Full comments can be heard on the McHenry County website audio starting at 01:28:01
Chairman Buehler asked for any items that Board members will remove to allow staff that is not necessary for questions to return to their departments.
ITEMS REMOVED FOR DISCUSSION
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
9.a - Proclamation Declaring June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month Throughout McHenry County (12), removed for discussion by Ms. Greeno
ZONING PETITIONS
10.b.1 - 2024-028 Neises, McHenry Twp, A1V-A1V (Requires an affirmative 3/4 vote of all members to pass.), removed for discussion by Mr. Smith
Mr. Kearns stated he did not have comments but that he would be pulling all of the Solar Farms petitions. Chairman stated that the Clerk informed him that during their voting meetings, they would need to remove them and vote separately as it makes it an easier process.
FINANCE & AUDIT
16.b.2.1 - Resolution Authorizing a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, the McHenry County Sheriff, and the County of McHenry for the Time Period of 12/1/23 through 11/30/26 (09), removed for discussion by Mr. Sager
16.b.2.4 - Resolution Creating the Position of Graduate Intern in the County Administration Departmental Roster and Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation to the FY 2024 County Administration Budget for Corresponding Salary Expenses (18), removed for discussion by Mr. Smith
DISCUSSION
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
9.a - Proclamation Declaring June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month Throughout McHenry County (12)
Ms. Greeno stated when the Board Members took their oaths of office they said that they would uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution for the State of Illinois and as part of that the Declaration of Independence states that they hold those truths to be self-evident that all were created equal. Furthermore, the definition of the proclamation is an official declaration issued by persons of authority to make certain announcements, and with that in consideration when they look at the particular proclamation they are indicting the residents and constituents of McHenry County. Specifically states that individuals identified in the proclamation face inequality in Healthcare, Employment, and Housing Systems in McHenry County with a disparate impact and also that they are forcing certain identities to live in secrecy due to fear of criminalization in relationships and feeling marginalized. She stated she has lived in McHenry County for nearly five decades and she has never seen or been a part of litigation, as well in the employment business she has never seen any form of discrimination with any employer in the County. She asked that if the proclamation is going to move forward that is certainly not be voted upon and have the County Board draft something that has nothing to do with the business and make a statement indicting the residents and constituents of McHenry County.
Ms. Meshes stated just because they do not see it does not mean it is not happening. She stated social behavior has changed from the time she was younger to now and she acknowledged that she has more growing to do but there are certainly people in the County who do not feel welcome or unsafe. She stated she supports the proclamation and the citizens of the County feeling seen, heard, and protected.
ZONING PETITIONS
10.b.1 - 2024-028 Neises, McHenry Twp, A1V-A1V (Requires an affirmative 3/4 vote of all members to pass.)
Mr. Smith stated he was hoping staff would comment on it and all of the Board members look into it more closely. While it seems like a good idea, there are a couple of subdivisions near the property and some neighbors who are concerned about it.
Ms. Hanlon stated the event came to their attention last year because the applicant hosted the event for two years but was not aware that they needed a temporary use permit to conduct the event. Last year they received a lot of complaints from the neighbors that there were a lot of people on the property, too much noise, and concerns about what was occurring. So the County reached out to the applicant and explained that if they do the event in the future they would need to get a temporary use permit, which they came in and applied for. She noted that if the members recall they recently changed the rules on those kinds of events and require a minimum of 5-acre lot size, so right off the bat they were only on 4.7 they knew they needed a variation for that. She stated they have always allowed the events for three consecutive days but they need to host the event for a week so with those variations that was the first obstacle of the process. She stated they started the variation process at that time and after the Hearing Officer heard the case there were about seven neighbors who came and spoke in opposition to the variations. The Hearing Officer found that the standards for variation were met for the minimum lot size of 4.7 to 5 acres and recommended approval, but recommended denial for increasing the length of the event from three consecutive days to a week. The way the Ordinance will come before the Board is both variations are written in the positive, so if they would like to vote no to the variations they would cast a no vote. She noted that because the Hearing Officer recommended denial for one of the variations it would require a Supermajority vote from the Board in order to approve the additional length of time variation.
FINANCE & AUDIT
16.b.2.1 - Resolution Authorizing a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, the McHenry County Sheriff, and the County of McHenry for the Time Period of 12/1/23 through 11/30/26 (09)
Mr. Sager wanted to comment and state that he is very supportive of the resolution, and wanted to publicly thank Ms. Chukwu, the Chief, and Ms. Salgado as every time they go through collective bargaining agreements it is always a challenge. He stated he knows that they go into those will full knowledge and understanding that a true negotiation is going to have both parties leaving with things they appreciate and some that they are not as satisfied with but he thinks that is the nature of a good agreement. So he wanted to thank and commend all of them for bringing the contract forward as it shows the fine work that they all have done.
16.b.2.4 - Resolution Creating the Position of Graduate Intern in the County Administration Departmental Roster and Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation to the FY 2024 County Administration Budget for Corresponding Salary Expenses (18)
Mr. Smith stated he voted no for the resolution during the committee meeting as he does not see it as something that the County needs to jump into and he does not feel that it warrants an emergency appropriation.