Crystal Lake Park District Chili Open Golf Cancelled

It appears that the weather did not fully cooperate this year for the Crystal Lake Park District Chili Open Golf Classic. It was scheduled for Saturday February 12 but had to be cancelled when Park District Staff, in preparing for the event, discovered there was water between two layers of ice. That was not a safe condition.

Postponement until this coming Saturday did not help any. The ice condition of the lake is still unsafe for playing golf on it.

Any registered golfers will receive a full refund.

If more information is desired, contact Joe Davison at (815) 459-0680 ext. 228

Some Friday Meetings

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18

8:15 a.m.—The Public Health and Human Services Committee of the McHenry County Board is meeting in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The agenda for this meeting calls for a presentation review of Workforce Network Federal Budget as well as the appointment to the Mental Health Board.

In new business, authorization is being sought to accept an additional $12,000 in Grant Funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services and increase the hours of two staff positions. This is planned to be used to increase the part-times hours for two Breastfeeding Peer Counselors in the WIC Latino population. There is no impact on County funds.

Also the County has been awarded $5,000 in additional funding from the National Association of City and County Health Officials. This is being appropriated to the Health Department Budget to improve the capabilities of the Department's Medical Reserve Corps. This is the third year NACCHO has provided this grant.

Thursday Meetings

Thursday, February 17

8:30 a.m.--A regular meeting of the Planning and Development Committee of the McHenry County Board will hold a regular committee meeting. in the Conference Room of the McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Subdivision Reaching A Deadline

Symphony East Subdivision which had a beginning in 2007, with extensions of the required Final Plat until April 2010. Since then there is a new owner of the property who is interested n continuing with the development of the property. Other necessary letters of no objection have been provided by McDOT and the Health Department. However, the stormwater Engineer found several issues that need attention before a letter of not objection can be issued. Updates to the County Stormwater Management Ordinance in the intervening years require significant changes to the proposed plat. If another one-year extension is granted it is necessary that it be met or the subdivision file could be terminated...

Recertification of Zoning Maps

Also to be considered by the committee is an ordinance recertifying the Zoning Maps of McHenry County, an annual requirement.

School Impact Fees

Another matter is to update the School Impact Fees. According to information provided, the CPI, which determines the fee, rose 1.2% between December 2009 and December 2010. The fair market value of an acre of land has been calculated at $127,676.

Community Development Block Grant Allocations

McHenry County has been informed that full allocation of $1.2 million is estimated for the fiscal year 2011. This is expected to provided funding for such as emergency rehabilitation through the McHenry County Housing Authority, Child Therapy through Turning Point, A consumer Credit Counseling Service, Family Service and Community Mental Health Center Emergency Medical services, Bathroom renovation at a McHenry Shelter for Home of the Sparrow, Safe and Secure Records/Rehab for Turning Point, Lighting and Ceiling renovation for the Adult and Child Rehabilitation Center, Security for the Family Service and Community Mental Health Center,

Drinking Water Compliance-Phase I for Village of Union, and administration of the programs through the McHenry County Planning and Development Department.

Special Meeting of Planning and Development Committee

Is scheduled to take place at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the McHenry County Unified Development Ordinance

NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE.

11:00 a.m. -- Thursday in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A discussion is to take place on the McHenry County Unified Development Ordinance.

CRYSTAL LAKE PARK DISTRICT BOARD

7:30 p.m.--The Crystal Lake Park District Board is meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Park District offices, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.

A couple policy revisions are included in the agenda for the Board to consider

Also the board if being requested to approve an Annexation Ordinance to annex the property at 9708 Beech Avenue, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Proch.

In keeping with the recent revisions adopted at the last Board meeting, the scheduled March 3 meeting is cancelled. The next meeting of the Board will be March 10.

Special Outreach and Advocacy Committee of MCCD Meeting This Afternoon

A Special Meeting of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee of the McHenry County Conservation District is meeting this afternoon at 4:00 pm. in the Administrative Offices of the District, located at 18410 U.S. Highway 14, Woodstock.

The Committee is expected to handle a number of items such as a status report from the Community Gardens Task Force, establish Spring Meeting Date as well as consider outreach t Municipalities, Community Organizations as well as other current and future outreach opportunities.

They will also consider the Fiscal Year 2012 Legislative Program.

Drums For All At The Raue Center For The Arts

On February 19 at 7:00 pm Crystal Lake Strikers will take Raue Center For The Art’s stage for a fun-filled, high-energy event that will have you on your feet and stomping along to the beat!  Featuring local drumming superstars, this fundraiser for Crystal Lake Strikers and Raue Center For The Arts was a sell-out last year!

The event will be packed with energy and excitement and will feature a Latin Drum Quartet, a Steel Drum Ensemble, Maroon Man Group, a drum off re-match between Joey Hanley and Bob Blazier, and much more!  In addition, the Tim Althoff Scholarship recipient will be announced.

In 2007, Crystal Lake Strikers was formed by Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley, Councilman Brett Hopkins and Prairie Ridge Drumline instructor Thomas Kundmann under the motto “have fun and don’t suck!”  Sporting zebra skin drums and bowling shirts, members of Strikers clearly have fun with their performances and are widely acclaimed in parades and performances all over the region, and have even appeared in Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids 8+ and free for kids 7 and under. Tickets can be purchased by calling Raue Center’s Box Office at 815.356.9212 or by visiting them at 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake or at www.RaueCenter.org.  Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.  They are proud to provide quality programming to and strive to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all.  Raue Center is delighted to welcome you back this year and looks forward to the next years and continuing to “Rock the Raue.”

Senior Living Facility and Auto Parts Store On Agenda for Crystal Lake Plan Commission

Two petitions are on tonight's agenda for the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission which meets in the City Council Chambers, 100 W. Woodstock Street, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

One petition to be considered is a Final Planned Unit Development Amendment for a senior independent living development located on Station Drive adjacent to the Centegra Medical Office Building and the future Al and Joe's Deli. An office complex was previously approved for this location.

The petitioner, B-Development, LLC of Northbrook seeks to locate a three-story independent senior housing community at this location in a three-story building located adjacent to Centegra Medical Office Building. This location is also near the Metra station and near medical office buildings as well as retail and service providers and  recreational facilities.

The other petition seeks to add a monument sign and wall signage for a building at 6130 Northwest Highway. This is location of the former Blockbuster Video Store on Northwest Highway and is part of the Commons Shopping Center Advance Auto Parts is making the request to locate an auto parts store in the former video store.

Road Work In McHenry County

The Transportation Committee of the McHenry County Board will meet Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. in the Main Conference Room of the McHenry County Division of Transportation, 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

Approval of several intergovernmental agreements with the State of Illinois is to be considered. One is for the Lawrence Road Bridge Project for an agreement with the State of Illinois for funding for these local improvements. The total project is expected to cost $2.3 million with the County providing the local share of $456,000 and the balance from the Federal Highway Funds.

Another bridge project is Graf Road Township Bridge at Lawrence Creek. The total cost for this project is $1.5 million with $1.2 million coming from the Federal Highway funds.

Miller Road is to be improved in an area between Illinois Route 31 and River Road in the City and Township of McHenry. The beginning of property acquisition is to get underway shortly and $875,000 is to be appropriated from the County RTA Sales Tax Fund for this purpose.

Widening and resurfacing of Johnsburg Road in the Village of Johnsburg is also to get underway. In order to accomplish the project it is necessary to acquire real property for the construction purposes and $300,000 is to be appropriated from County Matching Funds to continue acquisition of needed properties.

High School District 155 Board Meeting This Evening

Community High School District 155 Board is meeting this evening beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Crystal Lake Central High School.

In addition to the necessary routine matters such as listening to citizens who may wish to address the board, the board is expected to approve the proposed calendar for 2011-2012 School Year, Superintendent Dr. Jill Hawk is presenting the lists of 121 January 2011 Graduates. This includes: 27 from Cary-Grove High School, 24 from Crystal Lake Central High School, 19 from Prairie Ridge High School, and 42 from Crystal Lake South High School.

Public Hearing For Huntley Hospital

A public hearing is being held by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board for a proposed Centegra Hospital-Huntley Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. The location is the Huntley Municipal Complex, Village Board Meeting Room, 10987 Main Street, Huntley.

The proposed project is for a 128-bed acute care hospital on the east side of Haligus Road, between Algonquin Road and Reed Road, Huntley. The cost is estimated at $233,160,352.

This is an opportunity for the public to present written or oral comments relevant to the proposed project and all allegations or assertions should be relevant to the need for the proposed project and be supported with two copies of documentation or materials that are printed or typed...

The State Board is slated to make a decision on the proposed project at its May 10 meeting. Letters of support or opposition may be provided until 9:00 a.m. April 20, 2011 to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, 2^nd Floor, 525 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, Illinois 61761.

Crystal Lake City Council Meets Tuesday Evening

Crystal Lake City Council is meeting Tuesday evening beginning at 7:30 in the Council Chambers at 100 West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.

Street Closures For Benefits – Included on the consent agenda are a couple street closure requests. One is for the 13^th Annual Woods Creek Feet Meet to take place on Alexandra Boulevard from an area west of Dogwood Drive to an area east of Driftwood Lane on Sunday May 1 for a one-mile walk/run to begin at 8:00 an and a 5K walk/run to begin at 8:30 am. A second street closure request is for Glacier Ridge Elementary School PTA for a "Paws for the Pantry" Run on Sunday, May 31 with a 1-mile walk/run beginning at 8:00 a.m. and a 5K walk/run to begin at 8:30 a.m. Closure of  Village Road is requested for an area between Moorland Drive and Driftwood Lane.

Metra Ridgefield Station Continuation--A request is again made to continue to March 1 the Annexation Hearing for the Ridgefield Metra Station and associated parking lot. The City staff notes that the petitioner has been working to assemble all the information requested by the City Council at the pre-annexation meetings. Additionally, some time is needed to prepare for the upcoming meeting in light of the start of the new Chief Executive Officer of Metra.

A retail Facade and Commercial Tenant Improvement Program—An application request for Crosstown Management/Labemi's at 109 N. Main Street will be considered by the Council.

A Unified Development Ordinance Sign Variation request for a projecting wall sign for Living Room Martini Lounge,(formerly Porter's), 446 W. Virginia Street will be considered; Also for the same establishment, a request for a temporary Use Permit request for a Special Promotion to allow a 50-inch LCD video screen to project outward towards Virginia Street.

A Temporary Use Permit request to allow an ice rink in the front yard of the property at 794 Dover Court will be considered along with the request to waive the Temporary Use Permit Fee.

Gas Depot at 471 Virginia Street is requesting a sign Ordinance variation to change the fee of the existing freestanding sign and to add signage to the canopy at the business at 471 Virginia Street.

Developers for the proposed City Square development at 110 W. Woodstock Street are requesting an extension of the Preliminary Planned Unit Development.

An extension of the Final Plan of Subdivision approval is also being requested for Ashwood Estates Subdivision, located on the west side of Huntley Road, south of Oakwood Drive.

Virginia Street Improvements--A bid award and resolution authorizing execution of an $88,775 contract for the installation of new electrical service laterals for the Virginia Street Corridor and allowing for a 10 percent contingency. This is for the Virginia Street improvement program. Associated Electrical Contractors, Inc., Woodstock was the lowest bidder of three proposals. This project is being funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

Changes for the city's public safety radio system. The Federal Communication Commission has mandated that all public safety radio systems be narrowbanded from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz by January 1, 2013. This is due to congestion within this radio spectrum. The City is retaining an independent radio system consultant to guide the City through the FCC mandates. Consulting services are being retained to guide the City through the necessary process.

Currently the City has three radio channels, one used by the Police Department, one by the Fire Rescue Department and one used by the Public Works Department with Three Oaks Recreation Area (TORA) share the Public Works Department channel. That sharing may change since there is interference experienced at TORA. A new license is being considered for TORA.

A contract is to be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible proposer, Elert Associates, Libertyville for the narrowbanding and a new radio channel.

Pingree Road Improvements--The project limits for this are from Rakow Road to US Route 14; and the physical roadway limits extend from McArdle Drive to Pointe Drive. The scope of the work includes resurfacing from McArdle Drive to Tek Drive with reconstruction and widening from Tek Drive to Pointe Drive.

The city has secured $1.5 million in federal Surface Transportation Program funds for the construction and Phase III Engineering portions of the project. City Motor Fuel Tax funds will cover the balance. A letting date is scheduled on April 29, for the project. In order to complete the project, the City must select a consultant to perform what is know as Phase III Engineering, to ensure the project is completed per plan and on time. It is recommended by the City Engineering Department that a firm knowledgeable and experienced oversee the project construction. Since Federal STP funds are being used in Phase III Engineering, federal laws require that purely qualifications-based selection process be followed to secure an engineering firm.

After reviewing 13 proposals, the Engineering Division determined Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd as the most qualified and responsible proposer at a cost of approximately $68,000 less than what is currently budgeted for the Phase III Engineering services. Federal law prohibits revealing or considering any other proposer's cost.

The Council is also being asked to approve the appropriation of $72,183 in MFT funds for the construction and Phase III Engineering services for the Pingree Road Segment 3 Improvement. This is to cover $115,790 for the engineering consulting services, $344,814 for the construction, and a contingency of $11,579.

New Police Cars--A resolution is being presented for the purchase of seven Police Pursuit Cars to replace seven 2008 Crown Victoria cars currently used by the Department. They have been in place since 2007 and logged an average of 83,240 miles each. Although this model of car is being discontinued the City can reduce equipment installation costs since the current equipment can be transferred to the new cars since they are the same configuration as previous mode years. If cars are not ordered by March 2 of this year, a different model vehicle would have to be ordered leading to higher cost of equipment transfer.

Well #7 Problems--Investigation of problems with the well has revealed the need to replace the motor for this well as well as an electrical cable at a cost of $163,801.70.

Union Pacific Railroad Grade Crossing Improvement On Pingree Road--The area of improvement is between Cog Circle and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Included are additional turn lanes at the Congress Parkway intersection. Metra is also participating in this project since it involves the Metra Pingree Road Station.

The improvements as approved by IDOT include an extension of the current sidewalk network along Pingree Road across the tracks to connect the existing shared-use path to the north.

Estimated labor and material cots for the installation of the necessary grade crossing improvements are listed at $189,738. This is the overall construction cost and is being funded through Metra contributions and Federal Surface Transportation Program funding. The City will be responsible for the annual maintenance fee of $2,720 per year for the two pedestrian warning gates needed.

Stormwater Management Consultant Agreement--An extension of the City's current agreement for stormwater management consulting services with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. is also to be authorized.

Dial-A-Ride Services from Senior Services Grant Fund--The Council is asked to approve the necessary resolution for an intergovernmental agreement between McHenry County and the City enabling the payments for Dial-A-Ride Services from the Senior Services Grant Fund.

In order to continue the Dial-A-Ride services, approval is needed for a resolution authorizing execution of an intergovernmental agreement between McHenry County and the City enabling payments for the services from the Senior Services Grant Fund.

Crystal Lake Police Department As Part of the Drug Enforcement Administration--The Council is asked to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration enabling the Crystal Lake Police Department to become a member of the Provisional State and Local Government Task Force.

Crystal Lake Police Department To Be Part of the Cyber Crimes Investigation Group --A resolution execution is needed for a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement enabling the Crystal Lake Police Department to become a member of the Cyber Crimes Investigation Group federal task force and for reimbursement of joint operations expenses from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.

Resolution of Suppor for Mercy Hospital--Mercy Health System has requested the City Council to pass a resolution supporting their proposed Crystal Lake Hospital, planned for location at the southeast corner of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road. This would be a 128-bed hospital offering a full spectrum of services. It would be conveniently located for Crystal Lake residents as well as provide a positive economic impact to the community. Zoning approval for the proposed facility cannot be requested until the State application is processed and approved.

Although the City Council previously granted zoning approval for a Preliminary PUD, Special Use Permits for a hospital and helipad along with variations, these are no longer in effect since they expired after two years if the use was not instituted.

The State's certificate of need process provides for a local public hearing for the proposed hospital. That hearing is scheduled for March 18 at 10:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. The resolution being presented to the Council for approval is to be signed by a Mayor Pro-Tem because of Mayor Shepley's position with Centegra Hospital.

McHenry County Liquor and License Commission Meeting

The McHenry County Liquor and License Commission is meeting Tuesday morning at 10:30 in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A hearing on the Liquor Ordinance violation is to be held involving the Alden Grocery. Additionally, a new liquor license, Manager or Amusement License request is to be handled for Cary country Club, Inc.

Seven requests are to be considered for raffle permit and special liquor license requests.

Stealing Money May Buy Jail Time For Two McHenry Area Men

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that thirty-year-old Vincent E. Smith, of McHenry, was found guilty today of Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Armed Violence and two counts of Aggravated Unlawful Restraint following a four-day jury trial.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2011 and the defendant faces up to 30 years in prison.

Evidence at trial revealed that in the early morning hours of October 16, 2010, Vincent Smith and Josh Crandall entered a home in unincorporated McHenry.  Both defendants were masked, and witnesses described both as being armed with knives.  Crandall held up one man at knifepoint and stole $7,000 in one hundred dollar denominations.   Crandall superficially cut the man’s throat and stabbed him in the sternum area.  Another man was stabbed three times outside of the home while the two masked men were exiting the home.  Both victims survived the attack.  At trial, four witnesses in the home were able to point to the defendant as one of the masked men.

McHenry County Sheriff’s deputies were able to determine the identity of the perpetrators and apprehended both suspects on the date of the offense.  Search warrants of the defendant’s residence yielded forty-two $100 bills found in the defendant’s closet hidden in a DVD case.  Josh Crandall pled guilty on February 7,, 2011 to Armed Robbery and Home Invasion, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2011.  The cases were prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Ryan Blackney and David Johnston.

Another Election Is On The Way - Are You Properly Registered?

April 5 Is The Date.

This is an election in which voters will be voting for candidates for city mayors, city council members, village presidents, and village trustees, school board members, community college board members, park district board members.

McHenry County Clerk Katherine Schultz notes that only properly registered electors may vote in the April 5 Consolidated Election. This is according to the Permanent Registration of Electors Law of Illinois.'

Make Sure Voter Registration is Valid

Now is the time to be sure the voter registration held is valid. If a voter has moved from one precinct to another within the County since they last registered, or from one address to another within the precinct of their residence, they must notify the County Clerk, in writing, by signing an application for change of residence or by returning their present voter's card to the County Clerk's Office specifying the new address. But this must be accomplished before Tuesday, March 8, 2011.

New Residents and New Voters

Persons residing in an election district 30 days on or before the election or a person who turns eighteen years of age on or before the date of the election may register, if otherwise qualified.

Voters registered in another county but are new residents to McHenry County must appear before the County Clerk or a Deputy Registrar and register in McHenry County. Two ID's are required, and one must bear current name and address. If there is a desire to register with a local deputy registrar, information is available by contacting the County Clerk's Office or access the web site web site

Registration by mail is available, but voters must provide sufficient proof of identity, if requesting an Absentee Ballot be mailed.

Registered voters who have changed their name must re-register.

Properly registered voters do not have to re-register.

Illinois Election Law requires voters to keep their address current. A voter cannot vote for local candidates if they are not properly registered.

Nor can they vote on any local propositions if they are not properly registered.

Contact the County Clerk's office at 815-334-4242 immediately if you have changed your address and have not yet notified the County Clerk' office.

The County Clerk's Office in the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Questions regarding  Voter Registration status must contact the Clerk's Office.

McHenry County Government In Action Tuesday Evening

Tuesday, February 15-

5:30 p.m.-McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committee

A Special meeting of the McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committee is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock

A presentation is scheduled regarding Centegra's Proposed Huntley Hospital. The committee is to consider authorizing a recommendation of support for approval for the hospital by the full County Board.  

Other matters to be handled relate to authorizing Workers' Compensation Claim Settlements, appropriating a fund for the 2011 Transit Grant Program, authorizing applications for a technical services agreement under the R TA General Authority for such grants.

Also for consideration, is authorizing salary increases for the Board of Review for the Fiscal Budget Year 2010-2011.  Also for consideration is a salary increase for the Chief County Assessment Officer for the same fiscal period.

6:15 p.m.—McHenry County Board Transportation Committee

A Special Transportation Committee meeting is scheduled to handle a number of matters which will then go to the full County Board for consideration. These include authorization for an intergovernmental agreement between the County and the Huntley Fire Protection District for an access installation on Algonquin Road. This is for a new fire station at Algonquin and Square Barn Road, appropriating funds to the McHenry County Conservation District for building demolition for the Rakow Road project.

7:00 p.m.—McHenry County Board

The County Board will provide recognition to two young men who attainted the rank of  Eagle Scout—Richard Allen Johnson and Cole Mathew Polnow. Both are from the Marengo Troop #163.

Also a proclamation is being adopted recognizing the Prairie Ridge High School Varsity Cheerleading Team which placed third in the State Competition.

Other matters to be considered for final approval are:

·       Resolutions authorizing two Workers' Compensation Claim Settlements;

·       Resolution appropriating funds for the 2011 Transit Grant Program;

·       Resolution authorizing Applications for a Technical Services Agreement Under the RTA General Authority to   make these grants;

·       Resolution Authorizing Salary Increases for the Board of Review for the Fiscal Budget Year 2010-2011;

·       Resolution authorizing a Budget Line Item Transfer in the Planning and Development Fiscal Year 2011 Budget;

·       Resolution authorizing the re-classification of a position from Buyer to Junior Buyer for the Purchasing Department;

·       Resolution authorizing a salary increase for the Chief County Assessment Officer for Budget year 2010-2011;

·       Resolution authorizing support of approval for Centegra Hospital-Huntley;

·       Resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation to re-appropriate into Fiscal Year 2010-2011 the Rolled Forward encumbered Budget Dollars from Fiscal Year 2009-2010;

·       Resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation to the Series 2002-A Debt Certificate Fund Fiscal Year 2010-2011 budget;

·       Resolution authorizing the purchase of two animal control vans.

Also on the County Board agenda is a resolution requesting clarification of the Orders Appointing the Special Prosecutor and a resolution authorizing the adoption of amendments to the McHenry County Board Rules, as noted in Saturday's Town Crier Blog.

County Stormwater Management Ordinance

A number of amendments to the Ordinance are proposed by the Planning and Development Department. It is noted that the amendments are intended to reduce the burden on large property owners such as farmers and the McHenry County Conservation District.