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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 10/02/2017 - City CouncilREGULAR MEETING October 2, 2017 Mayor Wayne Jett called the regularly scheduled October 2, 2017 meeting of the McHenry City Council to order at 7:00 pm in the McHenry City Council Chambers, 333 S. Green Street, McHenry, IL. In attendance were the following Councilmembers: Santi, Schaefer, Mihevc, Condon, Glab, Curry, and Devine. Absent: None. Also in attendance: City Administrator Derik Morefield, Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson, Director of Economic Development Martin, Chief of Police Jones, Director of Public Works Schmitt, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Director of Finance Lynch, City Attorney McArdle, and City Clerk Nevitt. MAYORAL PROCLAMATION DECLARING OCTOBER 24, 2017 AS WORLD POLIO DAY IN THE CITY OF MCHENRY ON BEHALF OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF MCHENRY. On behalf of the Rotary Club of McHenry, Mayor Jett read for the record a Proclamation declaring October 24, 2017 as World Polio Day in the City of McHenry. Mayor Jett urged all citizens to join Rotarians in the fight for a polio free world. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Tony Muser, 908 Hanson, McHenry, IL addressed the Council regarding his desire to serve on a board or commission for the City of McHenry. CONSENT AGENDA A. Adoption of an Ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, Sec. 4-5 Persons Ineligible for License; B. Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2017/18 Budget in the amount of $63,595.58 and authorize final payment to Radicom, Inc. in the amount of $63,595.58 for service and maintenance of the Zetron Radio Dispatch System; C. September 5, 2017 City Council meeting minutes; and D. Payment of Bills in the amount of $463,863.93. Motion by Alderman Glab, second by Alderman Santi, approving the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Jett opened the floor to the Council for discussion. Alderman Curry addressed item B and asked why this expense was not originally included in the budget. Chief Jones answered this agreement was negotiated with Radicom to secure discount pricing for years two through five if payment was made in full before November 1, 2017. In July, staff was directed by the Council to bring this item back to a future Council meeting for a budget amendment. Voting Aye: Glab, Santi, Devine, Condon, Curry, Mihevc, Schaefer, Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion Carried. Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 October 2, 2017 INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEM AGENDA A. Motion to Adopt an Ordinance granting a Variance for the Pearl Street Commons Subdivision from the Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance, Sec. 6.13 requiring above-ground structures along the perimeter of a new subdivision to be buried. Mayor Jett asked Director Martin to present this item to the Council. Director Martin reported the Council is being asked to consider a variance requiring power lines along the perimeter of a new subdivision to be buried for the Pearl Street Commons development at the northeast corner of Pearl and Richmond Road. The Council granted approval for the development on September 28, 2017. Alderwoman Condon stated that although the city’s intent is valid, to require the lines to be buried, it does not make sense in this location. The city needs to do what is best for everyone. Alderman Glab said he would not be in favor of this variance if it were for another location. For clarification, he asked if the state did not want the city to require the lines to be buried in the state route. Director Martin said the state does not require any utility to bury lines underground. Alderman Schaefer asked if this would increase the number of poles in the area. Director Martin answered no and all new utilities will be underground. Motion by Alderman Schaefer, seconded by Alderwoman Condon to adopt an Ordinance granting a Variance for the Pearl Street Commons Subdivision from the Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance, Sec. 6.13 requiring above-ground structures along the perimeter of a new subdivision to be buried. Voting Aye: Schaefer, Condon, Devine, Mihevc, Curry, Glab, Santi Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ONLY ITEMS: A. Economic Development Commission. Mayor Jett stated the new Economic Development Commission is important to the community. He and Director of Economic Development Director Martin put together a list of projects for the Commission to achieve and at this time, is seeking input from the Council. Mayor Jett asked Director Martin to begin the discussion. Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 October 2, 2017 Director Martin stated there are various aspects of economic development that should be discussed by the Commission. A few of the topics include:  Education such as social media to relay accurate information to the public.  Distinguish McHenry as a premier community.  Planning for the next Generations; more millennials than baby boomers therefore technology needs to be on the forefront Alderman Glab said McHenry needs more retail diversity and the EDC should determine what we lack and what our community wants. Alderman Curry suggested the EDC dovetail their efforts with the city’s strategic plans. Alderman Santi said that after reviewing the resumes of the EDC members, he is positive about the qualifications of the members selected and he encouraged them to challenge themselves and the Council. Mayor Jett asked the following Economic Development Commissioners in attendance to stand and introduce themselves to the Council: Chairwoman Bobbie Baehne, Social Media Expert and Marketing Strategist Consultant; Vice -Chair Robert Jessup, President of Jessup Manufacturing; Pat Arnold, Ridgeview Electric; Eric Joern, Licensed CPA and small business advisor; and Mike Mrachek, owner of Epic Cycle & Fitness. STAFF REPORTS Director of Parks and Recreation Hobson reported the Haunted Hayride will be held October 13 and 14 at Petersen Farm. The McHenry Rotary Club will hold an Octoberfest event in Veterans Memorial park on Saturday, October 14. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS A. Motion to approve the appointment of Nick Bionda to the Economic Developmen t Commission for the term ending April 30, 2018. Mayor Jett announced Mr. Bionda would fill the term vacated by Jeff Pittman who is moving out of state. Motion by Alderman Glab, second by Alderman Santi to approve the appointment of Nick Bionda to the Economic Development Commission for the term ending April 30, 2018. Voting Aye: Glab, Santi, Devine, Schaefer, Condon, Mihevc, Curry Voting Nay: None Absent: None Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 October 2, 2017 Motion Carried. Mayor Jett invited Nick Bionda to introduce himself to the Council. Nick Bionda stated that he works for a company based in California that provides financing for commercial equipment. Mayor Jett thanked all the Economic Development Commission members for attending the meeting and said he looks forward to working with them. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Jett announced he and several members of the Police Department would attend the Leadership Greater McHenry County meeting to discuss opioid addiction epidemic in McHenry County. This is another step in raising awareness to support this issue. Mayor Jett named Officer Bret Kinney as Employee of the Month and Director Martin as Manager of the Month. This is a monthly initiative to show appreciation for city employees. Mayor Jett wished a Happy Anniversary to Alderman Glab and his wife Helen. Alderwoman Condon addressed the City Council with a request to be acknowledged as Alderwoman, not Alderman. She respectfully requested the Mayor and City Administration to begin changing city ordinances to reflect gender and the legal title of Alderwoman. She thanked Mayor Jett and City Administrator Morefield for starting the process this evening by addressing her as Alderwoman and for including the title of Alderwoman in the Ordinance approved earlier in the meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Alderman Schaefer, seconded by Alderman Santi to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2(5) to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for use of the public body. Voting Aye: Schaefer, Santi, Curry, Condon, Devine, Mihevc, Glab. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Mayor Jett called Executive Session to order at 7:39 pm. Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 October 2, 2017 Motion by Curry, seconded by Condon, to return to Open Session. Voting Aye: Curry, Condon, Devine, Mihevc, Schaefer, Santi, Glab. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Council returned to Open Session at 8:00 pm. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Alderman Curry, second by Alderman Santi, to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Curry, Santi, Condon, Devine, Mihevc, Schaefer, Glab Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm. _____________________________________ ____________________________________ Mayor Deputy City Clerk