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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