HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 09/21/2015 - City CouncilREGULAR MEETING
September 21, 2015
Mayor Low called the regularly scheduled September 21, 2015 meeting of the McHenry City
Council to order at 7:00 PM in the McHenry City Council Chambers, 333 S Green Street,
McHenry, IL 60050 with the following Aldermen in attendance: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Curry,
Wimmer, Peterson and Condon. Absent: None. Also in attendance were City Administrator
Morefield, Deputy City Administrator Hobson, Director of Economic Development Martin,
Director of Finance Lynch, Director of Public Works Schmitt, Chief of Police Jones, City Attorney
Schlossberg and City Clerk Jones.
CITY OF MCHENRY MISSION STATEMENT
Mayor Low read aloud the Mission Statement of the City of McHenry.
PUBLIC INPUT SESSION
No one spoke at Public Input.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Purchase of two (2) police vehicles (2015 Chevrolet Tahoe) from Miles Chevrolet for $67,160; purchase and
installation of emergency vehicle equipment from Ultrastrobe, Inc. for $17,975.81; purchase and installation of police
decals from Eby Graphics for $1,735; purchase of two (2) Panasonic Touchpad Squad Computers from CDS Office
Technologies for $5,272; and purchase of two (2) Panasonic Squad Car Camera Systems from COS Office Technologies
for $11,418, for a total amount not to exceed $103,750;
B. Final Pay Request for Riverwalk Phase 2A.1 and 2A.2 Construction to Landmark Construction, Inc., for the amount of
$10,149;
C. Use of Veterans Memorial Park, temporary advertising signs, and waiver of all associated fees for the Downtown
Business Association Annual Christmas Walk on November 21 and 22, 2015; and, temporary closure of Main Street,
Green Street, Riverside Drive, Broad Street, Park Street, and Court Street on November 22, 2015 for the annual Toys
for Tots Parade; and
D. August 17, 2015 Council meeting minutes and September 8, 2015 Special Council meeting minutes;
E. As Needed Checks, in the amount of $93,598.36; and
F. Approval of List of Bills, in the amount of $165,108.34.
Motion by Wimmer, second by Schaefer, approving the Consent Agenda, as presented.
Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Curry, Schaefer, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION FOR AN
HONORARY STREET SIGN DESIGNATING THE INTERSECTION OF KANE AVENUE AND CENTER
STREET IN HONOR OF VIRGINIA (JINNY) T. WILLIAMS.
City Administrator Morefield informed the Council that a request for an Honorary Street
Sign for Virginia "Jinny" T. Williams has been submitted by Joseph Doherty and Carol Sweeney.
The sign is proposed at the intersection of Kane Avenue and Center Street. Ms. Williams lived in
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September 21, 2015
the McHenry area her entire life and continued to reside at her childhood home, located at 705
Center Street, until moving to the McHenry Villa.
Ms. Williams's service to the community of McHenry included:
• Being the sole owner of "Family Nursing", the first independent nursing practice in the
state of Illinois.
• She served on the McHenry Hospital Board of Trustees;
• In 1975 she received the "Woman of the Year" award from the Business and
Professional Women's Club and years later she was awarded the Centegra "Community
Leader of the Year" award; and
• She was a member of the Board of Directors for the Comprehensive Health Planning
Agency for McHenry, Kane and Lake Counties.
City Administrator Morefield informed Council that on September 14, 2015, the Public
Works Committee unanimously recommended approval of the designation of the intersection
of Kane Avenue and Center Street as Honorary Virginia (Jinny) Williams RN Drive.
Mayor Low announced that she knew Jinny Williams her entire life. She stated that Jinny
was an amazing woman. Alderman Schaefer concurred with Mayor Low, announcing that he
also knew Ms. Williams for his entire life. Alderman Schaefer stated that Jinny was an
incredible, selfless person.
Alderman Condon opined that designation of a street in the City of McHenry in Jinny's
honor is preserving history. She stated that she is amazed by the work that Jinny accomplished
during her lifetime.
Motion by Schaefer, second by Wimmer, approving the Resolution for an Honorary
Street Sign designating the intersection of Kane Avenue and Center Street in honor of Virginia
(Jinny) T. Williams.
Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Curry, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS: Mayor Low welcomed two new Parks and Recreation staff
members in attendance. Deputy City Administrator Hobson introduce Ms. Nicole Thompson,
Athletic Aquatic Supervisor; and Matt LaPorte, Recreation Center Manager.
MOTION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A
DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENT AND OUTDOOR SEATING: AND VARIANCES FROM THE OFF-STREET
PARKING/LOADING. LANDSCAPING. SCREENING. AND REQUIRED SIDE YARD FOR A FENCE IN
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September 21, 2015
CONJUNCTION WITH A DUNKIIM' DONUTS RESTAURANT PROPOSED AT THE SOUTHWEST
CORNER OF FRONT STREET AND OAK AVENUE
City Administrator Morefield informed the Council the Applicant currently owns and
operates two Dunkin' Donuts businesses in the city and is proposing to construct a third store
at the southwest corner of Oak Avenue and Front Street. To facilitate the development a
Conditional Use Permit is required to allow a drive-in establishment and outdoor seating and
variances from the Zoning Ordinance including:
• Variance from the off-street parking and loading Ordinance (7 spaces);
• Variance from the landscaping and screen requirements (10-feet residential screening
strip along the west lot line and 7 feet foundation base planting requirement along the
front (north) side of the building; and
• Variance from the accessory uses, yards and fences section of the Zoning Ordinance to
allow a refuse enclosure in the required corner side yard.
The Applicant is also seeking a variance from the Municipal Code to allow a six foot solid
wooden fence in the required corner side yard to provide screening from the property
immediately adjacent to the west.
Staff believes the land use is appropriate for the site. There is a commercial center north
of the subject property and an office/commercial building south of the site. The property is
located along a major commercial corridor. Applicant has received a preliminary plan and
profile from IDOT that includes a full access off Front Street and approximate right-of-way
dedication along Front Street, which IDOT may seek in the future. Applicant proposes an
additional full access off Oak Avenue, which is a City of McHenry roadway. Although full access
is proposed off Front Street it should be noted the majority of traffic in the morning peak hours
travels southbound or eastbound and Dunkin' Donuts does most of their business before 12:00
pm.
The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval by a vote of
(7-0) of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a drive-in establishment and outdoor seating, as
presented by the applicant, subject to the following conditions:
• Site is developed in substantial conformance with the attached site and landscape plans
and building elevation;
• Applicant shall contact the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and submit an
approval letter from IDOT permitting the use of the subject property, as proposed, prior
to a Building Permit being issues;
• All off-site and on-site (access and roadway) improvements to and from Front Street
shall be in accordance with the requirements of IDOT; and
• Applicant shall dedicate right-of-way required for long-term roadway improvements to
Illinois Route 31; dedication shall be made to the City of McHenry free and clear of any
liens and encumbrances and a Plat of Dedication shall be submitted to the City of
McHenry for recordation; the City of McHenry will work with Applicant and IDOT to
determine the amount of right-of-way which may be required.
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And;
Approval of variances from the Zoning Ordinance, as presented by the Applicant:
• Seven space variance from the off-street parking and loading requirement;
• Variance from the landscaping and screen requirements (10-feet residential screening
strip along the west lot line and 7-foot variance from the front foundation base planting
requirement); and
• Variance from the accessory uses, yards and fences section of the Zoning Ordinance to
allow a refuse enclosure in the required corner side yard.
Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Curry regarding the purpose of the additional
30-feet of fencing along the south side, Director of Economic Development Martin stated that
the additional fencing is necessary to block the glare of headlights.
Alderman Condon opined that she continues to struggle with the fact that no escape
lane exists. Director of Economic Development Martin informed Council that all parties were
concerned about the lack of an escape lane however, there was also a concern with the
placement of the escape lane and the fact that someone might inadvertently drive the wrong
way through the drive-thru.
Alderman Glab opined that he like the location for a Dunkin' Donuts, although he has
some concerns about the traffic pattern, the lack of an escape lane, and how the exit on Oak
Avenue might affect the residents.
Motion by Schaefer, second by Curry, granting a Conditional Use Permit to allow a drive-
in establishment and outdoor seating; and variances form the off street parking/loading,
landscaping, screening, and required side yard for a fence in conjunction with a Dunkin' Donuts
restaurant proposed at the Southwest corner of Front Street and Oak Avenue, as presented,
together with the conditions of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and extension of the
fencing along the south side of the property approximately 30 feet.
Voting Aye: Santi, Schaefer, Curry, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon.
Voting Nay: Glab.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
MAYOR'S STATEMENT AND REPORT
Mayor Low introduced Attorney Ruth Schlossberg of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and
McArdle. Mayor Low thanked Attorney Schlossberg for attending tonight's meeting in Attorney
McArdle's absence.
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September 21, 2015
Mayor Low publicly thanked the community of McHenry for the
expressed for the family of Deputy Maness.
respect and caring
Mayor Low commended the McHenry Police Department for the job they do every day
and thanked the members of the Police Department for their participation in the services for
Deputy Maness. The Mayor acknowledged McHenry Police Officers Brian Aalto and John Adams
for their service on the Honor Guard.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Alderman Wimmer informed Council that there was a Special Finance and Personnel
Committee meeting prior to tonight's Council meeting and the minutes will be forthcoming.
Alderman Peterson informed Council that there was a Parks and Recreation Committee
meeting prior to tonight's Council meeting and the minutes will be forthcoming.
STAFF REPORTS
There were no Staff Reports.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Alderman Glab stated that he would like to discuss Second Amendment Sports. Mayor
Low informed Alderman Glab that if he would like to discuss the matter he may request that it
be presented as an Agenda Item.
Alderman Santi stated he would also like to discuss Second Amendment Sports and he
expressed satisfaction with the progress of the McHenry Recreation Center construction
project.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 7.29 pm.
Voting Aye: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Curry, Wimmer, Peterson, Condon.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 pm.
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