HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 02/01/1995 - City Council REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 1, 1995
The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor
Cuda on Wednesday, February 1, 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 7:40 P.M. 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.
TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION
Dave Seibt of Freund Avenue, and Joseph Stanek of Millstream Avenue, stated
their concerns regarding Boone Creek. They explained that the creek was silting up,
filling with debris, and emitting a foul odor. They requested dredging and clean-up be
considered. Mayor Cuda directed staff to contact the Chain O' Lakes Fox River
Waterway Agency via Karen Kabbes to determine if the dredging of this Boone Creek
section was feasible, and remain in contact with the concerned residents.
BOARD OF LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS MEETING
Mayor Cuda opened the Board of Local Improvements meeting at 7:35 P.M.
Siting incomplete documentation, he continued the meeting to consider final
construction costs for Country Club Estates sanitary sewer until Wednesday, February
15, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. The Board of Local Improvements meeting was recessed at
7:37 P.M. to February 15, 1995 at 7:30 P.M.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to approve the Consent Agenda as
follows:
(1) January 11, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes;
(2) January 18, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes;
(3) Alarm hook-up request from Wal-Mart Store #1377;
(4) Tuition Reimbursement Request - Kristine Paprocki, Word Perfect 6.0,
$111 .00;
(5) Reduction in Letter of Credit - McDonald's Subdivision, from $171 ,600
to $0, subject to approval of maintenance guarantee;
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: Bates.
Motion carried.
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF PARK IMPACT FEES - ENDEAN SUBDIVISION
Attorney for Mr. Endean, Joe Gottemoller, explained that a preliminary and final
plat of the Endean Subdivision was approved at the December 21, 1994 City Council
meeting.
Alderman Bates arrived at 7:40 P.M.
Subsequently, Mr. Endean and Mr. Gottemoller were informed that they were
required to pay impact fees for parks and the Fire District. The subdivision is not
within the City of McHenry School or Library Districts. Mr. Endean and Mr.
Gottemoller are objecting to the park impact payment, stating that they will not be
using City parks and should therefore not pay park impact fees. City Administrator
Peterson noted that it is the staff's recommendation to deny this request, as all other
developers within the 1 .5 miles of the corporate boundaries of the City are required
to pay these fees. Discussion followed.
February 1, 1995 Page 2
Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to deny Mr. Endean's request to waive
the park impact fees for Endean Subdivision which is located within 1 .5 miles of the
City.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF FINAL COSTS FOR COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES SANITARY SEWER
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
This item was postponed until the February 15, 1995 regular City Council
meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPING A TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
Mayor Cuda noted that when numerous trees on the Miller property, located
north on Route 31 , were destroyed in an expansion effort, he had received numerous
complaints from City residents. In an effort to prohibit these events from occurring
again, Mayor Cuda recommended Council consider the adoption of a tree preservation
ordinance, which would eliminate the total destruction of trees on City property,
particularly property which is being prepared for development. Tree preservation
ordinances are not uncommon, and may be enforced under the Subdivision Control
Ordinance, or through site development permits. City Administrator Peterson stated
that there were many issues to consider: the type, size and number of trees to save.
Discussion followed. It was the Council's consensus to send this issue to the Building
and Zoning Committee for further review and recommendation.
REVISIONS TO THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
City Administrator Peterson explained that it became apparent during the initial
stages of the Pacini project that the current P.U.D. process was inadequate. Recently,
City Planner Allen Kracower, City Attorney McArdle, and staff met to develop
revisions to the City's Planned Unit Development Ordinance. As the process is
contained in the City's Zoning Ordinance, revisions to it must be reviewed by the
Zoning Board of Appeals after publication in the newspaper noticing a public hearing.
City Administrator Peterson noted that the revised ordinance provides for a submittal
of more detailed information than the current ordinance, creates a technical staff and
consultant review team which renders a written report to the Zoning Board of Appeals,
and eliminates the current P.U.D. review committee. City Administrator Peterson
began reviewing the drafted P.U.D. ordinance in more detail, outlining the process to
Council. He noted two substantial differences in the newly drafted P.U.D. ordinance:
(1) Staff is solely responsible for the review of all technical issues; the Zoning Board
of Appeals is responsible for review and recommendation on all Zoning issues; and
Council is responsible for determination and resolution of all policy issues, (2) a set
procedure which allows for the review and regulation of unforeseen changes after final
plat approval, i.e. unresolved issues awaiting approval from an outside regulatory body
(IDOT, METRA, Department of Conservation, etc.). A lengthy discussion followed
resulting in the following suggestions for re-draft:
(1) Adding the Plan Commission Chairman as an Ex-Officio member to the
technical review staff on bottom of page 5 and page 7.
(2) Add language to bottom of page 5 under "Technical Review
Committee..." as follows: "City Council to be notified of meetings and
welcome to attend."
(3) The consideration of changing the word "shall" to "will";
(4) Language specifying a 30-day minimum for review of the concept plan
before it officially comes before full Council for consideration, as well as
a minimum 30-day review requirement after final submission of all
reports and recommendations on page 3 under "Preliminary Plan".
(5) The changing of the City Administrator reference to City Council in
Paragraph N on page 8 and Number 4 on page 11 .
February 1, 1995 Page 3
(6) The additional language sending preliminary plat to a meeting of the Plan
Commission for review and recommendation.
(7) On page 10, Paragraph f., replace "significant importance" with "as
determined by City Council".
Mayor Cuda directed City Administrator Peterson to incorporate these
suggestions into a re-draft of this ordinance and resubmit for Council consideration of
the ordinance at the February 15, 1995 regularly scheduled Council meeting.
City Administrator Peterson noted that the Pacinis are anxious to proceed with
their planned unit development project, and are at a point where the staff would
proceed with their technical review. It was determined by Council to invite the Pacinis
to the February 15, 1995 regularly scheduled Council meeting for a review of the
conceptual plan. It was also noted that issues relating to donations, fees, and special
considerations must be addressed at the conceptual plan level.
AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT AUDIT PROPOSALS
City Administrator Peterson stated that it is necessary to solicit new audit
proposals for all City funds for the 1994-95 year. Staff is recommending a format
similar to that used when proposals were sought in 1991, which allows for the three-
year alternate.
Motion by Locke, seconded by Baird, to authorize staff to solicit audit proposals
for 1994-95, with an alternate to provide services for the 1995-96, and 1996-97
years.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
City Administrator Peterson noted that Requests for Proposal will be sent to all
past auditors, appropriate Chamber members, and notification will be published in the
newspaper.
1995 MOWING CONTRACT
City Administrator Peterson explained that in order to provide an increased level
of service, and as part of the reorganization of the Parks Department, Council had
agreed to pursue a mowing contract for all City properties, with the exception of
Knox, Petersen, and Brookside Parks. The Request for Proposal specifications
provides for a two-season extension based upon exceptional work, and in addition to
proposals for mowing and trimming, proposals for a variety of other lawn and
landscape maintenance work, including herbicide treatments, fertilizer applications,
trees/shrub planting, removal and trimming, as well as landscape bed maintenance.
Motion by Lawson, seconded by Baird, to authorize staff, after a final review
of the insurance and legal requirements by the City Attorney, to advertise for mowing
services for all City properties based on the presented specifications.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
_ Absent: None.
Motion carried.
MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS
Mayor Cuda stated that in November, Council had considered the possibility of
building a recreational center. He had recently visited the Park Ridge Recreation
Center, and in discussions with the manager, learned that the center is profitable.
Discussion followed. Council directed City Administrator Peterson to contact various
area recreational centers and schedule viewing visits.
February 1 , 1995 Page 4
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Chairman of the Public Works Committee, Alderman Bolger, reported that the
Committee had met on Monday, January 30, 1995, and minutes will be forthcoming.
He noted that the 1995 Street and 1995 Sidewalk programs bid packets were being
prepared and will be presented for Council review and approval at the regularly
scheduled City Council meeting on February 15, 1995.
Chairman of the Finance Committee, Alderman Locke, reported that the Finance
Committee had met on Friday, January 20, 1995, and the minutes would be provided
in Friday's agenda packet.
Chairman of the Building and Zoning Committee, Alderman Baird, also reported
that the Building and Zoning Committee had met on Thursday, January 26, 1995, and
the minutes would be provided for Council review in Friday's agenda packet.
STAFF REPORTS
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel reported that the City of McHenry's
application to become a Tree City U.S.A. had been approved January 19, 1995. He
informed Council that the City of McHenry was one of 171 communities in the State
of Illinois to receive this distinction, and the first City in McHenry County. Director
Merkel also reported that the Marlin's Parent Association raised enough funds to
purchase a 20' X 30' canopy tent.
City Administrator Peterson drew Council's attention to the letter regarding east
of the Fox River annexations. He noted that staff intends to send this letter to all
involved property owners and registered voters unless Council objects. There were
no objections. City Administrator Peterson then distributed a City of McHenry
informational flyer which was created by the McHenry Area Economic Development
Corporation, and will be distributed as part of their informational packet.
City Clerk Althoff presented a resolution for Wastewater employee Vern
Rouley's retirement.
Motion by Bates, seconded by Bolger, to pass a resolution in recognition of
Vern Rouley's 14 years of City service upon his retirement, February 3, 1995.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Motion by Bates, seconded by Baird, to authorize an expenditure not to exceed
$75.00 for a gift certificate for Mr. Vern Rouley's retirement.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Locke reported that he and City Administrator Peterson had met with
the employee group representatives on Monday, January 30, 1995 to hear their
requests for next year's wage and benefit package. He also asked City Administrator
Peterson to look into placing live, decorative potted trees along Green Street, Main
Street, and Riverside Drive to create a more aesthetically pleasing look and
atmosphere.
February 1 , 1995 Page 5
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Locke, seconded by Lawson, to go into Executive Session at 9:30
P.M. to discuss purchase of property, sale of property, and personnel matters.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
_ Motion by Locke, seconded by Bolger, to go back into Open Session at 10:20
P.M..
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Motion by Locke, seconded by Bolger, to authorize staff to initiate the
acquisition procedure forthe Genevieve Knox property, for purposes of acquiring right-
of-way for the Bull Valley relocation.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk
to execute the Police Union contract, as presented.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Bates, seconded by Locke, to adjourn the meeting.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M.
CITY CL813K VW
MAYOR