Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
McHenry council approves soapbox derby and purchase of 1219 Green St.; consent items pass
Summary
On Dec. 1 the McHenry City Council unanimously approved consent items, authorized the All‑American Soapbox Derby with street closures and fee waivers, and approved exercising an option to buy 1219 Green Street (4–2), with the $550,000 purchase to come from city reserves and a future budget amendment.
McHenry — At its Dec. 1 meeting the McHenry City Council approved a set of routine consent items, voted to host the All‑American Soapbox Derby in downtown McHenry with temporary street closures and waived fees, and authorized the mayor to sign an option to purchase 1219 Green Street.
Consent agenda: Council voted unanimously to approve consent items 6a–6d after a motion by Alderman Doherty and a second from Alderman Behney.
Soapbox Derby (Item 7a): Director Hobson and event organizers described logistics for the All‑American Soapbox Derby — including barricades, volunteer traffic control and minimal city costs — and recommended waiving associated city fees and closing portions of Waukegan and Green streets for the event. Alderman Miller moved to approve the item; Alderman Behney seconded and the motion passed on a recorded roll call. Staff said it would track the value of waived fees and provide a post‑event report.
Purchase of 1219 Green Street (Item 7b): The council voted to authorize the mayor to exercise the option to purchase 1219 Green Street for $550,000. Alderman Doherty made the motion; Alderman Miller seconded. Council discussion centered on closing timing (90 days from exercise), funding sources and the building’s future. Staff said the $550,000 would come from city reserves and that a budget amendment would be required later. Pat McAndrews (seller contact referenced by staff) indicated the seller might occupy the property for a year; staff noted that any demolition or major work would require future council approval. The motion passed 4–2 (Alderman Bassi and Aldleman Glab voted no; others voted yes).
What’s next: For the derby, staff will finalize logistics with the organizer and report waived fees after the event. For the property purchase, the mayor is authorized to sign the notice to exercise the option and staff will prepare a budget amendment to reflect the use of reserves. Any redevelopment or demolition of 1219 Green Street would return to council for approval.
Vote record (summary): • Consent items 6a–6d: unanimous approval (recorded yes votes by present aldermen). • Item 7a (Soapbox Derby): approved (recorded roll call yes votes from present aldermen). • Item 7b (1219 Green St. purchase): approved 4–2 (Yes: Doherty, Miller, Davis, Behney; No: Bassi, Glab).
