Kendall County Times

Village of Oswego President and Board of Trustees met March 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

President Ryan Kauffman called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. President Kauffman provided the following about Alejandro Hardaway:

Alejandro served six years in the United States Air Force as a (1-Alpha-4) Airborne Operations Specialist. His service awards include the Medal: Global War on Terrorism, Medal: Air Force Good Conduct, and Distinguished Top Grad in both Airborne Flight School and Airman Leadership School. Alejandro began work in August 2024 as the new Public Works’ Management Analyst. He is an Oswego resident, who after completing his MBA, spent the last decade working for the private sector and municipal governments. He is responsible for implementing the Village’s strategic objective of managing our infrastructure, while assisting the department with purchasing and data collection.

Alejandro Hardaway led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

ROLL CALL

Board Members Physically Present: President Ryan Kauffman; Trustees Tom Guist, Kit Kuhrt, Karin McCarthy-Lange, Karen Novy, Jennifer Jones Sinnott, and Andrew Torres.

Staff Physically Present: Dan Di Santo, Village Administrator; Jean Bueche, Asst. Village Administrator; Tina Touchette, Village Clerk; Jason Bastin, Police Chief; Curt Cassidy, Incoming Public Works Director; Andrea Lamberg, Finance Director; Rod Zenner, Development Services Director; Joe Renzetti, IT/GIS Director; Kevin Leighty, Economic Development Director; Maddie Upham, Assistant to the Village Administrator; Julie Hoffman, Events Manager; Alejandro Hardaway, Management Analyst; and Dave Silverman, Village Attorney.

RECOGNITIONS/APPOINTMENTS

D.1 Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce Hometown Expo Artist Award Recognitions

President Kauffman asked Karen Kulzer and Angie Hibben to come to the front. He read the write-up and Karen read off the name of each artist. Artists who were present came forward to receive their certificates. Karen noted there was 250 artist entries of mixed art; she thanked all the artists; pictures were taken.

D.2 Check Presentation to the Oswego Senior and Community Center

President Kauffman asked Michele Bergeron and Senior Center Board Member, Terry Olson, to come to the front. He presented them with a check from the Village for their capital project; pictures were taken. Michele thanked the Village Board on behalf of the Senior Center Board members; it is an honor to be part of the Village and provide our seniors with services.

D.3 Business of the Month Recognition - Fox Valley Winery, Inc.

Mike Faltz, his wife Leslie, and Dick Faltz could not attend due to an emergency. President Kauffman asked the employee of Fox Valley Winery, EDC members, and Kevin Leighty to come to the front. He read the write-up and presented her with the certificate. The employee thanked everyone for the recognition. Pictures were taken.

D.4 Proclamation- Earth Hour, March 22, 2025

President Kauffman read the proclamation.

PUBLIC FORUM

Public Forum was opened at 7:23 p.m.

Mona Herrada, owner of Freddie’s Off the Chain, addressed the Board regarding video gaming and her incentive agreement. She should not have to wait one-year to get a video gaming license because her application was submitted prior to the code change last year; she should be grandfathered; $40,000 was offered to her, she did not ask for $40,000; she had to pay $25,000 for the water main and put $629,000 into the building; brother has stage 4 cancer and it is the anniversary of her son’s death. Administrator Di Santo noted the incentive agreement item is on the agenda for later tonight.

There was no one else who requested to speak. The public forum was closed at 7:30 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

There were no staff reports.

CONSENT AGENDA

G.1 March 4, 2025 Committee of the Whole Minutes

G.2 March 4, 2025 Regular Village Board Minutes

G.3 March 4, 2025 Closed Session Minutes, Approve but Not Release

G.4 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Certificate of Authority to Purchase 1,800 Tons of Bulk Rock Salt Through the State of Illinois CY2025-2026 Rock Salt Contract Joint Purchasing Agreement.

G.5 Ordinance Allocating the 2025 Village of Oswego Volume Cap of $4,819,620 to Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority (UIRVDA).

G.6 Ordinance Amending Title 3 Chapter 7 and Title 3 Chapter 31; Decrease Class A-3 Liquor and Gaming License for JCR Gaming LLC, d.b.a. Players Corner Located at 3410 Orchard Road.

G.7 Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN) to Continue Membership and Future Participation to Receive and Provide Mutual Aid for Public Works Operations.

G.8 Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt, Illinois for Building Inspection and Plan Review Services.

G.9 Ordinance Granting a Variance to Section 8.605 of the Subdivision and Development Regulations to Eliminate the Curb and Gutter Requirements for the Proposed 23 Space Parking Lot Located at 2031 Farmington Lakes Drive, Oswegoland Park District.

G.10 Resolution to Ratify the Contract for the Purchase of Electricity for the Purposes of Village Facilities through the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) Bid Process.

G.11 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Baxter & Woodman, Inc., Crystal Lake, Illinois, in the Amount of $1,015,000.00 for Inspection Services Related to the Construction of Lake Michigan Water Receiving Stations; Subject to Attorney Review.

G.12 Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Stopping, Standing, Parking (Mailbox Parking).

A motion was made by Trustee McCarthy-Lange and seconded by Trustee Novy to approve the Consent Agenda; Approving the March 4, 2025 Committee of the Whole Minutes; Approving the March 4, 2025 Regular Village Board Minutes; Approving, but not Releasing the March 4, 2025 Closed Session Minutes and Approving the following ordinances and resolutions:

Ordinance No. 25-15; Ordinance Allocating the 2025 Village of Oswego Volume Cap of $4,819,620 to Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority (UIRVDA). Ordinance No. 25-16; Ordinance Amending Title 3 Chapter 7 and Title 3 Chapter 31; Decrease Class A-3 Liquor and Gaming License for JCR Gaming LLC, d.b.a. Players Corner Located at 3410 Orchard Road.

Ordinance No. 25-17; Ordinance Granting a Variance to Section 8.605 of the Subdivision and Development Regulations to Eliminate the Curb and Gutter Requirements for the Proposed 23 Space Parking Lot Located at 2031 Farmington Lakes Drive, Oswegoland Park District. Ordinance No. 25-18; Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Stopping, Standing, Parking (Mailbox Parking).

Resolution No. 25-R-41; Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Certificate of Authority to Purchase 1,800 Tons of Bulk Rock Salt Through the State of Illinois CY2025-2026 Rock Salt Contract Joint Purchasing Agreement.

Resolution No. 25-R-42; Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN) to Continue Membership and Future Participation to Receive and Provide Mutual Aid for Public Works Operations.

Resolution No. 25-R-43; Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt, Illinois for Building Inspection and Plan Review Services.

Resolution No. 25-R-44; Resolution to Ratify the Contract for the Purchase of Electricity for the Purposes of Village Facilities through the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) Bid Process.

Resolution No. 25-R-45; Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Baxter & Woodman, Inc., Crystal Lake, Illinois, in the Amount of $1,015,000.00 for Inspection Services Related to the Construction of Lake Michigan Water Receiving Stations; Subject to Attorney Review.

Aye: Tom Guist               Kit Kuhrt

Karin McCarthy-Lange   Karen Novy

Jennifer Jones Sinnott    Andrew Torres

Nay: None

The motion was declared carried by an omnibus roll call vote with six (6) aye votes and zero (0) nay votes.

BILL LIST

H.1 Approve Bill List Dated March 18, 2025, in the Amount of $2,391,052.57.

A motion was made by Trustee Jones Sinnott and seconded by Trustee Novy to approve the Bill List Dated March 18, 2025, in the Amount of $2,391,052.57.

Aye: Tom Guist               Kit Kuhrt

Karin McCarthy-Lange   Karen Novy

Jennifer Jones Sinnott    Andrew Torres

Nay: None

The motion was declared carried by a roll call vote with six (6) aye votes and zero (0) nay votes.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

J.1 Ordinance Amending Title 3 Chapter 31; Increase Class C Video Gaming License for Nash Vegas Saloon LLC, d.b.a. Nash Vegas Saloon Located at 61 S. Main St. No motion. Did not Pass.

Village Clerk, Touchette addressed the Board regarding a gaming license for Nash Vegas. In February 2024, the Board approved code amendments relating to video gaming. The amendment is related to the one-year waiting period for businesses to be open before they can apply for a gaming license. The owners of Nash Vegas and Freddie’s Off the Chain are here tonight to ask the Board to reconsider the one-year requirement for businesses located in the Downtown area. Mona Herrada spoke about gaming during public forum. The restaurant industry has historically operated on thin profit margins at a high rate of failure. Video gaming revenue can help offset a restaurant’s overall risk by providing them with an additional revenue source. Two options were provided to the Board:

1) Pass the ordinance granting a video gaming license for Nash Vegas, with an effective date of August 2, 2025.

OR

2) Direct staff to bring back a code amendment, at the April 8th meeting, to eliminate or reduce the one (1) year waiting period only for Downtown Oswego ancillary and not-for-profit establishments.

If choosing option 2, and based on direction from the Board, an ordinance granting a video gaming license for both Nash Vegas and Freddie’s Off the chain will also be presented for approval at the April 8th meeting.

Clerk Touchette asked Yonas Hagos to come forward to address the Board. Yonas stated: restaurants have been struggling; post-COVID we haven’t fully recovered; inflation, increase in labor wages; fighting chance is to get gaming; he understands why it passed but could get all the help he can get; please reconsider.

Board and staff discussed: no problem with the two options; gaming cafes and signage was the bigger concern; did a lot of negotiation; allow both businesses to get gaming and bring back a code amendment to eliminate or reduce the waiting period; Nash Vegas can get a gaming license in August 2025; gaming will eventually be online; revenues are going to drop; gaming at bars is a thing of opportunity; we don’t rely on gaming revenue; food industry is not doing well; helps the restaurant/bar industry in the TIF District; make an exception in the TIF District; already had one gaming café close; 6 month waiting period in the TIF District; grandfather Freddie’s Off the Chain; shouldn’t be wasting time talking about this; we had four meetings to discuss and compromise; can talk about exceptions; residents want to go to restaurants without gaming; frustrated this is coming up again; don’t see a reason to change; will consider a change for Freddie’s Off the Chain; received $605,000 in revenue from gaming last year; Yonas has more than proven he can be successful; bands and people coming from other communities; Delta Sonic is a destination; we compromised back then and shouldn’t be bringing this back; it’s irritating; Yonas opened knowing there was a one year waiting period; gaming cafes will all start shutting down and they will not reopen; only ones remaining will be destinations; not every restaurant wants gaming; the bars want them; shouldn’t be doing anything to limit gaming in the TIF; just because an ordinance was approved does not mean we cannot revisit; downtown is not significantly better than it was; it’s ok to reconsider; Naperville does not allow gaming and they have a thriving downtown and we don’t; another revenue stream for businesses; working with our business owners; any opportunity to help them, then we should; added benefit to have gaming; approving gaming licenses can help fill up our commercial spaces in the downtown; a few terminals in a restaurant/bar is not Las Vegas; location of gaming terminals in Nash Vegas; placement/location of terminals goes through an inspection process with the Village and State; have seen gaming terminals placed at the entrance which discourages families from going in the business; Nash Vegas has made a tremendous contribution to the downtown; gaming is another added benefit; amendment just for the TIF District and not the whole Village; when Tap House closed, their liquor and gaming license was decreased; difference between a gaming café versus a restaurant/bar; gaming cafes are not allowed in the TIF District; liquor classification dictates the type of business; the

April 8th Board meeting will have two new members; water rate discussion is scheduled for April 8th; grocery tax discussion is scheduled for April 22nd; no cap on ancillary or NFP; each request for a gaming license will come to the Board for approval; no distance requirements for ancillary and NFP; Nash Vegas is a for-profit business; number of liquor and gaming licenses available; six month period to verify their revenue; what happens if they cannot meet the revenue requirement; Board can decide whether to address the license; can’t say whether the one-year gaming requirement inhibits new businesses coming in; gaming is a common question from potential businesses and is a cause for concern. Board directed staff to bring an ordinance back to approve a gaming license for Freddie’s Off the Chain. There was no further discussion.

A motion was made by Trustee McCarthy-Lange and seconded by Trustee Novy to grant an Ordinance Amending Title 3 Chapter 31; Increase Class C Video Gaming License for Nash Vegas Saloon LLC, d.b.a. Nash Vegas Saloon Located at 61 S. Main St.

*This ordinance includes language for the license to not be effective until August 2025.

Aye: Karin McCarthy-Lange   Karen Novy

Andrew Torres

Nay: Tom Guist                      Kit Kuhrt

Jennifer Jones Sinnott           President Ryan Kauffman

The motion did not pass by a roll call vote with three (3) aye votes and four (4) nay votes.

Additional discussion included: staff to bring back a code amendment, at the April 8th meeting, to eliminate or reduce the one (1) year waiting period only for Downtown Oswego ancillary and not-for profit establishments.

A motion was made by Trustee Jones Sinnott and seconded by Trustee Guist to bring back a code amendment to reduce the one year waiting period for a video gaming license to six months for ancillary and NFP businesses in the TIF District.

Aye: Tom Guist                        Kit Kuhrt

Jennifer Jones Sinnott            President Ryan Kauffman

Nay: Karin McCarthy-Lange   Karen Novy

Andrew Torres

The motion was declared carried by a roll call vote with four (4) aye votes and three (3) nay votes.

J.2 Ordinance Approving the First Amendment to the Economic Incentive Agreement Between the Village of Oswego, Old Second Bank, and Freddie's Off the Chain Mexican Cuisine, Inc. Ordinance No. 25-20

Director Leighty addressed the Board regarding a first amendment to the incentive agreement with Freddie's Off the Chain. Freddie’s Off the Chain originally received a $20,000 grant award back in January 2021 to help offset the costs to extend the Village’s watermain to the property. The $20,000 grant was part of a larger deal where Freddie’s was responsible for paying $25,000 of the $53,810 required to complete the watermain extension work. The Village was responsible for the remaining $28,810 though the final cost for the project ended up being $76,895 which meant that the Village’s total contribution was $51,895. Combined with the grant, it represents a total incentive of $71,895. The watermain work was completed later on in 2021 and Freddie’s paid its share of $25,000. However, the grant award that was approved by the Village Board was never paid out as Freddie’s was required to obtain a full certificate of occupancy and open for business by June 1, 2021. After being delayed by extenuating circumstances, Freddie’s now has an anticipated opening of April 1, 2025 and requests that the Village Board amend the agreement to allow for reimbursement.

Additional Funding Request

Due to several unanticipated expenses from the lengthy buildout process, the owner of Freddie’s is also requesting up to an additional $20,000 in grant funds, for a grand total of $40,000. At the time of their original grant approval, only $20,000 was remaining in the fund after Tap House received $20,000 for internal renovations in 2021. If the full $40,000 had been available to Freddie’s when they applied, they would have been able to receive the full amount since many of their project costs were eligible expenses under the program. The ordinance and amended agreement in this agenda are for reimbursement of the original $20,000 that Freddie’s received in 2021. If the Village Board agrees to provide additional funding, staff will work with the applicant to review its past and future project expenses to determine how much funding they are eligible for. Staff will then bring an additional application and incentive agreement for consideration at a future Board meeting.

Board and staff discussed: if she is eligible and qualifies, she should get it; the owner will apply for the additional $20,000; staff will need to the see the project expenses; bringing back for additional money and going through the review process. There was no further discussion.

A motion was made by Trustee Guist and seconded by Trustee Torres to approve an Ordinance Approving the First Amendment to the Economic Incentive Agreement Between the Village of Oswego, Old Second Bank, and Freddie's Off the Chain Mexican Cuisine, Inc.

Aye: Tom Guist                Kit Kuhrt

Karin McCarthy-Lange    Karen Novy

Jennifer Jones Sinnott     Andrew Torres

Nay: None

The motion was declared carried by a roll call vote with six (6) aye votes and zero (0) nay vote.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

Trustee Jones Sinnott- Happy Birthday Tina Touchette; Springfield DriveDown was very good with positive conversations; appreciate being able to take the time and opportunity to represent Oswego; need to continue with positive momentum; great feedback.

Trustee Kuhrt-glad we got to do the Public Works building it’s been a long time; they are out of room and the equipment is rotting; Happy Birthday Tina Touchette; went to Springfield; good meetings; tried to get money for Route 30; went to a lot of meetings and learned about online gambling; gaming dens will close; I don’t have many meetings left on the Board.

Trustee Novy- Happy Birthday Tina Touchette; enjoyed Board on Your Block; excited about the Senior Center getting money; congratulations to the artists; looking forward to Freddie’s Off the Chain opening.

Trustee Torres- Happy Birthday Tina Touchette; congratulations to the artists and Fox Valley Winery; my mom’s birthday is today; Public Works building is exciting; staff deserves awards every day; great discussions tonight; Wine on the Fox is May 3rd.

Trustee McCarthy-Lange- thank you to Karen Kulzer and Angie Hibben for the show; love that we recognize the artwork and talent; congratulations to Fox Valley Winery; glad we could present a check to the Senior Center; we help them annually and now through the capital project; good turnout at Board on Your Block; sorry I missed the DriveDown; attended the groundbreaking yesterday at the Reserve at Hudson Crossing North; it was very windy; excited about additional residents.

Trustee Guist- congratulations to the Senior Center; they must be close to reaching their capital goal; community engagement unit was at the Senior Center for bingo and the PD did a session on scams; kudos to them; Happy Birthday Tina Touchette- Kurt Russel and Rob Lowe also have birthdays today.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Happy Birthday Tina Touchette; we love you and thank you for everything you do; went to the Springfield DriveDown; happy the LGDF funds are remaining status quo; appreciate our elected officials for attending; kudos to Metro West; excited about getting a Public Works facility with current funds and not adding more debt; amazing work by Village staff; looking forward to Freddie’s Off the Chain opening on April 1st; congratulations to the art winners including Mia Lange; congratulations to Fox Valley Winery and as a wonderful addition to our downtown; hosting the next Community Kauffee at Fox Valley Winery on April 12th at 8:30a.m.; subject will be water.

CLOSED SESSION

There was no closed session.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Trustee Jones Sinnott and seconded by Trustee McCarthy-Lange to adjourn the meeting; upon a voice vote with all remaining members voting aye, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

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