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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 09/02/1992 - City CouncilREGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Busse on Wednesday, September 2, 1992 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Locke arrived at 9:45 P.M. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were: City Clerk Gilpin, City Attorney Narusis, City Administrator Peterson, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito. Chief of Police Joyce arrived at 9:35 P.M. Absent: None. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION During the public input session, Dr. Greg Cannizzo of 616 S. Route 31, requested a variance to allow pony rides at his place of business as an Appreciation Day. Anton Rebel of 4009 W. Maple Avenue spoke on the issue of raising building permit fees to pay for themselves. Christine Lawson of 1213 Capri Terrace asked questions on the McHenry Shores Water Company and the Foxview Highlands subdivision. Edward Ligeza asked about water problems in McHenry Shores, about a derelict house and about dumping on the Foxview Highlands property. GRANTING OF VARIANCE Motion by Bolger, seconded by Serritella, to grant a variation to allow pony rides at Dr. Greg Cannizzo's place of business at 616 S. Route 31 as an Appreciation Day on September 13, 1992. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Patterson, seconded by Donahue, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) Approve August 19, 1992 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes; (2) Approve Tuition Reimbursement request of Lt. Gary R. Wigman for a Computer Literacy Course at $93.00; (3) Approve Picnic/Beer permits as presented; (4) Approve the request of Holy Apostles Church for their Third Annual Walk-A-Thon on October 3, 1992; Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING ON MEYER MATERIAL MINING OPERATION AMENDMENT Mayor Busse called to order a Public Hearing on an amendments to Annexation Agreements of Meyer Material Mining Operation. Allan Miller of Meyer Material was present along with his attorney Tom Rousch. It was brought to the City's attention that the Meyer Material plant on W. Route 120 had revised the Reclamation Plan which was approved by the Council in an Annexation Agreement. Phase IV is being done first, instead of Phase III. It was determined that a new Reclamation Plan was necessary to continue these mining operations. It was noted that a revised and an existing Reclamation Plan, which showed changes in Phases III and IV should not adversely impact area residences. Miller had been in contact with the Homeowner's Associations of Glacier Ridge and Woodcreek Subdivisions and no negative comments had been received from any of those residents. Because changing phases is a change to an existing Annexation Agreement, it was necessary to hold a Public Hearing to consider the proposed request for a new Reclamation Plan. The City Clerk was asked if any written or oral comments had been received in her office regarding this Public Hearing. She replied that none had been received. Mayor Busse asked if anyone in the audience wanted to address the Council on this issue. There was no response. September 2, 1992 Page 2 Motion by Bolger, seconded by Donahue, to pass an Ordinance providing for the approval of Amendment to Annexation Agreement, Ordinance #0-88-452, dated May 4, 1988 , and to pass an Ordinance providing for the approval of Amendment to Annexation Agreement, Ordinance #0-90-560, dated August 23, 1990, as presented. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. WAIVE COMMUNITY SIGN FEES FOR P.A.D.S. Bill Meyer, the McHenry Site Manager for Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), requested a waiver of the fee to use the newly donated City Community Sign. The request is to use both sides of the sign for a one week period to advertise for volunteers to staff the local PADS location. In considering the cost for groups to advertise on the sign, the Council set the Policy to charge $40 per side per week but agreed to waive the fee for the Lions Club four times per year because it donated the sign to the City. Motion by Smith, seconded by Patterson, to waive the $80.00 fee for PADS, but not to change the policy. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: Adams. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. CONCEPT PLAN BY CURAT BROS. FOR NORTHSIDE TOWNHOUSE PROJECT Brian Cunat and his attorney Sam Diamond were present to explain their concept plan. Cunat Bros. wish to annex and zone a 22 acre parcel into the City. The parcel is located immediately south of Petersen Park, east of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad tracks, and north of Millcreek Subdivision. The concept plan for the parcel is composed of 136 townhome units located on 17 acres in an RM-1 Zoning District, and 9 single family homes located on 5 acres in the RS-2 Zoning District. A 56 acre parcel immediately east of the proposed Cunat Annexation was presented to the City for annexation in February by Inland Partnership. The Inland people plan to file with the City in the next one to two months for their parcel of land. Several key points relating to the development of this property were discussed at a previous Council meeting: 0 ) The ability to economically build the roadway, utilities, and foundation structures in light of the generally poor soils encountered on the property; (2) The question of how to serve the property with sewer; (3) The proposed extension of a roadway across Chicago Northwestern Railroad tracks; (4) The proposed extension of Donovan Street from the south; (5) The variation of one principle building per lot; (6) The incompatibility of the townhouse density on the east side of the project with the proposed Inland plan which proposed 1/4 acre single family lots on its west boarder; (7) The question of whether land or cash in lieu thereof for park donations should be sought. Brian Cunat addressed the Council and said he was aware of the seven key points raised. He agreed with all of them except #1 , the quality of the soil. He said they had soil testings done along with engineering drawings, architectural drawings done of foundations, looked at road structures, and so forth. He did not believe that soil conditions was an issue. Cunat said financially the project is very doable. The soil conditions and what it would take to put in normal foundations would be very acceptable, he said. September 2, 1992 Page 3 Cunat agreed that the other six issues were a concern. He said that one of the reasons they felt it was important to move forward now was that Inland is planning to move forward on its development. In discussions on the possibility of putting a through -street to McCullom Lake Road from Oak Drive, he felt it would be important to work with Inland and the City in getting that concern resolved. Cunat's prime concern is that Inland could be moving forward with its project and could ultimately dead end the Cunat and make it either unusable or make the parcel inaccessible due to the road structure further to the east. The Council expressed concerns about the zoning classifications requested on the property, and on the question of providing infrastructure to that area. Some also felt there was too much multi -family for that property. Following discussion, no formal action was taken by the Council. PURCHASE OF FITNESS ROOM EQUIPMENT Last year the Police Association offered to purchase equipment for the Municipal Center exercise room in the amount of $10,000, contingent upon a matching expenditure by the City. The Council and in consideration of this year's budget, it adopted a two-year purchase program. In seeking input from employees, the top preferences were a computerized stair climber for $3,295.00, and a computerized exercise bike for $2,295.00. Motion by Serritella, seconded by Adams, to purchase a Fit Step computerized stair climber for $3,295.00, and an Aerobycle Five computerized exercise bike for $2,295.00, both from Midwest Fitness Company. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: Lieder. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. NAYOR STATEMENT AND REPORTS The Mayor announced his veto of a motion made at the City Council meeting on August 19, 1992 which was to provide for the expenditure of City dollars for the restoration of specific parkways in Whispering Oaks Subdivision. He gave his reasons for this action and announced that according to State Statutes, the matter could be brought up at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting to reconsider. A copy of the Mayor's veto letter is attached to these minutes. Three firms presented requests for a reduction in assessed value of their property. McHenry Savings Bank, 1209 N. Green Street, requested a reduction from $298,660.00 to $189,510.00. The James Hable property at 4009 Lillian Street, McHenry, requested a reduction from $95,080.00 to $76,666.00. The McHenry Marketplace, 4400 W. Elm Street, McHenry, requested a reduction from $866,760.00 to $753,330.00. It was the consensus of the Council not to oppose the appeals for reduction. The Mayor announced that a conference was being held at McHenry County College entitled "Board Governance - A New Effective Model". It was especially directed to strategic leadership for governing boards and commissions. Everyone was invited to attend on Wednesday, September 30, 1992 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M. COMMITTEE REPORTS Alderman Patterson, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, presented the minutes from its Tuesday, August 25, 1992 meeting. One matter was brought up for action. Brookside Park, located north of the Brake Parts factory, had been cleared of debris and leveled by Hughes Excavating. The Hughes contract was at a figure not to exceed $8,000.00. The final billing was for $4,000.00. In order to prepare plans for future development of the park site, detailed information on the quantity and quality of wetlands had to be obtained. The Committee had a brief discussion regarding the many hours of free time conservation expert Ken Fiske has provided the City over the past five years. It was a Committee recommendation to request permission from the Council to pursue a contract with Fiske for professional services. September 2, 1992 Page 4 Motion by Patterson, seconded by Adams, to have Ken Fiske submit a proposal for a complete analysis of the Brookside Park property to determine wetland types and boundaries pursuant to development of the site. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS City Administrator Peterson announced that the water ban had been lifted for the City as of September 1, 1992. The letter and ballot on the question of whether or not to install sanitary sewers in the Country Club Estates subdivision was submitted for Council approval. The letter would be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, on September 3, 1992 with ballots to be returned by Monday, September 14, 1992. The Council authorized sending the letter and ballot as presented, except only one name, signature and address would be on the ballot. He also announced that the City had signed an acknowledgement in connection with the assignment of the bond from the Community Bank of Greater Peoria to the Northern Illinois Medical Center. This was done in connection with the $1,965,563.13 Economic Development Bond (IRB) Project for the NIMED Corporation project. The Council did not need to take any action on this matter. NEW BUSINESS Alderman Adams brought up the matter of reducing the Mayor's salary from $15,000 to $10,000 per year. The Mayor agreed with his idea, but Aldermen Smith, Serritella, Bolger, and Patterson expressed objections to the issue. City Clerk Gilpin announced that she had contacted the State Board of Elections and discovered that the next Aldermanic Election would be Tuesday, April 20, 1993. New Ward redistricting maps had to be adopted 30 days before the first filing date for the election. That date was February 1, 1993. Therefore, ward redistricting maps must be done by at least January 1, 1993. However, State Board of Elections said that to be fair, the maps should be done by December 1, 1992 to allow residents to note what ward they would be in if they wanted to run for office. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Smith, seconded by Adams, to go into Executive Session at 9:27 P.M. to discuss personnel and prospective litigation. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke. Motion carried. Alderman Locke arrived at 9:45 P.M. OPEN SESSION Motion by Patterson, seconded by Serritella, to go back into Open Session at 10:30 P.M. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent:• None. Motion carried. September 2, 1992 Page 5 Motion by Lieder, seconded by Patterson, to authorize the Police Commission to hire an attorney to represent them for a proceeding. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Smith, seconded by Adams, to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Smith, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The Meeting adjourned at 10:31 P.M. v�� 0