HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10/17/1995 - Finance and Personnel Committee Committee Of the Whole Meeting
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October 17, 1995
The Committee Of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Mayor
Cuda on Z'uesday, October 17, 1995 at 7 : 10 P.M. in the Aldermen' s
Conference Room of the Municipal Center. At roll call the
following Aldermen were present : Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Baird.
Bates arrived at 7 :33 P.M. City Staff in attendance were City
Clerk Althoff and City Administrator Peterson.
Mayor Cuda stated that the Committee Meeting of the Whole was
requested by the Finance Committee in order to discuss 1995-96
budget requests for discretionary dollars . Finance Committee
Chairperson, Alderman Lawson, noted that Department Heads will
begin their budget process November lst with a December 28th
submittal deadline .
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION -- Discussion followed regarding
council' s wish to effectively "spruce up" the three downtown
areas of Green Street, Main Street and Riverside Drive .
Providing additional parking for the Main Street area will be
discussed in depth at the Public Works Committee Meeting
scheduled for November 8th, however it was the consensus of
council to budget funds for the purchase of property to provide
additional Main Street parking. City Administrator Peterson
noted that the City had received responses from all five of the
potential property site owners discussed at the last committee
�, meeting. City Engineer, Dan Marcinko, will analyze each site' s
potential for parking spaces compared to the purchase price.
City Administrator Peterson noted that all the property owners
allowed for the property' s purchase on terms over several years .
Discussion followed regarding the need to revitalize the three
downtown areas including street, sidewalk, handicapped access,
curb and gutter repair and/or additions . Council agreed to
budget funds for plantings, benches, and seasonal decorations .
Road improvements on Main Street from the railroad tracks east to
Route 31 and on Borden Street from Rte 120 south to Main Street
were to be prioritized. The amount of $50, 000 for each downtown
area is to be budgeted for revitalization efforts.
Greg Bates arrived at 7 : 33 P.M.
A lengthy discussion also took place regarding the creation of a
reduced interest rate loan fund for the three downtown areas .
City Administrator suggested the creation of a $1, 000, 000 pool
establishing a committee of local bankers to approve the loans
and utilizing the Landmark Commission to approve the project
architecture .
Council noted that most downtown areas reflect a community' s
identity and were it' s heart and soul . Some discussion followed
regarding the possibility of hiring a planning consultant . City
� Administrator Peterson noted that Alan Kracower' s firm had such a
Committee Of the Whole Minutes
October 17, 1995
� Page Two
consultar�t on staf f .
Council agreed to utilize motor fuel tax monies for the sidewalk
and street repairs for all three downtown areas . City
Administrator Peterson noted the Willow Street and Praire Avenue
project would come in under budget leaving some additional monies
for these projects as well . Further discussion followed
regarding the possibility of hiring a consultant to prioritize
which City of McHenry streets need to be reconstructed/repaired.
LAKELAND PARK DRAINAGE -- Alderman Lawson requested a status
update on this project . City Administrator Peterson explained
he, Director of Public Works Batt and City Engineer Carl Moon
from Baxter and Woodman had met to evaluate this problem. It
appears the City of McHenry lacks easements across all the
properties that span the Lakeland Park Drainage ditch. Staff is
continuing to look into this problem. Some discussion followed
regarding the plausibility of hiring a private contractor to
reconstruct these ditches back to their original design. It was
also noted that the State will not allow a faster release rate
than what is currently in place . It was suggested that the homes
that flooded be made flood proof via berm and elevation changes
� as well as reducing the other areas that drain into this ditch.
Council stated that regular inspections and cleaning (including
grass cuttings and debris removal) be continued here as well as
for all ditches particularly on Ann Street and in McHenry Shores .
Council also stated that efforts should be pursued to reduce the
probability of flooding including potential land purchase .
UNITY vs INDIVIDUALITY -- Some discussion occurred regarding the
process and procedure for handling aldermen requests for agenda
item inclusion and specific task completion.
Alderman Bolger left at 9 : 05 P.M.
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS -- Council noted the $100, 000 budgeted over
the next two years for the West McHenry Bypass . City
Administrator Peterson noted the continuing efforts by staff and
the County to work with involved property owners to gain right of
way. He stated that two property owners, Pacini and Fritsche,
wanted annexation to the City of McHenry and specific zoning in
exchange for the right of way. It was noted that condemnation
was a second, albeit very lengthy, option. Mayor Cuda noted the
County' s continued commitment to this project currently, however
this may not remain the case in two or three years .
City Administrator Peterson, responding to an inquiry, reported
that the Ridgeview Road project was progressing and the Bull
�. Valley road project required additional design review on the
Committee Of the Whole Minutes
� October 17, 1995
Page Three
location of a stoplight and ingress, possibly near Hilltop.
Further council discussion regarding traffic included:
-Discussion and review of Route 120 upgrades including the
budgeting of monies
-Green Street Stage III project budgeted as an STP project
-Constructing McCullom Lake Road as a three lane
thoroughfare from Rte 31 to the tracks on McCullom Lake
Road
-Improve Route 31 and McCullom Lake Road intersection
-Conduct a comprehensive traffic study
City Administrator Peterson was asked to supply council with a
copy of the letter from the Illinois Department of Transportation
requesting City input regarding Route 120 upgrades . Council also
asked City Administrator Peterson to invite an IDOT
representative to a special or regularly scheduled council
meeting to discuss the City' s options .
Further discussion included consideration of Community
�— Development Block Grant monies for water and sewer infrastructure
projects . These funds can be used for low to moderate income
areas . Mayor Cuda noted that the City of McHenry has more of
these available areas than most other county municipalities . He
noted the first meeting of the county' s Community Development
Block Grant Commission, of which he is a member, is Thursday,
October 19th at 2 : 00 P.M.
Other items discussed included improvements to the Mass Farm
including painting, siding, roof repairs/replacement, fencing,
window and awning repairs as well as other aesethic and
structural improvements . Council also noted it' s agreement to
slowly lowering the city' s portion of the property tax bill and
to install sidewalks along the south side of McCullom Lake Road
near the Hillcrest Apartment complex, perhaps as part of the
McCullom Lake Road improvement .
Council agreed privately contracted mowing services should
continue and some additional discussion and review should be
given to city staff requirements, particularly in the Recreation
Department .
Mayor Cuda recommended City Administrator Peterson budget for the
projects and items discussed. Further consideration and
discussion regarding the budgeting for a recreational facility
� will be addressed thereafter.
Committee Of the Whole Minutes
October 17, 1995
� Page Four
Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to adjourn the meeting at
10 :28 P.M.
Voting Aye : Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird
Voting Nay: None
Absent : Bolger
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10 :28 P.M.
Mayor City Clerk
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COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES
�.- (1) Revitalization of three downtown areas including Main Street, Green Street,
Riverside Drive - approximately 550,000 each area.
(a) Funding to create additional parking on Main Street. F�d. purchase on
multi-year basis; �_
(b) General sprucing up of each downtown area:
(1) plantings, seating, flower pots, seasonal decorations and
attractions;
(c) Road improvements on Main Street from railroad tracks to Route 31 and
' on Borden Street from Route 120 to Main Street;
(d1 Sidewalk and curb repairs where needed in each of the three downtown
areas;
(e) Mid-block handicapped access, particularly on Riverside Drive and Green
Street;
(f) Creation of reduced interest rate loan fund for downtown businesses -
voluntary program maximum 5 years. Reduce rate by 5.0% with loan
pool of $1 ,000,000. Loans approved by committee of local bankers;
project architecture approved by Landmark Commission.
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(2) Maintenance and improvements to all drainage ditches.
(a) Regular inspections and cleaning.
(b) Reduce probability of flooding.
(3) Traffic Improvements
(a) Provide $100,000 funding for West McHenry Bypass.
(b) Green Street Stage III as STP project.
(c) McCullom Lake Road to three lanes from railroad tracks to Route 31 as
STP project or other.
(d) Improve Route 31/McCullom Lake Road intersection.
(e) Bull Valley Phase II under construction.
(f) Discuss options and include funding for State Route 120 upgrades.
(g) Conduct a comprehensive traffic study
(4) Consider County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds fc�r water
and sewer projects. — pv�«. �, ,, _ C� . � . - , ,�- � � L .� , ,,,
�: C,� '._
(5) Mass Farm barn improvements including painting and/or siding, roof
�- replacement, new fencing, window and awning repairs and/or replacements.
Other aesethic and structural improvements.
- Memo - Council Goals and Priorities
November 1, 1995
Page 3
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(6) Slowly reduce the City portion of the property tax over time.
(7) Install sidewalks along south side at McCullom Lake Road near Hillcrest
Apartments - possibly as part of McCullom Lake Road improvments.
(8) Continue to budget for contract mowing.
(9) Consider additional full-time recreation staffing.
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