HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/06/2021 - City Council
City Council
Meeting Minutes
December 6, 2021
Page 1
McHenry City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
December 6, 2021
Call to Order
The City Council of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met at McHenry City Hall, 333 S Green St, on
Monday, December 6, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Deputy Clerk Johnson called the roll. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab,
Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Harding, Alderman Strach, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman
Miller, Mayor Jett. Others present: Attorney McArdle, Administrator Morefield, Director of
Public Works Strange, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch,
Director of Economic Development Martin, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, and Chief
of Police Birk.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Jett lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
Mary Gibbard stated that many people have spent a lot of time and money working on
developing the Riverwalk. There is much interest in what is developed on Waukegan Road, and
traffic is a major concern. Mayor Jett explained that the previous proposal from Lynmark is no
longer being considered.
Consent Agenda
A.Ordinance authorizing the purchase of and accepting the real estate contract for 1405 N.
Riverside Drive, McHenry, Illinois between Patrick M. Summers and the City of McHenry
B.Ordinance amending the FY21/22 Water and Sewer Fund Budget in the amount of
$75,000; and, waive competitive bidding and award a contract purchase order to Water
Well Solutions Illinois Division, Inc, LLC of Elburn, Illinois in the amount of $64,752 for the
Raw Water Well #5 Pump Replacement and Well Casing Relining emergency repairs
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December 6, 2021
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C.Motion to approve an Ordinance amending the FY21/22 Water and Sewer Fund Budget
in the amount of $25,000; and, to award a purchase order to Sabel Mechanical, LLC of
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin for base elbow repairs to the Millstream Lift Station in the amount
of $18,258
D.Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Liquor, Section 6, License Classification
and Fees; Approval Authority; Limitation on Number of Licenses
E.Award of bid in the amount of $85,930 to Winkler Tree and Landscaping, Inc. of LaGrange
Park, Illinois for the 2021-2022 Winter Tree Trimming Program
F.Dual Representation and Waiver of Conflict Agreement between the City of McHenry and
Baggio Properties, LLC - Car Wash Series
G.November 15, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes
H.Issuance of Checks in the amount of $234,379.72
A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman McClatcheyto approve
consent agenda items A through H as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi,
Alderman Strach, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Harding, Alderman Devine,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Individual Action Item Agenda
Motion to pass a Resolution approving the destruction of any executive session recordings that
exist more than 18 months, for the approval of executive session minutes, for the release of
certain minutes, and to keep certain minutes confidential.
Alderman Glab clarified that not all executive session minutes will be released, and there are
minutes from meetings that still need to remain confidential. A motion was made by Alderman
Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to pass a resolution approving the destruction of
any executive session recordings that exist more than 18 months, for the approval of executive
session minutes, for the release of certain minutes, and to keep certain minutes confidential.
Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Strach, Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab,
Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Harding, Alderman Devine. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion
carried.
Discussion Items
Discussion regarding municipal waste hauling services and direction to release the proposed
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December 6, 2021
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scope of services
Director Strange explained that there are multiple scope options listed that could be considered
by Council. The biggest recommendation is eliminating the Saturday drop-off at Knox Park. There
also seems to be universal support for a spring clean-up day. Those two items should be included
in all of the options. He is open to paring down the number of alternatives to be presented to
prospective bidders. Alderman McClatchey asked for a definition of spring clean-up, and Director
Strange explained that this is one day when there are unlimited bulk items that can be placed on
the curb for pick-up. Alderman Glab believed April is too early and that May would be better for
most residents. There were no objections to having spring clean-up in May.
Alderwoman Miller d with the Council. She believes having
three options of toters would make it more expensive for the haulers. She suggests keeping the
sticker program along with one large size toter for garbage and 35 and 95 gallon toters for
recycling. She agrees that unlimited yard waste at the curb should be offered with no drop-off at
Knox Park. Another request from Alderwoman Miller is for a food waste/compost hauler option.
This could be an additional cost that each resident would pay for as an option instead of having
a cost for all residents. She also wishes to keep the weekly bulk item and an annual e-collection
event.
Alderman Glab questions how many residents would use the composting service and warns that
offering more services could be more expensive. He also has reservations about unlimited yard
waste pickup as that could be abused by landscaping businesses. When looking at cost
comparisons to other municipalities, McHenry is already more expensive than Crystal Lake and
Cary. Director Strange explained that the most probable reason for our higher costs is due to our
offering the sticker program. Our base price is higher because we offer a sticker system and our
costs would be lower if everybody was required to use toters. Alderman Devine, Alderman
Strach, Alderman Harding, and Alderman McClatchey all were happy with using Alternate 1 for
bidding with the removal of the Saturday drop-off. Anderman Santi is happy with Alternate 1 but
would also like to see a pricing if we did not offer the sticker program.
There was discussion about the number and sizes of totersand why we would only offerone
toter for garbage but two for recycling. Alderwoman Miller stated that for garbage people could
either have the large toter, or they had a sticker option if they did not have much garbage. Some
Polerecky explained that if you forced people to have a large toter, there would be code
illegal to store the toters in front of houses or garages. Small toters would be a better option for
those with limited room. Council then suggested that offering two refuse size options would be
a good idea along with recycling.
Director Strange summed up the discussion by stating the majority of the Council would like to
go with Alternate 1, with two sizing options each for recycling and garbage, an alternate for
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compost, an unlimited curbside leaf collection, one weekly bulk item, an e-waste recycling date,
and collection for municipal owned facilities.
Discussion regarding scope for redevelopment of the former Central Wastewater Treatment
Plant
Administrator Morefield gave an overview of how the City has reached this point and how we
now need to hit the reset button. There is currently no proposal or concept before the Council,
and the next step is to see what could or should be developed at that site.
The property served as a wastewater treatment plant for a number of years. The City currently
owns that site, generates no taxes, and serves no purpose. It is now a prime location on the Fox
River, close to downtown, and is a good site to develop. Two years ago an RFP for the site was
released with few guidelines for development. At that time there was a lot of feedback from
developers that there were issues coming up with a development because the structures from
the old treatment plant were still intact. There were demolition and site cleanup issues and
developers had no idea how to figure in those costs. The City obtained a $500,000 grant to use
toward cleanup and demolition costs, and the City moved forward with demolition. Demolition
costs were approximately $1 million, half of which was paid for with the grant.
With a clean site that was ready to develop, the City recently released another RFP that garnered
some interest but only produced one official proposal. That proposal was from Lynmark and they
went through an interview with staff members to make sure they were legitimate and had the
ability to produce the development that they proposed. Lymark made a proposal to Council to
see if they were comfortable moving forward on negotiations. Council decided not to move
forward with Lynmark and Administrator Morefield has not spoken to them since. We are now
e. If Staff can get an idea of what Council
would consider, we would then be able to give some direction to developers.
Alderman Harding suggested that the City consider using a consultant group to come with us with
multiple plans. A restaurant group is an option with a relaxed atmosphere with bags and
pickleball courts. A park could be developed similar to what is at Miller Point or Veterans Park.
He also asked about our relationship with Lynmark because he might be interested in one of their
developments at Bull Valley/Route 31, Bull Valley/Crystal Lake Road, or on the former bank
property at Green/Elm.
Alderwoman Miller explained that she is looking at this from the river coming in. She hears the
same public voice with concerns about traffic. With the Fox River we could have boat and tourist
with restaurants. She would like to focus on the water and have less intensity on the residential
aspect of the property.
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December 6, 2021
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Alderman Devine does not like having high density on that property. He would like to take
advantage of the river and possibly see some mixed use or turn it into property where people
have ownership and want to stay in McHenry.
Alderman
use in that area and have it a destination when people go up and down the river. He is not for
giving that property away and lowering the developer donation fees.
Alderman
that is a trend and the direction the industry is going. Many people want to move into a
want to see
a development like that from Lynmark, we will see more and more of that coming. He agrees
with comments regarding mixed use on the property, but that also brings in traffic.
Alderman Glab stated that whatever is developed we are building for the future. Just because
town has been a family oriented and homeowner community. Just because that trend is changing
has to change. He is also disturbed by the talk of money
and the TIF district. He heard from Lynmark how their development would bring in money for
to change our town because other people from out of the area want something different here.
He does not want to see a five story building anywhere in McHenry. Townhomes may work at
that location. The current townhomes have blended in beautifully with the Riverwalk, but he is
unsure how many new townhomes could be built on that property.
Alderman Santi sees a piece of land bordered by the Country Club, the Fox River, and a marina.
The Riverwalk project is moving forward and a lot of resources have been used for that project.
Although some Council members have mentioned mixed-use with retail and a restaurant, he likes
the concept of ownership along with it. We could be promoting businesses on the waterway side
of things. He understands that we need to pitch this property and go to developers.
Administrator Morefield stated that in terms of this process, he wanted to come here to see what
Council had to say about possible development. His suggestion for a next step would be to create
a redevelopment or site profile based on what he heard from Council and draft a version to bring
back for the Council to review. He will summarize the Council member comments and bring it
back for another discussion. Maybe after hearing other ideas tonight there might be other
suggestions to bring back as well. He also stated that the TIF district will soon be ending but the
City is in the process of extending it another twelve years. This is important for a developer
because a better development can go into that property with a longer TIF life.
Mayor Jett told the members of the public that he wants their voices and comments to be heard.
They are welcome to submit their comments or suggestions to him so we can see what they
envision. Alderman Glab suggested that money that is collected from this development should
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December 6, 2021
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go back into the Water & Sewer fund because money was taken from that fund for the demolition
and cleanup of the site. He would like to see that money help pay off the debt service because
the residents should not have to pay for that.
Staff Report
Director Polerecky gave an update of the Authentix project at Blake Farms. The sewer connection
has been made at Blake Boulevard and Route 31, and it is moving east into the project area. Staff
met with residents and Alderman McClatchey regarding the tree line on the east that serves as a
buffer. That tree line was saved. Questions were raised from a resident regarding a walking path
in the project area. During the conceptual plan phase, staff recommended the addition of a
walking path for those residents to recreate. The interior walking path was approved at both the
Planning & Zoning level and Council level. The walking path will not connect to Almond Lane.
There have been two minor revisions made to the project so far. Some contour grading was
changed to keep the tree line to ensure the water would drain properly. A minor adjustment was
also made to the retaining wall on the eastern property line. No other changes have been made
to what was presented and approved by the Council.
There was no report from Mayor Jett.
City Council Comment
Alderwoman Miller reported that she has had quite a few residents call her about the new HOA
at Patriot Estates. There is a new management of the HOA that has caused a lot of disruptions,
fee increases, and unhappy residents. She responded that this was not a City issue but thanked
them for keeping us updated.
Alderman Santi thanked Staff and Mayor Jett for getting the purchase of 1405 Riverside
accomplished. Parking has been a concern in that area of town and this should make for a great
improvement to Riverside Drive.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Strach to adjourn the
meeting at 8:32 p.m. Roll call Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman Harding, Alderman Strach, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-
abstained. Motion carried.
Mayor Wayne Jett Deputy Clerk Monte Johnson
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