Government At Work

Tuesday, February 21

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Housing Commission –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A staff report is to be reviewed by the Commission in addition to the appointment of members to standing committees, discussion regarding an April Fair Housing Month Children’s Poster Contest and HOME Notice of funding Availability.

6:00 p.m. – Curriculum, Staff Development & Student Services Committee of High School District 155—

Meeting in the Crystal Lake Central High School Library/Media Center.

The agenda calls for new courses update and Special Education Program review.

6:30 p.m. – Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A resolution is being presented the Committee authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement for Establishing the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium. This also involves the appointment of a county representative and alternative representative to represent the County and vote regarding Execution of Service Agreements regarding the sale and purchase of electricity and related services for the County’s Electric Aggregation Program.

 Consideration of support of Cell tower Legislation is another topic on the agenda.

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board—

Meeting in the County Board Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Kevin Mathew Wright is receiving his Eagle Scout Badge and the County Board will be adopting a Resolution of commendation.

Nine zoning board matters are being presented the Board for approval including two matters each in Alden Township; McHenry Township, and Algonquin Townships, one each in Richmond, Riley, and Greenwood Townships.

A resolution is being presented for Board approval for the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement for Establishing the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium and appointing a County representative to the consortium.

A number of grants are being presented the Board for acceptance. One is for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program in an amount of $100,820 for the Security Equipment and vehicle purchase in the Sheriff’s Department.

Other grants include: $7,375 from the Illinois Department of Transportation is to provide for Child Passenger Safety; $18,000 from Illinois Department of Public Health; $7,000 for the County Emergency Management Agency to establish a Citizen Corps Council.

A resolution is being presented supporting Hospital Property Tax-Exempt status. This is to urge the Governor and the McHenry County Illinois General Assembly delegation to acknowledge the full array of health programs, services, and subsidies that the non-profit, tax-exempt hospitals provide.

Several Ordinances are being presented for review and include an ordinance to designate the Exclusive Collector of Solid Waste, Recyclables and Yardwastes in Certain Areas of Unincorporated McHenry County; an Ordinance amendment for the Agricultural Conservation Easement and Farmland Protection Commission; and an Ordinance amending Article 10 of the School Developer Donation Requirements of the McHenry County Subdivision Ordinance.

One Ordinance is being presented for recertification of the McHenry County Zoning Maps.

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake City Council—

Meeting in the Council Chambers of Crystal Lake City Hall, 100 West Woodstock Street—

The Council is being requested to approve the use of City Hall front parking lot for a staging and start/end of the Crystal Lake Night Owl Bike Ride scheduled overnight between Saturday, August 4 and Sunday August 5.

The auto dealerships in the City have been encouraged to obtain on temporary use permit for the year for all the dealerships special advertising needs. This allows the six dealers in the City to conduct their promotions within the time frames of the manufacturers without a need to seek individual Temporary Use Permit Approval.

The annual Raue Center Bob Blazier Walk/Run for the Arts is to receive a Temporary Use Permit for this year’s event on Sunday, May 6. This allows the closure of Williams Street between Woodstock Street and Crystal Lake Avenue between 6:00 a.m. and noon.

Another matter involving the Raue Center is a requested motion to approve an ordinance granting a further sign variation to allow a 284 square foot wall sign on the west elevation of the Raue Center building.

Soccer Heads owner Orhan Senger is requesting a Retailer Jog Creation and Investment Grant of $3,775. Soccer Heads is located at 1275 Randall Road and is a specialty retailer of soccer gear.

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois –Fox Hill Senior Living is requesting approval of a preliminary plat of subdivision for a three-acre parcel immediately east of Commonwealth Drive, and approval of a preliminary planned unit development with a variation to the maximum height to allow the building at 33-feet high. Also being requested is a variation to allow a continuing care retirement community without nursing facilities in the B-2 zoning district.

Electrical Aggregation

The Council is being requested to award a bid for consultant services for residential/small business electrical aggregation and municipal electricity purchasing to Northern Illinois Municipal Electrical Collaborative.

On March 20 voters will be considering whether to approve an ordinance providing the City with the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of the electrical aggregation program. A consultant is to review and analyze load data, develop the requirements for a successful RFP process and conduct negotiations with a new Alternative Retail Electric Supplier.

The Council is requested to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract for the purchase of electricity. The successful bidder, Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC), Prospect Heights for this service. This firm will work with the City in receiving bids for electrical service. It is expected that bids from suppliers will be received soon after ComEd sets new rates in May of this year. A bid will only be accepted if it is lower than the ComEd rate. Additionally, residents and small businesses may revert back to the ComEd rate without suffering any financial penalty.

The annual Hotel/Motel Tax funding Allocations are also being presented for Council approval. The City received 10 applications from local organizations for some of the funding. The City has projected the amount expected to be $285,000 during the 2012/2013 Fiscal Year. The amount currently realized is $233,000.

Awards for this fiscal year are to be considered at tonight’s Council Meeting.

7:30 p.m. Community High School District 155 Board—

Meeting in Crystal lake Central High School, 45 West Franklin Avenue, Crystal Lake.

Several staff recognitions are among the first matters on the agenda. These include New Teachers, National Board Certified Teacher and Illinois Science Teachers Association New Teacher of the Year Award.

January 2012 Graduates are reported by Superintendent Jill Hawk. There 104 total including 16 from Cary-grove, 37 from Central, 26 from Prairie Ridge and 25 from South High Schools.