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City of McHenry
Council Meeting Minutes
11.20.23
MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, November 20, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, 333 S Green St, McHenry, IL 60050
Roll Call: Mayor Jett called the roll call.
Members present Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman
Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Others present
Attorney McArdle, Administrator Morefield, Director of Community Development Polerecky,
Finance Director Lynch-absent, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of
Economic Development Martin, Chief of Police Birk, City Planner Sheriff-absent, Director of
Public Works Wirch, Deputy Clerk Johnson, and City Clerk Ramel.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jett led the pledge.
Public Comment: none
Consent Agenda. Motion to Approve the following Consent Agenda Items as presented:
A. Resolution establishing the date and time of Monday, December 18, 2023, at 7:00 pm
for conducting a Public Hearing for establishing the 2022 City of McHenry Property Tax
Levy in the amount of $3,074,352 and, upon closing the Public Hearing, the
consideration of the 2023 Property Tax Levy Ordinance in the amount of $3,074,352.
(Finance Director Lynch)
B. Ordinance Establishing Employees’ Rights to Paid Leave. (City Attorney McArdle)
C. Public improvements for Continental 601 Fund LLC (Authentix Apartments) and approve
a reduction of the current bond and allow Continental 601 Fund LLC to be placed on a
two-year maintenance bond for these improvements. (Community Development
Director Polerecky)
D. Motion to authorize the release of two (2) easements no longer needed by the City of
McHenry. (City Attorney McArdle)
F. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $987,354.25
G. As Needed Checks in the amount of $1,978,571.28
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A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman McClatchey to
approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi,
Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
*Clerks Note: This item was pulled by Alderwoman Bassi to adjust the wording on the final
minutes from the last meeting. These will be adjusted on the final copy.
E. November 6, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Koch to approve
the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Individual Action Item Agenda:
A. Huff & Huff, Inc. Environmental Assessment
Motion to authorize the execution of a proposal by Huff & Huff, Inc. for the completion
of additional environmental assessment work on city-owned property at Elm Street and
Green Street not to exceed $15,000. (Staff)
$13,150 is the proposal total amount confirmed.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
No public comment.
Discussion Item Agenda
A. Direction Regarding New Video Gaming Establishments
Mayor Jett and Deputy Clerk Johnson would like further feedback and direction from the
council.
Alderman McClatchey is not in favor of video gaming parlors.
Alderwoman Bassi stated that she agrees, not comfortable with the parlors.
Alderman Glab talked about the history of gaming and stated that the council at that time was
ready to approve video gaming to support business here at that time. Unfortunately, stated that
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some of the gaming that came into town and now many want gaming, would like them to be
willing to be open for a year before they do receive the gaming license. Should be very careful
as they move forward, stating that it is getting diversified and the income that the businesses
get with more of the gaming, that it has gotten a lot larger.
Alderwoman Miller would like to see a business plan before gaming could be added to revenue
for the business but needs to stand alone without it. Would like to see a business have a history
before the gaming, concerned over some of the approvals that have been done.
Alderman Santi talked about the history of business the establishment and revenue increment
of local owners and how they reinvest in the city.
Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know who approves the 6 terminals the state does, want to know
if we could do less, yes, confirmed by Mayor Jett.
Administrator Morefield stated there are 184 machines in town, revenue has gone up every
year at least 10-15% per year. There is a gaming website that allows a monthly comparison
year over year as well for any establishment including the total revenue.
Alderman Koch wanted to know what class A means, and confirmed it is a bar. Truck stops
can as well like a Trio.
Alderman Strach commented if there is another aspect to the business has no issue with
gaming
Attorney McArdle, stated some standards need to be followed to allow for the license regarding
liquor. Gaming stated no line can be drawn but the direction is what is needed from the council.
Deputy Clerk Johnson stated that he gets a call every week turning those down that are a
restaurant or bar, however, those cafes are being told no, per the last four years. He has a
concern about what to say to the concerns that are being brought to him now. Needs some
guidance on how to proceed.
Mayor Jett stated that if they are told no and then they come to the council it makes it hard, to
want to be on the same page.
Alderman Glab stated that we should not refuse but explain what the policy has been to apply
and bring it to the council, letting them know it is highly unlikely.
Chief Birk clarified the license types needed for gaming.
Alderman Santi stated to allow the businesses to make the call and have it come back to the
council.
Alderwoman Miller spoke about the corn beef factory and that the food sales need to be greater
than the gaming sales, maybe that could be incorporated by Deputy Clerk Johnson.
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This conversation went on for some time, stating that bringing these requests to the council
may be the best moving forward.
Staff Reports:
Provided the 1st meeting of each month.
Director Polerecky stated that there is a planning workshop, per his email to the council. He
is encouraging those to come if they would like it to be interactive based and the council
import would be welcomed along with the Planning and Zoning Board is invited as well.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Jett talked about the 4 bands that were disclosed for the Rise Up
Foundation. There will be 10 national acts, he will keep the council up to date.
Alderman McClatchy asked about the leaf contract, it was in writing per Director Wirch, they
are back on schedule Flood Brothers is back on track.
Alderman Glab stated that he called Flood Brothers this weekend, and stated that one of
the constituents that the leaves were not picked up, when they called the office stated there
were no trucks out there, however was confirmed to Alderman Glab that they did go out
and are trying, did hear back promptly. Would like a weekly report on where they are at with
that.
Alderwoman Bassi thanked Director Wirch for his communication regarding Flood Brothers
and the delay in the leaf pick-up.
Alderwoman Miller would like there to be a new plan for leaf pickup next year.
Alderman Santi asked if we could bring this back as a discussion item, and it was agreed
to do so.
City Council Comments: None
Executive Session Items:
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) Pending Litigation
5 ILCS 12/2 (c) (5) Property Acquisition
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) Employment of Employee
A motion was made by Alderwoman Bassi seconded by Alderman Strach to adjourn
to Executive Session at 7:46 p.m. Executive Session – To discuss: 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)
(11) Pending Litigation, 5 ILCS 12/2 (c) (5) Property Acquisition, 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1)
Employment of Employee
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Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting from the Executive Session at 9:41 p.m. A motion
was made by Alderman Bassi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to return to an open
session. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey,
Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-
abstained. Motion carried.
Motion to authorize the City Attorney and Sher Edling, LLP to opt the City out of the pending
class actions relating to PFOS; PFOA, and PFAS pollutants (City Attorney McArdle).
A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Koch to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
No public comment.
Motion to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an Option Agreement to acquire the
property and building located at 1219 Green Street. (Staff)
A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Strach to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
No public comment.
Motion to authorize the execution of an Employment Agreement for the position of City
Administrator. Subject to the final negotiations, by the Mayor
The new administrator Suzanne Ostrovsky would be the newly named Administrator who
would be accepting the position.
A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
No public comment.
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Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to
adjourn the meeting at 9:46 pm. Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab,
Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman
Miller. 0-nay-, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Mayor Wayne Jett City Clerk Trisha Ramel
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