Opportunities To Watch Your Government

MONDAY-JULY 19
Crystal Lake School District 47 Board will meet this evening beginning at 7:00 pm in the C.O.R.E Center, 300 Commerce Drive. The agenda for the meeting indicates, among other items, approval of hazardous walking areas, a tentative budget, and discussion on construction projects and the laborers strike.

TUESDAY—JULY 20
McHenry County Housing Commission will meet at 8:30 am in the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. This recently formed group continues in the necessary formation process such as appointing of committee chairmen, providing information to the newly appointed commissioners and providing the information needed for the Commission to function.

Lakewood Village Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting this evening at 7:00 pm at the Retail Golf Course, 7900 Redtail Drive, Lakewood, for a hearing on an amendment to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan. Any other Planning, Zoning and Development issues may also be considered.

High School District 155 Board is meting at 7:3 pm in the Center for Education, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake. Special recognition is planned for Special Olympics Weight Lifting State Medalists.

McHenry County Board meets Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the County Board Conference Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.
A special presentation is slated on the Agriculture Conservation Easement Farmland Protection Commission.

 Union Contracts--Two resolutions regarding Union Contracts are on the agenda for approval. One is a contract between the Service Employees International Union, Local 73 (SEIU) for County Coroner and McHenry County. This is for the County Coroner employees only. The period for this contract is December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2011. This contract was the subject of considerable debate at County Board Committee meetings. According to information from the County Human Resources Director Robert Ivetic, several negotiation sessions were held with a Federal Mediator. The best and final offer was extended and asked that the SEIU negotiators present the proposal to the membership. That was refused by the SEIU.

It is recommended that the contract be implemented. It proposes wage adjustments of 3% on December 1, 2008, 2% on December 1, 2009 and the wage increase as granted by the County Board for December 1, 2010. The adjustments would be retroactive.

A second contract for consideration is between the SEIU and the Division of Veterinary Public Health, better known as the Animal Control workers. The same situation exists for this group as for the Coroner and the same recommendation is proposed for these workers.

Crystal Lake City Council -Tuesday meetings also include Crystal Lake City Council meeting at 7:30 pm. Several Life Saving Awards are being presented to Police officers including Staff Sergeant Daniel Hulata, Sergeant Steven Renje, and Officer Mark Szumanski.

Additionally, resolutions are being presented for approval regarding design engineering services and appropriation of MFT funds for the services related to Illinois Route 176 at Briarwood Road Intersection Improvement.
An ordinance modifying building and construction fees to promote the Neighborhood Stabilization Program is included for approval.

The Police Department is seeking approval of a Temporary Use Permit to hold a Crystal Lake Block Party as part of the National Night Out on July 31. Approval of this will allow the closure of Williams Street between Brink Street and Crystal Lake Avenue for the evening event.