McHenry Times

Village of Johnsburg President and Board of Trustees met Nov. 7

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Hettermann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall.

Attendees

Trustee Beth Foreman

Trustee Mike Fouke

Trustee Josh Hagen

Trustee Greg Klemstein

Trustee Scott Letzter

Trustee Jamie Morris

Village Administrator Claudett Sofiakis

Assistant Village Administrator Vinny Lamontagna (absent)

Chief of Police Jason Greenwald

Attorney Michael Smoron

Village Engineer Tim Hartnett (absent)

Special Projects Coordinator Rick Quinn (absent)

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: No comments from the public.

OMNIBUS AGENDA – Trustee Morris moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda. Trustee Letzter seconded the motion. Trustee Letzter requested the removal of the pay request to Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp. Trustee Hagen requested the removal of the Tax Levy Resolution. All Trustees voted aye on the roll on the remaining agenda items. Motion carried.

● Move to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2024 Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees

● Move to approve Pay Request #3 to Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp. in the amount of $460,042.75 for the River Sewer Extension Project (removed)

● Move to approve Tax Levy Resolution in the amount of $1,116,014 for the 2024 assessment year (removed)

● Disbursements

● General Fund $ 615,478.52

● Waterworks & Sewage Fund $ 492,270.51

● Debt Service/SSA Fund $ 4,072.50

● Total All Funds $1,111,855.13

PAY REQUEST #3 JOEL KENNEDY CONSTRUCTING CORP – Trustee Hagen moved to approve Pay Request # 3 in the amount of $460,042.75 to Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp for the River Sewer Extension Project. Trustee Foreman seconded the motion. Trustee Letzter remarked about Change Order # 2 and questioned why the original design anticipated an asphalt pad rather than a concrete pad which was the design for all previous lift stations. Village Administrator Sofiakis stated that she would check with the Village Engineer regarding the matter. All Trustees voted aye on the roll. Motion carried 

TAX LEVY RESOLUTION – Trustee Hagen moved to approve a Tax Levy Resolution in the amount of $1,116,014 for the 2024 assessment year. Trustee Letzter seconded the motion. Trustee Hagen requested clarification from Trustee Klemstein regarding the Finance Committee’s recommendation. Trustee Klemstein explained that the Finance Committee recommended a tax levy which includes new growth and the 3.4% CPI adjustment. He pointed out that all of the increased taxes collected would be directed to the Police Pension Fund to help shore up the deficit in the fund as has been done in the past. Village Administrator Sofiakis viewed the increase to property owners based upon home value. All Trustees voted aye on the roll. Motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Hettermann discussed the upcoming meeting schedule during the holidays. The Board will meet on November 19th and December 3rd with no Committee of the Whole meetings in November and December due to holiday conflicts. He added that the holiday gathering will be held on December 6th and Holiday Magic is scheduled for December 14th. Trustee Fouke reported that the Holiday Magic parade will again leave from the High School and travel south on Hickory Way Drive through Shiloh Ridge and end at the Johnsburg Community Club. Fliers are going out to all of the residents along the parade route. Staging for the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the parade starting at 5:30 p.m..

FIRST READ/NO ACTION

RDINANCE 24-25-11 AMENDING CHAPTER 15.15 – Trustee Morris discussed amendments proposed by the Ordinance Committee to Section 15.15 Operation of Non-Highway Vehicles and adding a new Section 15.16 entitled Operation of Prohibited or Unlicensed Non-Highway Vehicle Devices. Trustee Morris explained that the changes include the requirement of seatsbelts on golf carts and UTVs. He discussed concerns with children hanging off of the vehicles and babies sitting on laps. He stated that the State is looking to incorporate similar language and explained that the ordinance also adds language regulating motorbikes and scooters.

Trustee Fouke questioned the cost to adding seat belts. Trustee Morris stated that he paid $150. Trustee Fouke asked for clarification on what types of e-bikes are allowed on the roads and presented an exhibit depicting different types of bikes. The Board agreed that ebikes permitted on the road should be limited to those with pedals and optional electrical assistance. President Hettermann discussed extending the registration due date to March 31st because many non-highway vehicle owners put their vehicles away for the winter and do not register them until they are brought back out in the spring. Trustee Foreman suggested that additional time be given to have seat belts installed. The Board agreed and suggested giving owners until March 31, 2026 to have seatbelts installed but new non-highway vehicles must have them when registering. The Board agreed that more clarification is needed as to whether the seatbelts will be required to be worn. Trustee Hagen questioned language included for enterprises and the requirement to notify the Village of vehicle sales. Village Administrator Sofiakis explained that the disposition of vehicles relates to those being leased or rented. President Hettermann stated that additional work needed to be done with some of the language and an updated draft will be provided to the board in advance of the next meeting.

GENERAL CAPITAL WORKFORCE HOUSING SIGNAGE – The Board reviewed the proposed signage for the workforce housing development being built by General Capital. Village Administrator Sofiakis stated that the Village engineer will insure that the location of the signage will not interview with sight distance along Route 31 and Johnsburg Road, and that the signs are setback in compliance with IDOT and McDOT regulations. Landscaping and lighting were discussed by the Board. Trustee Foreman remarked positively regarding the name of the development, Tuckaway Townhomes, and moved to accept the signage provided that setbacks are okayed by the Village engineer, landscaping is in corporated along the base of the sign and proper lighting is provided. Trustee Morris seconded the motion. All Trustees voted aye on the roll. Motion carried.

WEBSITE STATUS - Trustee Hagen discussed the status of the Village’s website redesign. He reviewed the proposed design and discussed the ease of navigating the site. He stated the site will include a more robust email system and the completion is still targeted for February. Trustee Klemstein questioned the property search feature. Village Administrator Sofiakis statued that it is currently included on the Village’s current site. Trustee Hagen stated that he updates the sales information. Trustee Klemstein remarked about the importance of having current and accurate data available through the search as many people looking to invest in commercial properties will look to the municipal website first before contacting the municipality. The Board expressed concurrence with the proposed web design.

DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT - Trustee Foreman reported regarding a presentation made to the Committee by representatives of Kelly’s Market who are looking to locate a convenience store/fueling station at the northeast corner of Route 31 and Johnsburg Road. She explained that the store will include a Which Wich sandwich shop and car wash. The site will be accessed from Hamlin Drive with a right in/right out onto Route 31. Stormwater will be retained underground and customers are expected to be drawn from people currently traveling through the area. President Hettermann stated that Kelly’s Market stores are nice stores and considered higher end as compared with other convenience/fueling stations.

Trustee Fouke reported that the Village of Johnsburg was voted Best Town in the Chicagoland Area through a poll taken by US99.5 morning radio and remarked positively about Trustee Foreman’s interview with the hosts of the morning radio show.

ADJOURNMENT – Trustee Fouke moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Foreman seconded the motion. All Trustees voted aye on the roll. Motion carried at 8:29 p.m.

https://www.johnsburg.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/village_board/meeting/26844/board_minutes_11-7-24.pdf