Words of Wisdom

"In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will now and then peek out and show itself.

" --Benjamin Franklin

A Topic In The Upcoming Elections

This taboo question is sweeping the internet and national media (including New York Times and Huffington Post), prompted by the TV ad that has been running in Primary states.

It's a question that every politician ought to have to answer. When you click on one of the buttons below, we will give you a chance to send a free petition to your Members of Congress asking them to back your position.

Every year, federal immigration policies automatically give permanent work permits to about a million new immigrants at every occupation level.

At the same time, 20 million Americans (including foreign-born U.S. citizens) who want a full-time job are unable to find one.

Some politicians question whether this automatic program should continue to add more immigrant competitors for scarce jobs.

Others say the extra competition from another million immigrants is good for the economy overall, adding vitality and needed skill.

This petition is organized by NumbersUSA, America's largest-member immigration-reduction organization. We are non-profit and non-partisan

NumbersUSA Action is a non-profit, non-partisan, public policy organization that favors an environmentally sustainable and economically just America. It opposes efforts to use federal immigration policies to force mass U.S. population growth and to depress wages of vulnerable workers.

NumbersUSA Action is pro-environment, pro-worker, pro-liberty and pro-immigrant. Activists in the NumbersUSA Action network are Americans of all races and include many immigrants and the spouses, children and parents of immigrants. Those who need to refer to NumbersUSA Action with a short, descriptive modifier should call it an "immigration-reduction organization."

© 2011 NumbersUSA Action, 1601 N Kent St, Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22209

NumbersUSA

Invitation From Congressman Joe Walsh

Please join me from noon until 1:30pm tomorrow (Saturday January 21st) for a Cup of Joe with Joe in Palatine. This event is open to the public so come out and let me know

what's on your mind! More information on tomorrow's event can be found below.

Cup of Joe with Joe

Saturday, January 21- Noon-1:30pm
Emmett's Ale House
110 North Brockway St.
Palatine, IL 60067

This week, I was back in Washington for the start of the 112th Congress' second session. I voted present on the Resolution of Disapproval to demonstrate my opposition to the Budget Control Act. I cast my vote against a debt ceiling increase back in August. The whole idea of this Resolution of Disapproval is a joke and a complete waste of time. I was one of only 22 Republicans who voted against the Budget Control Act from the start, and I will continue to stand up against these short-term political gimmicks that are ruining our country.

The Software Online Piracy Act (SOPA) rattled the country this Wednesday, and I made it clear that I would absolutely refuse to vote in favor of SOPA. Implementing this policy would stifle internet growth, cause frivolous and unnecessary litigation, and shut down small websites. This act imposes on the First Amendment Right of Free Speech, and is simply just un-American.

Hope to see you in Palatine tomorrow!

Volunteer Tutors Wanted At MCC

Those interested in becoming a literacy volunteer tutor to teach reading, math or English as a Second Language to adult students at McHenry County College (MCC) or at local libraries are welcome to attend one of the next volunteer orientation sessions from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at MCC in Room A370 or from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2 at MCC in Room A368. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

A literacy volunteer tutor does not have to speak a second language to teach in the adult education literacy program. Volunteer tutors will receive free basic training that provides the information and skills needed to work with literacy students. Flexible work schedules are provided to meet people’s busy schedules, including those who are retired or working full time.

Call Marie Day at (815) 455-8542 for more information or to reserve a seat at an orientation session to find out more about this rewarding opportunity. This project was made possible in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.

Words of Wisdom

"In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will now and then peek out and show itself.

" --Benjamin Franklin

Rakow Road Construction Update

The bike path bridge is in place and winter is here; the contractor will be limited until spring.  Storm sewer work will pick up after additional utility work is completed by ComEd and Comcast. 

The noise abatement wall construction at the northwest corner of Ackman & Randall has potential to begin in the next few weeks. 

Please continue to observe the construction zone speed limit.  Some small crews are working along the corridor - make sure you give yourself room to slow or stop during wintry weather. 

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation. 

New photos and videos have been added to the Photos page!  Click here to view!

Government At Work

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board – Committee of the Whole

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

The Board is to discuss the Strategic Plan for 2012.

Words of Wisdom

"The belief in a God All Powerful wise and good, is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources nor adapted with too much solicitude to the different characters and capacities impressed with it."

 --James Madison, letter to Frederick Beasley, 1825

Congressman Manzullo Fights Debt Limit Hike

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) voted yesterday to force Congress to cut wasteful spending by opposing the President’s latest request for a $1.2 trillion increase in the national debt limit.

Manzullo, who wrote to Speaker John Boehner last month urging him to call Congress back into session if necessary to vote down the request, said it is time for the President and Congress to make the tough choices and get serious about cutting spending instead of continuing to borrow money and put America deeper and deeper in debt. The federal government currently borrows 42 cents on each dollar it spends, and the national debt recently surpassed $15 trillion.

Manzullo, who also opposed the President’s request for a $500 billion debt limit increase last September, said he was disappointed in the failure of the “super committee” to agree on significant spending cuts last November.

“During my time in Congress, I have voted nine times against raising the debt limit because it was not tied to real spending controls. This is another such time to say no,” Manzullo said. “I have voted more than 700 times against $2.6 trillion in spending over the past five years – that’s a good place to start to find savings. We have to get serious about cutting wasteful Washington spending and reducing our deficit so we can strengthen our economy and help employers put Americans back to work.”

Congressman Manzullo Responds To President's Decision on Pipeline Permit

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) issued the following statement today responding to President Obama’s decision to deny the Keystone XL energy pipeline permit.

“The President’s decision today to kill the Keystone XL pipeline project is outrageous. The President had an opportunity to support the project and put more than 100,000 Americans to work while ensuring our nation a stable energy supply from our friends in Canada. Instead, his denial will keep those Americans on the unemployment lines and ensure the United States remains dependant on costly, foreign oil from unstable sources overseas.

Two of the largest challenges standing in the way of America’s return to prosperity are unemployment and high gasoline prices, and the President denied a great opportunity to make progress on both fronts today.

“As the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the Chairman of the U.S.-Canada Interparliamentary Exchange, I am also concerned that the President’s denial today will push Canada to partner with China on this additional energy source. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper previously warned President Obama that his denial of Keystone would force the Canadians to seek new customers in Asia, and that would be a disaster for American manufacturers trying to compete with their Chinese competitors.” 

Environmental Film Series Continues Friday

The Defenders' Environmental Film Series Continues with a showing of the documentary "YERT - Your Environmental Road Trip" on Friday, January 20, 7pm at the Woodstock High School Auditorium, 501 W South St, Woodstock, sponsored by the Defenders, McHenry County Transition, and the Woodstock High School Green Club.

Fifty States. One Year. Zero Garbage? Called to action by a planet in peril, three friends hit the road - traveling America with hope, humor…and all of their garbage - to explore the good, the bad, and the weird across every state in search of the extraordinary innovators and courageous citizens who are tackling humanity's greatest environmental crises. As the YERT team layers outlandish eco-challenges onto their year-long quest, an unexpected turn of events throws the project for a loop in this award-winning docu-comedy. Featuring Bill McKibben, Wes Jackson, Will Allen, and more.

“It's taken more than 150 years to get ourselves into this mess, with America leading the way. The science tells us we have 5-10 years to get ourselves out of it. The question is, will America be leading the way or...are we doomed? You'll just have to watch the movie to find out.”

Watch the trailer (and other clips!) at www.yert.com.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations to help cover expenses are always welcome. For more information, call the Defenders at 815-338-0393.

Government At Work

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

8:00 a.m. – Combined meeting McHenry County College Board Facilities and Planning Committee with the Finance and Negotiations Committee –

Meeting in the College Board Room, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

An update is scheduled from RuckPate Architecture Building B Renovations. A discussion regarding Route 14 widening and on Building Automation System.

The Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Building process is also to be considered.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Office, County Administrative Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Interviews are scheduled as well as appointments to various County Boards and Commissions.

Tom Harding is being interviewed for appointment to the McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals.

Four individuals are being interviewed for appointments to the McHenry County Community Development Block Grant Commission. These included: Robert Martens, Cathryn Perfetti, William Swenson, and Craig Adams.

Appointments are scheduled to be made to the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission and include Patricia Doombosch, David R. Gervais, and William J. Holderfield.

The other matter on the agenda for the Committee are reports as applicable from four commissions including, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Community Development Block Grant Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Housing Commission.

6:00 p.m. Environmental Health Advisory Committee of the McHenry County Department Health –

Meeting in the McHenry County Department of Health, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Building A.

The Committee is to re-evaluate a list of priorities and establish objectives and topics for 2012.

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake Park Board –

Meeting in the Park District Administrative Office, One E. Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.

Jacqui Weber, Marketing Coordinator, will present a marketing presentation to the board.

Several ordinances are being presented to abate a portion of taxes on General Obligation bonds.

Leopardo Construction, Inc. is to present a proposal for reconstruction services for the West Beach House project for an amount of $22,584. The Board is being requested to approve this proposal.

Words of Wisdom

"Nothing so strongly impels a man to regard the interest of his constituents, as the certainty of returning to the general mass of the people, from whence he was taken, where he must participate in their burdens."

 --George Mason

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19

 8:15 a.m. – Transportation Committee of McHenry County Board –

Meeting in the Division of Transportation Main Conference Room, 1611 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

Included on the agenda:

2040 Long Range Transportation Plan

A presentation is being made regarding the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan.

Vacating Portion of McHenry Avenue Road

A resolution is being presented regarding the vacating of a portion of McHenry Avenue Road which is no longer used. This portion was realigned and relocated in 1969 further west and then relocated still further west to the current location and renamed Randall road.

Miller Road Project

A resolution is being presented approving the acquisition of Right-of-Way for the Miller Road Project. This involves Eminent Domain proceedings. This is necessitated by the need to improve Miller Road between Illinois Route 31 and River Road in McHenry City and Township.

2012 to 2016 Highway Improvement Plan

This plan, once approved by the County Board, is to be posted on the Division of Transportation Website. This is a planning document and a guide for future improvements. It is also subject to change where and when necessary.

Adopt A Highway Agreements

Several groups are seeking approval of adopt a highway agreements. A group In Loving Memory of Shannon McCarty will remove trash from Virginia Road from US 14 to Pyott Road.

The GFWC Marengo Woman’s Club is planning to clean up on Kishwaukee Valley Road from McKinstry Road to Dimmel Road.

Spring Grove Firefighter’s Association will work at cleaning up Wilmot Road from IL 174 to State Line.

High School District 155 Board

5:30 p.m. –Board Policy Committee

Meeting in the Center For Education, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake.

The agenda for this meeting calls for discussion items including the 2012-2013 calendar, 6220 Investment of School District Funds; and Facility contribution policy discussion.

6:30 p.m. – Buildings & Grounds Committee

Meeting in the center for Education, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake

The agenda for this committee calls for consideration of the Prairie Ridge Football Scoreboard, the Crystal Lake Central Chiller Award, Pavement Evaluation Improvement Study Summary, Capital Projects, Cary-Grove Auditorium, as well as any other matters to come before the committee.

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission-

Meeting in the Crystal Lake City Hall, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake

LSSI -15 acres off Commonwealth –

A public meeting is scheduled and a motion is requested to set a public hearing date on February 1 for this Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) project.

The development planned is to serve elderly who meet HUD age and income eligibility requirements. The facility would include 59 one-bedroom apartments along with a “managers” apartment.

Occupancy is limited to the elderly 62 years of age or older, two persons, one of whom is 62 or odder; an elderly family and another person who is determined, based upon a licensed health care professional certification, to be essential to an applicant/residents’ ability to remain in the apartment.

Family income must be at or below 50% of the median income for the area. This figure changes annually, but currently is $26,300 per year for one person and $30,500 for two people. Rent is based upon 30% of a person’s adjusted income

This facility is to be funded under the HUD 202 PRAC capital advance grant, which LSSI has already received. The capital advance grant is for approximately $9.5 million.

The average age if incoming residents is about 76+ years of age. This housing is to service seniors who are in need of low income housing. Management will address the needs of the seniors for supportive services.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan Text and Map

A public hearing is slated on this plan. The petition was continued from the December 7 Commission meeting and an update of text and map is scheduled to be presented.

Rakow Road Closure For Wednesday Morning

The 15 minute closure of Rakow, between Pyott and Virginia, is scheduled to take place at 9am Wednesday, January 18th. 

During this time, the contractor will be installing the middle section of the bike path bridge. 

Thank you for your patience and please watch for guidance from flaggers.

Winter Is For The Birds

What?    “Winter Is For the Birds!” ECOmmunity Green Bag Meetup

When?    Noon - 1 p.m., Thursday, January 19, 2012

Where?  2nd floor. atrium, Woodstock Square Mall, 110 S. Johnson St.

Who?     Everyone is invited!  ($5 donation requested)

Meet top habitat expert, learn how to help wild birds survive winter freeze

With frost in the forecast and more snow on the way, it’s hard to imagine how those flocks of wild birds manage to survive and thrive, right here in our own backyards.

At this week’s ECOmmunity Green Bag Meetup - “Winter is for the Birds!” - you’ll learn how native Illinois species live through our frigid winter season, what you can do to help them, and how to plan now for a bird-friendly yard next spring.

Hosted by the ECOmmunity Public Action Network, “Winter is for the Birds!” will run from noon - 1 p.m. this Thursday, Jan. 19, in the upstairs atrium at the Woodstock Square Mall, 110 S. Johnson St. in downtown Woodstock.

Social networking and displays start at 11:30 a.m., and continue after the noon-hour program. Local businesses, community groups and individuals are invited to share their own information on “green”-themed topics, products and services.  Attendees may arrive or leave whenever they like during the program, bring their own lunch or just come to join the conversation.

This month’s speaker is ornithologist Mark Spreyer, Executive Director of the Stillman Nature Center in Barrington, who will bring practical tips to improve your winter bird feeders, and help you create a bird-friendly backyard retreat this spring.  The informal, roundtable discussion allows time for each participant to ask questions and share their own project ideas.

A celebrated naturalist and author, Spreyer was an organizer and past director of Chicago’s Peregrine Falcom release program.  Specializing in the study of raptors and habitats, he has worked with wildlife refuges, museums and nonprofits throughout the nation, including the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, National Audubon Society, and Chicago Academy of Sciences.  He now also teaches Environmental Biology at the College of Lake County.

The ECOmmunity Public Action Network is a volunteer service group that hosts monthly “Green Bag Meetups” on a range of environmental topics.  Table space is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees may bring their business cards or other materials to share.

A $5 voluntary donation per-person ($10 per display space) helps to cover program costs.

To learn more about the ECOmmunity Public Action Network and its Green Bag Lunch Meet-Up Series, phone (815) 337-2040, email ECOnet.mchenry@gmail.com or visit “ECOmmunity Network” on Facebook.com.

Rakow Road Work Update

The bridge work scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th has been completed as planned. 

Expect some minor delays as equipment is moved from the south side of Rakow to the north side. 

 Work will continue Wednesday, January 18th, weather permitting. 

 New photos have been added to the Photos page!  Click here to view!

Words of Wisdom

"I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?"

 --Benjamin Franklin, Motion for Prayers in the Constitutional Convention, 1787

Government At Work

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

7:00 P.M. –Crystal Lake School District 47 Board, meeting in West Elementary School, 100 Briarwood, Crystal Lake.

The Board will be presented with two reports: one on Reading Recovery and a second on bullying Character Education Committee.

Other reports relate to financial matters including Treasurer’s Report, Fund Reviews, Monthly Payrolls Monthly Bills, Transportation Joint Authority Bills, Approval of District Contracts and Approval of District Assets. All are handled on a consent agenda.

A Budget Calendar and Budget Designee Resolution is being presented for Board approval as well as a Transportation Joint Authority Bus Bid.

A number of policy matters are being presented to the Board on first reading .

The topic of staffing for the 2011-2012 will be presented by District Administrator, Donn Mendoza. Also being presented by Mendoza is a Middle School Intervention Time Possibility.

Government At Work

Tuesday, January 17
7:00 P.M. – McHenry County Board, meeting in the County Board Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Five young men are being recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. They include:

Hunter P. Stewart, Huntley, Troop #167

Samuel EC. Pyuseur, Crystal Lake, Troop #550

Michael V. Gillette, Marengo, Troop #163

Jacob C. Voller, Marengo, Troop #163

Andrew A. Langel, Marengo, Troop #163

Two zoning matters are being presented for Board approval, including A request to reclassify 1.12 acres of property located on the west side of Coyne Station Road near the intersection of Coyne Station Road and Ernesti Road in Grafton Township. The request is to reclassify from A-1 Agriculture to E-1 Estate District with a couple minor variations.

The Zoning Board is recommending Approval.

The second request, also recommended for approval, is a request by AT&T Corp. to reclassify a small parcel located on the south side of Vanderkarr Road, just east of Kemman Road in Hebron Township.

A conditional use permit is being requested by AT&T, to use an existing structure for the housing of 24-fiber cable. No changes are being made to the existing structure or the property.

The Zoning Board is recommending Approval.

APPOINTMENTS

The names of two people are being presented for appointment to the Senior Services Grant Commission, and include Kevin Samwick and Mary Reid. Board terms are to expire October 2, 1013.

Salary Increase for Board of Review

Statutes provide that a three-member Board of Review is to be appointed by the County Board Chairman with approval by the County Board. This Board of Review is to review the assessments made by the Township Assessors and the chief County Assessment Officer.

The Board of Review members include Jan G. Hervert, Chairman, and regular members Mark Ruda and Clifton A. Houghton. The Finance Committee of the County Board recommended that the salaries of the Board of Review be increased by 3% with regular members to be paid $30,015.02 each and the Chairman, $30,904.12. All are retroactive to December 1, 2011.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant

The County is receiving a grant for the McHenry County Workforce Network of $128,904, which is used for the Workforce Network. The funds are used for adult vocational training, dislocated workers vocational training and overhead costs associated with running the programs for dislocated workers.

In the same category, approval has been made for a $58,897 grant to provide case management services to dislocated workers from Intermatic in Spring Grove, AllState in South Barrington, AllState in Northbrook, Caps Visual in Chicago, Panasonic Corporation in Rolling Meadows, Precision Dormer in Crystal Lake, Quad Graphics/World Color in Schaumburg and Wells Manufacturing Dura-Bar Division in Woodstock. This funding is to assist unemployed McHenry County workers from these companies, in retraining for other work.

Another $134,097 grant has also been provided to further assist in vocational training for the laid off workers as listed above.

2012 State Legislative Program

A number of matters are being presented to the County’s legislators to sponsor legislation in areas of

Road De-Icing Salt

Restoration of funding for the Regional Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Property Tax fairness

Coal Tar Regulation

Flexibility on Prioritizing Local Purchasing

McHenry County Transportation Projects

Fraudulent Mortgage Documents

High Capacity Water Wells (Clarify Illinois Water use Act as Amended

Some matters involve policy concerns”

Restore and Protect Medicaid funding for Nursing Homes

Unfunded Probation Services

Stormwater Regulations

Diversion of Local Government Revenues for non-related uses

Proposals that further limit local control over budget revenue decisions

Exempt projects under $50,000 from Prevailing Wage Act Requirements

Legislation that equals the playing field for Local Governments in Arbitration

Opposition to unfunded Mandates/Preemptions’

Electric Utility Aggregation

An Electric Utility Aggregation Consultant is to be retained to assist with the implementation and management of an Electrical Aggregation Program on behalf of residents and businesses in the County.

As a result of soliciting proposals, Independent Energy Consultants, Inc., Aurora, Ohio is being proposed for retention to assist the County with the development and implementation of its Electric Aggregation Program.

Supportive Living Community, Huntley

A letter of contingency allocation of $272,172.65 is being presented for County Board approval to provide funding for Bravo Properties LLC, Deer Path of Huntley Supportive Living Community. This is to provide for a 128-unit supportive living facility to be located in Huntley.

This project is part of the Home Investment Partnerships Program Funding through the McHenry County Housing Commission.

The Housing Commission recommended a contingency allocation of general project funds for $296,118.10. The Planning and Development Committee decreased the allocation to $272,172.65.

The reduction by the Committee reflects the decision to maintain 5% of the County’s PY2011 HOME funding for Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Operating funding.

Zoning Maps

According to McHenry County Zoning Ordinance, zoning maps are required to be certified annually. The updated zoning maps including approved zoning changes through November 30 are being presented for County Board approval.

Government At Work

Tuesday, January 17

7:30 p.m. -- Crystal Lake City Council

Meeting in the City Council Chambers, 100 West Woodstock Street.

A new firefighter Paramedic, James Gualdoni, is being welcomed to the department and is to be sworn-in at the beginning of the Council meeting. He began his duties with the department December 19 and is currently involved in his orientation and initial training with the Crystal Lake Department.

Two temporary Permits are being considered. One is for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church for a Friday night fish fry Special Promotion and waiver of Temporary Use Permit fee.

The second request is from St. Thomas the Apostle school PTO for a Class 19 Temporary License request to operate a cash bar during their annual dinner/fundraiser event scheduled February 4 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1023 McHenry Avenue.

New Crystal Lake Business

The Olive Tap, 68 N. Williams Street, is requesting $10,000 in matching grant funds as offered by the City for new and existing retailers who occupy vacant space and hire full-time employees or install eligible furniture, fixtures and equipment.

The Olive Tap is a specialty retailer offering flavored oils, vinegars, dipping success, condiments and cooking products.

Chen’s Chinese Cuisine

This business is located at 6100 Northwest Highway

Chen’s offers customers with Szechuan, Hunan, and Cantonese food. The first application by Mr. Chen was filed September 2011 prior to commencing the project. Due to prevailing wage requirements that were handed down to the City from the Department of Labor, Mr. Chen would have been required to pay contractors prevailing wage rates for the renovation project. He was forced to put the application on hold and reapplied for the grant and requesting the flexibility regarding the timing provisions of the program.

Phoenix Electronics

A new company is locating in a building at 300 Millennium Drive where they will be hiring six full-time employees and one part-time employee.

The company is purchasing over $438,000 in eligible manufacturing equipment used in everyday operation of circuit board manufacturing and assembly as well as furniture and fixtures purchased from the former Millennium Electronics, where the principals were employed.

The reimbursement is not to be made until there is proof of employment information for each of the six full-time Phoenix Electronics employees.

New Website Design

The City Council is being presented with a motion to award a proposal for the GIS Server Implementation and Website Development Consultant to the lowest responsible bidder, Swova, Fort Mitchell, KY for $67,300.

This is something the City has been working toward for sometime. A goal of the Planning and Economic Development Department is the implementation of a comprehensive city-wide GIS and GIS website to allow citizens 24/7 access to information via the web.

Upgrading the current stand alone GIS system to a server-based enterprise GIS system will provide more tools to allow for development, maintenance and sharing of consistent and accurate data among various departments as well as offering better informed citizens and employees.

Champions

The Sky High Volleyball17 Black Team has won the Amateur Athletic Union national title. Sky High Volleyball as been based in Crystal Lake since 1989 and has over 64 teams. Over 95% of the club’s senior athletes receive scholarships to collegiate institutions.

A sign is to be placed along the City rights-of-way recognizing the Crystal Lake Sky High Volleyball team for placing first in the 2011 AAU National Championship and USA Volleyball Beach Championship.

Traffic Control – Fenimore Road at Grandview Drive

Currently yield signs are in place on the northbound and southbound Fenimore Road approaches, with no traffic control on Grandview Drive.

Based on the amount of traffic, an all-way stop control is not warranted according to Federal standards. Instead the yield signs on Fenimore Road will be replaced with stop signs.

Library Board Appointments

An appointment is to be made to the Library Board to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of board Member Brian Pappalardo. A nomination for appointment to the Library Board is to be presented at the Council meeting.

Terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission

The terms of Tom Hayden, James Batastini and Darrel Gavle, members of the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission, are due to expire January 31. All have expressed an interested in reappointment to a four-year term. These appointments are made by the Mayor with the City Council confirmation. 

Latest Rakow Road Work

The south section of the Bike Path Bridge will be installed on Tuesday, January 17th. 

Expect a short delay since this operation closes the eastbound lane while the segment is lifted from the truck and set in place.  Flaggers will help direct traffic around the truck and crane during the offloading process.  Please pay extra attention.

Please check out www.rakowroad.com for details.