McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove President and Board of Trustees met Sept. 2

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, Joseph, Knar, Migdal, 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

President McLaughlin announced Meet Mayor Marc will be next Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Village Hall.

Trustee Knar stated that he feels the rules and regulations implemented within the parks last year are working, as the crowds this year have not been as bad as in the past. Administrator Soderholm added that the Police Department's support enforcing the new rules with warnings and tickets has also been a contributing factor.

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

A. Village Board and Executive Session Meeting Minutes – August 19, 2025

B. Accounts Payable - September 2, 2025

C. Treasurer's Report - July 2025

D. Proclamation Declaring September 7-13, 2025 as Chamber of Commerce Week

E. Proclamation Declaring September 17-23, 2025 as Constitution Week

F. Ordinance 2025-18, Variation to Allow the Expansion of an Existing Non-Conforming Roof Over a Porch in a Front Yard - 107 Center Street

G. Resolution 2025-02, Fund Transfer

H. Business Capital Assistance Program Grant Agreement, Lord of Beers

1. Façade Grant Agreement - Pence Holdings

J. Waive Temporary Liquor License Fee for Fall Fun – October 18, 2025 – Fox River Grove Lions Club

Trustee Hester made a motion to approve consent agenda items A - J. Trustee Curtiss seconded.

President McLaughlin read aloud the proclamation declaring September 7th - 13th as Chamber of Commerce Week. Roll Call: Trustee Curtiss, Hester, Joseph, Knar, Migdal, and Wall -all "yes." MOTION PASSED.

2. APPROVAL: ORDINANCE 2025-19, IMPLEMENTING A NON-HOME RULE MUNICIPAL SALES TAX

Administrator Soderholm stated that per the Boards direction Staff prepared an Ordinance for Board approval implementing a 1% non-home rule municipal retailers' Occupation Tax and 1% non-home rule municipal service occupation tax effective January 1, 2026.

Trustee Migdal asked if the net amount received from the 1% rate had been ear marked for anything specific. Administrator Soderholm stated it would go into the capital fund and be used at the board's discretion. Trustee Knar added that the Village may need additional revenue for future economic development. Trustee Joseph suggested bringing all the revenue offset fees down to zero. President McLaughlin stated he would not recommend putting any future Board in a situation were all revenue offset options had been completely eliminated. Trustee Knar made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-19, implementing a 1% non-home rule municipal retailer's occupation tax and 1% non-home rule municipal service occupation tax effective January 1, 2026. Trustee Curtiss seconded. Roll Call: Trustee Curtiss, Hester, Knar, Migdal, and Wall -all "yes." Trustee Joseph -"no." MOTION PASSED.

3. APPROVAL: ORDINANCE 2025-20, REDUCING SIMPLIFIED MUNICIPAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS TAX

Trustee Knar requested confirmation that the $45,000 savings to residents with the reduction of the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications tax, is just one of a series of reductions that will be coming to offset the revenue that will be received from the 1% non-Home Rule Municipal Sales Tax that was just approved.

Administrator Soderholm stated that additional offsets were planned over the next several months, which will include reductions in cable franchise fees, electricity surcharges, natural gas surcharges, non-new construction building permits and water / sewer recapture fees.

Trustee Hester made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-20, reducing simplified municipal telecommunications tax. Trustee Knar seconded. Roll Call: Trustee Curtiss, Hester, Joseph, Knar, Migdal, and Wall -all "yes." MOTION PASSED.

4. ОТНER BUSINESS

Trustee Knar asked about the Tree Replacement program announcement. Administrator Soderholm said the press release is scheduled to be out on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

Trustee Knar inquired about an invoice from Clean-Cut, a vendor that assisted with tree cutting after the storm and wanted to know if there would be more bills coming as a result of the storm recovery efforts. Administrator Soderholm stated there will be more invoices from all three vendors that provided assistance. President McLaughlin added that he received many compliments on the Village's quick response after the storm with removing trees, picking up and shredding branches and cleaning up all the debris scattered about. There is still more to be done, but the initial response did not go unnoticed and was very much appreciated.

5. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Knar made a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 6:48 p.m. Seconded by Trustee Migdal. A voice vote was taken. Trustees Curtiss, Hester, Joseph, Knar, Migdal, and Wall - all "yes".

MOTION PASSED.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/foxrivergrove/document%20center/Minutes/Village%20Board/Village%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes%209-2-2025.pdf?t=202509181725460&t=202509181725460