McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove President and Board of Trustees met Jan. 16

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 

Village President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Center. Present at roll call were Trustees Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall. Also, present were Administrator Soderholm, Assistant Administrator Bechler, Chief Waitrovich, Operations Manager Reese, Operations Manager Zintl, and Village Clerk Caesar. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

PROCLAMATION 

Village President McLaughlin welcomed the 2023 Cary-Grove Junior Trojans Poms Teams, coaches and parents that were present. President McLaughlin read allowed the Proclamation honoring the Cary-Grove Junior Trojans Poms for winning the 6th/7th grade Grand Champions title with the top score of the day and the 8th grade team for earning the second-place score. The teams were presented with a copy of the resolution along with a photo opportunity with the Village Board members. All the Trustees congratulated the teams on their accomplishments. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Caprise Towne, 2509 Algonquin Rd. - Ms. Towne stated that she was speaking on behalf of Susie Sushi Restaurant and the problems she is having with her landlord. Ms. Towne said that both furnaces were broken and there was no heat at all in the restaurant. Susie paid for the furnace in the restaurant area to be repaired, however the landlord refuses to reimburse her and still has not fixed the second furnace. Currently the kitchen area is without heat and the restaurant had to be closed for the safety of her employees due to the cold temperatures. Ms. Towne stated that the carbon monoxide levels are. dangerous, and the tenant's upstairs are also without heat. 

Administrator Soderholm stated that the landlord has been notified and the Village inspector paid a visit to the location today and will be going back on Thursday as well. 

Jason Li, 1101 IL-22 Suite 1E - Mr. Li, a patron of Susie Sushi's stated he was also speaking on behalf of Susie Sushi and her landlord issues. Mr. Li wanted to advocate for some sort of enforcement to be done to ensure the heat issue gets resolved so Susie can continue her dream as a business owner. 

Shunyao Lyu, 700 Northwest Hwy. - Shunyao also known as Susie is the owner of Susie Sushi restaurant. Ms. Lyu stated that the landlord has been notified of the broken furnaces in both the restaurant as well as the rental units above the restaurant. She stated there are reports of not having hot water, leaky roofs, pipes freezing and plumbing issues. The landlord always says he will be back to fix and nothing ever happens. Ms. Lyu stated she already paid for one furnace to be repaired and cannot afford to pay for the other and is seeking help from the Village if possible. 

Keith Hunter, (No address provided) - Mr. Hunter stated he has rented space behind the restaurant located at 700 Northwest Hwy for the past 6 years. While he does have heat, he said the landlord has known about a leaky roof for the past 6 years and has done nothing to have it repaired. Mr. Hunter stated the landlord was well aware of all the issues with the location when the previous tenant, Sticks, pointed out the problems. Mr. Hunter feels the landlord rented the location under false pretenses that everything was in good working condition and that he should be held accountable to fix the furnace and provide heat. 

Eric Zilch, 815 Foxanna Ct. - Mr. Zilch stated that he and his neighbor Don Koss, 901 Johnson St. are seeking permission from the Board to purchase a vacant strip of property that runs between their homes. Mr. Zilch did some research, and stated that when 901 Pleasant made a similar parcel purchase from the Village, a 15 ft easement was granted to the Village for any future needs and that he and Mr. Koss would offer the same 15 ft. easement grant should this purchase be approved. Mr. Koss stated their intent is to clean-up the site and beautify it and that they have no intent to build on the property. 

VILLAGE PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE REPORTS 

Village President McLaughlin announced the Cary-Grove Chamber Roundtable will be held next Thursday, January 25, 2024 at the Village of Fox River Grove where he will be presenting the State of the Village report. 

Trustee Schladt provided an update from the Parks Commissions January 3, 2024 meeting. She stated the annual parks fundraiser will not be held this summer due to the Villages 105th year Fox Fest event and instead the Parks commission will be represented at the festival with some sort of booth. Ideas are still being discussed. 

1. APPROVAL: CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVAL VIA ONE VOTE FOR ALL 

A. Village & Executive Session Meeting Minutes - January 2, 2024 

B. Accounts Payable - January 16, 2024 

C. Waive Park, Sound and Temporary Liquor License Permit Fees, Lions Club Arts & Crafts Fair July 20, 2024. 

Trustee Knar made a motion to approve consent agenda items A - C. Trustee Schladt seconded. Roll Call: Trustee Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall —all "yes." MOTION PASSED. 

2. APPROVAL: WAIVE BID PROCESS AND AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT, LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE 

Administrator Soderholm stated that the current 3-year contract with Apex landscaping is reaching its expiration date. Staff was seeking the Boards approval to waive the bid process and renew the current contract with Apex landscaping for one (1) year with an increase of 1.57%. 

A discussion was held. 

Trustee Hester made a motion to approve the authorization to waive the competitive bid process and authorize the Village Administrator to continue the contract with Apex Landscaping at 1.57% above the 

current prices. Trustee Curtiss seconded. Roll Call: Trustee Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall-all "yes." MOTION PASSED. 

3. DISCUSSION: BUSINESS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (BCAP) REQUEST – THE 100 LOUNGE 

Assistant Administrator Bechler stated that Fred and Debbie Cardella, owners of The 100 Lounge were busy doing renovations in the former Hanaford building and that they are requesting a Business Capital Assistance Program grant in the amount of $15,000. Mr. and Mrs. Cardella provided a business overview, concept plan, timeline and financial breakdown listing their startup and expected equipment expenditures as part of their BCAP application form and were present to answer any question the board may have. 

A discussion was held. 

Administrator Soderholm stated that The 100 Lounge has had the most capital outlay out of all the BCAP applicants to date. 

Trustee Migdal felt the applicants request had checked all the boxes that were needed to qualify and was in support of the grant. 

Mr. Cardella stated that all plumbing inside and to the street has been updated. There is all new electric, all new equipment, drywall, custom hood on order for the kitchen and that they easily have $100,000 invested in their location. 

Trustee Knar stated that he was not on board at this time to approve a BCAP grant and would rather wait until the business is open and proves they are more than just another gambling location. 

President McLaughlin stated that the improvements being made at the expense of the owners will stay with the building and that they have turned a vacant building into a viable new business location, which is the intent of the grant. 

Trustee Curtiss stated she was also not convinced that their intent is to be more than just a gaming café and was currently not in support of awarding a grant at this time. 

Trustee Hester made a motion directing staff to prepare an agreement for Village Board consideration for the requested amount of $15,000 to The 100 Lounge, setting the disbursement schedule for half at three (3) months and half at six (6) months of being in business. Trustee Schladt seconded. Roll Call: Trustee Hester, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall —all “yes.” Trustee Curtiss and Knar - "no" MOTION PASSED. 

4. DISCUSSION: BLOCK B DEMOLITION UPDATE 

Administrator Soderholm stated there is a meeting next week to discuss the draft bid documents. 

5. APPROVAL: PAID TIME OFF POLICY 

Administrator Soderholm presented policy adjustments regarding paid leave for all part-time employees to comply with the Village's recently approved ordinance requiring paid leave of at least eight hours for all Village employees. 

Trustee Curtiss made a motion to approve paid off policy as presented. Trustee Knar seconded. Roll Call: Trustee Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall -all "yes." MOTION PASSED. 

6. OTHER BUSINESS 

None. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Trustee Knar made a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 7:23 p.m. Seconded by Trustee Hester. A voice vote was taken. Trustee Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall -all "yes". MOTION PASSED

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