McHenry County Blog

The McHenry County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women in Crystal Lake sponsored a candidates night for the five candidates for three seats on the Crystal Lake City Council.

Two challengers–Charles Ebann and Jim Tomasello–are facing off against two elected incumbents–Ralph Dawson and Jeff Thorsen–plus appointed member Cameron Hubbard.

To knock an incumbent off one has to sound different.

In neither their opening nor closings statements did the challengers indicate how they would do a better job than those now in office.

Numerous times the challengers agreed with the incumbents, gave an answer that was quite similar to what the sitting Councilmen or didn’t have a good enough grasp of the subject to say much more than the question needed more study.

Not that the incumbents did not use the final option as well. Just not as often.

Below are some of the answers.

In a question about challenges being faced by the City, incumbent Thorsen came up with an answer different from the others. He said he was most worried about what would happen in Springfield, but pointed out that was “uncontrollable.”
He mentioned specifically the state’s sharing of income tax receipts with municipalities.

“When are we going to stop? Banning 56 ounce cups?” Thorsen asked in answer to question on banning plastic bags, which the City probably has the ability to do using its Home Rule power.

He said the main problem was with waste haulers, presumably with the bags falling out of the trucks after pick up.

Tomosello agreed saying, “I don’t think we can ban plastic bags.” He suggested making it easier to re-cycle them.

“I don’t do the shopping, ladies,” Dawson said. “I don’t bring them home. Will prople stop using them? I don’t think so.”

Excluding education, Ebann didn’t think there was much “specifically we can do.”

Hubbard also suggested encouragement, adding that cloth bags have been found to be unclean after repeated usde.

“I don’t think this is anything we should be stepping into.”

You can guess who asked about Tax Increment Financing monuments, can’t you?

“Yes, I voted for them,” Dawson said. He noted that they were “a little controversial,” but were “appropriate.”

Ebann said he was “not sure” if he would have voted for them.

While admitting he voted for the monuments, Thorsen shed new light on the matter.

He explained they were the “subject of a compromise.”

A “Lakeside motif” was being sought “and the columns were actually going to be lighthouses.”

He said the Council went from a “lighthouse to a column.”

Tomosello checked out the details with city officials last week and came to this conclusion: “I definitely would have voted “No.’

“I think it was a big waste of money.  They’re not even lined up.”

Should there be another TIF district so the ornamental lights would continue down Route 14 toward Cary?

“It really depends.  Possibly.  I don’t know,” Hubbard replied.  “I would definitely have an open mind.”

“At this point, in this economy, I’m not [inclined to support it],” Thorsen said.

“In a time [where] we have a lot of growth, I think there’s room for things like that.”

Tomosello:   ‘I don’t know how I’d vote on that.”

“Boy, I voted for that one,” Dawson said, then commented on the problems the city had had with the ornamental lights.

“Bad manufacture.”

And to the question:  “Very possibly. I’d have to be open-minded.”

He pointed out that Downtown’s revitalization was a result of a TIF district.

“I’d need to look at all of the information.  I’d keep an open mind on it,” Ebann added.

De-criminalizing marijuana came up.

You may remember that the Council divided 4-3 in favor of issuing tickets for possession of pot late last year, but decided to let the new Police Chief weigh in on the issue before passing an ordinance.

“I’m not big on marijuana as it is,” Tomsello started out, adding that he had never tried it.

“If decriminalization will give our police officers more time and bring in new revenue,” he continued [but I didn't get the rest of the sentence].

“I’m really torn on it.  I would decriminalize it.”

Dawson pointed out that it had been brought up four months ago by the Chief of Police.  He pointed out that “they are talking about i[lower penalties] across the country.”

“I am not in favor of decriminalizing of marijuana,” Ebann said.

“I am not for creating criminals [by] charging a child,” Hubbard explained.  “I don’t know whether the city is read at this time. ..I’m undecided at this time.”

Thorsen:  “Currently, the laws are a bit draconian. We needed to put in a new Chief,” he said, indicating he would defer to his opinion.  He added that he would “rather than take a more pragmatic than an emotional [approach].”

A question was asked about waivers for McHenry County College with regard to the Watershed Ordinance.

Ebann answered, “No, I would not.”

Hubbard said he “didn’t think he would be in favor of granting a waiver, but would need” more details.

“My instinct would be not to grant too much leeway,” Thorsen stated, but  added that the Council should “wait until we hear all the voices.”

He did indicate opposition to waiving requirements for impervious surface coverage or use of Best Management Practices.

Tomosello stated he would “probably say, ‘No,’” but would need more information.

“I can’t answer,” Dawson said. “I will not answer something that will be brought before me on the Council.”

Eight of the nine candidates for the McHenry County Board showed up to face a small fraction of the public at the MCC auditorium Monday night.

There were

• Scott Alford
• Chris Jenner
• Carol Larson
• Erik Sivertsen
• Mike Smith
• Molly Walsh
• Arne Waltmire
• Tom Wilbeck

Missing was long-time incumbent Barbara Walters.

There was really only one question I wanted answered and that was whether the candidates would borrow tens of millions of dollars without asking permission in a referendum.

There was good news. All but incumbent Larson seems to say they would not. And, of course, there was no answer from Walters.

Here’s what was said in answer to a question asking whether they would favor such a referendum:

• Alford – “The taxpayers need to make the decision.”
• Jenner – “I would require the permission of taxpayers to raise taxes.
• Larson – “I would not be for a referendum now. Referendums are expensive and they don’t usually pass.”
• Sivertsen – I think it’s important [to hold a referendum] before the college issues bonds.”
• Smith – “I would.”
• Walsh – “Yes, any expansion plan should be community supported.”
• Waltmire – “If there’s a need to build, the Board should take [it} out to the community.”
• Wilbeck – “Absolutely. 61% comes from the taxpayers. The use of alternative revenue bonds is not really a good funding source.”

Last June, the McHenry County College Board voted to lay out $10,000 for periodic advertisements on the Public Broadcasting System station in DeKalb.

I was astounded, since reception in my car (where I listen to radio) is spotty in Crystal Lake and points north where most people live in McHenry County.

So, when I can get the station without static (and, even sometimes with static), I’ve been trying to catch an MCC ad.

Going to Rockford for Zane Seipler’s wrongful termination court hearings, I listen to the station.

Tonight I heard my first one.

In Crystal Lake.

It was pitching seminars and gave the MCC web address and, I think, “slash, seminars.”

I wonder if there was any response.

The radio station’s internal search engine directed me to this message:

 

Here is the reply of Mary Miller, who chairs the MCC Board, to Stephen Willson’s critique of the Wight & Company’s expansion and remodeling proposal

Critic of the McHenry County College 3% Annual 40-Year Enrollment Projections Says They Deserve an “F”

I figure will cost in the neighborhood of $1 billion in today’s money once interest is included.  (I have separated sentences in various paragraphs to make it easier to read on a screen.  In addition, I have re-formatted portions to make it easier to read.)

May 11, 2012

RE: [Steven Willson's] Open Letter to MCC Board of Trustees and Community

MCC Board Chairwoman Mary Miller

After reading Mr. Willson’s open letter, as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for McHenry County College, I was compelled to respond to some of his allegations and inaccuracies.

The community college mission is to provide access to higher education to all who seek it, as well as to support economic development through education and training opportunities. As the organization that serves the educational needs of the entire county, McHenry County College (MCC) strives toward the utmost accountability to its

• students,
• community members and
• taxpayers.

Throughout the process of data gathering that contributed to the proposed Facility Master Plan, the College solicited feedback from all of these stakeholder groups through

• forums,
• focus groups and
• market research,

well as looked at future

• academic trends and
• needs the county has,

so that we may stay in line with workforce needs for the future.

MCC President Vicky Smith

The Facility Master Plan also reflects opportunities for the College to connect with residents throughout the county who have yet to take advantage of its educational opportunities, and how we might engage them in the future.

After all, as the college that serves the entire community, it is critical that we look at how we can serve all educational groups more often and with more support

• (traditional credit students,
• adult students,
• training and workforce development students,
• continuing and professional education students, and
• community event participants).

The College entered into the planning process due to the space constraints within the existing buildings and programs.

Currently, MCC is 100,000 gross square feet short for our students, our course offerings, and desired classroom space.

The below summary clarifies some of the most significant inaccuracies that Mr. Willson cited in his letter.

According to the Fall 2011 McHenry County Labor Report, the average yearly growth in the county over the past 21 years has been 3.6%.

The enrollment growth average for the College over the past ten fiscal years has been 4%.

Both of these data documents were used to establish enrollment growth projections within the Facility Master Plan.

Nationwide, the emphasis on community education is steadily growing.

In 2009, President Obama created a focus on community colleges, launching the White House’s first-ever community college summit.

This initiative stressed that through expanded learning opportunities, training and availability of higher education,

“Americans will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to compete for the jobs of the future.”

The president set expectations for community colleges to graduate an additional five million students by 2020.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, eight of the ten fastest-growing careers do not require a bachelor’s degree.

By 2018, 60% of the jobs in the country will require some level of postsecondary education below a bachelor’s degree.

The estimated growth of the College over the coming years may also be attributed to new and existing program development.

MCC 40-Year Plan. Click to enlarge.

New programs at MCC that reflect the needs of our community will include:

• robotics,
• respiratory therapy,
• physical therapy assistant,
• health information technology,
• manufacturing and
• veterinary technician.

Many of these programs will have general education requirements, as well as high-tech and/or laboratory space requirements, creating additional program and space implications.

Such growth would also come in the form of new weekend programming to serve our adult learner population, including advanced manufacturing/skilled training programs,

• nursing,
• business, and
• information technology programs.

The emergence of new programs in these and other high-demand areas will attract more adult learners and allow the College to better support industries within the county.

MCC’s educational programs are rapidly changing to meet the needs of today’s students, ranging from traditional full time,

• part-time working,
• returning degree-seeking adults,
• four-year transfer students, and
• online students.

The College continually analyzes curricula and surveys students to ensure the right mix of courses, certificates and degrees are offered.

This speaks to the mission of the community college—to provide more opportunities for every citizen to achieve a higher education, which is at the core of a thriving community.

McHenry County College is always open to hearing all residents’ views and ideas.

Mary R. Miller
Chair, Board of Trustees

First let me note that Stephen Willson got more of a reply than I ever have by asking questions in person at board meetings.  I haven’t checked lately, but the last time I did, the questions asked were not even included in the minutes.  (I have reformatted Willson’s reply as well.)

Here is Willson’s reply, which, I expect, will elicit another reply.

Subject: RE: Response to An Open Letter to the MCC Board
Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 10:01:06 -0500

Dear Ms. Miller:

I’m so glad you responded.  This gives us the opportunity to have a real dialogue.  Let’s consider each issue, shall we?

The first paragraph speaks to the College’s mission.  I agree with your mission and concede the point.

Please explain how your mission affects population projections.

Your second paragraph speaks to the purpose of the Master Plan and asserts without evidence that the College is 100,000 square feet short of the space it needs.

I have no quibble with the first part of your paragraph, but I see no evidence to support your assertion about space being short.

I have visited the college on many occasions during normal school hours, and I would say that, on average, 33% of the classrooms that I pass are empty.

Please produce figures showing the percentage of time that the classroom space you have is utilized.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 are where you say you will address my inaccuracies.

You address exactly one point, population growth in McHenry County since 1990.  Allow me to speak to your points.

First of all, the Fall 2011 McHenry County Labor Report says population grew 74.7% over 20 years, not 21.  Further, if you do the math, that translate into an annual rate of increase of 2.83%, not 3.6%  [(1.028^20)-1=74.7%].

Second, even this figure is wrong.  According to the Census Bureau, the population of McHenry County was 183,241 in 1990 and 308,760 in 2010.  That translates into annual growth of 2.64%.

Third, more recent growth is more relevant than older growth.  The growth rate from 2000 to 2010 was only 1.73% per year.

Fourth, the number of young people in school — the future students at MCC — is declining.  As I stated, the number of 3rd graders is declining at every single school district in the County, at most for several years, and right now equals only 80% of the number of high school seniors.  Where will future students come from if the number of high school seniors declines over the next ten years?

Summary of MCC baseball stadium proposal assumptions by Economic Research Associates, the college's outside consultants.

In short, you provide one inaccurate piece of evidence to support your position and responded to none of my other points about population growth in McHenry County and especially to projected changes in population in the 18-24 year old age cohort.

As I point out, the number of new students your growth rate implies means that you would have to capture an increasing percentage of the graduating high school seniors, eventually exceeding 100%.

The math is indisputable.

The number of new students enrolling at the college now is equal to about 33% of the graduating high school seniors in McHenry County, but a 3% growth rate forces this capture rate up to 50% in 10 years, 75% in 20 years, and more than 100% in 30 years.

How in the world can the college grow by that much?

In the same paragraph you mention the growth rate in enrollment at the college, but fail to point out that the college has exceeded a 3% growth rate in only two of the last seven years, that one of these was a one-time jump due to the Promise program, and that in the last two semesters, your enrollment has declined 4% and 5% respectively.

You can pick your starting point carefully to make your case, but the choice of the starting point must be justified.

The baseball stadium was supposed to subsidize the construction of rooms for a nursing program.

If there is some sort of formal demographic study that underlies the 3% growth projection, please produce it and explain why it was not sent to me in response to my FOIA request.

Also, the papers I was sent include a reference to the MCC Master Plan Steering Committee, but the response to my FOIA request included zero information on this committee, such as membership, meeting minutes, reports, etc.

Now either there is no committee or the College failed to provide an appropriate response to my FOIA request.

As you answer this question, please also explain why Joseph Baumann, your own Director of Institutional Research, was not a part of this committee and was only minimally involved and did not actually participate in generating the 3% projection.

Your remaining paragraphs speak to the College’s hopes for the future.

I wish you well with this.

I think community colleges play an important role in our society, providing a cheap way for kids to get their first two years of college if they are going for a bachelor’s degree, providing technical and occupational training for those who do not plan to attend a four year college, and providing some fun classes, too.

The issue is not whether MCC is a worthy institution, but only whether it needs an additional $280 million.

I look forward to further discussion on these points.  It is through this kind of public debate that the public has the opportunity to make an informed decision.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen Willson

McHenry County College Facilty Master Plan Information provided by the college after the presentation:

Facility Master Plan Information – April 26, 2012

 

Rationale: Why MCC Should Pursue a Master Plan

• The development and planning for facilities now offers an opportunity to look to the future and acquire land in order to avoid examples of other community colleges that are currently land-locked.
• What comes first – space or excess demand? The surrounding community needs (and desires) a college that is change ready. MCC goals include the ability to implement programs—often as fast as six weeks—in order to support community members and businesses in training those who desire a career but many not require a full, four-year program, as well as continuing education or re-training needs. If the College waits for the demand, it will take too long to build the space needed, and student may likely enroll elsewhere. MCC needs to build the space first in order to be able to respond to community immediately.
• A master planning process organizes and plans out ways to ensure adequate space is in place to meet community needs and guarantee student success.
• This planning offers an opportunity to implement sustainable and long-term, energy-saving strategies in replacement of an aging infrastructure.

Projected Student Growth

• Based on MCC enrollment history, nationwide trends for a greater portion of the population enrolling in community colleges rather than traditional four-year universities and increased focus on career-training/adult-re-training, an average 3% annual rate of growth, expressed in full-time-equivalent (FTE) student enrollment, will be used for our projections.
• FTE is used by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and is based on credit hours combined for all students, expressing the equivalent head count as if all students were full time.
• The following numbers reflect this projection, taking the 3% annual enrollment increase into account:
  • Current (2012): 4,100 FTE
  • 10 Years: 5,500 FTE
  • 20 Years: 7,400 FTE
  • 40 Years: 13,400 FTE

Projected Space Needs

• The current main campus facilities are undersized in comparison to peer community colleges (College of DuPage, College of Lake County, Elgin Community College, Harper College, Waubonsee Community College).
• Peer community colleges range from 85-169 gross square foot (GSF) per student (this range also includes Moraine Valley Community College).
• Currently, MCC has 97 GSF per student. After removing the peer community colleges with the highest and lowest GSF, MCC should be at 120-125 GSF per student today.
• A square footage reduction factor of 86.6% was used to lower the projected on-campus built space to accommodate for more on-line courses and programs taught off campus.
• MCC currently has a total of 398,000 GSF. This means that the College is currently short approximately 100,000 GSF, needing a total of 492,000 GSF right now. Here is what the minimum GSF needed will be in future years:
  • 10 Years: 574,000 GSF
  • 20 Years: 773,000 GSF
  • 40 Years: 1,399,000 GSF
• This is the minimum need, and MCC will need additional space to accommodate larger spaces that do not currently exist, such as auditoriums, theatres and larger, multi-purpose flexible space.

Projected Parking Needs

• MCC parking currently has 2,150 spaces. Based on student and space projections outlined above, here is how parking will be impacted in the future:
  • Need in 10 Years: 2,900 spaces
  • Need in 20 Years: 3,800 spaces
  • Need in 40 Years: 7,000 spaces
• Transportation options and needs may change in the future; one possibility is un-manned shuttles that would take people from remote parking lots/transportation to campus buildings.
• Parking garages are shown on the plan as an option to all surface lot parking.

Recommendations to Date

• Based on MCC Educational Master Plan and feedback from employee and trustee interviews, the College needs to blend enrollment-based space needs with program improvement/initiative needs.

• From extensive review of facilities and discussions with employees and students, space needs have been demonstrated in the following areas: Student Support Services; Health Careers, Math and Sciences; Technology and Career centers; multi-use classrooms for both academics and community events; Public Safety instruction; Fine Arts workspace; and multi-use large spaces.
• The recommended concept will provide visibility and transparency to the community by facing U.S. Highway 14.
• Maintain impervious land coverage to green space ratio under 50%. (Master Plan is at 40-42%).
• Students/employees/visitors should be able to walk anywhere on the main campus property within 10-20 minutes (this timeframe is in the same range for many high schools).

Budget Planning Information

• 10 yr -$278.5 M in 2013 dollars – land acquisition and owner soft costs not included
• 20 yr -$199.3 M in 2013 dollars – land acquisition and owner soft costs not included
• 40 yr -$162.1 M in 2013 dollars – land acquisition and owner soft costs not included

Contact Information

Wight & Company

Leanne Meyer-Smith, AIA, LEED AP BD +C

Senior Project Manager and Licensed Architect

(630) 969-7000
lmeyersmith@wightco.com

The Chicago Tribune reportedon the work produce of Lt. Gov. Shiela Simon’s tour of all the community colleges in the state.

The story emphasized the low percentage of junior college students who complete two-year degrees or career certificates in three years.

While I can’t find the report, the Tribune found a source at the U.S. Department of Education that revealed such graduation rates at six Chicagoland institutions.

And, guess what?

McHenry County College was Number 1 at 24%.

The state average was 20%.

The College of Lake County was 17% and the College of DuPage 14%.

On the low end of the scale were three Chicago colleges:

• 4% – Harold Washington College
• 6% – Richard J. Daley College
• 11% – Malcolm X College

I remember the fight my father waged and lost when he served on MCC’s first board.

He wanted most emphasis to be on career education.

The majority of the board wanted a traditional junior college.

There’s still a little award in the basement from the auto mechanic training program.

Care to chime in on whether MCC would be a better or worse place, if his vision had prevailed?

When the latest email came from the McHenry County Young Republicans, I said, “Hallelujah!” to myself.

There would be a chance for the public to see County Board candidates in action.

Now, steps forth the McHenry County Young Republicans.

Chairman Erik Sivertsen and Treasurer Brian Hain write,

“We have decided to host some 2012 Primary Candidates Forums.

“We are working with a student organization at McHenry County College called the Political Theory and Debate Group to plan these events.

“The Forums will be held on 3 nights in the MCC Conference Center at 7pm.

“February 3rd will be County Board districts 2, 3 and 4 candidates.

“February 4th will be County Board districts 5 and 6 candidates.

“February 11th will be the 52nd district State Representative candidates. [Kent Gaffney v. Dave McSweeney v. Danielle Rowe.]“

The YRs next meeting will be Sunday, Sunday January 22nd 2011, 7pm at The Cottage in Crystal Lake.  The Cottage is at the five-way intersection in Downtown Crystal Lake.

A press release from the McHenry County College Pro-life Students:

McHenry County College Pro-life student organization to hold an event November 9, 2011, to raise awareness on campus and in the community about the frequency of abortions in America

Crystal Lake, IL, November 7, 2011: A Cemetery of the Innocents will be on display at MCC, adjacent to the cafeteria, beginning around 7am.

The event will continue throughout the entire day on November 9, 2011.

This event is being sponsored by the Students Supporting the Right to Life, which is a pro-life student organization at McHenry County College. All community members are welcomed and encouraged to take a few minutes to come and see this display.

Cemetery of the innocents is a display representing the total number of abortions that occur in America each day.

Similar events have been held on college campuses around the country, and this is the second time it will be displayed at MCC.

More than 53 million lives have been lost to abortion in America, since 1973.

This event will serve to make the community more aware of the frequency at which abortions are occurring and help bring the attention of every community member towards the pressing need to take action.

Notice how you don’t see any local governmental or school district officials bragging about how much their tax rate had gone down?

That’s because tax rates didn’t decrease this year.

For almost the past two decades, the Property Tax Cap forced rates down. That’s because when property values exceeded the cost of living, the local tax districts were prevented from grabbing everything they could, as was the case before the Tax Cap was imposed by the General Assembly.

The tax “take” was limited to an increase equal to the increase in the CPI, plus any new growth.

Not a lot of new growth this year and the three-year average used to measure the assessment level must have stabilized.

That means to get the same amount of money, plus the allowed increase in the CPI, rates had to be increased.

There was no problem in doing that because any tax district with a maximum rate was under it, a result of the tax cap having forced rates down during the 1990′s and since 2000.

My tax rates in the Algonquin Township part of Lakewood, for instance, increased from $7.136457 dollars per $100 of assessed valuation to $7.279611 per $100. That’s up about 2%.

When I was McHenry County Treasurer from 1966-1970, people could figure that out without pulling out last year’s tax bill.

Not now.

Below you see the percentage increase in tax rates for my tax districts. The percentage increase is followed by the name of the local government. Next are last year’s and this year’s tax rates.

+ 0.36% – McHenry County – .639746 – .642081
+19.4% – Pension .061674 – .073638
+ 2.5% – McHenry Count Conservation District – .173161 – .1775
+1.9% – McHenry County College – .268863 – .2739
+0% – Pension .00001 – .00001
+2.1% – School Dist. 47 – 2.55923 – 2.611895
+1.9% – Pension .114432 – .116611
+2.2% – School Dist. 155 – 1.813531 – 1.853284
+1.8% – Pension .051226 – .052157
+2.2% – CL Park .315696 – .322605
-4.3% – Pension .030612 – .029299
+1.7% – Algonquin Twp .05224 – .05315
+1%Alg Twp Rd & Bridge .110611 – .111759
+19.1% – Pension .004509 – .005371
+1.8% – Lakewood .873561 – .896806
-11.7% – Pension .066893 – .05905

Saturday’s column by Northwest Herald Editor Dan McCaleb started out praising Woodstock for not raising taxes to pay for something planned but not without financing.

McCaleb lays that off against Prairie Grove Grade School District 46′s defeated and retiring board members having extended the contract of Superintendent Mary Fasbender and given her a raise, despite a probably majority against that position when new members are sworn in.

He also points out McHenry County College Board members’ keeping resigned MCC President Walt Packard on the payroll for $200,000 a year for over a year.

The NW Herald editor reminds readers that neither the college nor the Prairie Grove board members would explain their actions.

Friday afternoon I talked to the attorney for the college and asked for whatever statement had been sent the Herald. That was after asking media person Christina Haggerty for the same thing.

Neither managed to get me anything.

So, despite the bright spot in Woodstock, I would conclude that McCaleb is too optimistic about government.

It is not unpredictable.

It is all too predictable.

Certainly that is the case with McHenry County’s very junior College and Prairie Grove Grade School.

If either can hide information from the public each will do and has consistently done so.