McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove President and Board of Trustees met Dec. 17

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, Operations Manager Reese, Operations Manager Zintl, 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 announced that the Village was awarded $600,000 OSLAD grant for Lions Park from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The total project investment is expected to be $1.9 million. 

President McLaughlin stated he has begun the process of meeting with Special Events and Parks committee members to gather their feedback with regards to committee structure. An exit interview will also be scheduled with Special Events Chairperson Jamie Dimmick now that the Tree Lighting event has concluded. 

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

A. Meeting Minutes - Village Board -December 3, 2024; Executive Session - December 3, 2024

B. Accounts Payable - December 17, 2024 

C. Ordinance 2024-17, Eliminating a Class "A" Liquor License 

D. Waive Raffle Fee & Fidelity Bond Requirement for Fox River Grove PTO Raffle to be held February 21, 2025. 

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

2. DISCUSSION: FAÇADE GRANT REQUEST - 412 LINCOLN AVENUE 

Administrator Soderholm stated that petitioner Mr. Ralph Pence, previously addressed the board with a request for a façade grant at 412 Lincoln Ave. 

Assistant Administrator Bechler added that at the request of the board, Mr. Pence has secured an itemized quote with renderings, to support his façade grant request of $52,075. Under the façade grant program, 50/50 cost sharing guidelines, $26,000 would be the Villages contribution. 

Mr. Pence stated that he was present to answer any questions the Board may have regarding his request and the quote submitted. 

A discussion was held. 

Trustee Knar stated he is not comfortable with approving $26,000, considering there is currently no tenant lined up to occupy the location, coupled with whether or not a sales tax revenue producing business would end up in the location. Trustee Knar stated he would support a $16,000 investment towards the façade of the building in hopes that the improvements will help fill a vacancy in the Village. 

Trustee Schladt asked about the coffee shop that was previously interested in the location and whether the inside had any updates that would be restaurant welcoming. 

Mr. Pence described the interior as a "white box" with stair access to the basement where there is a restroom. He also said the inside is not established for a restaurant. 

Trustee Curtiss and Migdal were supportive of a $16,000 cost sharing grant with Mr. Pence, while Trustee Schladt, Wall and President McLaughlin were on board with an amount between $16,000 and $19,000. 

The general consensus of the Board was to recommend staff draft an agreement for approval in the amount of $16,000 for a façade grant reimbursement at 412 Lincoln Avenue. 

3. OTHER BUSINESS 

None. 

4. ADJOURNMENT 

Trustee Hester made a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 6:55 p.m. to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Trustee Knar. 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 7:37 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 7:37 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/Village%20Board%20Minutes%2012-17-2024.pdf