McHenry City Council to discuss appointment of city clerk

McHenry City Council will meet Monday to discuss the appointment of a new city clerk.

Mayor Wayne Jett has recommended the appointment of Trisha Ramel to fill the vacant seat. Ramel is manager of customer relations for Gary Lang Auto Group's business development center, according to city documents.

Four people interviewed for the position, according to city documents.

"I was really excited to see how many people were interested in the City Clerk position," Jett said in a statement. "Not only did Trisha stand out but they all did in their own ways. ... I believe Trisha will be outstanding in this role and look forward to working with her."

Ramel said she saw the mayor's social media post announcing the search for a clerk and decided to apply. She said she knows Jett as a customer from Gary Lang Auto Group but doesn't have any past political involvement with the city.

"I thought this would be perfect for me to get involved a little bit," she said. "I am very excited for the opportunity."

If approved, Ramel's term will run through April 30, 2021.

The elected city clerk is a part-time position with a $400 a month salary. The clerk also earns $75 for each meeting he or she attends, according to McHenry’s municipal code.

The city clerk is in charge of keeping records; recording meetings; publishing ordinances, resolutions and public notices; and signing things such as contracts, licenses and permits, according to the city’s website.

The elected seat has been empty since 2017, when former City Clerk Lynzi Nevitt resigned shortly after she was elected. Nevitt’s term was scheduled to end in 2021.

The future of the position is unclear.

The city in May discussed whether to run a referendum that would ask voters to give up the right to an elected clerk, and instead allow the position to be appointed. The question could appear on the ballot this fall, or sometime in 2020.

McHenry City Council will meet 7 p.m. Monday at the municipal building, 333 S. Green St.