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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 01/29/1992 - City CouncilREGULAR MEETING JANUARY i9, 1992 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Busse on Wednesday, January 29, 1992 at 8:00 P.M. in the Municipal Center Council Chambers. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Lieder, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Absent: Smith. City Staff in attendance: City Clerk Gilpin, City Administrator Peterson, City Attorney Narusis, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Chief of Police Joyce. Absent: Director of Building and Zoning Halik. No one signed up for the Ten Minute Public Input Session. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Bolger, seconded by Serritella, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) Approve Decer'.,ar 11, 1991 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes; (2) Approve January 8, 1992 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes; (3) Approve January 15, 1992 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes; (4) Approve January 20, 1992 Special City Council Meeting Minutes; (5) Approve Tuition Reimbursement Request of Daniel Kreassig for a Computer Literacy Course at $85.00; (6) Approve payment to Don's Custom Landscaping for Pay Estimate No. 1 of the Center Street Park improvements in the amount of $7,340.25; (7) Approve the Request from Pioneer Center at 3513 Oakdale, McHenry, to be hooked up to the Police Alarm Monitoring Board; (8) Approve payment of McHenry Special Service General Obligation Bonds 9/l/82 and General Obligation Bond Series 1982 in the amounts of $96,045.00 and $33,427.50 respectively. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. FIESTA DAYS SCHEDULE Sue Low, Co-chairman of the Fiesta Days Board, addressed the Council and presented the proposed schedule of events for the 1992 Fiesta Days activities which will run from July 11, 1992 through July 19, 1992. The only changes from last year's schedule of events would be an added feature Monday night at Veteran's Memorial Park from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. where musical entertainment will be presented in the gazebo, and that a one dollar admittance fee will be charged for all events at Peterson Park. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Patterson, to approve the proposed schedule of events for the Fiesta Days activities, as presented. Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Absent: Motion carried. Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. None. Smith. HOME BY HEMPHILL-LETTER OF CREDIT REDUCTION Motion by Bolger, seconded by Serritella, to approve the letter of credit for Home by Hemphill for the Oaks of I from its present value of $1,063,741.00 to $214,577 reduction subject to the City's receipt of as -built plans of an open-end guarantee bond in the amount of $135,866. the materials and workmanship of the completed work, as Baxter & Woodman. Voting Aye Voting Nay: Absent: Motion carried. Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. None. Smith. a reduction in McHenry, Phase .00, with said and the receipt 00, warrantying recommended by January 29, 1992 Page 2 GREEN VALLEY SUBDIVISION SIGN VARIATION REQUEST Granite Builders, developers of Green Valley subdivision, requested a variation in the maximum allowable size for a sign from 32 square feet to 96 square feet, and a height variation from 6 feet to 11 1/2 feet. The sign would be located at the intersection of Green Street and Turnberry Drive. Motion by Lieder, seconded by Serritella, to grant the sign variation request of Granite Builders, and to allow installation of the sign for a two-year time period, with the sign to be placed on a vacant lot at the corner of Green Street and Turnberry Lane, and if that lot is sold within the two-year time frame, the sign would be removed. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. EMPLOYEE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE At the January 8, 1992 Council meeting, the City Administrator was instructed to hold two employee meetings where all questions could be answered of the employees concerning the proposed change in health insurance from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to Intergovernmental Benefit Cooperative pooled insurance. Several employees, at the Council meeting still were not comfortable that all their questions had been answered. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Patterson, that all City employees and Council members who had concerns about the proposed new health insurance program should submit their questions in writing to the City Administrator within the next ten days, and then final action would be taken at a meeting in February. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. CUNAT BROTHERS REQUEST FOR DEVELOPER DONATION FEE RELIEF John Cunat of Cunat Bros,. and his attorney Sam Diamond were in attendance at the meeting. Diamond addressed the Council and requested that the total amount of school developer donation fees paid under protest for efficiency and 1 bedroom apartments in the Irish Prairie subdivision from August 26, 1989 to May 1, 1991 be credited on future fees that the Cunat's would pay in the amount of $100,000. He said the Cunat's realize that it is politically difficult to do anything that might be construed as taking money from the schools, however, under the circumstances they feel that the schools have already received substantial funds for the 1 bedroom and efficiency units, which they contend do not generate impact. Rather than have the City and Cunat's spend money on attorney fees and litigation costs, the Cunat's were willing to accept a credit on future fees. Diamond said it was their position that the City should give credit for the fees already paid, and let the school keep the money. School Board Districts 15 and 156 were in attendance at the meeting, along with their attorney Fred Kaplan of the law firm of Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather, and Geraldson. Kaplan addressed the Council and asked that the City and School Board meet in Executive Session to discuss the matter. Motion by Patterson, seconded by Donahue, to go into Executive Session at 9:05 P.M. for potential litigation. Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Absent: Motion carried. Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. None. Smith. January 29, 1992 Page 3 The City Council recessed into Executive Session by itself for 20 minutes and then asked that the School Board members and their attorney come into Executive Session with the Council. Motion by Donahue, seconded by Serritella, to go back into Open Session at 9:50 P.M. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. Mayor Busse announced that the Council hoped to render a decision within 30 days. Attorney Kaplan said that he was retained on behalf of both school districts just a few days ago to deal with this issue. He hasn't had time to investigate the matter thoroughly. He will address the issue and get back with a decision as quickly as possible. TIME EXTENSION FOR SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENTS According to City Ordinances, public improvements are to be installed within two years from the date a final plat is approved by the City Council. Winding Creek 5, Unit 1 was approved on March 2, 1988. Public improvements were to have been completed by March 2, 1990. Roger Gerstad of Gerstad Builders submitted a letter October ,25, 1991 explaining why the improvements had not been completed. He was requesting a six month extension to complete the improvements. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Donahue, to grant a six month extension to Winding Creek 5, Unit 1 to complete the public improvements, with the time extension to run from January 29, 1992 to July 29, 1992. Voting Aye: Voting Nagy Absent: Motion carried. Bolger, Donahue, Adams, Patterson, None. Smith. Lieder, Locke, Serritella. The final plat of Winding Creek 5, Unit 3 was approved on February 7, 1990 and the required public improvements were to be completed by February 7, 1992. A letter from Roger Gerstad of Gerstad Builders dated October 25, 1991 requested a one year extension for completion of these improvements. Motion by Patterson, seconded by Locke, to grant a nine month extension for Winding Creek 5, Unit 3 to complete the public improvements, with the time extension to run from January 29, 1992 to October 29, 1992. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith, Motion carried. AMEND PARKING ORDINANCE "lotion , ;a^^itelIa, seconded Patterson, to oass an ordinance as aril^,3 On ;fie nLr:h Side of elm Street from Riverside Drive to Court Street. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. January 29, 1992 Page 4 PURCHASE OF POLICE VEHICLES Police Chief Joyce submitted a memo dated January 8, 1992 indicating the need for the purchase of four replacement squad cars. In order to take advantage of State prices, the vehicles must be ordered prior to February 15, 1992. Delivery of these vehicles will not occur until after May 1, which is the next fiscal year. Motion by Serritella, seconded by Patterson, to approve the purchase of four replacement police vehicles through the State bid for a total cost, including delivery, of $55,687.72. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. AWARD BIDS FOR CITY SURPLUS PROPERTY Previously, the Council authorized the sale of certain vehicles and equipment as surplus property. Advertisements were placed in newspapers and sealed bids were received and opened on January 21, 1992. The following bids were received for the equipment: HIGHEST BIDDER 1977 GMC Big Wheels Adams Service, Wonder Lake $9,210.00 1975 Ford F600 truck With Manure Spreader Gordon Stade, McHenry $1,210.00 Motorola One -Position Console with Remote McHenry County ESDA $ 176.00 Four 6' Metal Jail Cells with Locks Steve Poltera, McHenry $ 151.00 60' Antenna Tower George Justen Funeral Home $ 185.00 A letter was received from the George Justen Funeral Home withdrawing his bid because it would cost in excess of $3,000 to dismantle and remove the tower from City property. Since there was only one bid for the antenna tower, it was decided to sell the old City Hall with the tower on the premises. Under the terms of the request for bids, the successful high bidders will have 15 days from the time the Council makes the award To pay for and remove the item, otherwise the award will be made to the next highest bidder. Motion by Donahue, seconded by Locke, to award the surplus property to the highest bidders, as presented. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS Due to tie resignation of Director of Building and Zoning Malik, and vacancies which exist in two Building Inspector positions, it is necessary to seek applicants to fill these positions. Job descriptions for these positions were presented to the Council for approval. Several adjustments were recommended by the Council. Motion by Serritella, seconded by Patterson, to approve the job descriptions as presented, with the adjustments as recommended tonight. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. January 29, 1992 Page 5 MAYOR STATEMENT AND REPORTS A drawing of the recommended Chamber of Commerce 40th Anniversary emblem for the City of McHenry vehicle stickers was presented for Council approval. The Chamber of Commerce requested that the City honorthe Chamber of Commerce on its 40th Anniversary by using the emblem on the 1992-93 City vehicle stickers. Motion by Donahue, seconded by Patterson, to approve the request of the Chamber of Commerce to use its emblem on the 1992-93 City vehicle stickers, based on a 50/50 cost sharing for the cost of preparing the artwork for the City vehicle stickers. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. Mayor Busse instructed the Building and Zoning Committee to discuss and make a recommendation to the Council concerning revised regulations by the Federal government on the Satellite Dish Ordinance. Mayor Busse announced that the City of McHenry had been awarded the 1990 Chicago Motor Club Safety Pedestrian Achievement Award. This is the 13th year the City has received this award. Motion by Adams, seconded by Patterson to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:26 P.M. R LO wmo;' M.20