Government At Work

Tuesday, April 3

9:00 a.m. – McHenry County Board

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

In addition to the statutory reports being presented to the Board and placed on file, a recommendation for county board consideration includes a resolution authorizing monthly transactions for the Delinquent Tax Program involving three parcels.

A resolution authorizing the implementation of a contract agreement between Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers-Division of Transportation and the County is being presented to the Board for approval.

An Intergovernmental Agreement between Greenwood Township Road District and McHenry County for the Jankowski Road Township Bridge Maintenance Project and appropriating funds is being presented for approval

A resolution authorizing the transfer of surface transportation program funds for partial reimbursement of the County Engineers annual salary. This so IDOT pays 50% of the County Engineers salary with the other 50% paid from Motor Fuel Tax funds. The salary including a 3% increase from 2011 is set at $137,298.92. The total is divided 50-50 between Motor Fuel Tax Funds and funds received from IDOT.

Also for the County Department of Transportation, a resolution is being presented for approval of a $30,000 appropriation Ordinance from the County Option Motor Fuel Tax Fund for emergency.

An engineering services agreement and appropriation of funds for Bay Road Bridge and Wilmot Bridge rehab projects is being presented for Board approval .The amount is not to exceed $32,517.83 with services being provided by Civiltech Engineering, Inc.

Two other bridge projects are also being presented for approval. These include rehabbing of Kishwaukee Road Bridge and McGuire Road Bridge for an amount of $47,152.20 for engineering to be completed by Wills Burke Kelsey Associates, Ltd.

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

Meeting in the Crystal Lake Council Chambers, 100 West Woodstock Street.

A resolution placing the City Budget on display and setting the Public Hearing date for April 17 is one of the several items to be handled on a consent agenda.

Two other items include a temporary use permit request to allow the Farmer’s Market to be held in Downtown Crystal Lake on Saturday mornings June 2 through October 20.

Also issuing a temporary use permit to allow Lunch-Dinner in the Park events to be held in the Gazebo and Depot Park on June 29, July 27 and August 31.

The Alzheimer’s Association is requesting to hold a special event at the Three Oaks Recreation Area on September 30.

Draft Plans for Institutions

A presentation of the McHenry County College Draft Facility Master Plan is being made for discussion purposes only.

Another matter for discussion purposes only is a conceptual plan review for the Crystal Lake Public Library expansion and renovation plan.

Road construction and work zone traffic update is being presented for information purposes only.

A presentation of flooding study improvement to Area 1D is being made for discussion only.

A special use permit amendment request is to be considered to allow a detached accessory structure to be approximately 960 square feet for each story.

An amendment is being presented decreasing the current number of Class 1 and Class 2 Liquor Licenses.

A number of bid awards are being presented for approval including:

A purchase agreement for the provision of unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel;

Executing a contract for brush pick-up services;

Bid award for a contract for Walnut Glen Subdivision Pavement Patching;

Bid award for a contract for 2012 Street Resurfacing Program;

Bid award for 2012-13 Traffic signal maintenance program;

Bid award authorizing a contract for the FY 2012-13 Street Light Maintenance Program; Authorization of MFT funds appropriation for FY 2012-13 traffic signal maintenance, street light maintenance, and snow-fighting material purchases.

A proposal award and resolution authorizing execution of an agreement for the Main Street at  Crystal Lake Avenue Phase I preliminary and Phase II Design Engineering

Also a resolution authorizing appropriation of MFT funds for the above intersection project.

A proposal award and resolution authorizing execution of an agreement for the Country Club Road Area Water Main Improvement Design Engineering and approval of changes in scope by10 percent of the original price.

Building Expansion Plans – McHenry County College

Building expansion plans for McHenry County College which had its beginning with the passage of a referendum in 1967 creating the district. The college located in Crystal Lake providing training opportunities and a better skilled workforce, something considered at the time of the planning for the college district. Since the location of the campus on Route 14 at Lucas Road, the space is filling and plans for expansion have begun.

Some of the considerations for the campus that have been involved in planning for an expansion involve what is needed in the area of building expansion, parking provisions, transportation options. Others including wetland protection and enhancements, the Crystal Lake watershed requirements.

All planning thus far has been for discussion only.

Conceptual Plan Review For Crystal Lake Library

This is another facility in the area running out of room. The latest proposal for the library expansion is the development on the existing site with a parking deck, a two-story library building, drive-up-drop off book drop and a new entry from McHenry Avenue.

The library does own the residence to the north of the Library at 17 McHenry Avenue. This property would be included in the plans. All property owners surrounding the library were notified of the plans. There were no supporters or objectors who made their concerns known.

This is only in the discussion stage with no concrete plans at this time.

Road Work Closures

Two road projects in the area will require temporary road closures to complete the necessary road construction.

Pingree Road At Congress Parkway—Pingree Road between Grandview Drive and Congress Parkway, including the intersection, is anticipated to close in two separate stages. Stage 1 will require a complete closure of the intersection with Congress Parkway from May to September.

Stage 2 will close Pingree Road north of Congress Parkway from September to Mid-October.

Illinois Route 176 at Walkup Avenue—Walkup Avenue from Illinois Route 176 to Woodstock Street is anticipated to close from May to September

Reason for these closures—The significant grade differential between the existing and proposed pavement elevations, as well as widening the railroad crossing on Pingree Road for the new sidewalk across the tracks. Performing the work without closing the roadway would significantly extend the overall length of the project. This in turn increases the disruption to the public and adjacent property owners. The actual duration of both of the closures is subject to weather and local traffic will still be allowed to access their driveways.

The City is attempting everything possible to assist businesses involved, commuters and residents in this traffic upgrade.

Flooding Study – Immediately west of East Street and extending to Baldwin Avenue

The public has been involved in the study and possible plans. This is the North Shore area and since the area was originally designed for summer residence, there has been insufficient drainage planning done. The area is densely wooded, gradually sloped, and contains pocket of wetland. It is poorly drained with standing water observed in several locations on City-owned property north of the residential lots

City staff is working with an engineering firm to attempt to alleviate the flooding that is experienced. However, existing drainage patterns in the area prevents obtaining significant drainage benefits from a storm sewer system. No definite plans have been developed for the area. Many suggestions are made, but few agreements reached with residents.

Consultant Selection For Main Street at Crystal Lake Avenue

The north leg of Main Street at Crystal Lake Avenue has been reconstructed. Roadway work along Crystal Lake Avenue and the south leg of Main Street was postponed to a future year with the intention of first completing a railroad relocation project to eliminate the tracks east and south of the intersection.

The railroad relocation project has been delayed longer than originally anticipated. City staff is recommending that the remainder of intersection improvement be completed at this time in order to finish enhancements to the southern gateway t downtown and eliminate the temporary offset lane configuration that currently exists

The City received $1.5 million I Surface Transportation Program funding for the remainder of the intersection improvements. This includes pavement reconstruction along Main Street, widening and resurfacing of Crystal Lake Avenue, a permanent traffic signal, intersection lighting, and streetscape elements.

Existing offset travel lanes along Main Street at the intersection will be realigned and a wider sidewalk will be added along the north side of Crystal Lake Avenue, east of the intersection and to extend the off-street Prairie Trail path to the existing bike route at East Street.

The Council is to consider approval of Benesch & Company to perform the Phase I preliminary and Phase II design engineering for the Main Street at Crystal Lake Avenue improvement. 

The Council is also being requested to approve the allocation of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the project.