These documents outline the administrative and legislative activities of the City of Harvard, Illinois, primarily focusing on a new development agreement with Amrize (formerly Meyer Material Company). This agreement details a twenty-year plan for sand and gravel mining, concrete recycling, and asphalt production, including specific royalty fees, environmental reclamation standards, and operational hours. Additionally, the sources include a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police, which establishes guidelines for officer compensation, disciplinary procedures, and fringe benefits through 2029. Supporting meeting agendas further illustrate the city’s governance, covering the annual budget, local business permitting, and the renewal of liquor, tobacco, and massage licenses. Together, these texts provide a detailed view of the city’s efforts to balance industrial development with public safety and fiscal management. For more details, use the menu on the right

During the March 2026 Harvard City Council meeting, the council received a comprehensive presentation from CMAP and Epstein regarding "Harvard on the Moooove," the city's first Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which outlines a 20-year vision for improved active transportation infrastructure. In legislative action, the council unanimously approved a tax levy abatement ordinance amendment for the road program, authorized the payment of bills totaling $487,111.64, and granted a Class B liquor license with extended weekend hours to One Stop Mart LLC. Additionally, an outdoor market license was approved for the Rolling Ice Cream food truck to operate at Milky Way Park, while a proposed "Cars and Coffee" event by the Viejitos Car Club was postponed so organizers could coordinate a new date or location due to a conflict with the annual Milk Days festival. Finally, the council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with School District 50 to allow police access to school video surveillance during emergencies, and authorized a $200,000 engineering proposal for sidewalk retaining walls along Lincoln Street as part of the 2026 road program. For more complete information, click on one of the buttons on the right.

The City Council meeting, led by Mayor Michael P. Kelly, passed the consent agenda unanimously, including the declaration of Harvard Milk Days as a legal holiday weekend. The council approved the payment of bills totaling $509,084.07 and acknowledged the Harvard Wrestling Club's 50th Anniversary.

Key actions included the unanimous acceptance of Police Chief Tyson Bauman's retirement, effective September 4, 2026, after 28 years of service. The council authorized Christopher B. Burke Engineering to conduct an engineering study to provide cost estimates for making the steep Lincoln Street sidewalk intersections (at Dewey, Church, University, and Burbank) ADA-compliant. The main road reconstruction program will be pushed to 2027, though a Hot-In-Place paving project on Timber Drive will proceed this summer. The Mayor’s appointment of Clayton Brennecka as the new Building and Planning Director was confirmed.

Department updates included Public Works reporting a water main break at Starbucks, which will cause a 24-hour boil order and the functional closure of nearby food establishments. The Utility Department plans to begin hydrant flushing next week and prepare the aquatic center pool by late March. Police reported that Officer Peters completed field training and is now patrolling solo. The Grants department must prioritize its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requests by March 6th due to limited funding.

The City Administrator announced a new community development webpage to provide accurate project information. The city's insurance company agreed to cover legal defense costs for a lawsuit brought by a former Administrator. The Mayor announced upcoming union contract renegotiations with the FOP and Teamsters. A full-day Budget Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 7.

The January 2026 Harvard City Council meeting addressed critical updates in governance, public safety, and infrastructure. A primary focus was on institutional integrity, marked by the appointment of the City Attorney as the municipal Ethics Advisor and the directive to establish a three-member Ethics Commission. The Mayor also emphasized a new onboarding process to better educate elected officials on city operations.

Financially, the Council authorized $1,812,726.14 in total expenditures. New fiscal measures include a dedicated checking account to manage Non-Home Rule Sales Tax revenue specifically for the Road Program. In economic development, a $50,000 renovation loan was approved for 47 North Ayer Street.

Public safety highlights included a three-year School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement with District 50, which includes rules for the use of body-worn cameras. To assist residents near schools, the Council approved a residential parking permit program to prevent visitors from receiving citations during school hours.

Infrastructure and parks saw significant shifts:

• Roads: A moratorium was placed on snow removal for the Route 14 railroad bridge sidewalk, and funding was secured for Ayer Street sidewalk projects.

• Parks: The Council pivoted from removing asphalt at Shadow Creek North Park to resurfacing it for basketball or pickleball for $3,000. Additionally, $7,000 was allocated to rehabilitate restrooms at Mary’s Park, while the Milky Way Park pavilion proposal was sent back for redesign to ensure it remains an open structure per grant requirements.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the upcoming Budget Workshop on March 7, which will shape the city's fiscal priorities for 2026-2027.

Articles:

Harvard School Resource Officer Partnership 2027-2029

Council Rejects Demolition of Shadow Creek Courts, Votes to Resurface

Council Issues Moratorium On Route 14 Railroad Bridge Sidewalk Snow Removal

Key actions from the City Council include the unanimous approval for the payment of bills totaling $780,485.88. The Council approved a $15,213 change order with Powerlink Electric for the Well #9 generator project and a new three-year sludge hauling contract with Synagro Technologies.

Structurally, the city administration has been reorganized with the approval of Ordinance 2025-134, which revises Chapters 3 and 5 of the Municipal Code, formalizing roles and responsibilities. This was accompanied by the approval of new job descriptions for a Community Engagement Director and a Building and Planning Director. Key appointments were confirmed: J. Albertson to 4th Ward Alderman, Jo Atkinson to the new position of Community Engagement Director, and Anne Nutley as Interim Zoning Administrator.

Departmental reports from November and early December 2025 highlight ongoing city operations, including significant public works responses to a snowfall and a sanitary main collapse, progress on utility projects, and steady community development and code enforcement activities.

The Harvard City Council meeting on November 25, 2025, was marked by significant financial decisions, the approval of several key ordinances, and a pointed public comment regarding the city's handling of a former employee. The Council unanimously approved the 2025 Tax Levy of $3,780,620 and authorized the issuance of up to $4,175,000 in General Obligation Bonds for road improvements. The bond issuance was accompanied by positive fiscal news, including an affirmed A+ credit rating from Standard & Poor's and projected interest savings of nearly $85,000, driven by favorable market conditions.

A community member, Jennifer Garafol, publicly questioned the City's investigation into former City Administrator Leone, citing a letter from the Mayor that alleged the deletion of city emails and unauthorized copying of data—actions she equated with felony theft under state law. She demanded to know why an outside law enforcement agency was not involved. The Council declined to comment, citing active litigation.

Key legislative actions included the adoption of a new ordinance to regulate intermodal containers (passed 6-1) and the unanimous approval of agreements for the Rush Creek Bike Path and a renewal with the McHenry County Law Enforcement Regional Training Center. A controversial tolling agreement with Amrize (Holcim) was extended until June 2026 on a 4-3 vote.

In operational matters, a significant positive development was the successful repair of the city pool's boiler for $3,000, averting a costly replacement. The Council also heard a proposal for a new city Arts Council and received updates on the denial of a grant for downtown basketball courts and prohibitively high costs for downtown Wi-Fi.

The City of Harvard has proposed a significant departmental restructuring to split the former Community and Economic Development Director role into two specialized positions: a Community Engagement Director and a Planning and Development Director. This reorganization is driven by the loss of two department heads, increased building activity in the city, and a strategic need to align functions with the city’s 2026 Strategic Vision, which is set to expire in 2026.

The Community Engagement Director ($95,000 salary) will focus on community outreach, marketing, and business relations, including utilizing the BluDot business inventory software. This role will also manage recreation programs, partnering with the Harvard Diggins Library to host non-athletic programs due to low previous attendance and duplication. City employee Jo Atkinson was cited as having the capabilities for this position.

The Planning and Development Director (salary up to $115,000) will specialize in technical areas like zoning, urban planning, and inspections. The goal is to bring services in-house, reducing the city's reliance on outsourcing, which currently costs about $30,000 annually. Additionally, parks maintenance duties will shift to the Utility Department to provide the Community Engagement Director with more bandwidth.

The proposal, designed to be budget-neutral, drew considerable council concern about process, transparency, and the lack of a formal job description for the proposed internal appointment. Council members also noted that changes to titles, such as eliminating the "Park Superintendent" title, conflict with existing city ordinances. As a result, the full proposal was referred to the Administration Committee for a detailed review, tentatively scheduled for December 3rd, 2025. For a more detailed report, hit the Briefing Doc button in the menu to the right.

The City of Harvard’s October 28, 2025, City Council meeting addressed critical leadership changes, major financial planning, and future economic growth.

Leadership transitions were finalized with the confirmation of Debi Bejot as the new City Administrator and Rubi Vega as City Treasurer, both approved by a 6-1 vote. The Council also advanced significant financial initiatives, approving the issuance of up to $4,175,000 in General Obligation Bonds designated for crucial road improvements.

A major boost for local industry came with the unanimous approval of Harvard Nutrition Inc.'s petition to develop a new manufacturing facility, including a necessary zoning map amendment and a 130-foot building height variation. Looking toward long-term growth, the Council approved a $177,982 Phase I Dacy Site Assessment Study to evaluate 276 acres for a potential second industrial park or municipal airport.

Infrastructure planning moved forward with the approval of $333,503.60 for the 2026 Road Program engineering. Critical community projects were also addressed, including the approval of an RFP for the Harvard Aquatic Center boiler replacement to ensure the pool opens next season. Additionally, construction activity remains robust, with year-to-date residential construction costs reaching over $8.1 million.

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At the Harvard City Council meeting on September 23, 2025, several key decisions were made concerning economic development, infrastructure, and administrative appointments. The council heard a presentation on a proposed infant formula manufacturing facility, which would invest over $100 million and create approximately 130 highly skilled jobs.

In a move to fund infrastructure, the council authorized the issuance of up to $4.175 million in General Obligation Bonds to begin the first phase of a five-year road improvement program. The council also approved a contract for a well repair and another for a media replacement at Well #6.

For downtown revitalization, a conditional use permit was approved for the redevelopment of two buildings on N. Ayer Street, which will create four new residential apartments. Additionally, the council unanimously confirmed Deb Bejot as the permanent City Administrator. The University of Illinois Extension also presented on a successful bilingual community reading program at Northfield Park. Finally, the council approved a proclamation recognizing the 50th anniversary of Harvard Junior Tackle, with September 2025 being proclaimed its anniversary month.

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The Harvard City Council met on August 26, 2025, to discuss a range of issues, with a primary focus on the Harvard Aquatic Center's urgent maintenance needs. The pool is at risk for the next season due to severe water loss—up 435% since 2023—and critical equipment failures, including an inoperable boiler. Financial reports show the pool is already over budget for maintenance and below revenue targets due to a shortened season. The council approved a motion for a $40,000 leak detection study to determine the extent of the water loss before committing to other major repairs, which are estimated at over $127,000 for minimum critical needs like a new boiler and pool painting.

In other business, the council approved several community-related requests, including the Harvard Downtown Business Alliance's Farmers Market expansion and a mechanical bull event for Los Jalapeño Brothers restaurant, both on September 13th. The city also received approval for a ComEd grant for a tree-planting event and moved forward with the 2025 patching program for roads.

A significant point of discussion involved the denial of a conditional use permit for a property at 708 W. Brink Street, where residential units were built without proper permits or inspections. Fire and building officials cited severe life-safety concerns, and the council voted unanimously to deny the petition.

Finally, the mayor announced a major economic development project: Harvard Nutrition plans to build a $110 million goat milk baby formula factory, a first in the U.S., which is expected to bring high-paying jobs to the area.

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The City of Harvard City Council convened a regular meeting to address a range of municipal matters.

Key approvals included a $100,000 revolving loan for Tomas Zarterta for building renovations at 12 North Ayer Street and 104 West Front Street. The council also adopted a five-year citywide street transportation plan, which visually outlines areas for future road work, categorized by current pavement condition. Additionally, they approved the reallocation of excess Ayer Street project funds to replace brickwork at Ayer Street intersections and to mill and resurface Timber Drive.

Further significant decisions involved approving an intergovernmental agreement for countywide police assistance and renewing a contract with T-Mobile for their water tank antenna site. A new committee meeting structure was approved, shifting committee meetings to an every-other-month schedule to reduce workload and enhance quorum. Staff reports provided updates on ongoing Air Street construction, boiler issues at the city pool, and efforts to secure tree planting grants. Discussions also touched on downtown parking permits for both businesses and residents, as well as inspections at the mobile home park.

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The Harvard City Council recently held a special Committee of the Whole meeting to advance its Strategic Vision Plan for 2040 and critically review its committee meeting structure. Mayor Michael P. Kelly underscored the importance of aligning the city's current operations with its long-term goals and addressing existing operational challenges.

The Strategic Vision Plan, initially established in 2017 and updated two years ago, serves as a guide for departmental priorities and budgeting. Significant progress has been made across several key areas. For more details on this topic, visit "My Notes" by clicking the button to the right.

A central discussion point was the current committee meeting structure, which Mayor Kelly identified as a "barrier" due to a frequent lack of quorum and insufficient time for staff to implement decisions. Two primary options were presented:

• Eliminate individual committees and transition to a single monthly "Committee of the Whole" meeting. While this would reduce the total number of meetings, it could lead to very long sessions and present challenges for citizen-inclusive boards, such as the Parks Board and Tree Board, as the Committee of the Whole is composed solely of council members.

• Maintain the current committee structure but schedule meetings bi-monthly, staggering the schedule. Several council members favored this option. Special meetings could still be convened for urgent matters. The City Council plans to place the committee meeting structure review on its agenda for a vote at the end of the month, with the aim of implementing changes later this year to enhance operational efficiency and ensure better participation.

The Harvard City Council met on June 24, 2025, with all eight alderpersons present to discuss several issues, including resident parking, infrastructure projects, and zoning regulations.

A resident raised concerns about parking tickets for vehicles blocking sidewalks due to short driveways. Police Chief Bauman noted that 120 citations had been issued since June 17, and the Mayor proposed revisiting the overnight parking ban to allow permit parking for a fee, except during snow emergencies. This topic will be discussed further at the Administration Committee meeting on July 16.

The Council approved a conditional use permit for Ducky Car & Bike Wash and unanimously supported three infrastructure projects: the replacement of the aerator motor at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, boiler repairs at the anaerobic digester, and electrical panel replacement at the Marengo Road Lift Station, along with the construction of a new paved path at Lions Park.

A proposal to rezone a property from Business Park to General Business District was rejected, while a motion to have the Planning and Zoning Commission draft regulations for intermodal containers passed. A bid for City Hall window replacement was rejected for being incomplete, and when made complete, it exceeded the budget.

New regulations for wireless telecommunications were approved, and an amendment was made to the Water Meter Replacement Policy, placing the cost of damaged meters on property owners. Additionally, 2025 Harvard Aquatic Center season pass holders will receive a 30% discount on 2026 passes.

Department reports included activities relating to police enforcement, park updates, and utility operations. The Mayor also announced job openings for the Economic Community Development Director and City Administrator positions. 

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On May 27, 2025, the City of Harvard, Illinois, held a regular City Council meeting at 7:00 PM, attended by all Alderpersons, with Alderwoman Rosa Luna participating electronically. 

The meeting began with public comments, during which resident Carl Opper raised concerns about the dangerous intersection of Marengo Road and Illinois 173, citing overgrown debris that obstructs visibility. He urged the council to address this issue urgently, especially with the safety of cyclists in mind. 

The council then moved to the Consent Agenda, approving items 5A through 5K unanimously. Item 5L, regarding the appointment of Joseph Pienta to the Parks and Recreation Board, was pulled for separate discussion. Alderman Perkins expressed his concerns about a lack of focus on park maintenance within the Parks Committee. After discussing these points, Pienta was appointed unanimously. 

The meeting recognized local youth, River Schmidt, Harper Schmidt, Emilio Ambrose, and Zach Camp, for their commendable acts of kindness during a storm by helping neighbors with trash cans. 

The council also approved bills totaling $1,569,190.77. 

Deb Bejot was appointed as Interim City Administrator, with the process for a permanent appointment expected to begin in early June. 

In another appointment, Jo Atkinson was confirmed as Parks and Recreation Director, despite Alderman Perkins voicing concerns regarding transparency and prioritization of park maintenance. The motion passed 7 to 1. 

Lastly, the council approved Ordinance 2025-111, rezoning the property at 1001 West Roosevelt Street from M1 Manufacturing District to RA Residential Agriculture, re-adopting a previously approved rezoning. 

The meeting addressed key community concerns, appointed new leadership, and recognized positive local actions.

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On April 22, 2025, the City Council convened for both a Regular City Council Meeting and a subsequent Special City Council Meeting, presided over by Mayor Kelly. These sessions saw significant changes in leadership, with the recognition of outgoing Aldermen Jay Schulz, Dan Carncross, and Charles Gorman, and City Clerk Lori Moller for their years of service, alongside the swearing-in of new elected officials: Mayor Michael Kelly, City Clerk Scott Logan, and Aldermen Annamarie Platt-Miller, Mike Hoeflich, and Joel Kriete. The Council proceeded to approve all FY2025/2026 liquor, tobacco, laundromat, and massage therapist license applications. A key financial decision included the approval of the City of Harvard Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026, and a partial waiver was granted for a substantial water bill for John and Joyce Sternberg, acknowledging both their hardship and the City's procedural shortcomings in notification. Various development and infrastructure initiatives were also approved, such as the Harvard Farmers’ Market site plan, a rezoning proposal for a mushroom cultivation enterprise, and contracts for a Well #9 Generator and the City Office HVAC system. Notably, the Council also deliberated on and approved several building permit fee reductions for residential properties, though concerns were raised about past uncollected fees from other developers, emphasizing the need for stricter compliance moving forward. However, a significant outcome from a closed session was the defeat of a motion to renew the City Administrator’s employment contract for four years.

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