HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10/17/1995 - City Council Committee Meeting of the Whole
October 17, 1995
A Committee Meeting of the Whole was called to order by Mayor Cuda
on Tuesday, October 17, 1995 at 7 : 10 P.M. in the Aldermen' s
Conference Room of the Municipal Center. At roll call the
following Aldermen were present : Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Baird.
Bates arrived at 7 : 33 P.M. City Staff in attendance were City
Clerk Althoff and City Administrator Peterson.
Mayor Cuda stated that the Committee Meeting of the Whole was
requested by the Finance Committee in order to discuss 1995-96
budget . Finance Committee Chairperson, Alderman Lawson, noted that
•..-. Department Heads will begin their budget process November ist with
a December 28th submittal deadline .
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION -- Discussion followed regarding Council' s
wish to effectively "spruce up" the three downtown areas of Green
Street, Main Street and Riverside Drive . Providing additional
parking for the Main Street area will be discussed in depth at the
Public Works Committee Meeting scheduled for November 8th, however
it was the consensus of Council to budget funds for the purchase of
property to provide additional Main Street parking. City
Administrator Peterson noted that the City had received responses
from all five of the potential property site owners discussed at
the last committee meeting. City Engineer, Dan Marcinko, will
analyze each site' s potential for parking spaces compared to the
purchase price . City Administrator Peterson noted that all the
property owners allowed for the property' s purchase on terms over
several years .
Discussion followed regarding the need to revitalize the three
downtown areas including street, sidewalk, handicapped access, curb
and gutter repair and/or additions . Council agreed to budget funds
for plantings, benches, and seasonal decorations . Road
improvements on Main Street from the railroad tracks east to Route
31 and on Borden Street from Rte 120 south to Main Street were to
be prioritized. The amount of $50, 000 for each downtown area is to
be budgeted for revitalization efforts .
Greg Bates arrived at 7 : 33 P.M.
A lengthy discussion also took place regarding the creation of a
reduced interest rate loan fund for businesses in the three
downtown areas . City Administrator suggested the creation of a
$1, 000, 000 pool establishing a committee of local bankers to
approve the loans and utilizing the Landmark Commission to approve
the project architecture .
Council noted that most downtown areas reflect a community' s
identity and were it' s heart and soul . Some discussion followed
regarding the possibility of hiring a planning consultant . City
Administrator Peterson noted that Allen Kracower' s firm had such a
consultant on staff .
Council agreed to utilize Motor Fuel Tax monies for the sidewalk
and street repairs for all three downtown areas . City
Administrator Peterson noted the Willow Street and Praire Avenue
project would come in under budget leaving some additional monies
for the revitalization projects as well . Further discussion
followed regarding the possibility of hiring a consultant to
prioritize which City of McHenry streets need to be
reconstructed/repaired.
Committee Meeting of the Whole
October 17, 1995 Page 2
LAKELAND PARK DRAINAGE -- Alderman Lawson requested a status update
on this project . City Administrator Peterson explained he,
Director of Public Works Batt and City Engineer Carl Moon from
Baxter and Woodman had met to evaluate this problem. It appears
the City of McHenry lacks easements across all the properties that
span the Lakeland Park Drainage ditch. Staff is continuing to look
into this problem. Some discussion followed regarding the
plausibility of hiring a private contractor to reconstruct these
ditches back to their original design. It was also noted that the
State will not allow a faster release rate than what is currently
in place . It was suggested that the homes that flooded be made
flood proof via berm and elevation changes as well as reducing the
other areas that drain into this ditch. Council stated that
regular inspections and cleaning (including grass cuttings and
debris removal) be continued here as well as for all ditches
particularly on Ann Street and in McHenry Shores .
Council also stated that efforts should be pursued to reduce the
probability of flooding including potential land purchase .
UNITY vs INDIVIDUALITY -- Some discussion occurred regarding the
process and procedure for handling Aldermen requests for agenda
item inclusion at Council meetings and specific task completion.
Alderman Bolger left at 9 : 05 P.M.
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS -- Council noted the $100, 000 budgeted over
the next two years for the West McHenry Bypass . City Administrator
Peterson noted the continuing efforts by staff and the County to
work with involved property owners to gain rights of way. He
stated that two property owners, Pacini and Fritsch, wanted
annexation to the City and specific zoning in exchange for the
rights of way. It was noted that condemnation was a second, albeit
very lengthy, option. Mayor Cuda noted the County' s continued
commitment to this project currently, however this may not remain
the case in two or three years .
City Administrator Peterson, responding to an inquiry, reported
that the Ridgeview Road project was progressing and the Bull Valley
Road project required additional design review on the location of
a stoplight and ingress, possibly near Hilltop.
Further Council discussion regarding traffic included:
- Review of Route 120 upgrades including the
budgeting of monies;
- Green Street Stage III project budgeting as an STP
project;
- Constructing McCullom Lake Road as a three lane
thoroughfare from Rte 31 to the tracks on McCullom Lake
Road;
- Improving Route 31 and McCullom Lake Road intersection;
and,
- Conducting a comprehensive traffic study
City Administrator Peterson was asked to supply Council with a copy
of the letter from the Illinois Department of Transportation
requesting City input regarding Route 120 upgrades . Council also
asked City Administrator Peterson to invite an IDOT representative
to a special or regularly scheduled Council meeting to discuss the
City' s options .
Further discussion included consideration of Community Development
Block Grant monies for water and sewer infrastructure projects .
These funds can be used for low to moderate income areas . Mayor
Cuda noted that the City of McHenry has more of these available
areas than most other county municipalities . He noted the first
meeting of the county' s Community Development Block Grant
Commission, of which he is a member, is Thursday, October 19th at
2 : 00 P.M.
Committee Meeting of the Whole
October 17, 1995 Page 3
Other items discussed included improvements to Mass Farm such as
painting, siding, roof repairs/replacement, fencing, window and
awning repairs as well as other aesethic and structural
improvements . Council also noted it' s agreement to slowly lower
the City' s portion of the property tax bill and to install
sidewalks along the south side of McCullom Lake Road near the
Hillcrest Apartment complex, perhaps as part of the McCullom Lake
Road improvement .
Council agreed that privately contracted mowing services should
continue and some additional discussion and review should be given
to City staff requirements, particularly in the Recreation
Department .
Mayor Cuda recommended City Administrator Peterson budget for the
projects and items discussed. Further consideration and discussion
regarding the budgeting for a recreational facility will be
addressed thereafter.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Baird, seconded by Lawson, to adjourn the meeting at
10 : 28 P.M.
Voting Aye : Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird
Voting Nay: None
Absent : Bolger
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10 :28 P.M.
J
May , , ' City Clerk