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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/06/1995 - City Council REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 6, 1995 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Steven Cuda on Wednesday, December 6, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Locke, Baird. Bates arrived at 7:38 P.M. Lawson arrived at 8:45 P.M. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were City Clerk Althoff, City Administrator Peterson, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Chief of Police Joyce, City Attorney McArdle. Absent: Director of Public Works Batt. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION No one signed in to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) 11/28/95 list of as-needed checks; (2) 1 1/30/95 list of as-needed checks. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Bates, Lawson. Motion carried. Alderman Baird noted the "As-Needed Checks" lists were quite lengthy and requested Council direct the Finance Committee to review these lists and determine whether an alternative process should be initiated. 1996 FIESTA DAYS DATES AND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Chamber President and 1996 Fiesta Days Chairman, Phil Bartmann, drew Council's attention to the proposed 1996 Fiesta Days schedule of events. He noted two significant changes: (1) the addition of a Friday night event, the Pioneer Fish Boil from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., with a request for a beer and wine license, and; (2) change of location from Parkland Jr. High to Petersen Park for the Kiwanis-sponsored Teen Night. Bartmann assured Council the Kiwanians would be providing additional adult supervision requiring no additional police personnel. Alderman Bates arrived at 7:38 P.M. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Baird, to approve the proposed 1996 Fiesta Days schedule of events for Fiesta Days and the request for a beer and wine license for the Friday night Fish Boil from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on July 12, 1995. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lawson. Motion carried. Some discussion followed, noting that all events providing beer and wine sales will require sale to cease one-half hour before the event's scheduled closing. A dialogue also occurred between Council, Chamber Executive Director Debbie Harr and Chamber President Phil Bartmann regarding parade plans. Chamber Executive Director Harr and President Bartmann stated their willingness to work with City representatives regarding the parade route and any additional concerns Council may have. December 6, 1995 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF 1995 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE Mayor Cuda opened the public hearing at 7:45 P.M. City Administrator Peterson stated that in compliance with State Statutes, the Council must hold a public hearing to consider the proposed tax levy. The proposed schedule was presented November 15, 1995. At that time City Administrator Peterson recommended Council reduce the contingency line item for Police Pension Fund from $210,000 to $200,000, as the actuary retained by the City to perform a study of the Police Pension Fund has concluded $198,683 is necessary to meet State funding requirements. Mayor Cuda asked if any Aldermen or anyone in the audience had any comments on the 1995-96 Tax Levy. No comments were forthcoming. Mayor Cuda then asked City Clerk Althoff if the Clerk's office had received any written or oral comments on the 1995 Tax Levy. The Clerk reported there were no written comments, however, City Administrator Peterson did receive a telephone inquiry. City Administrator Peterson reported that a City resident had called and inquired about the State Equalizer and tax cap figures. Mayor Cuda closed the public hearing at 7:48 P.M. Some discussion followed regarding the Police Pension Fund actuarial study. Motion by Baird, seconded by Locke, to pass the 1995-96 Tax Levy Ordinance, subject to the reduction from $74,000 to $64,000 on the contingency line item under Police Pension Fund. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lawson. r Motion carried. TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY - BARTON-ASCHMAN ASSOCIATES, INC. Council authorized at its regularly scheduled September 6, 1995 meeting, a traffic study be conducted by Barton-Aschman Traffic Consultants as part of the review of the Boone Creek Venture preliminary plat approval. Mr. Robert Olson, Senior Transportation Engineer of Barton-Aschman, was in attendance to review the traffic study results. Mr. Olson noted that three alternative conditions for the westerly extension of Dartmoor Drive to Curran Road were analyzed to determine their affect on the area roadway system, the projected volume of traffic that would use Dartmoor Drive and the possible improvements that would be required to accommodate and/or restrict those projected traffic volumes. The base daily traffic volumes for the regional roadway network were obtained from the data in the McHenry County 2010 Transportation Plan model developed in 1994 by Barton-Aschman. The three alternatives included: (1) A west Dartmoor Drive extension crossing Boone Creek and connecting to existing Dartmoor Drive; (2) A west Dartmoor Drive extension crossing Boone Creek and connecting to existing Dartmoor Drive with the development of a north-south collector roadway; and (3) A west Dartmoor Drive extension not crossing Boone Creek with the development of a north-south collector roadway. Mr. Olson also noted that all the alternatives included the development of a west McHenry bypass and assumed full development and buildout of the surrounding areas. A lengthy discussion followed noting: • The distance between U.S. Route 120 and Bull Valley Road as east-west arterials is too lengthy to appropriately disperse traffic in a manageable flow. • The study's conclusion that the connection over Boone Creek would not have a significant detrimental affect on Dartmoor Drive if the connection is developed. December 6, 1995 Page 3 • The study's conclusion that the extension of Dartmoor Drive with a connection over Boone Creek should be pursued as long as the north- south collector roadway is also developed through the northwest developments between Dartmoor Drive and the West McHenry Bypass, as no other alternative location to cross Boone Creek is available between State Route 120 and Bull Valley Road. • The City's commitment to the construction of the West McHenry Bypass shown by the Council's budgeting $50,000 in the 1995-96 fiscal year, and an additional $50,000 for the 1996-97 fiscal year, and preliminary discussions with property owners along the proposed west McHenry bypass route. • The availability of one additional alternative study, as Barton-Aschman's original proposal included four alternative studies and only three were completed. This additional study could be a west Dartmoor Drive extension crossing Boone Creek and connecting to existing Dartmoor Drive without the construction of the West McHenry Bypass. • The mitigating recommendation of Barton-Aschman to widen Bull Valley Road to a five-lane cross section is not one currently acceptable to McHenry County officials who are responsible for the maintenance and improvements of Bull Valley Road. County officials have considered a three-lane cross section and recommend controlled access points on Bull Valley Road to accommodate increases in traffic volume. In response to Council's concerns regarding cut-through traffic, Barton-Aschman recommended reducing the average speed and increasing the travel time along the cut- through route to limit the volume of traffic, as well as improving or maintaining the travel speed along the direct route. Mr. Olson noted that increasing the travel time as well as constructing a more circuitous route has a limiting affect on cut-through traffic. Further discussion ensued regarding the development of a written master plan for traffic. It was noted that an in-place master traffic plan could assist Council in directing developers with their proposed plans. Motion by Baird, seconded by Locke, to direct the Public Works Committee to review and present to Council, proposals to begin creating a master traffic plan. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lawson. Motion carried. Senior Traffic Engineer Olson also distributed a corrected copy of the traffic study, noting that figures in the table on page 13 were incorrect. Mayor Cuda opened the floor to comments from the audience. Wayne LaRock of 5013 Sandburg Drive inquired whether this traffic study took into consideration the commercial development planned for Route 31 . Mr. Olson replied in the affirmative. Steven Biel of 5215 W. Dartmoor suggested Council consider postponing the extension of Dartmoor Drive over Boone Creek until the proposed developments on the west side of the City were completed. Edward Dorn of 4314 Shamrock Lane inquired as to the development plans for the property located on the east side of Crystal Lake Road across from existing Dartmoor Drive. City Administrator Peterson noted the property owner was currently moving ahead with development plans. Alderman Lawson arrived at 8:45 P.M. Andy Glab of 5003 Oakwood Drive stated that although the extension of Dartmoor Drive across Boone Creek had some negative impact on the Dartmoor Drive residents, it also had positive impacts on surrounding area traffic, as the bridge allowed for better dispersement of traffic. December 6, 1995 Page 4 Alderman Locke left the meeting at 9:00 P.M. 1996 DIAL-A-RIDE LOCAL SHARE AGREEMENT City Administrator Peterson reported that the City has participated in a curb-to- curb Dial-A-Ride program in cooperation with PACE since October 14, 1987. The program is funded through fare collection, with remaining service costs funded 75% by PACE and 25% by the City of McHenry. Peterson drew Council's attention to the letter received from PACE Chairman Florence Boone, stating a reduction of the PACE funded deficit from 75% to 70% could occur within 30 days notice to the City if they — are unable to balance their budget. The City then would be responsible for the balance. Peterson noted that the PACE program provides an excellent service and operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., and Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Rides are arranged through a service provider under contract to PACE. Fares to riders for this program are $1 .50 for full fare and $.75 for reduced fare. Discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of raising the current ridership fares, as well as increasing hours of operation to better coincide with the local train service. City Administrator Peterson noted that the fares had not been raised in nine years. Alderman Bates suggested Council consider raising the full fare from $1 .50 to $1 .75, but leaving the reduced fare for children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities at $.75. Discussion continued. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to approve the 1996 Dial-A-Ride Local Share Agreement and Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Agreement in an amount not to exceed $35,330.00 with the same current hours of operation and ridership fares. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. ORDINANCE ANNEXING PROPERTY City Administrator Peterson informed staff that when annexing property adjacent to the City's Public Works garage late in the 1980's, a portion of this property was inadvertently omitted. In an effort to correct the oversight, staff is recommending Council pass an ordinance annexing the omitted portion of this property west of Green Street and adjacent to the City's Public Works garage. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to pass an ordinance annexing property west of Green Street and adjacent to the City's Public Works garage. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. AWARD OF BID - PERSONAL COMPUTER FOR ENGINEERING INSPECTOR City Administrator Peterson stated that he concurred with Director of Public _ Works Batt's written recommendation to award the computer bid to the low bidder Gateway in an amount not to exceed $3,812. Peterson explained that neither of the two low bidders included a printer, however, the one bid including the printer exceeded specifications and the overall cost is double that of the low bidder, Gateway. The cost of the unbid printer is approximately $850.00 and will be purchased separately. Peterson also noted that the purchase of this computer had been included in the 1995-96 Budget. December 6, 1995 Page 5 Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to award the bid for the Engineering Inspector's computer to the low bidder, Gateway 2000, in an amount not to exceed $3,812.00. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. Page 5 AWARD OF BID - PUBLIC WORKS COPIER City Administrator Peterson reported that as per Director of Public Works Batt's notation, Stan's Office Machine of Woodstock was the low bidder at $17,670.48. Peterson also informed Council that this item was also a budgeted line item. Some discussion followed regarding the buyout terms and maintenance costs. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to award the 36-month copier lease for the Public Works/Building & Zoning Departments to the low bidder, Stan's Office Machines, in the amount of $424.18 per month, including a $1 .00 buyout and a service fee of $.01 per copy beginning the second year. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS Mayor Cuda referred Council to his memo of November 28, 1995 regarding the appointment of Audrey Buellesbach to the Environmental Advisory Commission. There were no objections to his appointment. Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to approve Mayor Cuda's appointment of Audrey Buellesbach of 5507 Chasefield to the Environmental Advisory Commission for the remainder of a term ending April 30, 1996. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. Cuda then presented a resolution to the first Fifth Grade graduating class of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E.) and requested Council pass the resolution. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to pass a resolution commending the first Fifth Grade graduating class of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. Mayor Cuda noted that this resolution will be presented to the Fifth Grade class at their graduation ceremony on Thursday, December 14, 1995 at 9:30 A.M. Cuda concluded his report by thanking the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce and the Loyal Order of Raccoons for all their hard work and efforts in creating the Winter Wonderland and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 3, 1995. It was noted that the Loyal Order of Raccoons stated their intent and desire to double the efforts for 1996. December 6, 1995 Page 6 COMMITTEE REPORTS Alderman Bates, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, informed Council that there would be a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting on December 7, 1995 at 7:00 P.M. STAFF REPORTS City Clerk Althoff drew Council's attention to her memo regarding the McHenry Rotarians' request to purchase special town name signs which can be erected at the four entranceways into the City. Council directed staff to thank the Rotarians and produce sign renderings in compliance with any State and/or City ordinances. Clerk Althoff also requested Council to review her memo of November 28, 1995 regarding pre-annexation agreements from the property owners on North Route 31 so that any comments, concerns and questions might be addressed at a January regularly scheduled Council meeting when this item will be placed on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to go into Executive Session at 9:20 P.M. to discuss possible litigation. Voting Aye: Bolger, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. Motion by Locke, seconded by Bolger, to go back into Open Session at 9:39 P.M. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Baird. Voting Nay: Lawson. Absent: None. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bates, seconded by Locke, to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 P.M. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. ..__. TY CLER , MAYOR