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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 09/18/2017 - City CouncilREGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 Mayor Wayne Jett called the regularly scheduled September 18, 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: Condon, Mihevc, Curry, Schaefer, Santi, and Glab. Absent Alderman Devine. Also in attendance: City Administrator Derik Morefield, Deputy City Administrator 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. PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE VACATION OF APPROXIMATELY .14 ACRES OF UNIMPROVED ALLEYWAY LOCATED NORTH OF PEARL STREET SOUTH OF BROAD STREET AND EAST OF NORTH RICHMOND ROAD. The Public Hearing was called to order at 7:02 PM. Mayor Jett opened the floor for Public Input regarding the proposed vacation of the property and there was none. Motion by Alderman Santi, seconded by Alderman Curry to close the Public Hearing for the Vacation of approximately .14 acres of Unimproved Alleyway located North of Pearl Street, South of Broad Street, and East of North Richmond Road. Voting Aye: Santi, Curry, Condon, Mihevc, Schaefer, Glab Voting Nay: None Absent: Devine Motion Carried. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:03 PM. MOTION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE VACATING PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED NORTH OF PEARL STREET SOUTH OF BROAD STREET AND EAST OF NORTH RICHMOND ROAD Motion by Alderman Schaefer, seconded by Alderwoman Condon to adopt an Ordinance Vacating Public Right -of -Way located North of Pearl Street, South of Broad Street and East of North Richmond Road. Mayor Jett asked Director Martin to present the item to the Council. Director Martin stated Full Circle Communities has incorporated the right-of-way as part of the site plan design for the development located at Pearl Street and Richmond Road. Conditions to be designated on the Final Plat of Subdivision include perpetual access and maintenance of the Regular city council Meeting Page 2 September 18, 2017 easement including snow removal and paving for the benefit of the properties located at 1408 N. Richmond Road and 3513 Broad Street. All clarifications will also be included on the Plat of Vacation and the language is to be reviewed by the City Attorney prior to recordation. Alderman Schaefer asked when the improvements would be completed, Director Martin answered landscaping, and asphalt will be completed prior to issuing the certificate of occupancy and will be indicated on the Plat of Vacation. Alderman Curry asked if the property owners adjacent to the easement expressed any concerns about a private entity having control of this property. Director Martin said they receive the regulatory notice of the Public Hearing and no concerns were submitted or expressed to the city. Alderman Glab stated the adjacent property owners would benefit from this project, as the alleyway will be paved improving access to their driveways. Voting Aye: Schaefer, Condon, Mihevc, Curry, Santi, Glab Voting Nay: None Absent: Devine Motion Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT On behalf of the McHenry Rotary Club, President Denis Buch expressed appreciation and gratitude to the City Council and City Employees for assistance with the 2017 Rotary Blues, Brews, and BBQ's event held at Petersen Park this past August and stated the club's desire to host the event again in 2018. CONSENT AGENDA A. Resolution designating the importance of manufacturing to our community and designating October 6, 2017 as National Manufacturing Day in the City of McHenry; B. Temporary Closure of certain sections of John Street, Green Street and Kane Avenue for the McHenry High School "March of Champions" Parade in conjunction with Homecoming Festivities for approximately 20 minutes on Friday, October 131b beginning at 6:15 PM; C. Temporary Use Permit to allow the placement of an outdoor spotlight in the parking lot of McHenry High School West Campus, 4724 W. Crystal Lake Road, during the Homecoming Dance on October 14th from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM; D. Request to advertise for bids for installation of Holiday Lighting in Veterans Memorial Park; E. Parks Facilities/Special Use Picnic Permits; and F. Issuance of Checks in the amount of $282,823.44; and G. Payment of Bills in the amount of $1,304,462.90. Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 September 18, 2017 Motion by Alderman Curry, second by Alderman Glab, approving the Consent Agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Curry, Glab, Condon, Mihevc, Schaefer, Santi Voting Nay: None Absent: Devine Motion Carried. INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEM AGENDA A. Motion to approve an application for a Class A Liquor License from DC Cobbs, Inc. d/b/a DC Cobbs McHenry located at 1204 N. Green Street and, Ordinance increasing the number of Class A Liquor licenses in effect from twenty-nine (29) to thirty (30). Mayor Jett asked City Attorney McArdle to present this item to the Council. Attorney McArdle stated it was his understanding from discussions that occurred previously to the meeting that the Council might want to consider an amendment to the Municipal Code, which prevents certain city officers from holding a liquor license in McHenry conditioned on the action that is being considered tonight. Attorney McArdle distributed a list of city officials who are currently ineligible to hold a city liquor license pursuant to the Municipal Code and asked the Council to express what it is that they wish to do. Alderman Glab said that this is most likely an old Ordinance that needs to be clarified and that the Council was not aware this was even in the code until recently. It is his opinion that elected officials and law and code enforcement should be ineligible from holding a city liquor license. Alderman Santi suggested the amendment be limited to City of McHenry officials. Alderwoman Condon asked if there was any thought to limiting the Ordinance to include County Board members from holding a license in the city. Alderman Curry said the Ordinance should specify the Mayor and Alderman so there is no conflict. Including the County Board in his opinion was not necessary; the amendment should be specific to just City of McHenry officials. Attorney McArdle asked the Council if they had objections with city staff holding a liquor license. After further discussion, it was the opinion of the Council to prohibit any current City of McHenry Police Officer, Mayor, Councilmember or Department Head from Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 September 18, 2017 holding a local liquor license unless authorized by a majority vote of the City Council and to direct Attorney McArdle to draft an Ordinance for Council consideration at the next meeting. Alderman Curry made a motion, seconded by Alderman Santi to approve an application for a Class A Liquor License from DC Cobbs, Inc. d/b/a DC Cobbs, McHenry located at 1204 N. Green Street and, Ordinance increasing the number of Class A Liquor Licenses in effect from twenty-nine (29) to thirty (30), conditioned upon approval of an Ordinance amending the Municipal Code as discussed. Voting Aye: Curry, Santi, Condon, Mihevc, Schaefer, Glab Voting Nay: None Absent: Devine Motion Carried. B. Motion to adopt an Ordinance granting a Zoning Map Amendment and Variances from Off -Street Parking and Loading Requirements and Minimum Front Yard Setback Requirement for the property located at the Northeast Corner of Pearl Street and Richmond Road as requested by Full Circle Communities, Inc.; and Motion to adopt an Ordinance approving the Final Plat of Subdivision for Pearl Street Subdivision. Mayor Jett opened the floor to the Council for discussion. Alderman Schaefer asked Director Martin if a second structure built on the property would have to meet the Ordinance as amended today regarding the size and number of room available. Director Martin answered yes, the property would be rezoned RM-2 from C-4 and RS-4 and would be governed by the Zoning Ordinance. Alderman Curry noted the variance request for parking is from 51 to 33 spaces and because of the limited area, the next building may only have room for 15 spaces and in the future, this may be problematic. Alderman Curry asked if the PACE Shelter would be located on Richmond Road. At this time, Lyndsey Haines, Vice President of Full Circle Communities, Inc. was asked to approach the podium and address the Council. In answer to Alderman Curry's question, Ms. Haines stated there is currently a PACE stop on Richmond Road and discussions with PACE to add a shelter to the existing stop are ongoing. Final details have not been worked out at this time. Ms. Haines assured the Council the shelter would be constructed in conformance with city codes. She also stated the shelter would be available to all city residents. Alderman Curry asked if the PACE bus actually stops on Richmond Road and Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 September 18, 2017 Director Martin answered yes; the route travels north and ends in Fox Lake. Ms. Haines noted there is another PACE bus that stops on Richmond Road heading south to the Metra Station. Alderman Curry asked if there were any issues with the bus stopping on Richmond Road and Ms. Haines answered none at this time; this route is part of the MCRide system that uses smaller vehicles and when the development is completed, the bus is proposed to pull off the roadway into the parking lot. Alderman Glab stated in his opinion the dial -a -ride bus will have no problem maneuvering in the parking lot as it is platted. Alderman Santi asked for the location of the setback variance and Director Martin answered on Pearl Street. Alderman Santi asked who performed the traffic study and Ms. Haines answered Cordogan Clark & Associates from Rosemont, IL and confirmed Full Circle paid all costs. Alderwoman Condon noted this property has been a source of frustration for many looking for the right fit at this location. There have been some concerns about the number of residents at this location however in her opinion this is negated by this development, which is a much -needed facility in McHenry County. Alderman Glab stated it is a beautiful design and the height fits the area. As for the next phase, the Council has approved variances for many projects and parking spaces are seldom occupied at the same time. He asked if there was any thought to extending the parking around the building on the north end. Ms. Haines said the one-to-one parking as proposed is adequate because they are overbuilding the Phase I parking lot and will be able to work with the city to make adjustments if necessary in the future. Alderwoman Condon made a motion, seconded by Alderman Santi to approve a Zoning Map Amendment and Variances from Off -Street Parking and Loading Requirements and Minimum Front Yard Setback Requirement for the property located at the Northeast Corner of Pearl Street and Richmond Road as requested by Full Circle Communities, Inc.; and Motion to adopt an Ordinance approving the Final Plat of Subdivision for Pearl Street Subdivision as presented. Director Martin added the recorded Plat of Subdivision would also include the paved driveway and the approved use of the property and staff will work with Full Circle to include this language on the Plat. In addition, staff met with ComEd and Mayor Jett onsite regarding a proposed variance to bury the power lines due to all the interconnections required in that neighborhood and IDOT agreed. An Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 September 18, 2017 Ordinance will be presented to the Council for approval to bury the lines at a future meeting. Attorney McArdle asked Ms. Haines if Full Circle agreed with restricting the use to only the proposed use. Ms. Haines said she would have to review the exact language before answering the question adding that financing sources, mortgages, etc., recorded against the land will include restrictions as well and suggested the Plat could refer to the mortgages making it cleaner. Alderman Glab asked if burying the lines would be required in the first or second phase of the project. Director Martin answered there are many complications involved with burying the lines and how the lines affect the neighborhood. Alderman Glab suggested this matter be taken to Committee for consideration and also suggested something be included in the city Ordinance to make the burying of lines a requirement. Voting Aye: Condon, Santi, Mihevc, Curry, Schaefer, Glab Voting Nay: None Absent: Devine Motion Carried. STAFF REPORTS Director Schmitt announced the Prairieland Disposal Curbside E-Waste pickup begins September 25, on resident's regular garbage day. A link on the city's website under Public Works with more information is posted. A second E-Waste pickup is scheduled the week of March 25, 2018. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Jett reported that a discussion on downtown parking was proposed and if Council concurs, this will be included as a discussion only item on the October 16 Council agenda. The discussion will provide staff with direction on how to move forward with a plan. Alderman Glab suggested a discussion on updating the downtown plan be a topic of a future Committee of the Whole meeting. Mayor Jett stated he intends to add the Economic Development Commission to the October 2 Council agenda as a discussion only item. Alderman Schaefer asked if the discussion on downtown parking would include parking in all downtown areas particularly on weekend nights. He also asked if it would be feasible to review how many spots are available between the hours of 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 September 18, 2017 Alderman Santi suggested a colored map created by Deputy Administrator Hobson previously submitted to the Council depicting downtown parking areas be included in the information. Director Martin stated Lake Zurich recently completed a downtown parking study and it will be included with the information presented to the Council for discussion October 16. ADJOURNMENT Alderman Santi made a motion, seconded by Alderman Curry to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Santi, Curry, Condon, Mihevc, Schaefer, Glab Voting Nay: None Absent: Devine Motion Carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. Mayor tuwl Dep y City Clerk