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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04/05/1995 - City Council REGULAR MEETING APRIL 5, 1995 The Regular meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Cuda on Wednesday, April 5, 1995 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 Building and Zoning Lobaito, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Chief of Police Joyce. Absent: None. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION No one signed up to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session. PRESENTATION OF LANDMARK PLAQUE TO THE McHENRY CHURCH OF GOD Barbara Gilpin, Chairperson of the Landmark Commission, and Mayor Cuda presented Plaque #17 to the McHenry Church of God located on John Street. Representatives from the Zion Lutheran Church, the church's founding denomination, as well as its current tenants, the McHenry Church of God, were in attendance to accept the plaque. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) March 22, 1995 Special City Council meeting minutes; (2) Resolution in recognition of Carl Fredrickson upon his resignation from the Landmark Commission; (3) Resolution in recognition of Ruth Fenwick upon her resignation from the Landmark Commission; Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Mayor Cuda noted Carl Fredrickson, one of the resolution recipients, in the audience. He thanked Mr. Fredrickson for his time and commitment to the Landmark Commission, and stated the City's appreciation for his civic contribution. BOONE CREEK DREDGING AND FOX RIVER REGULATORY ISSUES Mayor Cuda requested that this agenda item be postponed to later in the meeting, as Executive Director of the Fox River Waterway Agency, Karen Kabbes, was not yet in attendance. MOTOR FUEL TAX RESOLUTION AND ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT City Administrator Peterson explained that Willow Road and Prairie Avenue _ needed to be removed from the repair portion of the City's 1995 Street Program, as the work required to repair the streets was more in line with reconstruction, than repair. The Illinois Department of Transportation is requiring additional engineering be provided for the reconstruction of the streets; therefore, in order to proceed with the work, it is necessary for the Council to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign a resolution authorizing the expenditure of up to $450,000 for the rehabilitation of Willow Road and Prairie Avenue. April 5, 1995 Page 2 Motion by Lawson, seconded by Baird, to pass the MFT Resolution as presented and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the resolution in the amount of $450,000 for reconstruction of Willow & Prairie (1995 Street Program). Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. City Administrator Peterson also stated that the work is scheduled to be completed this year. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to approve an engineering services agreement with Baxter &Woodman for testing, design, and bidding assistance for the MFT reconstruction of Willow & Prairie project (1995 Street Program), in an amount not to exceed $18,000.00. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. ADDITIONS TO 1995 SIDEWALK PROGRAM Council had directed staff at the March 29, 1995 regular Council meeting, to present a list of the additional sidewalks to be included in the approved expanded sidewalk program. City Administrator Peterson reviewed the list. He requested Council authorize the addition of these locations to the sidewalk program, and authorize staff to spend up to an additional $40,000.00 for the sidewalk program. He noted that past experience has shown that additional work is sometimes necessary at individual locations beyond what was budgeted for. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to approve the additional expenditure of up to $40,000 to Colella Concrete, Inc. on the City's 1995 Sidewalk program, including the approved sidewalks list. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. 1995-96 EMPLOYEE DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE RENEWAL City Administrator Peterson noted it was time for the renewal of the employee's dental and vision plan. A survey was conducted to determine the employees' overall level of satisfaction with the current plan, and to determine if there was a willingness to make some changes. The survey results led staff to research alternatives. In order to simplify administrative issues and create some flexibility, a proposal was sought from Health Plan Management, the City's current self-insured health plan administrator. City Administrator Peterson then presented a history of premium costs, claims, and administrative savings on both the dental and vision plan. It is staff's _ recommendation to continue providing the same dental benefits to employees on a self-insured basis, retaining Health Plan Management to administer the benefits, and that the vision benefit be provided within the City's health plan and not as a separate vision plan. It was also recommended that a Preferred Provider Option be negotiated with McHenry doctors, and used as a model for the PPO arrangement. Some discussion followed. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Baird, to approve the 1995-96 renewal of dental and vision insurance under the City's self insurance program and administered by Health Plan Management. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: Bates. Absent: None. Motion carried. April 5, 1995 Page 3 BOONE CREEK DREDGING AND FOX RIVER REGULATORY ISSUES Doctor William Dam, Chairman of the Chain O'Lakes Fox River Waterway Management Agency, gave a brief presentation about the Agency, and reported on its past and present activities. He asked for the Council's formal support of the flood gate modifications to the Algonquin and McHenry Lock and Dams, as well as support of Senate Bill 206, which among other things, clarifies that the agency ordinances relating to boating restrictions on the waterway supersedes local ordinances, and removes the user fee cap of $50.00. Some discussion followed. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to pass a resolution supporting the Fox River Waterway Management Agency's construction of the proposed flood gates at McHenry and Algonquin Lock and Dams. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Executive Director of the Chain O'Lakes Fox River Waterway Management Agency then addressed Council. She reported on the feasibility of dredging Boone Creek, noting that the Waterway Agency could enter into an intergovernmental agreement to work with the City to dredge and haul sediment from Boone Creek to a dumping site. As the Waterway Agency does not maintain unnavigable waters, such as Boone Creek, the City will be charged for the work, and will also need to apply for a permit. She noted that federal grant monies were available for water quality grants for clean-up, and suggested that the City work with the Waterway Agency and NIPC to pursue said grant. Mayor Cuda directed staff to work with Karen Kabbes of the Chain O'Lakes Fox River Waterway Management Agency, as well as Bob Kirschner from the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, and pursue grant opportunities for the cleaning and dredging of Boone Creek. Further discussion ensued regarding Senate Bill 206. Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to authorize the Mayor to write a letter in support of Senate Bill 206 regarding clarification of the Fox River Waterway Management Agency's boating restrictions an dother related matters. Motion by Locke, to table this issue. Motion failed for lack of a second. Further discussion continued regarding the Waterway. Agency's regulatory control of the Fox River. The Clerk called for the vote on the original motion: Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: Locke Absent: None. Motion carried. MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS Mayor Cuda reported that Alderman Lawson, City Administrator Peterson, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, and he had visited several recreational centers on Saturday, April 1, 1995. If any additional Aldermen wish to go and look at the same recreational centers, they should contact City Clerk Althoff to make arrangements. April 5, 1995 Page 4 Mayor Cuda also reported that he had met with the bar owners, whose establishments are located along the Fiesta Days parade route, and an agreement was reached. Although the sale and distribution of alcohol will be allowed during the parade, it may not be distributed in any portable containers (i.e. plastic cups, cans, and bottles). It is understood that flagrant abuse of this rule will result in an immediate three-day suspension of their liquor license. A meeting will be held after the parade to review this procedure. Mayor Cuda then noted a request from the Public Works Department to make a proclamation declaring May 21 - 27th "National Public Works Week". Alderman Locke left the meeting at 9:00 P.M. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Lawson, to proclaim May 21 - 27th as "National Public Works Week". Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. STAFF REPORTS Alderman Locke returned to the meeting at 9:05 P.M. Director of Public Works Batt noted that in conjunction with "National Public Works Week" , Sunday May 27th from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. the Public Works Department will be hosting an open house at the City Garage. All are encouraged to attend. Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel noted that the tennis court renovation work was continuing. An Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 1 :00 P.M. on this Saturday, April 8th, and the Men's Softball League had been completely filled. He also noted that the Parks and Recreation Committee will be meeting with the various leagues to determine scheduling for this season. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, motion by Bates, seconded by Lawson, to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. F bf �l r CITY CLERK MAYOR