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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11/20/2023 - City Council 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 City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.20.23 2 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 City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.20.23 3 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. City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.20.23 4 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 City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.20.23 5 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. City of McHenry Council Meeting Minutes 11.20.23 6 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 ------------------------------------------------------------