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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/02/1992 - City CouncilREGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1992 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Busse on Wednesday, December 2, 1992 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Room of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Donahue, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Locke arrived at 8:35 P.M. Absent: Lieder, Adams. City Staff in attendance: Assistant to City Clerk Marth, Attorney Narusis, City Administrator Peterson, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito. Absent: City Clerk Gilpin, Chief of Police Joyce, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION During the Ten Minute Public Input Session, Mark Towne spoke on the Brookside Industrial Park Plat asking the Council to not approve the Plat until the subject of who pays for the realignment of Industrial Drive is determined. Sally Fyfe Stachniak a staff member of the McHenry County Mental Health Board spoke on the NISRA matter asking the Council to support and join NISRA. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Serritella, seconded by Bolger, to approve the consent agenda as follows: (1) November 18, 1992 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, with revised page 7. The Minutes of November 23, 1992 were not completed in time and were removed from the Consent Agenda. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke, Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. CITY MEMBERSHIP IN NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS SPECIAL RECREATION DISTRICT (NISRA) The Council viewed a 14 minute video on NISRA recreational programs and services that are provided to handicapped persons. Afterward, Brian P. Shahinian, Executive Director of NISRA, spoke to the Council and asked them to recognize the need and obligation because of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and extend equal recreation opportunities to the 97 residents of McHenry who are disabled by joining NISRA as a member. Currently, the City had budgeted $6,000 in May, 1992 to fund the difference between the in -district and the out -of -district fees for the programs for McHenry disabled residents. A limit of $100 per participating individual was set and it does not appear that more than $3,000 would be spent this fiscal year on this basis. Lengthy discussion followed with the Aldermen expressing possitive views on NISRA and the need for participating, but trying to stay within the City's fiscal restraints would be difficult if the approximate cost of the $41,000 membership fee (based on the City's Equalized Assessed Valuation of $220,550,000) had to be taken from the General Fund which could eliminate some services in the City. Other alternatives were also discussed, such as increasing the $100 per participating individual to $200 or $300, a special levy for special recreation within the tax cap limit, and a referendum to increase the tax cap to levy for special recreation services. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Patterson, to authorize full membership in NISRA in the next fiscal year (May 1, 1993 to April 30, 1994) by levying a tax in the amount of .0185 based on the City's EAV which would total approximately $40,801.75. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Locke, Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. Alderman Locke arrived at 8:35 P.M. December 2, 1992 Page 2 PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLATS FOR BROOKSIDE INDUSTRIAL PARK The Preliminary and Final Plats of Brookside Industrial Park is the subdivision of a parcel of land adjoining Hydraulics, Inc. (Brake Parts) and property on the north owned by Mark Towne. It includes the realignment and relocation of Industrial Drive through the middle of the parcel resulting in a subdivision of this land into two parcels on either side of the proposed roadway. Brookside Industrial Park is owned by LaSalle National Trust, as Trustee, under Trust No. 116500, with the beneficial owner being James Althoff. Discussion followed on the relocation, additional right-of-way needed and questions as to who would be obligated to pay for the road construction along with the possible vacation of the current Industrial Road right-of-way when the new road is constructed. Mark Towne agreed he would not stand in the way of the realignment of the road and stated he would build his share of the roadway from Brookside's property line north to where he would need it to go when he subdivided his property to the north. Motion by Donahue, seconded by Patterson, to either approve the Preliminary and Final Plats of Brookside Industrial Park for the fast tract process through the Plan Commission or accept dedication of the roadway right-of-way through the property, which accomplishes the same purpose, whichever way Mr. Althoff decides to proceed. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION FOR AMOCO STATION AT ELM STREET & WAUKEGAN RD Alderman Patterson asked that this agenda item (#6) be heard next since Mr. Althoff had information pertinent to the discussion on this item. The Aldermen voiced approval to this request. The Plan Commission recommended that the City initiate discussions with Amoco Oil Company regarding their recently closed station at the southeast corner of Elm and Waukegan. These discussions would be pursued on the basis of a friendly condemnation/purchase for a portion of the property adjacent to Route 31 to create a third lane in the northbound direction. The Plan Commission also recommended that property be sought for condemnation/purchase that would allow a cul-de-sac to be placed at the west end of Waukegan Road which would eliminate traffic trying to enter Front Street to go north. These recommendations are based on the following points in order to eliminate a dangerous corner and intersection: 1. There is no left turn lane access southbound on Front Street (Route 31 south) from Waukegan Road; 2. For those who wish to turn right and go west on Elm Street (Route 120) from Waukegan Road, vehicles must cross and block a continuous right turn/straight ahead lane; and 3. Emergency vehicles traveling westbound on Elm Street (Route 120) going south on Front Street (Route 31) to the Northern Illinois Medical Center are all too often blocked, what with the confusion of a three -lane westbound intersection turning into a 1-lane which narrows to a 1-lane southbound lane on Front Street (Route 31). Since Routes 31 and 120 are State highways, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) would need to be contacted to see if these suggestions meet with their approval and if they would join us in pursuing the matter. Mr. Althoff, as President of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District, experienced massive environmental problems with leakage from underground gasoline storage tanks when the District purchased the ARCO property on Route 120 and Richmond Road. Althoff said that luckily in the contract to purchase this property, the District made the contract contingent upon ARCO being environmentally responsible for the property if there were December 2, 1992 Page 3 problems. So far ARCO has spent just over a million dollars and is not through yet. It may be two more years before the problems are finally corrected. Serritella said that this type of problem may not occur for the City if we were only securing enough property for rights -of -way. The storage tanks are normally located in the center of the property where the pumps are located. She believed the matter should be pursued. Bolger and Donahue agreed. Motion by Smith, seconded by Serritella, to have the staff pursue the matter with IDOT, Amoco and other property owners involved on the various options available and come back to the Council with the information. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. Mayor Busse called for a recess at 9:10 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 9:20 P.M. with everyone in attendance. SIGN VARIATION REQUEST - 3609 W. ELM STREET, MIDWEST FURNITURE Thomas Stephansen of Midwest Furniture was present to request the following sign variations on the above property which he leases: (1) to use an existing pole sign which is 105 square feet (City ordinance allows 57 square feet) and reface it with the Midwest Furniture name; and (2) to use an existing 320 square foot wall sign on an adjoining tennant's west outside wall, and reface it with "Midwest Furniture Additional Parking and Entrance in Rear". City ordinance allows only 63 square feet. In answer to a question as to why they needed the wall sign, Stephansen replied that the sign was already there; that they had a sign company come out to test it and found it structually sound; and that they planned to eventually take over the building where the sign was located. They also hoped to eliminate the minimal parking in front with the large sign pointing to parking and entrance in rear which they believed would steer people to park in the parking lot. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Locke, to approve both sign variations for Midwest Furniture at 3609 W. Elm Street with the elimination of the word "Additional" on the wall sign. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Voting Nay: None. Abstained: Donahue. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. Smith, Patterson, Serritella. SIGN VARIATION REQUEST - LONG JOHN SILVERS RESTAURANT 4313 W ELM STREET No one from Long John Silvers Restaurant was present, but a letter from North Shore Sign Company, dated November 12, 1992, requested the following two sign variations: (1) the addition of three wall signs on a drive through canopy (only one wall sign is allowed); and (2) an additional 41 square feet of signage (total signage currently on building is 60 square feet). City ordinance provides for a maximum of 51 square feet. Motion by Smith, seconded by Donahue, to approve the sign variations for Long John Silvers at 4313 W. Elm Street, as requested. December 2, 1992 Page 4 Voting Aye: Bolger, Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Motion carried. Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Adams. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM — 1992 GRANT APPLICATION The City recently received the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) Community Development Assistance Program Application Guide and 1992 Forms. DCCA has set aside $500,000 of its annual allocation for the Planning Assistance Grant Program which provides planning assistance for community facilities problems in a specific benefited area or for a specific group of people. One of the objectives of this grant allocation is to provide for economic and community development needs with an emphasis upon helping persons of low and moderate income. In addition to the planning assistance grants that are available, there are engineering and construction assistanance grants that follow in sequence, although there is no guarantee in getting any or all of these grants. Discussion was held on submitting an application for this Planning Assistance Grant (up to $25,000), for the purpose of providing City water to residents of the McHenry Shores subdivision. To be eligible for grant assistance, 51% of the residents in the subdivision must meet the low to moderate income standards established by the State which, under these standards, a family of four would need to have a household limit of under $30,700 to qualify. A survey of the McHenry Shores subdivision would need to be done to determine if we meet the income standards. If the survey indicates that the City would be eligible in applying for a planning assistance grant, then the staff could begin work with Baxter & Woodman on a grant application that would utilize the services of Baxter & Woodman in looking at all alternatives in providing City water to the area (i.e. buying the Water Company and renovating or new construction). Motion by Serritella, seconded by Donahue, to authorize staff to proceed with the income survey of the McHenry Shores subdivision to see if the City would be eligible to receive a planning assistance grant under the 1992 CDAP program. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT — DESIGN AND BIDDING WATER PLANT #4 An Engineering Services Agreement with Baxter & Woodman in the amount of $72,000 for the design of Water Plant #4, as well as bidding for the project was presented for approval. No one from Baxter & Woodman was in attendance. Motion by Smith, seconded by Serritella, to approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Baxter & Woodman for $72,000, payable from the Capital Development Fund, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute said Agreement. Some of the Aldermen felt they needed more information on the cost of the Agreement and what services were being provided for the $72,000. Batt and Peterson said that based on the cost of the $1,000,000 project, the fees were not out of line and the services provided by Baxter & Woodman would be extensive. Motion by Patterson, seconded by Locke, to table the motion to approve the Engineering Services Agreement until a representative from Baxter & Woodman can be present to explain and itemize the cost for the Engineering Services Agreement. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried and the motion to approve the Agreement was tabled. December 2, 1992 Page 5 STREET LIGHT INSTALLATION REO➢BST, SCULLY DRIVE A resident at 1312 Scully Drive requested that a street light be installed on the dead end of Scully Drive. City subdivision standards require street lights at intersections and at mid block when a block exceeds 1,000 feet. This request did not fall within subdivision standards. The Director of Public Works determined that the best place to install a light would be approximately midway between Springdale and a platted but unbuilt street that would be named Creekside Lane. Prior to expending the $2,000 for the installation, a survey was mailed to fourteen residents in the area to get their input. The survey was mailed on October 29 and eight responses were received. Seven residents favored the installation and one was opposed. Motion by Donahue, seconded by Patterson, to approve installation of a street light on Scully Drive, midway between Springdale and a platted but unbuilt street that would be named Creekside Lane. Voting Aye: Bolger, Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Motion carried. MAYOR - STATEMENT AND REPORTS Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Adams. The Mayor received a request from a Main Street businessman asking that the Council consider making Bordon Street one-way so that parking can be accomodated along there. He asked the Aldermen to look into the matter. COMMITTEE REPORTS Patterson asked for approval to set the following dates in 1993 for the Parks and Recreation Committee: January 18, (Monday), February 23, March 23 and April 13 (Tuesdays). The reason that he was only asking for approval of four dates is because the makeup of the Committees will probably change after the April 20th election due to only having a five -member Council. Motion by Patterson, seconded by Adams, to set January 18, February 23, March 23 and April 13, 1993 for Parks and Recreation Committee meeting dates. Voting Aye: Bolger, Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Motion carried. ➢EPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Adams. Peterson reported that at the last meeting the subject of creating two-hour parking on the west side of Front Street between Main and John Streets was mentioned. The Police Department did a survey of five of the businesses on the west side of Front - three concurred with the limitation of two-hour parking and two did not. The three that did concur are all next to each other and are situated between Main and John Streets. Peterson presented an Ordinance to the Council for their consideration. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Serritella, to pass an Ordinance amending Section 13-1227.2 of the Traffic Code allowing two-hour parking on the west side of Front Street from Elm Street to John Street, between 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. except Sunday. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. Peterson reported that a reporter for the newspaper recently did his annual review of the City's financial condition and Peterson told him that the City's revenues were running just about 50% after 6 months and our expenditures at the same percentage, making our balance estimates in the General Fund that were projected at budget time right on target, although tight. Peterson also stated that some positive signs on the sales tax revenues have been projected showing that they may run from five to ten percent above instead of the three percent that was projected for next year. December 2, 1992 Page 6 Batt reported that the street lights along Green Street outside the Municipal Center were installed. Lobaito asked if the Building & Zoning Committee had set a date yet to discuss the proposed amendments to the Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Ordinance. Alderman Smith said that he wanted to wait til January to set a date, because of the holidays. NEW BUSINESS The Aldermen discussed the placement of the nativity scene. Motion by Serritella, seconded by Smith, to place the nativity scene in the same location as in prior years. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. The Mayor reminded the Council that the next Council meeting was with the School Boards of Districts 15 and 156 and he hoped the Council had some solutions to the school money crisis which is also affecting future development in the City. Locke commented on the good job the Public Works' crews did on the leaf pickup and hoped for the same excellent response when the snow comes. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Locke, seconded by Bolger to go into Executive Session at 10:15 P.M. for the purpose of discussing potential litigation and personnel. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion carried. Motion by Locke, seconded by Serritella, to go back into Open Session at 10:30 P.M. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion by Donahue, seconded by Locke to approve the hiring of Salvatore Burrafato as a Public Works' Street Maintenance Worker at Grade 6, minimum step, and for his employment to begin Monday, December 7, 1992. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion Carried. ADJOURM4EPT Motion by Smith, seconded by Adams, to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Smith, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Lieder, Adams. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. sistant to City Clerk