HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/20/2024 - City CouncilCity of McHenry Council
Meeting Minutes
2.20.24
MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 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-absent, Alderwoman Miller, and Mayor Jett. Others
present Attorney McArdle-absent, Administrator Ostrovsky, Director of Community
Development Polerecky, Finance Director Lynch, 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:
Lupe Ortiz: Executive director of the Youth and Family Services non-profit organization, spoke
at the podium. She is in support of the referral that will help benefit those in need of mental
help. The voting takes place on March 19th where a tax on goods will help benefit mental
health. She would like help and encouragement regarding this vote throughout the community.
Tim Beck, a resident- would like to have a firework display that he would like to conduct for his
wife who passed away in January as a celebration of life here. Asked all his neighbors if they
would support this and had signatures from them in support, which he handed off to Mayor Jett.
Presentation: Cycling Without Age- Carl Edstrom presented a deck regarding the
organization. This was an overview of a free service for elders of McHenry County. The focus
is to help and focus on the older residents and those also who are in assisted living
communities.
One of the main ideas is to help elderly residents by connecting them with nature and any way
that they can to help them continue to grow. The presentation gave the history of the program
and the founder Ole Kassow, who created this program in 2012 in Copenhagen, created this
into an international organization that is active in 39 countries. There are now 45 people who
are volunteering their time to this organization and the communities with 1,146 rides that were
given across the county. The rides are in neighborhoods and on trails as well. The bicycle is
called a Trishaw, which is a bike that has a seat attached in front of it for residents to sit.
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Riverside Residents and Heritage Woods are some examples of the routes that have been in
use.
Consent Agenda: Motion to Approve the following Consent Agenda Items as presented:
A. Block Party request on Woodridge Trail on June 9, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(Deputy Clerk Johnson);
D. Parks & Recreation Facilities & Special Use Permit Requests;
F. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $359.891.05;
G. As Needed Checks in the amount of $271,241.92.
A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve
the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote:6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
*Clerks note: Item pulled by Alderman Glab.
B. Allow the closure of Main Street from 9 am – 6 pm on June 29, 2024; to allow open
container alcohol and consumption from 11 am – 5 pm in the defined area; and to waive
fees to the event organizers for the 2024 Taste of McHenry on Main event. (Director
Hobson);
Alderman Glab wanted to make sure that the Walgreens exit was open, per Director Hobson
this conversation has been discussed before and the petitioners have done a great job before,
he has also stopped in and met with the manager at Walgreens.
Alderman McClatchey stated that this came up last year, but it was stopped before the drive-
thru per Director Hobson.
Alderwoman Miller asked if we created a lane of cones the first year to accommodate, can we
consider this again, Director Hobson explained the reasoning behind the closure, etc.
A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve
the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote:5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller.
1-nays-Alderman Glab, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
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*Clerks note: Item pulled by Alderman Glab.
C. Authorize the execution of the following Farm Lease Agreements:
a. Lease Agreement w/David Laufer (former Levy Property)
b. Lease Agreement w/Bauer Family (Petersen Farm)
c. Lease Agreement w/Charles Schaefer (Riverside Hollow Property)
d. Lease Agreement w/Charles Schaefer (Petersen Ballfield Annex Property)
Lease Agreement w/Charles Schaefer (Curran Road Property)
Alderman Glab, no problems with leasing agreements wanted to know the ordinance regarding
this. Director Hobson stated that he has never received a single complaint regarding the hours
during this. Alderman Glab is requesting that a time restraint be added to this.
Alderwoman Miller stated that growing up on a farm gets crops taken care of when needed.
Alderwoman Bassi wanted to know what is used on the crops and questioned if it was
Monsanto or Roundup, it is mosaic per Director Hobson.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi to
approve the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Santi,
Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent,
Alderwoman Miller.1-nays-Alderman Glab, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
*Clerks Note: Item pulled by Alderman Glab and Alderwoman Bassi.
E. February 5, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes;
Alderman Glab wanted this vote regarding ComEd from the last meeting to be a pass instead
of an abstain, the clerk had it recorded as abstain, which will be changed in minutes.
Alderwoman Bassi asked that the minutes be changed regarding a presentation from the last
meeting where she had asked a question, the minutes stated “parking underground” when the
parking will be “street level”, this will be corrected per City Clerk Ramel.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Bassi and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve
the Consent Agenda Item as presented: Roll Call: Vote:6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
*Clerks note this item was pulled.
Discussion Item Agenda:
A. 7 Brew Coffee Conceptual Presentation (Director Polerecky)
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Individual Action Item Agenda:
A. Class A Liquor License to Fox On The Run, 3316 Pearl Street
Motion to approve a Class A Liquor License to Fox On The Run, located at 3316 Pearl
Street, and if approved, pass an Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Alcoholic
Liquor, Section 6, Limitation on Number of Licenses, of the McHenry City Code (Deputy
Clerk Johnson)
Alderman Glab finds this a unique new concept for the city of McHenry. stated that the issue
being forth is stating the liquor licenses and knowing what know of the establishment this is
stated that we do have some control here.
Alderman McClatchey stated it seemed like a good concept, then looked into it and noted that
three new places are opening up and is concerned about parking with this, therefore will be
voting no on the item.
Alderman Strach stated that he is looking to vote on what is happening tonight.
Alderwoman Miller stated that she is in support of the request, and parking has been improved,
would like to support new opportunities.
Alderman Santi would like Jessica the petitioner to come to the podium, it was confirmed that
this is going to be just for a liquor license, and she has a background in the industry.
Public Comment: Brooke H.- a resident wanted to make some comments regarding The Studio.
Her daughter has attended The Studio for some time and has a great passion for the arts.
Wanted to express if there is a way to vote to keep The Studio there she would.
Jessica, the petitioner took the podium again stating that she was there in regards to a liquor
license only not trying to remove anyone just asking to add to it, the rest is up to the landlord
of the building.
This conversation went on for some time.
A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Glab to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller. 1-
nays-Alderman McClatchey. 0-abstain. Motion approved.
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B. Class A Liquor License to Toast and Roast, 1250 N Green Street
Motion to approve a Class A Liquor License to Toast and Roast, located at 1250 N
Green Street, and if approved, pass an Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Alcoholic
Liquor, Section 6, Limitation on Number of Licenses, of the McHenry City Code
(Deputy Clerk Johnson)
A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman Strach to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
Alderman Santi said it was nice to be invited to do a walk-through by the owners, it has come
a long way, and wished them good luck.
Alderman McClatchey also amazed by the work done wished them good luck.
Alderwoman Miller also thanked them, the venue space looks to be amazing as well, and the
opportunities will be endless.
Lauren, the business owner took the podium and stated that they are supported welcomed,
and excited about being in McHenry.
Mayor Jett said thank you to the petitioner and the family, thank you for taking their time to get
it off the ground.
C. Video Gaming License to Toast and Roast, 1250 N Green Street
Pending the approval of a Class A Liquor License to Toast and Roast, a motion to
approve a Video Gaming License to Toast and Roast, located at 1250 N Green Street,
and if approved, pass an Ordinance amending Title 4, Chapter 6: Video Gaming
Terminals, Section 4: Limitations of Establishments and Terminals, of the McHenry City
Code (Deputy Clerk Johnson)
A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote:5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller. 1-
nays- Alderwoman Bassi. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
No public comment.
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D. Annexing 1709 N Riverside Drive
Motion to approve an Ordinance Annexing 1709 N Riverside Drive (City Planner Sheriff)
A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to
approve Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi,
Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-
absent, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nays-. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
No public comment.
E. SB Friedman Contract and Budget Amendment Ordinance
Motion to (1) approve a contract with SB Friedman for TIF alteration and establishment
in the amount of $29,860 and (2) approve a budget amendment in the amount of
$29,860 from the TIF Account (290-00-5110); and a motion to approve a contract with
SB Friedman for additional TIF consulting in an amount not to exceed $20,000 (Director
Polerecky).
A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve
Individual Agenda Items as presented: Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman
Glab, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch, Alderwoman Miller. 1-nays-
Alderman McClatchey. 0-abstained. Motion approved.
No public comment.
Staff Reports:
Provided the 1st meeting of each month. The courthouse will be opening soon, per Director
Polerecky.
Mayor’s Report: None
City Council Comments: Alderman Glab would like to have the fireworks added to the next
meeting for the residents who spoke today.
Alderman Strach had mentioned he had a conversation with Administrator Ostrovsky regarding
the up-and-running dispensary. Would like to talk about the funds added to a meeting agenda
for this as well.
Alderman Miller wanted to thank everyone that is working hard and service out there in the
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town.
Alderman McClatchey said thank you to Director Hobson regarding the March decorations.
Alderman Glab, kudos as well.
Alderman Santi stated that we forgot to ask the petitioner of Toast and Roast if the opening
day, will not be announced yet.
*Clerks note Executive Session did not occur
Executive Session to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public
body, including meetings held to discuss whether a particular parcel should be acquired (5
ILCS 120/2(c)(5).), and for litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).).
Possible motion to approve a purchase and sale agreement.
Possible action to opt into a pending lawsuit settlement regarding PFAS.
Presented by Brandi, in the absence of Attorney McArdle. This is for a motion to opt back in.
When explained by Brandi, there was a fairness hearing that had gone before a judge, who
urged those who had opted out to opt back in. This has been ongoing litigation for 4 years,
some of the language has changed on DuPont and 3M would be excluded from the wastewater
as it is a separate claim. Per Director Wirch the total to McHenry would be around $151,000.
A Motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Santi to
approve the opting into the pending lawsuit settlement regarding PFAS. Roll Call: Vote:
6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman
Strach, Alderman Koch-absent, Alderwoman Miller. 0-nay, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Adjourn: A motion was made by Alderman Strach and seconded by Alderman Santi to
adjourn the meeting at 8:17 pm. Roll Call: Vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab,
Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Strach, Alderman Koch-absent,
Alderwoman Miller. 0-nay-, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
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Meeting Minutes
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Mayor Wayne Jett
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City Clerk Trisha Ramel