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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 9/16/2024 - City CouncilCity Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 1 McHenry City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Call to Order The City Council of the City of McHenry, Illinois, met on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at McHenry City Hall, 333 S. Green Street, McHenry, IL. Roll Call Deputy Clerk Johnson called the roll. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch, Mayor Jett. Public Comment Roger Thacker thanked Elizabeth Roth from the Public Works Department for helping with the street light issue. He gave credit to staff members for having a good relationship with ComEd and for getting things done quickly. He told Council members that they should take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the staff. He also specifically mentioned Ross Polerecky, Bill Hobson, and Suzanne Ostrovsky as people that handled themselves well and were impressive at Council meetings. He believes that the staff works hard but doesn’t get the credit they deserve. Steve Buss stated that he was representing the three car dealers that were major sponsors of the Rise Up event. He couldn’t believe how amazing the event was handled and wanted to thank everybody for bringing this event to McHenry. This was great for our businesses and for showing what McHenry has to offer and was the best thing he has been to. Molly Ostap was present on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and commended Wayne and Amber Jett for their successful event. She was impressed with the thought and detail of the advanced planning and for problem solving on the fly. The event had a significant impact on the community and brought more than just an ADA park. This had an impact on the businesses directly associated with the event. The other businesses were impacted by the thousands of people coming to the community. An event of that size gives credibility to our town and puts us on the map by attracting people who want to invest in our community. This was also a sense of pride for our community. She spoke of other community leaders who are jealous of the collaboration we have here. She thanked the City Council for supporting the event, Staff members for jumping in and helping when necessary, and the 500 community members who volunteered. City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 2 Mayor Jett thanked the Staff, the Police Department, the County Sheriff’s Department, and all of the volunteers who showed how many people care about the community. Consent Agenda Alderwoman Bassi asked to pull Item B for additional consideration. Alderman Glab asked to pull Item C for additional consideration. A. A Resolution Recognizing the Importance of Manufacturing to our Community, Designating October as National Manufacturing Month, and Designating October 4, 2024, as National Manufacturing Day in the City of McHenry B. Approval of the following for the Full Moon Market: 1) Parks Special use permit to allow multiple tents at 1202 Riverside Drive (Miller Point Park) with live music on Saturday 10/12 from 11am to 6pm and 2) to allow alcohol in the park aside from the designated areas adjacent to All Marine Retro Rentals at Miller Point Park on Saturday 10/12 from 11am – 6pm - Pulled by Alderwoman Bassi for additional consideration. C. Approve a) the Notice of Cancellation for the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Contract for 3309 and 3407 Waukegan Road, McHenry, Illinois; and b) the Notice of Cancellation for the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Contract for 3311, 3313 and 3315 Waukegan Road, McHenry, Illinois – Pulled by Alderman Glab for additional consideration. D. Parks & Recreation Facilities & Special Use Permit Requests E. September 3, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes F. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $261,128.20 G. As Needed Checks in the amount of $267,746.86 A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve the consent agenda items A, and D-G as presented. Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried. B. Approval of the following for the Full Moon Market: 1) Parks Special use permit to allow multiple tents at 1202 Riverside Drive (Miller Point Park) with live music on Saturday 10/12 from 11am to 6pm and 2) to allow alcohol in the park aside from the designated areas adjacent to All Marine Retro Rentals at Miller Point Park on Saturday 10/12 from 11am – 6pm City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 3 Alderwoman Bassi explained that she is good with everything except she is not comfortable with alcohol outside of the designated area. Director Hobson stated that the request is to allow people to move around in the park and between vendor tents inside Miller Point Park, but not to allow alcohol outside of the park and on the Riverwalk. This is the fourth year of the event and is more of a craft fair than a big music and drinking festival. The music is of the acoustic variety, and they are using the gazebo instead of the amphitheater. Alderman Glab stated that he is not in favor of alcohol outside of the area, and that the show is from 11-6. We have created the park for the entire residents of the City, and it should be family- oriented and not having people walking around with drinks. This tells families not to bring kids to the event. Director Hobson explained that the Pearl Street Market on Thursday nights is a family and generational event with a lot of children and the Council has never had an issue with alcohol being served for that event. Alderman Koch stated that he does not like alcohol outside of the area and that this is a community event. Alderwoman Miller gave her support to the idea and the motion, and it is an impossible dream to keep alcohol inside of the designated area when people want to visit the craft and food vendors. A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve the Full Moon Market event as presented. Roll call vote: 4-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller. 3-nays: Alderman Glab, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Koch. Motion carried. C. Approve a) the Notice of Cancellation for the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Contract for 3309 and 3407 Waukegan Road, McHenry, Illinois; and b) the Notice of Cancellation for the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Contract for 3311, 3313 and 3315 Waukegan Road, McHenry, Illinois Alderman Santi asked if the $10,000 was going to be refunded back to the City, and Administrator Ostrovsky confirmed that it would. Alderman Glab requested that we put wording into the cancellation that both parties were agreeing to cancel the contract. This cancellation was done with the cooperation of the Carey family. Attorney McArdle explained that we would have to go back to the Carey family for their permission to add the wording since the cancellation as it stands is what was agreed to. Alderman Santi noted that if Attorney McArdle could have been given this request prior to the meeting, this could have been taken care of before tonight. He believes that is something doesn’t read right, you should throw up a red flag and have it worked on before the start of the meeting. A motion as made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Santi to approve the item as presented but amended their motion to have Attorney McArdle request permission to add language to the Notice of Cancellation that both parties agreed with the cancellation. If the Carey family did not agree to the new language, we would move forward as presented. City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 4 A roll call vote was taken. Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried. Individual Action Items South Harbor Lease Alderman Glab asked what advantage the City has for going with a 3-year contract instead of a 1-year contract. Director Hobson explained that we have continuity and not having to find somebody every year. By having a 3-year contract, the tenants are willing to invest in the property and make improvements, and as property owners, we benefit from those improvements. They have fixed the water line, electric, bathrooms, and the clubhouse, and haven’t asked the City for any reimbursements. Alderman Glab asked what would happen if a developer came and wanted to begin construction on that property, but we were under a 3-year lease. Director Hobson explained that we have an “out clause” that allows us to terminate the lease with a 120-day notice. Alderman Glab asked how many other entities we asked that would be interested in this lease, and Director Hobson stated that he asked Munson Marine and Miller Dream Marine if they were interested in this opportunity. He explained that he did not ask D’s Marine because as previous tenants they had code violation issues and problems with paying the City. Alderwoman Miller explained that she is in support of this proposed lease because this is a seasonal business and people need to know they can come back with their boats to the same tenants. Continuity is the key to success, we asked two other local marinas who showed no interest, and All Marine has done a great job and we should keep them. Alderman Koch disagreed with the 3-year lease because we don’t know what will happen after November 5th. We shouldn’t do a 3-year lease when everything is up in the air. Alderman Glab suggested we only do a 1-year lease so we can branch out and see if somebody makes us a better offer. Alderman Santi stated that if a better offer comes in, he wants it brought to us in the middle of this lease so he can hear about it and consider it. Alderman Santi, Alderman McClatchey, and Alderman Davis all reiterated that this is basically a 6-month lease because we can get out of the contract for any reason. A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve a lease for the South Harbor piers, property, and buildings with All Marine Services Inc. through October 31, 2027. Roll call vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Koch. 1-nays: Alderman Glab. Motion carried. Oak/Industrial/Orleans Street STP Resurfacing Project Alderman Glab stated that with Dartmoor Drive we tried several years to get this type of grant. We almost added one million dollars to the street program by doing this. A motion was made by Alderman Koch and seconded by Alderman Glab to pass a resolution appropriating $280,000 for City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 5 the City’s matching local funding requirement for the STP Resurfacing Project. Roll call vote: 7- ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried. Façade Grant – 1208 N Riverside Drive Alderman Santi thanked Alderman Davis for spending time with himself and the Millers. Alderwoman Bassi stated that the total façade grant budget was $100,000 with $87,000 used, so we have the money to fund this. She asked if Windhill had been contacted, and Director Martin said they were and that they might resubmit an application. They would be eligible for $5,000. Alderman Koch asked how often people can apply, and Director Martin stated that if a grant is received, they can apply every five years. Alderman Glab explained that this is the normal criteria, but the Council can decide on their own to allow approvals more often. A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to approve a façade grant application for the property at 1208 N Riverside Drive in the amount of $5,000. Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried. Riverwalk Shoppes Special Event Alderwoman Miller stated that she is thrilled to see this. This is a public/private setting that invites the public, brings them in, and does exactly what was intended for Miller Point. Alderman Glab questioned the exclusive liquor license that All Marine has. Director Hobson explained that this is a special event like Shamrocks the Fox where we can give them notice for another alcohol provider. Alderman Glab noted that this is a Chamber event and not a City event and believes that we need All Marine to sign off on it. Director Hobson stated that he has spoken with the owners, that the are in support of the event, and that they aren’t even open on that date. Alderman Glab still requested we get their permission in writing. Molly Ostap of the Chamber of Commerce stated that there is already precedence for this because they have the Wine Walk, and All Marine is in support of this event. Alderman Koch asked if the alcohol will be kept in the designated area so that people would not be walking around Green Street and Riverside Drive. Director Hobson explained that the alcohol won’t be within All Marine’s designated area because it will be within the parameters of the Riverwalk Shoppes area. Alderwoman Bassi asked when the event starts. It was explained that dinner is 6:30-9:30, and the serving of alcohol would not begin before 6:00 p.m. Alderman Davis asked if there was a way to review the contract with All Marine, and Attorney McArdle and Director Hobson stated that they will handle that issue. A motion was made by Alderman McClatchey and seconded by Alderman Snti to approve: 1) Parks Special Use permit to allow the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce to hold an event in the McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes Area of Miller Point Park on Thursday 10/17/24 (with a rain date of 10/20/24) from 2pm to 11pm; 2) a special event liquor license to the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with their Special Use Request for Miller Point Park; and 3) to allow City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 6 alcohol in the park aside from the designated areas. Roll call vote: 6-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. 1- nay: Alderwoman Bassi. Motion carried. Discussion Items Compensation of Elected Officials Attorney McArdle explained that law prohibits an increase or decrease public official salaries during their term. Changes must be done at least 180 days before taking office. With a City Council election coming up, this is the time to discuss the issue if the Council wants to make any changes. Salary surveys have been distributed to Council members. Alderman Glab stated that he analyzed the data, and if changes were to be made, he suggests that it doesn’t start until 2027 so that all Council members would have the same salary. He used a compound figure of 1.3% over the years since the last increase, and by 2027 we would be looking at $8,400. However, Council members were previously involved in more meetings and committees, so technically after taking away some work we have had a pretty good raise now that there are only two meetings a month. He also noted that it is difficult to compare salaries with other communities because they may be more affluent, have different developments, or have other issues they handle. City Administrator Ostrovsky explained that some of the surrounding communities in the salary survey are also contacting each other, so they may also be looking to increase their salaries. She assumes that some of those may go up as well. Alderman McClatchey stated that nobody should be doing this for the pay, but if an increase is coming, it shouldn’t happen until 2027. Alderman Koch would like to see a cost of living raise to keep up with the times. Employees receive cost of living raises, and he doesn’t see why alderpersons can’t get it too, since there is stress you have to deal with. Alderwoman Miller threw out the numbers for communities outside of McHenry County for her analysis. She also did not want an adjustment until 2027. She pointed out that the Council has been against raising the tax levy, so she doesn’t believe that the Council should be in favor of raising Council salaries. Alderman Santi agreed with Alderwoman Miller, and said he is here because he loves the City and does not need the money. He also doesn’t want anything to go into effect until 2027, but he noted that Council members don’t have this as a job, so they don’t need cost of living raises. He agrees that the Council has done a great job of not increasing the levy, so that should be in our minds as we think about our salaries. Alderman Glab asked that we do more research and bring this back at a later time. He suggested having an increase in the event that committees were brought back. Alderman Santi stated that this makes no sense and that they aren’t here to make a living. They are here to make decisions for the City. Alderwoman does not want an increase, but if it happens, it should be flat and not dependent on a meeting schedule. Alderman Davis suggested that we may be able to meet in the middle and go for $400 a month City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 7 equaling $4800 a year. Mayor Jett stated that he does not want to see an increase in the Mayor’s salary, and if anything, it should be lowered. A discussion of the Clerk’s salary ensued. Alderman Glab gave a history of the Clerk’s position and explained they used to be full time and have more duties. The Clerk currently attends meetings and handles the minutes, but the Deputy Clerk performs all of the other job duties. It was asked if we could compare our Clerk’s salary to other clerks, but Deputy Clerk Johnson stated it would be difficult because we don’t know what other duties other clerks could be performing. Alderwoman Miller stated that we would have the option to eliminate the elected clerk, and Attorney McArdle explained that a referendum would be needed for this action. Staff will draft an ordinance for the next meeting and have options for salaries of elected officials available so that the Council can plug in numbers after further thought and discussion. Staff Reports Director Hobson reported that Light the Night will take place on September 28th at Miller Point Park. Mayor’s Report Mayor Jett thanked all of the volunteers and committees for the Rise Up Foundation concerts. The list goes on and on for all of the businesses and people who supported it. It was a huge success, but there are some issues to rectify prior to the next concerts. He thanked Alderman Santi and Alderman Davis for helping out. Council Comments Alderman Koch was glad for the success over the weekend, but he had a problem with the music on Thursday night. He has never had a problem with the concerts in Petersen Park, but he called the police and complained on Thursday. Alderman Glab stated that he expressed his reservations about this prior, and was told it wouldn’t be louder than Bands, Brews, and BBQ. Thursday night got out of hand. Friday got toned down with the different groups, but we need to remember this for the future. He was glad it was a success and hopes we can learn by experience. Alderwoman Miller stated that the best part of living in a small town is hearing what goes on. On Friday nights they can hear the football game at her house. She likes hearing the Thursday night concerts from Pearl Street Market. Her constituents reached out to her and said they enjoyed it and were thankful they lived in McHenry. She thanked the Mayor for the Rise Up concerts and thanked Alderman McClatchey for the Pearl Street Markets. Alderman Davis explained that this was the first Rise Up concerts he attended, and Friday night was run better than any of the other events they have attended outside of McHenry. His daughter went Friday and Saturday night and he felt safe for them to go. He gave kudos to the Police Department, and he helped volunteer for the cleanup. Alderman Santi asked about the status of Whiskey Diablo, and it was explained that the bar City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Page 8 opened up last week and they started serving food this week. Mayor Jett explained that the music on Thursday was louder, and he actually had complaints on Friday and Saturday that it was too quiet and the people in the back of general admission could not hear. They did a $2 million show on Friday and we can’t have people in the back pay for tickets and not be able to hear. He understands the concerns from Council members about the loud sound. The noise issue is being taken into consideration and discussions are being had about how to make that change for future events. Executive Session A motion was made by Alderman Santi and seconded by Alderman McClatchey to adjourn to executive session at 8:35 p.m. to discuss the performance of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)). Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried. Mayor Jett reconvened the meeting out of executive session at 9:28 p.m. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch, Mayor Jett. Adjournment A motion was made by Alderman Glab and seconded by Alderwoman Bassi to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m. Roll call vote: 7-ayes: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab, Alderman McClatchey, Alderwoman Bassi, Alderman Davis, Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Koch. Motion carried. _________________________________ __________________________________ Mayor Wayne Jett Deputy Clerk Monte Johnson