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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 09/14/1994 - City Council REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 1994 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Cuda on Wednesday, September 14, 1994 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were: City Clerk Althoff, City Administrator Peterson, City Attorney McArdle, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito. Absent: Chief of Police Joyce. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION No one signed up to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) Az ;;;3,ast 29, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes; (2) August Budget Report; (3) August Treasurer's Report; Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. JAYCEES PROPOSAL FOR FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS Kevin Kutz, Chairman of the Jaycees Board of Directors, and this years Co-Chairman of the "Haunted House" reported that the Jaycees would like to donate the proceeds from this year's "Haunted House" event to the City to fund a third of July fireworks display. "Spooking for Sparks" would be the funding mechanism for a City-sponsored fireworks event. Mr. Kutz felt the Jaycees could raise approximately $15,000 over the course of the three weekends. He also asked for Council participation. The Council gave their hearty approval to the proposal, and suggested the Jaycees contact staff after the conclusion of the "Haunted House" event. AWARD OF BID - TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT IL ROUTE 31 and PRIME PARKWAY The City applied for, and is the recipient of a 50% matching grant from the State of Illinois for the installation of a traffic signal at Illinois Route 31 and Prime Parkway. The local portion of the costs are to be paid for by Prime Commercial Corporation under an agreement with the City. Bids were opened on September 7, 1994 with the low bidder being Virgil Cook & Son, Inc. of DeKalb, in the amount of $58,327.42. It was noted by Director of Public Works Batt that the bid was less than the engineer's estimate, and although it is a unit price contract, little variance is anticipated. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to award the contract for installation of a traffic signal at Illinois Route 31 and Prime Parkway to Virgil Cook & Son, Inc. of DeKalb, Illinois, the low bidder, in the amount of $58,327.42 to be paid by 50% matching grant from IDOT and the remaining 50% from Prime Commercial Corporation. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. RETENTION OF CITY PLANNER FOR PROPOSED PACINI PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT `- City Administrator Peterson reported that he had interviewed Allen L. Kracower of Allen L. Kracower and Associates of Buffalo Grove in connection with the proposed Planned Unit Development of the Pacini property, located at the northwest corner of Illinois Route 31 and Bull Valley Road. Mr. Kracower's personal as well as the firm's resume were given to the Aldermen for review. Mr. Kracower, if retained, requested a meeting with the Council to address their concerns and garner their input on this project. He has also offered to lower his normal fee of $185.00/hour to $145.00/hour. The costs for these services will be paid out of the proceeds of a retained personnel deposit provided by the Pacini developers. September 14, 1994 Page 2 Motion by Bolger, seconded by Lawson, to retain the services of Allen L. Kracower and Associates of Buffalo Grove to coordinate the City's review of the proposed, Pacini Planned Unit Development, with the fees of $145 per hour to be paid from the Pacini Retained Personnel Account. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Baird, Bates, Lawson. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Alderman Bates suggested the Council consider meeting with the City Planner at the regularly scheduled October workshop meeting. McHENRY COUNTY 2010 TRANSPORTATION PLAN City Administrator Peterson reported that he and Mayor Cuda had recently attended a Council of Mayors Transportation meeting. County staff members requested municipal input on the alternatives being considered in the transportation plan. The County will be providing in the very near future further information, specifically maps, to assist Council's review of the transportation alternatives. City Administrator Peterson noted that the Council should be working toward developing written comments for the County regarding the preferred alternatives in the plan as they impact the City of McHenry. Alderman Bolger suggested the Council consider recommending to the County Board further development of Route 31 between Crystal Lake and McHenry. Alderman Lawson suggested the October workshop meeting be devoted to the review of the 2010 Transportation Plan alternatives. City Administrator Peterson was directed to invite the County's Transportation Planner and/or a representative from his office to attend this meeting. WATER SERVICE NORTH AVENUE/GRAND AVENUE AREA Director of Public Works Batt directed the Council's attention to a section of pipe pulled out of a water main break on North Avenue. He reported that four water main breaks occured last week in the North and Grand Avenue area. Inspection of the pipe indicated pock marks as large as 4" in diameter had developed, until only a very thin cement lining .was left. It is felt that these pock marks are the result of corrosion caused by acidic soil conditions. Staff is requesting Council approval to hire the City Engineer to determine if the water main damage is due to soil conditions, and if so, to identify the affected area and develop a recommended solution, including cost estimates. In response to questions, Director of Public Works Batt stated the cost of installation of water mains was $50/foot, and an estimate of the affected area was to 2,000-3,000 feet. Motion by Bates, seconded by Lawson, to approve the hiring of City Engineer Baxter & Woodman to inspect the water main damage in the North Avenue/Grand Avenue area, identify the affected service area, and recommend cost estimates. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. REQUEST FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES TO COMPLY WITH ADA REQUIREMENTS City Administrator Peterson reported that Federal mandate requires park washrooms to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) . In order to prepare bids for the work, specifications must be written. A quote of $8,500 was received for the work, however the Parks and Recreation Committee felt competitive proposals should be sought. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to authorize advertising Request for Proposals for architectural services to improve park washroom facilities to be in compliance with ADA requirements. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. September 14, 1994 Page 3 MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS Mayor Cuda reported that he, City Administrator Peterson, and Director of Public Works Batt had met with Robert Bergland of Northwest Property Management Association regarding the Thornwood drainage ditch. Mr. Bergland proposed a 50/50 cost share between the City and Condominium Associations to repair the drainage problem. The City would incur the engineering costs with the Condominium Associations conveying the property to the City once it was repaired. Mr. Bergland will present a written proposal once both Associations are in agreement with this arrangement. Mayor Cuda noted that at last week's Council meeting, discussion had occured regarding the length of time allowed Gary Lang for recapture through an increase in sales tax revenue for the City's portion of the left-hand turn lane on Route 31. Mayor Cuda and City Attorney McArdle read through the transcripts, and it appeared that this issue was vaguely addressed. Mr. Lang felt the two year period decided upon last week, September 7th, was unacceptable, and Mayor Cuda felt an unspecified time was equally unacceptable. A compromise of four years was discussed. Mayor Cuda requested Council consideration of a four-year time period. Discussion followed. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Locke, to extend the recovery time through increases in sales tax revenue in the Second Amendment to the McHenry Corporate Center Annexation Agreement to four years for the City's portion of the left-hand turn lane on Route 31. Voting Aye: Baird, Locke, Bolger, Cuda. Voting Nay: Lawson, Bates. Absent: None. Motion carried. City Attorney McArdle noted that Mr. Lang is responsible for paying all costs for the improvements to this turn lane, subject to being reimbursed. Mayor Cuda announced that City Attorney McArdle, City Administrator Peterson, and City Clerk Althoff met with the attorneys and petitioners for the Busch/Knox Annexation. City Attorney McArdle will -redraft the agreement and send it out to all the Aldermen for review. Any comments should be directed to City Administrator Peterson. City Attorney McArdle noted the agreement has two or three items that need to be discussed further, but in essence, the agreement mirrors the Hillside Agreement very closely. COMMITTEE REPORTS Alderman Baird, Chairman of the Building and Zoning Committee, noted that minutes from their August 22nd meeting will be included in next Friday's agenda packet for review. He enumerated briefly the items covered at the meeting, including building monotony codes, ticketing procedures, and revised language for the Sign Ordinance. Alderman Bates reported that he had attended a NISRA Finance Committee meeting. The next Parks and Recreation Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, September 19th at 7:30 P.M. The agenda will include NISRA financing, preliminary plans for a recreation center, and policies for the use of athletic facilities and picnic reservations. STAFF REPORTS Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito reported the High School Parents Group and the Senior Services Group were requesting the waiving of sign fees for their respective fundraising events. Both are not-for-profit organizations, and past Council policy allowed for the waiving of these fees. Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to waive the sign fees for both the High School Parent Club and the Senior Services Group on their respective fundraising events. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. September 14, 1994 Page 4 Director. of Public Works Batt reported that interviews for Street Superintendent and Engineering Inspector are being scheduled for the first week in October. Shortly thereafter, interviews will begin for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. It was noted that the Street Superintendent's position will most likely require a second interview. City Clerk Althoff reminded the Aldermen of the Trade Fair scheduled for October 22nd and October 23rd. NEW BUSINESS Alderman Bolger reported he had received complaints from residents --- regarding the high school students parking along Main Street. He noted that parking along John Street had been restricted to two-hour parking in the past, and perhaps this has caused the move to Main Street. The residents are concerned, specifically, with the interference of garbage removal and restricted driveway entrance. Alderman Bolger suggested a two-hour parking limit be implemented on Main Street. Discussion followed regarding the potential use of the former hospital's far east parking lot, parking fees, and consideration of a two-hour parking limit on all streets surrounding the high school area. City Administrator Peterson was directed to consult with Chief Joyce to determine what streets would be appropriate to limit to two-hour parking. These findings will be reviewed at the next City Council meeting. Alderman Bates requested copies of all the minutes relating to Mark Towne's or the McHenry City Business Centre property. Alderman Bates also requested consideration of a new implementation of the Ten Minute Public Input Session, as provided by Robert's Rules of Order. Lengthy discussion followed. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to maintain the present Ten Minute Public Input procedure. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: Lawson. Absent: None. Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Locke, seconded by Baird, to go into Executive Session at "1 8:55 P.M. to discuss Personnel Matters. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: Bates. Absent: None. Motion carried. Motion by Bates, seconded by Locke, to go back into Open Session at 9:00 P.M. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bates, seconded by Baird, to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:04 P.M. C Y CLERK MAYOR