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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 05/14/2007 - City Council REGULAR MEETING MAY 14, 2007 A Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Low at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, May 14, 2007 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson and Condon. Absent: Santi. City Staff in attendance were: City Administrator Maxeiner, City Attorney McArdle, City Clerk Jones, Deputy City Administrator Martin, Assistant City Administrator Hobson, Director of Community Development Napolitano, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Finance Black. Absent: Chief of Police O'Meara. OATH OF OFFICE — NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor Low asked City Clerk Jones to administer the Oath of Office to four newly- elected Aldermen. The following were then sworn in to four year terms of office expiring April 30, 2011: Alderman Andrew Andy" Glab Alderman Steven C. Murgatroyd Alderman Robert J. Peterson Alderman Geraldine A. "Geri" Condon. Mayor Low congratulated the Aldermen and noted a brief reception in their honor would follow this evening's meeting. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION — 10 MINUTE LIMITATION There was no one who signed in to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session. CONSENT AGENDA In response to Alderman Murgatroyd's inquiry, City Administrator Maxeiner stated Consent Agenda Item A should be clarified to include installment of intergovernmental agreement for capital equipment amounting to $3,000. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Schaefer, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended: A. Northern Illinois Police Crime Lab membership, in the amount of $27,906 and installment of intergovernmental agreement for capital equipment in the amount of$3,000; B. Picnic Permit Requests; C. City Council Minutes: Annual City Council Meeting of April 30, 2007; May 7, 2007 regularly scheduled meeting. Voting Aye: Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. May 14, 2007 Page 2 REQUEST FOR USE OF PETERSEN PARK AND SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR FOURTH ANNUAL SNOWMOBILE WATERCROSS FESTIVAL EVENT SEPTEMBER 29 AND 30, 2007— RIVERBEND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP LLC Assistant City Administrator Hobson stated a request was received from Mr. Robert Andronowitz, seeking Council permission to host the annual snowmobile watercross festival. He noted this is the fourth year Riverbend Limited Partnership is hosting this event. To date they have been good stewards of the park. Staff supports the request for use of Petersen Park on September 29 and 30, 2007 for the snowmobile watercross festival Alderman Condon stated the event is an asset to the City. Alderman Glab noted he could not support snowmobiles on McCullom Lake. Alderman Peterson inquired as to the number of races in the series. Mr. Andronowitz responded this is the sixth race of the series. It is the season finale. Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Condon, to accept Staffs recommendation to approve the use of Peterson Park and a Special Event Liquor License to Riverbend Limited Partnership for the Fourth Annual Snowmobile Waeercross Festival Event scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 2007 and Sunday, September 30, 2007. Voting Aye: Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: Glab. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE BULL VALLEY ROAD/CHARLES MILLER ROAD/CHAPEL HILL ROAD CORRIDOR ACCESS STUDY Deputy City Administrator Martin stated the Bull Valley Road/Charles Miller Road/Chapel Hill Road Corridor Access Study is a planning tool which was commissioned by the City of McHenry, Village of Johnsburg and McHenry County. The Study was completed by SEC Group. Deputy City Administrator Martin noted the scope of the Study includes Bull Valley Road from Draper Road on the west side of McHenry to Charles Miller Road east of Illinois Route 31 and then north along Chapel Hill Road to FAP 420 and across the Fox River to its terminus at Illinois Route 31. Deputy City Administrator Martin stated the Study is a living document which could be modified from time to time as required by future development. Deputy City Administrator Martin noted the Study has been approved by the Village _ of Johnsburg and will be submitted to the McHenry County Board for approval on May 16, 2007. Alderman Glab opined the area requires attention and noted his support of the resolution. May 14, 2007 Page 3 Alderman Condon commended cooperation between municipalities and the County. She noted the document could be used as a guide for developers of land along the corridor. Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer, to accept Staffs recommendation to pass and approve a resolution adopting the Bull Valley Road/Charles Miller Road/Chapel Hill Road Corridor Access Study as prepared by SEC Group with a latest revision date of February 14, 2007. Voting Aye: Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FROM CITY OF MCHENRY AND VILLAGES OF JOHNSBURG AND RINGWOOD FOR A STATE ROUTE 31 BYPASS AROUND THE CITY OF MCHENRY City Administrator Maxeiner stated a multi jurisdictional resolution of support has been drafted and is being considered by the Villages of Johnsburg and Ringwood, as well as the City of McHenry, for adoption. The resolution supports a State Route 31 Bypass around the City of McHenry. City Administrator Maxeiner noted there are currently two bypasses being considered: Western McHenry Bypass Eastern McHenry Bypass. While both Bypasses have merit, the importance of the segment of the Western McHenry Bypass from Route 120 north to Route 31 is reduced if the Eastern McHenry Bypass is completed. The Western McHenry Bypass from Route 120 south to Illinois Route 31 is critical. To that end, Staff has developed a multi jurisdictional resolution to provide clear direction to the McHenry County Board as to the involved municipalities' priorities. If the resolution is supported by Council, Staff will then provide it to the Villages of Johnsburg and Ringwood for approval in order to show the County our unity regarding this matter. Alderman Glab stated, particularly during certain portions of the day, it is apparent how badly the bypass around the City is needed. Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer, to accept Staffs recommendation to pass and approve a resolution in support of a McHenry Bypass or Bypasses and the Preservation of Rights-of-Way to facilitate its/their construction. Voting Aye: Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. May 14, 2007 Page 4 RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CITY OF MCHENRY COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION STUDY Deputy City Administrator Martin stated the City's Transportation Commission has been developing a Comprehensive Transportation Study for the past three years. It will be utilized as a planning tool and will provide guidance to the City and developers as projects move forward in the City. Transportation Commission Chairman Alderman Wimmer noted the creation of the Study has been a three-year process. He thanked members of the Commission as well as everyone who provided input in the creation of this document. Alderman Glab stated he cannot support the document as there are certain roadways depicted as running through neighborhoods. The Study seems to indicate future expansion of these roadways which could harm residential neighborhoods. Alderman Schaefer stated the Commission had done a thorough job in developing the Study. It represents good work and hopes it will be used in conjunction with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Plan. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Schaefer, to accept the recommendation of the Transportation Commission to pass and approve a resolution adopting the City of McHenry Comprehensive Transportation Study as prepared by SEC Group with a last revision date - of September 26, 2006. Voting Aye: Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: Glab. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. RELEASE OF PERMANENT MAINTENANCE EASEMENT AGREEMENTS FOR 224 RONDA ROAD AND 3104 FAIRWAY DRIVE Deputy City Administrator Martin stated as part of the Country Club Estates Special Assessment Project, sanitary sewers were installed in that subdivision. However, two of the existing homes were at elevations too low to include without the benefit of a lift station. As a result these two residents located at 224 Ronda Road and 3104 Fairway Drive were required to utilize private lift stations (grinder pumps) in order to utilize the City's collection system. The City Council chose to utilize this option rather than installing a standard lift station which would have been at considerably greater expense. A permanent maintenance agreement was entered into with the property owners at those two locations. The agreements identify the property owners as responsible for the electricity costs of operating the grinder pumps while the City is responsible for maintaining the pumps in perpetuity. _ Deputy City Administrator Martin noted the property owners have never connected to the City's sewer system. The pumps have been in place for twelve years without operating. The owners now wish to connect to the City's system and the City would, of course, be responsible for maintaining the grinder pumps as part of the original May 14, 2007 Page 5 agreements. The expense incurred for grinder maintenance could be considerable. Deputy City Administrator Martin noted Staff has developed a proposal which would end the City's responsibility for grinder pump maintenance. In exchange for releasing the City from its maintenance responsibilities, Staff is proposing waiver of sewer connection fees for these two property owners. Connection fees would amount to approximately $3,000 per household. Alderman Murgatroyd stated he finds it interesting the process took twelve years to reach this point. Alderman Condon inquired if the releases were identical for each property owner. Deputy City Administrator Martin responded in the affirmative. Alderman Glab inquired if the grinder pumps have been tested. Deputy City Administrator Martin stated one has, but the other one has yet to be connected to electricity. When it is connected to electricity, it will be tested. City Attorney McArdle confirmed the documents would be recorded against the properties. Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Condon, to accept Staffs recommendation to authorize Staffs execution of a release of permanent maintenance easement agreements for grinder pumps maintenance and waiving all sewer connection fees for Tara and Richard Losch of 3104 Fairway Drive, and Robert and Lenore Lunkenheimer of 224 Ronda Road. Voting Aye: Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. ADDENDUM NO. 1 FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION STUDY—SEC GROUP INC IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500 Deputy City Administrator Martin stated additional expenses were incurred in the development of the Comprehensive Transportation Study by SEC Group. Consequently, Staff is seeking Council approval of Addendum No. 1 of the Engineering Services Agreement with SEC Group for services rendered relating to the Comprehensive Transportation Study in the amount of$7,500. Alderman Wimmer stated the majority of the cost of the Study was paid through grant funding. Alderman Peterson noted if the cost of a study is expanded, in the future, the increased expenditures should be brought to Council for consideration prior to the City incurring the additional costs. City Administrator Maxeiner responded normally if cost exceeds 10% of a contract, it would return to Council for consideration. May 14, 2007 Page 6 Alderman Condon noted the additional work made the document more viable and useful. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Murgatroyd, to accept Staffs recommendation to approve Addendum No. 1 to the Engineering Services Agreement with SEC Group for the development of the Comprehensive Transportation Study in an amount not-to-exceed $7,500. Voting Aye: Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. MAYOR—STATEMENT AND REPORT Mayor Low expressed her congratulations to the newly-elected Aldermen. Mayor Low stated at this time of the year the Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works Department work gears up. COMMITTEE REPORTS Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Alderman Peterson reported a meeting was held last Thursday and minutes will be forthcoming. STAFF REPORTS City Administrator Maxeiner announced the proliferation of temporary signs in the City is being addressed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Alderman Glab stated he had received several phone calls from constituents. Residents were upset that Spring Clean Up Week followed Mother's Day. The request was made to change the date next year for the Clean Up Week so that it does not coincide with Mother's Day weekend. Alderman Glab stated he received his County tax bill and feels the County should initially address issues relating to the bills and not direct questions to the local municipality, school board, or township. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Condon, to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m. Voting Aye: Glab, Schaefer, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Santi. Motion carried. Z",Th,,,,Meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m. MAYOR j CITY CLE