HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 01/24/2005 - City Council SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2005
A Special Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Low at
7:30 P.M. on Monday, January 24, 2005 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center.
At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Glab, Low, Murgatroyd, Wimmer,
Peterson, and Condon. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were: City Administrator
Maxeiner, City Clerk Jones, Chief of Police O'Meara, Director of Public Works Marcinko,
Director of Finance Kline, Director of Community Development Napolitano, Director of
Parks and Recreation Merkel, Community Relations Management Assistant Hobson, City
Administrator Assistant Martin. Absent: City Attorney McArdle.
The following members of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition were introduced by
Mayor Low:
• Deputy Chief William Brogan
• Officer John Adams
• Alderman Geri Condon
• Mike Przybylski, East Campus
• Michael Roberts, West Campus
• Lynn Schnelker, East Campus
• Dawn Schoen, Director of the McHenry Area Youth Council
• Gina Swinney, District 15
• Cindy Witt, Parks and Recreation Department— City of McHenry
• Police Chief Bruce Johnson, Village of Round Lake Police Department
• Kathy Myers, Village of Round Lake Chairman of Character Counts
Mayor Low turned the meeting over to Deputy Chief Brogan and Officer Adams.
Deputy Chief Brogan stated the coalition is very excited regarding the establishment
of the Character Counts Program in the City of McHenry. He stressed the emphasis of the
program is on ethical conduct and explained the implications of character.
Officer Adams outlined the Six Pillars of Character:
1. Trustworthiness
2. Respect
3. Responsibility
4. Openness
5. Caring
6. Citizenship
Officer Adams stated the program is a grassroots initiative based on community
voluntary efforts, which has been proven effective. He stated it is not a religious program
and has no religious affiliation.
Police Chief Johnson summarized the experience over the last eight years the
Village of Round Lake has had with the Character Counts Program.
�-- Kathy Myers addressed Council briefly stating Character Counts is not a program,
but an initiative.
January 24, 2005
Page 2
Mayor Low opened the floor to questions and discussion.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Ann Kate addressed Council expressing her support of the program. She stated
once the program has been established in the City of McHenry she would be a willing
participant.
Alderman Bolger indicated support of the program and praised the City of McHenry
on its initiative.
Alderman Condon stated while the City has a good start for the Character Counts
program she is anxious to see McHenry embrace the Six Pillars and be known as a
Character Counts community.
Dawn Schoen stated the Character Counts initiative has a consistent, common
language and would be easy to implement.
Responding to Alderman Murgatroyd's inquiry, Mayor Low stated that following a 3-
day training program, Dawn Schoen, Cindy Witt, Officer John Adams and Deputy Chief
Brogan are qualified to teach others throughout the community regarding the initiative.
Alderman Peterson indicated the IGwanis membership is anxious for the initiative to
begin and expressed support for the program.
Deputy Chief Brogan expressed appreciation to Council and Staff for their support
of the Character Counts initiative.
MAYOR— STATEMENT AND REPORT
Mayor Low stated the Coalition is seeking support and she encouraged promotion
of the concept of Character Counts from the community.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Condon, seconded by Murgatroyd, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, Low, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
MAYOR CITY CL�R