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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 05/03/1995 - City Council REGULAR MEETING MAY 3, 1995 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order on Wednesday, May 3, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Cuda 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, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito, Chief of Police Joyce, City Attorney McArdle. Absent: None. Chief of Police Joyce introduced recently hired Communications Dispatcher -- Michelle Metzer. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION Sergeant Daniel Kinnerk, representing the McHenry Police Department's Sergeants, stated their unhappiness and concerns over the elimination of longevity, and respectfully requested Council's reconsideration of this issue. Anton Rebel of 4009 W. Maple Avenue addressed Council regarding Inland's McCullom Lake Road annexation, Senate Bill 971 and the impact this bill would have on the City of McHenry, if it passes. He also recommended Council consider electing Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals members as opposed to being Mayoral appointments. Jerry Benes informed Council that the Concerned Citizens for Integrity in Government were hosting a fundraiser on June 25, 1995 at the Tamara Royale Inn. The guest speaker will be Don Manzullo. Tickets may be purchased through Mr. Benes or Bob Anderson. Barbara Gilpin, Chairperson of the Landmark Commission, presented copies of the 1995-96 Landmark Commission goals and objectives, stating the desire of the Landmark Commission is to become a credible resource for the City. She also requested Council to consider the installation of washrooms at Fort McHenry and requested a vote be taken on the issue so that the installation of the washrooms could be done this summer. REQUEST FOR SPECIAL MEETING TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANNEXATION AND ZONING - NORTHPARK SUBDIVISION, CUNAT BROTHERS City Administrator Peterson explained that the attorney for the petitioner of Northpark Subdivision, John Roth, requested the item be removed from this evening's agenda. City Administrator Peterson noted that the issue may come before Council for reconsideration at a later date. FENCE VARIANCE - CORNER SIDE YARD, 316 N. HUNTINGTON DRIVE City Administrator Peterson explained that Cathy and Ken Miller of 316 N. Huntington Drive, are requesting a variation from the City's fence regulations. City fence regulations require a 15-foot setback for corner side yards, and the Millers are requesting the installation of a 4-foot picket fence to the property line on their corner side-yard. Motion by Locke, seconded by Bolger, to approve the Miller's request for a fence variance, allowing the installation of a 4-foot picket fence on the corner side yard of their property. Discussion followed, with the information that similar requests have been approved with only a 5-foot setback requirement for the adjoining public sidewalks. Mayor Cuda called for the vote. May 3, 1995 Page 2 Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke. Voting Nay: Bates, Lawson, Baird. Absent: None. Motion failed. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to grant Kathy and Ken Miller's request for a fence variance allowing the installation of a 4-foot picket fence with a 5-foot setback for the adjoining public sidewalk at 316 N. Huntington Drive. Voting Aye: Baird, Lawson, Bates, Locke, Bolger. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. FENCE VARIANCE REQUEST - 1501 N. GREEN STREET City Administrator Peterson explained that the Taylors of 1501 N. Green Street were requesting variances to install a 4-foot picket fence around the entire perimeter of their lot. The first variance would be the Broad Street corner side yard to allow the installation up to the property line. City regulations require a 15-foot setback. The second variance would be for the Green Street front yard to permit the installation beyond the front of their home. City regulations prohibit fencing in front yards, except split rail fencing not to exceed 3.5 feet. Mrs. Taylor addressed the Council with an explanation for their request. She also noted their request allowed for an angled corner on the southeast side for better visibility at this intersection. Discussion followed, noting that similar requests have been approved with a 5-foot setback requirement for the adjoining public sidewalks. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to grant Beth Taylor's request for fence variances at 1501 N. Green Street, allowing a 5-foot setback on the Broad Street corner side-yard, and as per City ordinance requirements, the Green Street front yard fence installation shall not extend beyond the front of their house. Voting Aye: Baird, Lawson, Bates, Locke. Voting Nay: Bolger. Absent: None. Motion carried. SIGN VARIANCE -4201 MEDICAL CENTER DRIVE, CENTEGRA NORTHERN ILLINOIS MEDICAL CENTER City Administrator Peterson explained that Northern Illinois Medical Center is requesting a sign variance to allow the placement of a second wall sign on the hospital building. John Hadley, Northern Illinois Medical Center's Facilities Management Director, and Penny Hughes of Hughes Sign, Inc. addressed the Council. Mr. Hadley stated the desire of Northern Illinois Medical Center to identify the entire hospital complex under their new parent name "Centegra". Ms. Hughes explained that the proposed wall sign will be mounted on the east side of the hospital building facing Route 31, and that a 10-foot high parapet wall will need to be constructed on top of the penthouse to help accommodate the top portion of the sign. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Lawson, to approve the Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center's request for a sign variance allowing for the installation of a second wall sign on their building. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. May 3, 1995 Page 3 DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS - 216 N. GREEN STREET City Administrator Peterson stated that at the request of Alderman Bolger, this issue was placed on the City Council's agenda. He also noted that this drainage issue had been before Council for review on numerous occasions, most recently at the December 7, 1994 Council meeting. At that time, Council tabled the issue. The two solutions under consideration were: 1) the City, paying the entire cost for materials and labor, would install the swale as it was originally designed, along with a 4" underdrain; and 2) the City, paying the entire cost for labor, would install a concrete pipe solution to the drainage, with the homeowners agreeing to pay the cost of pipe prior to construction. Discussion followed, noting the cost differential between the two options. Director of Public Works Batt noted the labor costs of Option 2 were twice as expensive as the labor costs of Option 1 . Motion by Lawson, seconded by Baird, to authorize staff to install the swale as it was originally designed, with a 4" underdrain, with the City being responsible for the entire cost of materials and labor. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Alderman Baird asked that if this solution does not, in fact, correct the problem, to revisit the issue. Council concurred. REQUEST TO AMEND CITY ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO TRANSPORTATION OR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR IN A MOTOR VEHICLE TO CONFORM WITH STATE STATUTES City Administrator Peterson reported that Martin Robb of McHenry O'Hare Limousine Service, had brought to staff's attention that the City of McHenry's ordinance differs from the State Statutes regarding the transportation or possession of alcoholic liquor in a motor vehicle. Mr. Robb was requesting Council consideration to revise the City's ordinance to conform with State Statutes. Chief of Police Joyce also recommended that the City's ordinance be amended to conform with State Statutes. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to authorize staff to draft an ordinance amendment allowing the transportation or possession of alcoholic liquor by passengers only in a limousine or chartered bus to conform with Section 5/11-502 of Chapter 625 of Illinois Compiled Statutes. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. REMOVAL OF DIVING BOARDS FROM KNOX PARK POOL Alderman Bates, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, explained that City Administrator Peterson had recommended the removal of the diving boards at Knox Park Pool. Council sent this recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Committee for further discussion. Alderman Bates presented the following options: (1) Leave the diving boards up through the 1995 season and consider a change at the end of the season; (2) Remove the high dive only, and provide one or two lanes for lap swimming during open swim hours; (3) Remove the high dive only, and consider the addition of an amenity such as a water slide at the pool; and, (4) Remove the high dive and replace it with a second one-meter diving board. May 3, 1995 Page 4 Alderman Bolger noted that a fifth option would be to remove the three-meter high dive altogether, with no replacement. It was noted that the Parks and Recreation Committee made no recommendation. A lengthy discussion followed. Motion by Bates, seconded by Lawson, to replace the three-meter high dive with a second one-meter diving board at Knox Park Pool, to be ordered immediately and installed upon arrival. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Locke, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH PARK CLOSING TIMES Alderman Bates, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, reported that the Committee had considered the establishment of park closing times by ordinance at its April 18, 1995 meeting. A list of parks with recommendations, as to either closing at dusk or 10:00 P.M., was presented by Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel. Discussion followed noting that the enforcement of park closing hours should be handled with discretion and be appropriate to the circumstances. Discussion as to Director Merkel's suggestions followed. Council directed staff to draft an ordinance regarding park closings and bring it back for Council review and further discussion. MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS Mayor Cuda reported that as per Council direction, a letter was sent to Senator Klemm and Representatives Skinner and Hughes stating the Council's strong objection to Senate Bill 971 . Representative Skinner sent a reply noting his opposition to Senate Bill 971 as well, and stating his intent to express these feelings in Springfield. It was noted that as of May 1, 1995 the bill was still pending in the Senate. Mayor Cuda requested staff distribute copies of the bill to all Aldermen for their information and review. Mayor Cuda asked if Council was ready to approve his 1995-96 appointments as presented at the Annual Meeting of the McHenry City Council on April 26, 1995. Motion by Lawson, seconded by Baird, to approve Mayor Cuda's appointments for one-year terms to April 30, 1996 as follows: City Administrator Gerald R. Peterson Chief of Police Patrick J. Joyce Director of Public Works Fredric C. Batt Director of Bldg. & Zoning John Lobaito Dir. of Parks & Recreation Peter J. Merkel Attorneys: Corporate - David J. McArdle - Zukowski, Flood, Rogers & McArdle Traffic - Chuck Reilly - Reilly, McAndrews, & Cunabaugh Engineers Baxter & Woodman Voting Aye: Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: Bolger, Locke. Absent: None. Motion carried. Discussion regarding Department Head evaluations and salary increases followed. Mayor Cuda suggested these items be addressed at Council's retreat May 10, 1995. Council concurred. There were no Committee Reports. May 3, 1995 Page 5 STAFF REPORTS Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito presented a request from Industrial Building and Development Company for authorization to connect into the City of McHenry's fire alarm monitoring system for the building located at 1301 Ridgeview Drive in the McHenry Corporate Center, which will house Motorola's Cellular Infrastructure Group. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to approve the request by Industrial Building and Development Company to be connected to the City of McHenry's fire alarm monitoring system for the building located at 1301 Ridgeview Drive, housing Motorola's Cellular Infrastructure Group. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bate, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel reported that summer registration was scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 1995. He also drew Council's attention to the recently received Tree U.S.A. flag and plaque. Mayor Cuda took this opportunity to commend the citizenry of McHenry for their donation of trees and for the participation during the Arbor Day ceremonies. He also thanked Riverside Bakery for their cake donation. Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel noted that the City was still seeking an 18-22 foot Spruce tree for the Whispering Oaks Park location. Chief Joyce reported that the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will take place on June 11 , 1995. Aldermen Lawson and Bates stated their intent to participate in this event. Chief Joyce, noting Council's approval for the hiring of two additional police officers in the proposed 1995-96 budget, requested Council's approval to begin the hiring process for one additional patrol officer. Council concurred. City Administrator Peterson noted the request from the Partners for Clean Air, asking the City of McHenry to pledge cooperation by voluntarily implementing strategies to reduce ozone on ozone action days. Ozone action days are summer days when unhealthy levels of ozone are predicted. Some discussion followed regarding the voluntary pledge. Council agreed to sign, and directed City Administrator Peterson to do so. City Administrator Peterson also noted the April 27, 1995 letter from Roger Gerstad requesting a two-year extension of time to complete improvements in Phase III of their Deerwood Estates subdivision. Director of Public Works Batt noted the existence of other variables regarding this request, and asked that this item be placed on the May 31 , 1995 Council agenda. Council concurred. City Administrator Peterson reported that Director Batt, City Engineer Carl Moon, Alderman Lawson, and John Smith of Smith Engineering will be meeting to work out a solution to the Martin Woods II detention pond problem. He noted that the solution will most likely entail a wet bottom pond. Staff will keep Council - informed of all action. City Clerk Althoff reported that as previously requested by Council, TCI Cablevision had agreed to air NISRA's fishing derby tape every Tuesday evening at 8:00 P.M. during the month of May. She also reported a memo will be provided to all Aldermen regarding the Council's upcoming retreat Wednesday, May 10, 1995. May 3, 1995 Page 6 NEW BUSINESS Alderman Bolger suggested a civic foundation be established in the City of McHenry, whereby upon death cash donations or assets of a trust are left to the civic foundation. Council agreed to consider this suggestion further at a later Council meeting. Alderman Bolger then requested Council take a vote on Ms. Gilpin's previous request for installation of washrooms at Fort McHenry. Some discussion followed. Council members noted that previous discussions regarding washrooms at Fort McHenry drew severe opposition from numerous Whispering Oaks residents. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bates, to include the topic of Fort McHenry washroom installation as an agenda item at the regularly scheduled May 31 , 1995 Council meeting. Council also directed staff to inform previous objectors of this agenda item. Voting Aye: Locke, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: Bolger, Lawson. Absent: None. Motion carried. Alderman Bates noted Kevin Mundt, owner of The Spot, has scheduled a town hall meeting regarding gang awareness for Thursday, May 11, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers at the Municipal Center. He also stated he had some comments on the revised Inland McCullom Lake Road annexation agreement, and would be contacting City Attorney McArdle to share his comments. Alderman Baird reminded Council that the Riverwoods Fifth Grade class would be utilizing the Council Chambers at 9:45 A.M. on Thursday, May 11, 1995 to conduct a mock City Council meeting. Alderman Locke stated his congratulations to Skip Kumm, newly elected Riverwoods Fifth Grade Mayor. Motion by Bates, seconded by Lawson, to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. CITY CLERK ✓` MAYOR