4-20-26 City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting of McHenry, Illinois, held on April 20, 2026, included several procurement and budget-related discussions. The council adopted the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget after a roll call vote, with some dissent regarding excessive TIF spending. A significant agenda item was the conceptual presentation by One Energy for a proposed 5 MW solar project, Mildred Solar B, including site location, community benefits, and compliance with state solar regulations. The council expressed concerns about the project location, with a majority opposing it due to planning and community impact considerations. Procurement actions included approval of a $24,100 contract with Kimley-Horn for a signage master plan design and a $68,366.12 purchase and installation of a park pavilion at East Beach Park. The council also approved liquor licenses for local establishments. A detailed discussion on parking time regulations on Green Street and Riverside Drive considered consultant recommendations to reduce on-street parking limits from 4 to 2 hours to improve turnover, with council members generally favoring a phased approach after new signage installation. The meeting concluded with plans to revisit parking regulations in six months and a move to executive session for personnel matters.