Village of Oswego Regular Board Meeting - April 8, 2025

The Oswego Village Board held a regular meeting on April 8, 2025, beginning at 7:00 PM. The meeting included numerous recognitions, proclamations, appointments, a detailed water rate study presentation and discussion, approval of several consent agenda items, and action on old and new business items including video gaming code amendments, a gaming license for Nash Vegas Saloon, a second economic incentive amendment for Freddie's Off the Chain, and a redevelopment agreement amendment and economic incentive agreement for a Dunkin' at Route 71 and Washington Street.

Recognitions and Appointments

• Oath of Office: Dylan Voitik was sworn in as a Police Officer for the Village.
• Proclamations: The Board issued proclamations honoring Jennifer Hughes on her retirement as Public Works Director/Village Engineer, recognizing April as Military Child Month, encouraging teenage girls to participate in sports (highlighting Oswego's inaugural girls flag football season), designating April 13-19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 22 as Earth Day, and April 25 as Arbor Day.
• Employee Service Awards: Rebecca Lambert (Police Department) and Andrew Yeun (IT/GIS) were recognized for five years of service.
• Appointments: The Board approved reappointments and appointments to various boards and commissions: Adjudication Officer (Richard Warner, Linda Salfisberg), Economic Development Commission (Terry Anderson, Andy Clements, Raphael Obafemi, Laura Witt), Historic Preservation Commission (Subash George, Mary Murray, Kevin Zentner), Planning & Zoning Commission (David Rood), Police Commission Board (William Burnette), Police Pension Board (Andrea Lamberg), and Staff Appointment (Phil Tartaglia as Village Engineer). All appointments were approved by roll call vote (6-0).

Consent Calendar

The Board approved the Consent Agenda (Items G1 through G15) by a single motion and roll call vote (6-0), including:

• Approval of March 18, 2025 Committee of the Whole and Regular Village Board minutes.
• Ordinance adopting the official Village Zoning Map.
• Ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
• Ordinance authorizing disposal of surplus equipment (lawn mower, snowblower).
• Resolution authorizing Task Order No. 1 with Strand Associates for Main Street Watermain Replacement design ($335,900).
• Resolution accepting public improvements for Whitetail Ridge Golf Dome and releasing surety.
• Ordinance increasing Class A-2 video gaming license for Freddie's Off the Chain.
• Resolution amending the Personnel Policy.
• Ordinance approving an IEPA loan.
• Resolution for IT/SCADA support agreement with Concentric Integration.
• Resolution accepting public improvements for Emblem Subdivision.
• Two resolutions for Wolfs Crossing Watermain Construction (Douglas Segment) – contract with J&S Construction ($2,453,486.62) and construction management with V3 Companies ($166,516.12).
• Resolution accepting public improvements for 1925/1945 Wiesbrook Drive Self Storage Facility.

Bill List

The Board approved the Bill List dated April 8, 2025, in the amount of $1,369,042.77 by roll call vote (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the Public Forum.

Discussion Items

Water and Sewer Rate Study

Finance Director Andrea Lambert and Mark Seifert of Baxter & Woodman presented an update on water and sewer rates. The presentation outlined three scenarios to fund capital projects including the Lake Michigan connection, with costs increasing from $92.5 million (2023 estimate) to $130.1 million. Key assumptions included a $60 million WIFIA loan, two geo bonds ($20M and $16M), and a $15.5 million IEPA loan. The scenarios differed in the inclusion of grocery tax revenue and the structure of fixed fee increases (gradual vs. deferred large increases). Board members expressed preferences: several favored gradual increases (scenario three) over deferred spikes, and a majority indicated they did not want to retain the local grocery tax for water funding. Staff received direction to bring back more detailed data on tap-on fee increases (proposed from $2,200 to at least $5,000, possibly higher) and to refine the rate study further. No vote was taken; the discussion was for guidance.

Old Business

• Video Gaming Code Amendment (I1): An ordinance amending Title 3 Chapter 31 to decrease the one-year waiting period for ancillary/non-profit establishments in the TIF district to six months was approved by a vote of 4-3 (Trustees McCarthy Lang, Novi, Torres no; President Kaufman yes).
• Nash Vegas Saloon Gaming License (I2): Staff recommended approval of a Class C video gaming license for Nash Vegas Saloon LLC, located at 61 Main Street, after the six-month waiting period under the new code amendment. The license was approved by a vote of 4-3 (same split as I1: McCarthy Lang, Novi, Torres no; President Kaufman yes). Some trustees expressed concern about the location of gaming machines in a family-friendly area.
• Freddie's Off the Chain Second Amendment (I3): An ordinance approving a second amendment to the economic incentive agreement with Freddie's Off the Chain Mexican Cuisine, Inc., providing an additional $20,000 grant (total $40,000) for eligible expenses related to outdoor seating and building improvements, was approved unanimously (6-0). The incentive balance remaining is approximately $61,395.

New Business

• HD 71 LLC – Dunkin' (J1): Two ordinances were considered: (a) First Amendment to a Redevelopment Agreement to extend permit deadlines due to delays in IDOT approval (permits now due July 8, 2025; construction completion by March 31, 2026), and (b) an Economic Incentive Agreement providing up to $100,000 over 10 years (100% of state-shared sales tax for first three years, then 75% and 50% in subsequent years) to offset extraordinary costs for stormwater detention and IDOT-related work. After discussion about the site's history and the incentive structure, the ordinances were approved by a vote of 5-1 (Trustee Geist opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: All consent agenda items, bill list, appointments, proclamations, and employee service awards were approved.
• Water Rates: Staff will bring back revised rate study data, including higher tap-on fee options and refined scenario impacts, with an ordinance anticipated in November for January 2026 implementation.
• Video Gaming Code: Passed with 4-3 vote, reducing waiting period from 12 to 6 months in TIF district for ancillary/non-profit establishments.
• Nash Vegas Gaming License: Passed with 4-3 vote.
• Freddie's Incentive: Unanimously approved additional $20,000.
• Dunkin' Development: Approved by 5-1 vote; redevelopment agreement amendment and incentive agreement adopted.
• Closed Session: The Board moved into closed session at approximately 9:40 PM for pending litigation, personnel, collective bargaining, and property matters. No action was taken after closed session.