Government At Work

Wednesday, May 8—

8:30 a.m. –McHenry County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee—

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

The committee will be conducting three interviews for the Valley Hi Operating Board; one interview for the County Board of Health and two interviews for the County Housing Authority.

The committee will deliberate and select three candidates for recommendations to the County Board Charwoman for the Valley Hi Operating Board with terms to expire June 30, 2015;

Deliberation and selection of one candidate is to be made for recommendation to the County Board Chairwoman for the McHenry County Board of Health with a term to expire June 30, 2016.

Deliberation and selection of one candidate for recommendation to the County Board Chairwoman for the McHenry County Housing Authority with a term to expire June 1, 2018

Deliberation and selection of one candidate for recommendation to the County Board Chairwoman for the McHenry County Housing Authority with a term to expire June 30, 2018.

The committee is also to consider a number of other resolutions including:

Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a McHenry County Community Foundation Grant and an emergency appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network Fiscal Year 2012-2013

Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a McHenry County Community Foundation Grant and an emergency appropriation to the Veterans Assistance Commission’s fiscal year 2013 budget

Resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation in the McHenry County mental Health Board IDHS Child Initiative Grant Fiscal Year 2013 Budget.

Resolution authorizing an appropriation for McHenry County Mental Health Board FY14 Continuation Funding Agreements

10:00 a.m. – Senior Services Grant Commission-

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

The Commission is to review the Senior Services Strategic Plan 2012, report on program year 2012, and review application and request for proposals for Fiscal year 2014 Programs

7:00 p.m. – Crystal Lake Public Library Board Building Committee

A meeting of the Building Committee of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board of

Trustees will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Ames II Room at Crystal Lake Public Library.

Summertime--Beware Of Ticks

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is warning residents to take precautions against tick bites to prevent contracting the diseases they carry, in particular Lyme disease. 

Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush. Although the American Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick can spread disease, the Black-legged or Deer Tick is the most common disease carrier in Illinois and surrounding states and is largely responsible for the spread of Lyme disease. Thirty-nine (39) cases of Lyme disease were reported in McHenry County in  2012, along with three cases of other tick-borne illnesses (erlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever). In contrast, only 19 cases were reported in 2011. 

Lyme disease typically occurs 3 to 30 days after exposure to an infected tick. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person and may include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes and skin rash (often with a “bull’s eye” appearance).  In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted so it’s important to check yourself after being outside.  Many cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.  If you experience these symptoms, and have had possible exposure to ticks, contact your physician for reporting to MCDH. If physicians have questions regarding testing, please call MCDH’s Communicable Disease program.

The best way to protect against tick-borne illness includes –

Educate yourself, family about tick identification, removal and symptom awareness.

Walk in the center of trails.  Avoid wooded, bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter (including vacant lots in residential areas).

Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to find. Tuck long pants into socks and boots.

Apply insect repellent containing DEET (20% or more) to exposed skin. Follow label instructions.

Conduct full-body tick checks on family members (including underarms, in/around ears, inside belly button, behind knees, between legs, around waists, and especially in the hair). Also check any gear taken on outings.

Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect.  Keep pets out of tick habitats like tall grass/brush. Always examine pets before bringing them inside.  Ask your vet to recommend an over-the-counter tick killer/repellent. 

The CDC recommends bathing or showering as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks.

For more information on Lyme disease, contact MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program 815-334-4500, visit www.mcdh.info, Environmental Health (“quick tips”) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/.

Crystal Lake Public Library Closed On Mother's Day

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed on Sunday, May 12, 2013 for Mother’s Day.  The Library will re-open to the public at 9:00 am Monday, May 13, 2013.

Words Of Wisdom

"[T]he mild voice of reason, pleading the cause of an enlarged and permanent interest, is but too often drowned, before public bodies as well as individuals, by the clamors of an impatient avidity for immediate and immoderate gain."

 --James Madison, Federalist No. 42, 1788

Government At Work

 TUESDAY, May 7

9:00 a.m. – McHenry County Board-

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

Two special proclamations are scheduled for approval, including one recognizing National Historic Preservation Month.

The second proclamation is proclaiming May 12 through May 18 as National Nursing Home Week, recognizing the dedication, compassion and quality of Care given by the staff at Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab Center.

County Flooding Update

An update on flooding in the County will be provided the Board by the Director of McHenry County Emergency Management Agency. A Resolution is being presented for Board approval that the Director of the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency is to bring said disaster emergency to a rapid conclusion for the best interest of the residents of McHenry County.

Workforce Network Grants

A resolution is being presented for Board approval, accepting a $52,868.89 Workforce Network grant to be used for providing training to the dislocated workers of McHenry County

Another resolution is being presented for Board approval, accepting a $61,849 grant to provide assurances for the Workforce Network program.

7:00 p.m. – Crystal Lake Public Library Board Personnel Committee –

Meeting in the Library Directors Office. Library is located at 126 Paddocks Street, Crystal Lake.

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

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

A number of requests are being presented for Council Approval ;

St. Thomas The Apostle Church is requesting the closure of Washington Street between Pierson Street and Lake Street on Sunday, May 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the safety of those attending an outdoor picnic at the priests private residence at 200 Washington Street.

Martin Chevrolet, 5220 Northwest Highway, is seeking a Temporary Use Permit Amendment to allow a temporary sign to be placed on the west side of the service building facing Exchange Drive for a period of nine months or less.

Las Cazuelitas, 21 Crystal Lake Plaza is seeking a City Code Amendment increasing the number of Class 3 liquor licenses and decreasing the number of Class 2 Liquor Licenses.

Boy Scout Troop 165 is requesting to overnight camp at the Three Oaks recreation Area on May 18.

Crystal Lake Rowing Club is requesting permission for the use of the Three Oaks Recreation area for two instructional rowing camps from June 20 to June 14 and August 5 to August 10, along with a waiver of the City’s Personal Flotation Device requirement

Lincoln Park Boat Club is requesting the use of Three Oaks Recreation Area for the 33rd Annual Chicago Sprints Regatta from July 20 to July 21 along with a waiver of the City’s Personal Flotation Device requirement.

Signature Auto Group, 970 Pyott Road is requesting a Use Variable to allow an automobile dealer in the M-Manufacturing Zone district with a Variation to allow a crushed asphalt/gravel parking and storage area for vehicles.

:Several matters are included on the agenda for discussion only including:

• 2013 bikeway Corridor Improvement Final Design Presentation
• Walkup Road Concrete Wall
• Centennial Planning Update

Also included on the agenda is the item regarding Centennial Logo Selection

A proposal award and resolution authorizing executing of an agreement for the Country Club Area Water Main Improvement Phase III Construction Engineering and approval of changes in scope by 10 percent of the original price.

Also, a bid award and resolution authorizing execution of a contract for the Country club Area Water Main Replacement Stage 1 Construction and allowing for a 10 percent contingency.

A license agreement is being considered for stand-up paddle boarding at the North Lake property of Three Oaks Recreation Area.

An ordinance is being presented for consideration restricting area wide parking n Canterbury Drive, Aberdeen Drive, Denton Court and Cardiff Drive.

Government At Work

MONDAY MAY 6—

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Law and Justice Committee—

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

The Committee is to discuss a domestic violence diversion program and Genealogy Society Digitized Records.

Also for discussion is a resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the McHenry County sheriffs Office, the Village of Lake in the Hills, and McHenry County to Provide Mutual Aid.

Also regarding the Sheriff’s Office, a resolution is being presented authorizing the Sheriff to enter into phase II of an agreement with Cabay & Company and Elkhorn Chemical to supply cleaning supplies and chemical for fiscal year 2013;

Also for consideration by the Committee is the authorization of the purchase of seven police pursuit Dodge Charger Vehicles Nunc Pro Tunc for the Sheriff’s Department.

The Committee is also to view a presentation regarding E911.

10:00 a.m. – McHenry County Board Liquor and License Committee --

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

The Committee is to consider new liquor license for KAT WPH, Inc. and Riverside Pub, LLC

Raffle Permits are to be considered for St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team

Hearings on Citations are scheduled for:

JIYA-1Inc., d/b/a Horizontal’s Saloon Ames, Inc., d/b/a/ Dusty’s pizza

Horizontal’s Inc. d/b/a Horizontal’s Saloon

Ruppenthal Management, Inc. d/b/a Tammy’s Pizza and

MCC Small Business Development

Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) staff members participated in the recent Entrepreneur U, a business expo hosted by the Northwest Herald. Pictured are, from left, Brian DiBona and Kristi Patterson, ISBDC manager. Patterson presented “Putting Together Your Professional Bench” that addressed how business owners can market their business by seeking assistance from local experts in fields including accounting, banking and marketing. ISBDC offers free counseling and resources to business owners, including starting, managing and growing a small business.