McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove President and Board of Trustees met Nov. 12

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, and Wall. Also, present were Administrator Soderholm, Assistant Administrator Bechler, Operations Manager Reese, Operations Manager Zintl, and Clerk Caesar. Trustee Schladt joined the meeting at 6:51 p.m. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

1.___PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION/APPROVAL: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2024 

Administrator Soderholm presented an overview of the various capital funds and their current and projected balances, 10 Year Capital Improvement Plan, water main replacement program, vehicle replacement plan, major asset replacement plan, proposed projects, the community development block grant (CDBG) project recommendations, and design engineering approval. 

Staff reviewed the water main replacement program for 2026, identifying Gladys Avenue from Algonquin Road to South River Road and Liberty Avenue from Elder Lane to Lincoln Avenue that are scheduled for replacement, requiring the design work to be completed within the upcoming budget cycle. 

The vehicle replacement schedule includes both Police and Public Works. Staff is recommending the purchase of a new Ford Explorer for the police department to replace and no planned replacements for Public Works. 

The Board reviewed the scheduled major asset replacement items listed below: 

● Village Hall — Parking Lot — Crackfill, Seal & Stripe - $3,500 

● Police — Parking Lot — Crackfill, Seal & Stripe - $3,500 

● Hunters Farm Park — Tot Swings, Slide, Spring Toys, Jeep - $32,600 

● Hunters Farm Park — Short Asphalt Paths - Crackfill, Seal & Stripe - $1,500 

● North River Park #2 — Playground - $31,100 

● WWTP — Tile - $9,600 

● WWTP — Miscellaneous Painting / Repairs - $22,200 WWTP UV Cylinder Bank 2 Sensor - $9,600 

● WWTP — Parking Lot —Crackfill, Seal & Stripe - $10,200 

● WWTP — Press Building Roof - $21,200 

● WTP #1 — Roof - $34,500 

● WTP #1 — Well #2 Roof - $5,700 

● WTP #2 — Heater/Dehumidifier - $40,200 

● WTP #2 — Control Valve - $21,400 

● North River Lift Station — Roof - $5,000 

● Weber's Lift Station Impeller — $6,100

The Board reviewed Capital Improvement projects described in Appendix A of the Capital Improvement Plan and chose to proceed with the Bayview Drainage Improvements to reduce flooding problems during heavy rains. In addition, the Board requested Staff look into removing invasive species overgrowth, posts, boulders, railing, and other debris cluttering the entrance to Picnic Grove Park and add some nice landscaping with some new trees to spruce up the ingress from Birch to the circle. 

The Board reviewed and were in support of the Staff project recommendations that include Bayview Drainage Improvements, the demolition of the deteriorating Grayhill building, and moving forward with the Mixing Zone study, but felt that paving the path from Foxanna Circle into Picnic Grove Park was not necessary. 

The Board also discussed future project considerations and chose to pursue an additional phase of the sidewalk connectivity program placing priority on missing links from Algonquin Rd. to Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Ave. to Algonquin Rd., Algonquin Rd. to Northwest Hwy., and Lexington Avenue from Asbury Ct. to Algonquin Rd. The Board requested to review locations not selected this year at next year's capital improvement plan meeting. 

The Board elected to pursue shoreline stabilization at Lions Park. 

The Board also discussed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project recommendations. The consensus of the Board was to proceed with pursuing the CDBG for the water main on Gladys and Liberty. 

Administrator Soderholm stated that design-engineering services from Baxter & Woodman would be required to prepare for the bidding of the projects selected by the Village Board. The general consensus of the Board was to direct staff to pursue design-engineering services from Baxter & Woodman as needed for the shoreline stabilization, sidewalk improvements and the 2026 watermain project. 

2. OTHER BUSINESS 

A discussion was held on revenue reduction options to potentially offset the inflationary adjustments to the property tax levy being considered for approval in December. 

A discussion was held. 

The consensus of the board was to not pursue offsets this year. Revenue reduction offsets have been approved in past years and with recent expense increases it wouldn't be a prudent action at this time. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Trustee Curtiss made a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 8:08 p.m. Seconded by Trustee Migdal. Roll Call: Trustees Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall - all "yes". MOTION PASSED.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/foxrivergrove/document%20center/Minutes/Village%20Board/Special%20Meeting%20Minutes%2011-12-2024.pdf