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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03/15/1995 - City Council REGULAR MEETING MARCH 15, 1995 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Cuda on Wednesday, March 15, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Baird. Alderman Bates arrived at 7:32 P.M. City Staff in attendance were: City Clerk Althoff, City Administrator Peterson, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Public Works Batt, Chief of Police Joyce, City Attorney McArdle. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION Curt Pepe of 3609 Cornell Court stated his concerns over the commercial development of the Freund property, located across from Target on Route 31 , and this property's close proximity to residential development. Natalie LaMantia, President of the City of McHenry's 4-H Club, presented Mayor Cuda with a Certificate of Appreciation for allowing their organization temporary use of Municipal Building's classroom. Bill Moerschbaecher of 4502 Lakewood Avenue stated his opposition to the proposed Fiesta Days water ski show on McCullom Lake, siting current lake restoration efforts and safety issues. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) February 15, 1995 Board of Local Improvements and Regular City Council Meeting Minutes; (2) March 1 , 1995 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes; (3) Tuition Reimbursement Request - Roland Wood, Supervision of Police Personnel, $800.00; (4) Tuition Reimbursement Request - Thomas M. Jenkins, Supervision of Police Personnel, $800.00; (5) Tuition Reimbursement Request - Victor Chirio, Psychology 101 , $126.62; (6) Tuition Reimbursement Request - Rhonda F. Lang-Rushing, OST 120-Word Perfect for DOS, $111 .00; (7) February Budget Report; (8) February Treasurer's Report; Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Alderman Baird requested a slight correction on the February 15, 1995 minutes, under "New Business", relating to the stop sign located at the intersection of Driftwood Trail and Courtland. City Clerk Althoff noted his request and stated compliance. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REQUEST TO HOST WATER SKI SHOW ON McCULLOM LAKE AS PART OF THE FIESTA DAYS PROGRAM City Administrator Peterson explained that Phil Bartman, President of the Chamber of Commerce requested this item be removed from this evening's agenda and reserved the right to reschedule it at a later date. March 15, 1995 Page 2 AWARD OF BID - MOWING CONTRACTS City Administrator Peterson explained that in an effort to improve the maintenance level of City parks and other City property, the privatization of lawn mowing services was authorized by the City Council. Bids were received for contractual mowing operations for 45 City properties on February 27, 1994. The low bidder is Krohn Lawn and Landscape Maintenance of Woodstock, in the amount of $2,145.00 per mowing. City Administrator Peterson noted that based on a minimum of 22 mowings, and a maximum of 30 mowings, the value of the contract would be between $47,190.00 and $64,350.00. Some discussion followed regarding the bidders inclusion of prices for fertilizer application, herbicide treatment, tree and shrub removal, tree and shrub trimming, and planting bed maintenance. City Administrator Peterson explained the low bidder had been determined solely on the mowing portion of the bid. Bid specifications stated this procedure. It was also noted that the City will determine, and have total control of the mowing schedule. Special event requests can also be accommodated. Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bates, to award Krohn Lawn and Landscape Maintenance of Woodstock a contract for mowing services for City properties in the amount of $2,145.00 per mowing. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. AWARD OF BIDS - RECREATION PROGRAM T-SHIRTS AND SUMMER BROCHURE PRINTING Bids were sought and received for t-shirts and the Summer brochure printing. It was staff's recommendation that Council award the bid for the purchase of t-shirts for Summer Recreation programs to the low bidder Custom Sports of Crystal Lake in the amount of $2,413.80, and to award the contract to McHenry Printing of McHenry, Illinois for the Summer Recreation brochure printing in the amount of $5,145.40. Discussion followed noting that the City does recover most of the t-shirt cost. Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bates, to award the bid for the purchase of t-shirts for Summer Recreation programs to the low bidder, Custom Sports of Crystal Lake in the amount of $2,413.80; and to award the contract for the Summer Recreation brochure printing to McHenry Printing of McHenry, Illinois in the amount of $5,145.40. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. It was noted that the $5,145.40 printing bid was for recycled paper. If recycled paper was not part of the criteria, McHenry Printing would still be the low bidder in the amount of $4,982.90. ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF CLASS "A" LIQUOR LICENSES FROM 21 to 20 City Administrator Peterson explained that it has been the City's past practice to reduce the number of liquor licenses when a license holder goes out of business. This practice never allows a liquor license to be available, except by ordinance amendment, to increase the number by the City Council. Past Councils have taken this action to have the ability to review individually each liquor license application. March 15, 1995 Page 3 Alderman Locke recommended drafting an ordinance which would void and nullify, under the appropriate circumstances, an existing liquor license. Some discussion followed. City Attorney McArdle was directed by Council to draft such an ordinance. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to pass an ordinance as presented reducing the number of Class "A" liquor licenses from 21 to 20. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. AMENDMENT TO PARKING ORDINANCE - CREATION OF ADDITIONAL HANDICAPPED SPACES ON KANE AVENUE, ADJACENT TO McCRACKEN FIELD City Administrator Peterson reported that High School District Superintendent Robert Swartzloff requested the City install additional handicapped parking spaces on Kane Avenue, adjacent to McCracken Field. He sited the large crowds which have attended the high school football games, necessitating additional handicapped parking spaces. Alderman Baird suggested staff investigate the possibility of sidewalk and curb cut installation along the north side of Kane Avenue to assist handicapped access to the field. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to pass an ordinance as presented increasing the number of handicapped parking spaces from 1 to 5 on Kane Avenue, adjacent to McCracken Field. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. It was noted that the new location of the additional handicapped parking spaces will not negatively impact area residents. PROVISIONS FOR AMENDMENT TO LEAF BURNING ORDINANCE City Administrator Peterson reviewed Council's direction to draft an ordinance restricting leaf burning in the City of McHenry. He recommended the following restrictions: (1) Leaf burning would be allowed only on Saturdays and Sundays, during the months of October and November, and from April 15 to May 15; (2) Leaf burning would be allowed only from 8:00 A.M. to sunset; and, (3) Leaf burning would not be allowed for 48 hours following a 1/2" rain or more; Discussion followed regarding restricting paper burning at this time. It was Council's decision to address the issue of paper burning separately. Council directed City Administrator Peterson to draft a leaf burning ordinance incorporating all of the recommendations discussed. The ordinance will be presented for Council review at the regularly scheduled March 29, 1995 Council meeting. MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS Mayor Cuda informed Council he had recently met with Jeffrey Ladd of Northern Illinois Medical Center to discuss zoning and developmental issues. Mr. Ladd suggested the full Council utilize one of their workshop meetings and meet at the hospital with other appropriate hospital personnel to discuss these issues further. Mayor Cuda suggested May 17, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. for this meeting. Further details will be forthcoming. March 15, 1995 Page 4 Mayor Cuda drew Council's attention to the letter from Ruth Fenwick, informing Council of her resignation from the Landmark Commission. He reported that he recently met with a representative from Sundance Homes who expressed interest in vacant properties in and around the City of McHenry. COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman of the Finance Committee, Alderman Locke, requested all Aldermen who _ have not already done so, to submit to either City Administrator Peterson or himself their suggestions and comments'on the 1995-96 employee wage and benefit package so that negotiations may resume in a timely fashion. Chairman of the Building and Zoning Committee, Alderman Baird, reminded Council that the Committee will be meeting at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday, March 22, 1995, prior to the Special Meeting on Inland's North Park development. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Alderman Bates, reminded Council of a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 21 , 1995 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman of the Public Works Committee, Alderman Bolger, informed Council that he will be scheduling a Public Works Committee meeting the first week in April. STAFF REPORTS Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito noted that the developer of the Freund property referred to by Mr. Pepe during the Ten Minute Public Input Session, will not be seeking a variance, as the property is already zoned Commercial. He stated staff's awareness of Mr. Pepe's concerns, and indicated staff would be sensitive during the _ development of this property. Mayor Cuda suggested Mr. Pepe submit his concerns in writing to the Director of Building and Zoning. Director of Public Works Batt introduced Street Superintendent David Herda in the audience. He reported the Department's successful efforts in cleaning up the City parks. The City pool has also had pumps rebuilt and the interior building painted in anticipation of the Summer season. Snowplow damage repairs are scheduled to begin in mid April. Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel reported that he would be attending the Tree City U.S.A. Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 22, 1995 at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Chief of Police Joyce requested Council action to pass a resolution noting the retirement of Communications Dispatcher Judi Cook. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to pass a resolution commending Communications Dispatcher Judi Cook for her 23 years of City recognizing her retirement. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. _ Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Council authorized the expenditure of $75.00 for the purchase of a gift certificate for Judi Cook. City Administrator Peterson asked Council to consider the removal of both the one and three meter diving boards at Knox Pool because of the large insurance liability involved. Council referred this issue to the Parks and Recreation Committee. March 15, 1995 Page 5 City Clerk Althoff reminded Council of the recreational center visits scheduled for Saturday, April 1 , 1995 beginning at 8:00 A.M. A Council retreat is also being scheduled for May 10, 1995 beginning at 3:00 P.M. and running until approximately 8:00 P.M. at the Tamara Inn Hotel. Further information will be provided. NEW BUSINESS Council queried Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito further about the planned development of the Freund property on Route 31 . Discussion followed, focusing on traffic and planned curb cuts foe all new development occurring along this stretch. Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito stated staff will address these traffic issues simultaneously in an effort to create the best possible traffic flow. Discussion followed regarding the Chain 0' Lakes Fox River Waterway Management Agency's request for support of their proposed legislation clarifying that Agency ordinances relating to boating restrictions on the waterway supersede local ordinances. Council deferred action on this issue to the April 5, 1995 regularly scheduled Council meeting, when Karen Kabbes, Executive Director of the Chain 0' Lakes Fox River Waterway Management Agency, is in attendance. Alderman Baird drew Council's attention to the letter from Dwayne Carlson, District Engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation. He noted that this letter supports previous comments regarding requiring developers to pay for their impact on the community. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed speed limit reduction for Green Street and Crystal Lake Road. Motion by Baird, seconded by Locke, to direct City Attorney McArdle to draft an ordinance reducing the speed limit on Green Street and on Crystal Lake Road to 35 MPH. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Alderman Locke stated that it appeared some multi-family units may not yet be in compliance with the City's waste management program. He also stated his intent to seek a rebate for those residents who were in compliance immediately. A suggestion was made that the vacant store space located in the Market Place Shopping Center be considered for Parks programs. Motion by Bates, seconded by Locke, to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M. CITY CLERK, MAYOR