McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove Village Board met Dec. 3

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, and Clerk Caesar. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

None. 

VILLAGE PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE REPORTS 

Village President - President McLaughlin stated that the tree lighting event is this Friday at the Village Hall. He will be lighting the tree at 6:00 p.m. 

PROCLAMATION 

Village President McLaughlin read allowed the Proclamation honoring BSA Troop 166 New Eagle Scout Steven Alexander Thomas and presented Steven with a copy of the resolution. Steven shared a brief overview of his Eagle Scout project stating he created a stem classroom within a new garden space added at the elementary school which incorporated education materials to teach the students about the pollination of bee's and plants. The Board members congratulated Steven on his accomplishment and shared in a photo opportunity with him. 

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

A. Meeting Minutes - Village Board - November 5, 2024 & November 12, 2024; Executive Session - November 5, 2024 

B. Accounts Payable - November 19, 2024 & December 3, 2024 

C. Treasurer's Report - October 2024 

D. Ordinance 2024-12, Gardner Terrace Special Service Area Levy 

E. Ordinance 2024-13, Picnic Grove Special Service Area Levy 

F. Ordinance 2024-14, Hunters Farm Special Service Area Levy 

G. Ordinance 2024-15, Talon Special Service Area Levy 

H. Ordinance 2024-16, Corporate Tax Levy 

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

2. PRESENTATION: FYE 2024 AUDIT 

Administrator Soderholm introduced Sydney Marks, a team lead with Lauterbach & Amen, LLP who was present to deliver the FYE 2024 Audit results to the Board. Ms. Marks presented a brief review of the Village's annual audit. Ms. Marks stated that the audit was successful and that the Village received the highest opinion again this year. 

3. DISCUSSION: COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW 

President McLaughlin stated that Special Events Chairperson Jamie Dimmick submitted her resignation effective Friday, December 16. President McLaughlin would like feedback from the board on their vision with possibly merging the Parks and Special Events Committees. 

A discussion was held. 

Trustee Curtiss said it is becoming more difficult to secure volunteers. 

Trustee's Wall and Schladt both support merging the two committees, given the Parks commission has one major event per year and Special Events has four. Merging the two groups would present more volunteers for the five annual events. 

Trustee Knar suggested the idea of creating a budget line and contracting with an independent special events coordinator to take on the majority of the planning, taking into consideration the amount of time each event preparation takes. Trustee Wall stated from her experience as Parks Chairperson, it feels like a full-time job. 

The consensus of the board was for President McLaughlin to first contact members of both committees and gather feedback on the idea of merging the two committees, and bring their comments back for Village Board consideration. 

4. OTHER BUSINESS 

Trustee Knar requested a tour of one of the Redwood buildings once completed. President McLaughlin suggested a ribbon cutting ceremony that could include a tour at the same time. 

Trustee Knar stated his concern with the recent closing announcements of two businesses and recognizes landlord issues are not something the Village can change, but wanted to know if there were any approaches that could be done to help retention in the future. 

Administrator Soderholm stated that staff has taken the proper steps in issuing violation notices, as well as fines, when applicable, however some of the issues were tied to the lease that were signed off on by the occupant. In the end, it was a combination of several factors, most of which the Village does not have the ability to resolve as they are independently owned properties. 

5. ADJOURNMENT 

Trustee Knar made a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 7:32 p.m. to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Trustee Migdal. A voice vote was taken. Trustees Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall – all "yes". MOTION PASSED. 

Village President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 8:09 p.m. in the Municipal Center. Present at roll call were Trustees Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt and Wall. 

Trustee Hester made a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 8:10 p.m. Seconded by Trustee Knar. A voice vote was taken. Trustees Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, Schladt, and Wall - all "yes". MOTION PASSED.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/foxrivergrove/document%20center/Minutes/Village%20Board/Village%20Board%20Minutes%2012-3-2024.pdf