HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 09/13/2004 - Committee of the Whole
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2004
A Committee of the Whole Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order
by Mayor Low at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 13, 2004 in the Council Chambers of
the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Glab, Low,
Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were:
City Administrator Maxeiner, City Clerk Jones, Director of Community of Development
Napolitano, Director of Public of Works Marcinko, Chief of Police O’Meara, Director of
Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Finance Kline, City Attorney Cahill. Absent: City
Attorney McArdle.
Also in attendance were the following members of the City’s Planning and Zoning
Commission: Chairman John Howell, Bill Buhrman, George Cadotte, Paula Ekstrom, Paul
Nadeau, Neal Schepler and Roger Thacker.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Condon, to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented:
a. Request to connect to Police Alarm Panel:
i. Johnsburg State Bank, 3503 N Chapel Hill Rd
b. Request for Picnic Permit;
c. List of As-Needed Checks: GENERAL FUND
AFLAC 1,642.00
ALBANITO, MARGARET 400.00
AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCI 30.00
ANDERFUREN, MARGARET A 122.25
BENBENNICK, JAMES T 109.12
BIMBO'S 25.00
BISHOP, BONITA M 235.12
BORDERS BOOKS 25.00
DIXON, CAROL L 139.49
EKSTROM, LEE M 94.12
ENCHANTED CASTLE 610.00
FIRST MIDWEST BANK 500.00 FISH OF MCHENRY 35.00 FOP UNITS I/II 1,633.50 FRENCH, WESLEY A 34.51 GFS MARKETPLACE 242.97 HANSEN, DINA A 241.12 ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF P 1,154.00 IMRF 46,929.32 JEWEL FOOD STORES 25.00 KUBIAK, LARAINE A 113.25 KUNZER, KATHLEEN 29.25 LOFTUS, WILLIAM J 69.38 MEIJER'S GAS 25.00 MEYER, CANDICE K 150.74 MISAVICE, DAWN A 39.38 MOLINE, CHRISTIE J 9.00 NATIONAL GUARDIAN LIFE I 123.83 NCPERS GROUP LIFE INS. 267.00 NWBOCA 30.00 PIGGUSH, BRUCE A 141.37 POOL, STEPHEN F 68.26 POSTMASTER MCHENRY IL 4,346.28 PUBLIC WORKS/PARKS ASSOC 666.00 RECORD A HIT 1,400.00
September 13, 2004
Page 2
RESERVE ACCOUNT 1,215.00
RILEY, EDWARD J 67.13
RIVERSIDE GALLERY 77.38
SAM'S CLUB 968.19
SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA 741.36
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE 64.11
UNITED STATES LIFE INSUR 1,031.40
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 300.00
VELEZ, JENNIFER 288.00
VELMONT, ILONA 98.63
VILMIN, KATHLEEN A 121.87
WEISS, BETHANY S 66.75
WINKLER, ERIN L 48.75 WINKLER, LAURIE S 75.75 TIF FUND VOA ASSOCIATES INC 98,250.85 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND LANDSCAPE RESOURCES INC 26,826.04 WATER/SEWER FUND LANDMARK FORD 14,096.00 RESERVE ACCOUNT 285.00 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE 11.45 UNITED STATES LIFE INSUR 153.90 EMPLOYEE INSURANCE FUND BENEFIT SYSTEMS & SERVIC 20,241.20 POLICE PENSION FUND CAPITAL GAINS INCORPORAT 4,181.00 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE 5.11 GRAND TOTALS 230,921.13 FUND TOTALS GENERAL FUND 66,870.58 TIF FUND 98,250.85 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND 26,826.04 WATER/SEWER FUND 14,546.35 EMPLOYEE INSURANCE FUND 20,241.20 POLICE PENSION FUND 4,186.11 TOTALS 230,921.13
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, Low, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
DISCUSSION WITH PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: INTRODUCTIONS BY
MAYOR LOW
Mayor Low stated the purpose of tonight’s meeting is to share questions and
concerns between the Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission (Commission) and
to provide an opportunity for the Council and Commission to interact.
Mayor Low outlined the format which would be followed for the meeting.
September 13, 2004
Page 3
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Buhrman inquired as to whether Council is receiving accurate and sufficient
information from Staff following Commission meetings.
Alderman Bolger commended Staff on the useful information received. Alderman
Murgatroyd concurred. Alderman Condon opined, while Council does not always agree
with the Commission’s recommendation, the input is appreciated.
Responding to Chairman Howell’s inquiry, Mayor Low stated the Commission is
extremely thorough and the information Council receives seems well-analyzed.
Mr. Schepler stated the Commission is fortunate, commenting that Staff does an
excellent job in preparing and providing information to the Commission.
AESTHETICS – ENFORCEMENT AND THE ROLE OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION
Chairman Howell stated he would like to discuss with Chief of Police O’Meara the
enforcement of City ordinances regarding aesthetics.
Alderman Glab opined that the Community Development Department lacks
sufficient staff to enforce ordinances in the field. He suggested Police Officers be cross-
trained in community enforcement.
Ms. Ekstrom opined it would be helpful if there was more clarification regarding
which department is responsible for what areas regarding enforcement.
City Administrator Maxeiner, citing current case loads and limited personnel, stated
it is not feasible for Police Officers to be responsible for code enforcement during busy
shifts.
Chairman Howell suggested every Alderman and Staff person be trained in code
enforcement and be provided the authority to issue citations for infractions. Director of
Community Development noted the matter would still revert to Staff if a notice had to be
posted or a letter written.
Responding to Alderman Murgatroyd’s inquiry regarding code enforcement, Director
Napolitano stated the method is complaint driven. He noted that safety concerns and
flagrant violation issues are given priority.
Responding to Alderman Murgatroyd’s inquiry, Director Napolitano noted the most
prevalent violations relate to recreational vehicles and vehicles parked on grass. Alderman
Murgatroyd suggested the public could be educated regarding City Codes via the
newsletter, which is published quarterly.
Responding to Alderman Peterson’s inquiry, Director Napolitano indicated the
majority of complaints are residential as opposed to commercial related.
September 13, 2004
Page 4
Alderman Condon opined she would prefer the codes be more restrictive regarding
aesthetic related issues throughout the community.
Mr. Cadotte opined his surprise at the lack of landscaping along Illinois State Route
120, which is a gateway to the City of McHenry. Additionally, he suggested the parking lot
at Lenny the Legends be striped.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding code enforcement. Chief of Police O’Meara
stated it is not a police function to enforce codes. Alderman Murgatroyd noted that budget
issues are a concern.
A discussion ensued regarding aesthetics. The Commission made suggestions
regarding aesthetic matters. Alderman Wimmer noted the Community Development
Committee welcomes suggestions from the Commission.
ANNEXATION OF UNINCORPORATED POCKETS OF LAND
Responding to Chairman Howell’s inquiry regarding unincorporated pockets of land
in the City limits, Mayor Low stated the information has been received from the Community
Development Department; however other matters have arisen, which are more important
than the annexation of unincorporated parcels within the City limits.
City Administrator Maxeiner explained the legalities of forcible annexation.
Alderman Bolger opined he supports annexation. Alderman Glab concurred with
Alderman Bolger encouraging Council to move forward with the annexations. City
Administrator Maxeiner assured Council Staff would proceed at the first opportunity.
Responding to Mr. Buhrman’s inquiry, City Administrator Maxeiner stated Staff is
currently working on Boundary Agreements with the Village of Wonder Lake and the
Village of Lakemoor.
MINOR VARIANCES – COST TO RESIDENTS
Responding to Mr. Buhrman’s inquiry regarding the status of the updates of
ordinances, Director Napolitano stated that several code amendments have been
submitted to the Community Development Committee. It was noted Council has indicated
they do not wish to forfeit review authority.
Responding to Ms. Ekstrom’s inquiry, Director Napolitano stated the revised
M.U.D.D. Ordinance would be coming before the Commission in October.
September 13, 2004
Page 5
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Low thanked everyone for their attendance.
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Condon, to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, Low, Murgatroyd, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
__________________________ ____________________________
Mayor City Clerk