actual cost of the appraisal services as presented is $6,000. The on-
site inventory has been tentatively scheduled for April.
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The appraisal and inventory report would be provided prior to June 30, 2001, thus being
available for inclusion in the City's annual audit process.
Motion by Baird, seconded by McClatchey, to authorize the Mayor's execution of the
American Appraisal Associates of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Letter of Authorization, in an
amount not-to-exceed $6,000; with expenditures to be spread equally over the 2000-2001
and 2001-2002 fiscal years.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
MAYOR—STATEMENT AND REPORT
Mayor Cuda reported as a result of the First Draft Liquor Hearing testimony, as
Liquor Commissioner, he ruled in favor of Chief Kostecki, and revoked for the second time
the First Draft liquor license. Citing specific substance abuse incidents, Mayor Cuda
opined it was inappropriate for First Draft to retain a liquor license. Some discussion
followed.
Alderman Glab suggested Staff be directed to draft an ordinance reducing the
number of Class A liquor licenses to reflect the license revocation of First Draft. It was the
consensus of Council to postpone any formal action at this time.
Mayor Cuda also reported he had obtained information from the Northwest Herald
regarding the official 2000 Census number for the City of McHenry. The census number as
reported is 21,501.
Mayor Cuda noted letters from City Attorney McArdle addressing Alderman Glab's
concerns regarding conditional use expansions and revisions, specifically for schools, had
been delivered on Tuesday to each Alderman. Aldermen Baird and Murgatroyd informed
Mayor Cuda they were not in receipt of said correspondence. Mayor Cuda suggested
discussion of Attorney McArdle's opinion should be postponed until the next regularly
scheduled Council Meeting on March 21, 2001. Mayor Cuda noted it was the opinion of
City Attorney McArdle, schools were exempt from local ordinance requirements as they
address a broader state-wide concern and the state-wide concern overrides local
concerns. Attorney McArdle noted his opinion was based on a case heard within the City
of Joliet's legal jurisdiction.
City Administrator Lobaito also informed Council he, Director Community
Development Napolitano, Building Commissioner Schwalengberg, and members of the
McHenry Township Fire Protection District, were meeting with both McHenry Elementary -IN
School District 15 and McHenry High School District 156 representatives regarding all
construction projects. Both school districts have agreed to comply with all City regulations
and standards as stated. A full set of plans for all construction projects will be available.
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`- COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance and Personnel Committee Chairperson Alderman Murgatroyd informed full
Council the Finance and Personnel Committee had met just prior to this evening's
regularly scheduled Council Meeting to review and consider medical insurance renewal
rates. The committee's recommendation and full renewal information will be provided at
the March 21, 2001 regularly scheduled Council Meeting.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Chief of Police Kostecki reported the MIAT(Major Investigative Assistance Team)
continue to work on the March 6 h murder of local businessman Raul Briseno. Team
members have expressed optimism with regard to its satisfactory conclusion.
Council noted at Representative Jack Franks Town Meeting held at the McHenry
Municipal Building on Monday, March 12, 2001, concerns were raised by north Route 31
business owners regarding the Rubloff Development and widening of Route 31 from the
McCullom Lake Road intersection north to the City's corporate boundaries. Re-designed
access points for Burger King, Steak 'n Shake, and Fast Eddie's Car Wash were in
contention.
City Administrator Lobaito informed Council Staff would facilitate meetings between
the affected entities in an attempt to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.
Mayor Cuda, referencing a March 12, 2001 letter from Spence Management, noted
the referenced problems had been completely resolved within 48 hours.
Alderman Glab requested Council be kept apprised of the proceedings with regard
to the Route 31 accessway resolution.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no New Business.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by McClatchey, seconded by Glab, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey, Murgatroyd, Baird.
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:50p.m.
�.. MAYOR CITY CLERK