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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11/18/2019 - City Council City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.18.19 McHenr MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Council Chambers, 333 S Green Street Monday, November 18, 2019 Call to Order: The City Council of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, November 18, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the McHenry City Council Chambers, 333 S. Green Street, McHenry, IL. Roll Call: Mayor Jett called the roll call. Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Others present: Attorney McArdle, Administrator Morefield, Interim Director of Public Works Strange, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of Economic Development Martin, and Chief of Police Birk, and City Clerk Ramel. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett introduced the Boy Scout Troop from Johnsburg that led the pledge. Public Comments: Judy Szilak of Chesapeake Hills Home Owners Association spoke to The Council. She is the president of the association and talked about city taxes and how they do not benefit their subdivision; there is no leaf pick up, or street cleaner, she knows her streets are private. She wants to know why this was allowed she explained that there are many elderly people in the complex and is asking The Council for help paying the subdivisions winter road salt by The City of McHenry. The snow contract will not start until November 15 this is very concerning for the elderly and the sheets of ice that can occur in the subdivision. It is very difficult for them to be plowed, it costs $300 and $1,300 each time they help salt and plow. She is just asking for consideration for help with salt expenses at this time. Mayor Jett stated he will talk to the Director of Public Works Strange about this. Next: Chief Birk introduced a new K-9 Officer, Officer Conway and his dog Yogi, going to be a year old next week. Yogi is going through TOPS in Grayslake to finish his training. Yogi stood in front of the crowd during the introduction. Congratulations was given to Officer Conway and Yogi the service dog. Consent Agenda: Motion to approve the following Consent Agenda Items: `.. A. Resolution designating November 30, 2019 Small Business Saturday in the City of McHenry; B. Resolution establishing the 2020 City Council Meeting Schedule; 1 City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.18.19 • C. Appointment of Susan E. Meyer to the McHenry Police Commission Board for a term that will expire on April 30th, 2022; and to the McHenry City Ethics Commission Board for a term that will expire on August 19th, 2020; D. Authorization to sign and execute an update an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Northeast McHenry County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT); E. Ordinance authorizing the execution of Northern Illinois Purchasing Cooperative ("NIPC") 2020 Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Electricity and other Goods and Services; H. November 4, 2019, City Council Meeting Minutes; I. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $2,140,466.68; J. Issuance of As Needed Checks in the amount of $313,190.28. A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Schaefer to approve Consent Agenda items as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0- abstained. Motion carried. Consent Agenda: Motion to approve the following Consent Agenda Items: (5F- Pulled by Alderman Glab as a separate Consent Item). F. Authorization to Execute Draw Certificate and Sight Draft Relating to Irrevocable Letter of Credit No. 150026679-201 in favor for the account of First Midwest Bank in the amount of$330,000; Alderman Glab wanted to know where the proceeds go to, Tiff fund is where they will go per Director of Economic Development Martin. It was a Tiff project agreement. The motion is for 55K A motion was made by Alderman Glab and seconded by Alderman Mihevc to approve Consent Agenda items as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0- abstained. Motion carried. Consent Agenda: Motion to Approve the Following Consent Agenda Items: (5G Pulled from Alderman Glab). G. Two Interconnection Agreements with Aqua Illinois to provide temporary water service for McHenry Shores and Eastwood Manor water systems for the good of the general public at large Alderman Glab is satisfied that Eastwood Manor has the facilities for a water supply emergency. His main concern is to know if we are recouping all of our expenses to keep things where they are for water and sewer. Thinks it's unfair to the residents for the charges. Director 2 City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.18.19 of Public Works Strange talked about the info structure and gave some insight on it, Eastwood Manor and McHenry Shores emergency water connection was the topic of discussion. Alderman Schaefer wanted to know how many times the McHenry Shores was used, Director of Public Works Strange stated that there was a time when it was used, but it's very seldom that it has been used as a connection. There is no sewer involved just water. The Eastwood Manor connection is off Lincoln a couple of hundreds of feet. Alderman Santi questioned if the temporary hook up was used prior to the annexation of McHenry Shores. He was trying to understand the history of McHenry Shores before annexation. Director of Public Works Strange explained that there is no liability if needed to use the McHenry Shores system, this is more about emergency interconnection as explained by Director of Public Works. The discussion then concluded. A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve Consent Agenda items as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 1-nays , Alderman Glab, 0- abstained. Motion carried. Individual Action Item Agenda: A. Motion to approve a Resolution estimating the Property Tax Levy request for 2019 (collected in 2020) at $4,618,786. Presented by Finance Director Lynch, December 16th property Tax Levy hearing request. Several council members are happy that taxes are staying flat. A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Schaefer to approve individual agenda items as presented. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 1-nays, 0- abstained. Motion carried. Discussion Items: A. Presentation of the FY18/19 Audit Finance Director Lynch, introduced Rachel she gave the audit report, issued an unqualified opinion no misstatement at all. All-encompassing balance sheet was present for Council to view. The statements that were talked about were presented to The Council. The audit summary was printed for The Council to review. B. Allowing Non-Highway Vehicles on Roadways in McHenry Chief Birk presented the item allowing non-highway vehicles. He read over the requirements, many local towns have approved these vehicles. The room was filled with supportive residents. Alderman Schaefer had asked some question to Chief Birk regarding the speed limit of the non-highway vehicles. Chief Birk also explained that there can be off limit areas within the City 3 City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.18.19 of McHenry; non-highway vehicles can cross a county road, highway, and one city owned street, but not allowed drive down them. All non-highway vehicles will need to be inspected and registered for a cost. Then there is a renewal fee at a discount after the first year in many neighboring towns. The Council can designate the exact streets that they would like to have approved for this, street signs can also highlight the appropriate streets as well. The discussion continued regarding the limits. The rules of the road need to be followed just like a car. Alderman Glab wanted to make sure that there are safe crossings for the non-highway vehicles to go. The Council can set restrictions and Chief Birk would help implement those that he would recommend. The ordinances can also be renewed so that The Council can see how it is working. Alderwoman Miller talked a bit about going to Florida and how they have two classifications of golf carts and wants to make sure that people are safe, she is in favor of the idea. Wants to spend more time to figure out how it's going to work. The rules of the road apply. Several council members talked about being in favor of this idea as long as safety is one of the top priority. The discussion on this topic went on for some time. Ideas on safety, vehicle types and other restrictions and inspections that would occur with this. Safety, insurance, waiver of liability as well need to be part of the vehicle inspections as explained by Chief Birk to summarize. Public input: Several McHenry Residents came to the meeting to discuss how they felt about this topic. Many in favor, others had concerns regarding the safety and noise of the streets --t regarding ATV's or UTV's. Other residents feel that it could make the community come together for some fun as well. This will be revisited after the first of the year, with a draft per Chief Birk. Several residents spoke to The Council: Michael Levis Thomas Sroka Lisa Schwartz Rachel Burmafelo Salvatore Burmafelo Staff Reports: Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson stated that the Christmas walk is this weekend along with Toys for Tots Parade at noon and the Tree lightening at 5:30, at Veterans Park. Administrator Morefield stated that the Holiday party is back in McHenry and is on Wednesday, Dec 11th Country Club, more information to follow. He also stated that December 13th is the employee breakfast and lunch, he will get information out on these. Mayor's Report: none City Council Comments: Alderman Schaefer- question regarding the city limits for non-highway vehicles that was explained by Chief Birk. 4 City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.18.19 Alderman Glab- Wanted to know if Director of Public Works Strange could look into private roads for safety and snow plowing for certain subdivisions through the Township, this is being considered. s Adjourn: A motion was made Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Devine to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Schaefer, Alderman Glab, Alderman Mihevc, Alderman Devine, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried X X Mayor Wav Jett City Clerk Trisha Ramel 5