McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove Committee of the Whole met May 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Call to Order and Roll Call:

Trustee Blohm called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m. in the Municipal Center. Present at roll call were President Nunamaker, Trustees Blohm, Curtiss, Fleischmann, Knar and Migdal. Also present were Administrator Soderholm, Assistant to the Administrator Bechler, Chief Lukasik and Village Clerk Majkrzak. Trustee Wall was absent.

Public Comment - None

President And Trustee Reports:

President Nunamaker reported that at the Mayors Caucus, they were discussing the State Budget. Illinois has $13 billion in expenses and the Supreme Court ruled that Illinois must pay pensions. They are looking at ways to “work” the budget which must be passed by the end of May.

Trustee Curtiss reported that the Fox River Grove Lioness Club is being dissolved and they are setting aside $3,000 for improvements at Lions’ Park and they have earmarked funds to have the Village logo installed on the back wall of the Village Board Room (behind the trustees). Trustee Knar will look into options.

1. Approval: April 20, 2017 Committee of the Whole and April 20, 2017 Executive Session Meeting Minutes

Trustee Blohm made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2017 Committee of the Whole and April 20, 2017 Executive Session meeting. Trustee Migdal seconded. Roll Call: Trustees Curtiss, Fleischmann, Knar and Migdal – “yes”, Trustee Blohm - present. Motion Passed.

2. Discussion: Zoning Case 2017-02, 1050 Northwest Highway

Trustee Blohm stated the petitioner is requesting a special use to allow the principal use of the main building to exceed 5,000 square feet, and three variances for the installation of a pavilion / commercial tent: 1) to allow it to exceed 12 feet in height, 2) to allow it to exceed 576 square feet in area, and 3) to allow it to be installed in a side yard. She noted the Zoning Board unanimously approved the case but felt there should be conditions. Mr. Molenaar stated that they were at the zoning hearing and were concerned about the noise level as their property is behind the proposed tent. Mr. Kalkounos responded that the tent will be soundproof, the area will be landscaped and there will be supervisors on duty. Discussion held. Trustee Knar made a motion to recommend to the Village Board approval of the special use and the variances with conditions that include no sound amplification from Sunday to Thursday after 11 pm, no sound amplification on Friday and Saturday after midnight and the building materials must meet the specification of the information supplied in the zoning application. Trustee Curtiss seconded. Roll Call: Trustees Blohm, Curtiss, Fleischmann, Knar and Migdal – “yes”. Motion Passed.

3. Discussion: Communication Options

Trustee Blohm asked for a discussion on using social media as a means of communication from the Village. She stated the School Board sends out an E-blast after each school board meeting containing the highlights of the meeting. She noted the Village does a good job with getting information out to the residents but she wondered if there were ways to increase communication. Trustee Fleischmann suggested sending out the meeting agendas via E-blast. The committee discussed other options such as pinning the meeting schedule to the Facebook account or televising the board meetings like other communities. It was decided to discuss this at a later meeting and for the Trustees to bring in their ideas.

President Nunamaker noted the Village could electronically distribute the newsletter. President Nunamaker mentioned the Village should consider eliminating the Saturday hours. Staff has been monitoring the activity and with the options of paying water bills, tickets and vehicle stickers online, the number of residents coming in on a Saturday has declined.

4. Discussion: Economic Development

President Nunamaker said he has been in contact with Grove Residences, LLC and they are working to get their funding. Administrator Soderholm stated that the President and staff continue to work Plan B for downtown redevelopment, Avante Banquets still intends to open in August, and a used corvette dealer is looking to possibly locate in Fox River Grove.

5. Other Business:

President Nunamaker has been working with Mio Pizza and verified they have leased two units. He also stated H & R Block is not planning on leaving and the dining area will be in the second unit.

Adjournment:

Trustee Knar made a motion to adjourn the Committee of the Whole at 8:05 p.m. Trustee Blohm seconded. All were in favor.

http://www.foxrivergrove.org/egov/documents/1495207993_19712.pdf