Oswego Village Board Regular Meeting – April 22, 2025
Oswego Village Board Regular Meeting – April 22, 2025
The Village of Oswego held its regular board meeting on April 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Oswego Village Hall. The meeting included recognitions, public comments, a consent agenda, discussion of a trespass ordinance, and a concept plan review for the proposed Jade Estates development. Trustees thanked outgoing members and staff, and several proclamations were issued.
Consent Calendar
- Approved consent agenda items (G1–G3, G5–G11) unanimously, with G4 pulled for separate discussion.
- G1: April 8 Committee of the Whole minutes.
- G2: April 8 regular board minutes.
- G3: Closed session minutes approved and not released.
- G5: Ordinance amending liquor license for Floral Expressions & Gifts at 26 Main Street (increase Class H).
- G6: Work order with Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for water distribution system model and transition plan Phase 1 ($138,500).
- G7: Ordinance establishing a four-way stop at Fifth Street & Bluegrass Parkway.
- G8: Traffic signal maintenance agreement with Meade Electric Company, Inc. ($52,903.48).
- G9: Variance for chain-link fence at 429 Main Street.
- G10: Reduction of surety bond for Sonoma Trails Phase 1 to $3,925,648.65.
- G11: Addendum to professional services agreement with Azavar Government Solutions.
- Bill list approved in the amount of $11,725,857.93.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Russ Petro Yak spoke about historical designation for a property at 100 Parkers Mill. He noted it is a fifth-generation family home since 1929 and argued that allowing a change in the 1.5-mile rule for historic districts would not increase taxes. He petitioned the board to create a motion enabling incorporation.
- Russell [last name not stated] addressed the Jade Estates concept plan (Item J1). He noted the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) had unanimously recommended against the original proposal and expressed agreement with concerns about density (6–7 units/acre vs. current comp plan of 2–3), access points, private streets, and lack of connectivity. He urged the board to send any substantial changes back to the PZC for public input, warning that bypassing the commission would undermine the process. He also encouraged integrating rain barrels and water conservation into new developments.
Discussion Items
- G4 – Trespass Ordinance (pulled from consent): Police Chief explained the ordinance primarily addresses unauthorized fishing in HOA-owned ponds, which causes erosion and equipment damage. The current state statute requires a complainant for enforcement, often unavailable during work hours. The new ordinance allows officers to take immediate action when signs are posted. Trustee Kirk raised concerns about children receiving tickets, but the Chief noted most violators are adults and the ordinance does not remove officers' discretion to give warnings. Homeowner confederations have expressed support. The ordinance was later approved unanimously.
- J1 – Jade Estates Concept Plan: Applicant David Dorgan and Ram Prashata presented a revised plan for 56 duplex units on an 8-acre parcel (from a 10-acre site; 2 acres dedicated for Wolfs Crossing/Douglas Road roundabout). Units would be 1,800–2,000 sq. ft., with first-floor bedroom options, targeting empty nesters at a price point of $390,000–$420,000. They lowered density from 66 to 56 units, made streets public except one short private section (which they agreed to try to convert), and pulled homes back from Douglas Road. They apologized for missing the PZC meeting, citing a still-evolving plan. Trustees expressed concerns: density (previous plan had 52 units for townhomes), preference for all public roads, and desire for higher-quality design. Trustee Geist noted he had received more resident feedback on this than any issue in two years. The board did not approve or deny the concept plan; instead, the applicant was directed to continue working with staff and present a revised plan to the PZC on May 8, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the trespass ordinance (G4) unanimously.
- Approved the consent agenda (as modified) and bill list.
- No action taken on Jade Estates; concept plan will be refined and go back to the PZC on May 8, 2025.
- Entered closed session for litigation, personnel, collective bargaining, and property matters; returned and adjourned.
- Recognized outgoing trustees Kit Kurt, Jennifer Jones, and Tom Geist for their service.
- Issued proclamations: Building Safety Month, Frontline Worker Appreciation Month, Mental Health Month, Motorcycle Awareness Month, National Historic Preservation Month, Rain Barrel Month, Drinking Water Week, National Small Business Week, Professional Municipal Clerks Week, and Public Service Recognition Week.
- Recognized Pam's Boutique as Business of the Month for April 2025, celebrating 40 years in business.
Meeting Transcript
Our regular village board meeting, we're going to call that to order this evening. We have Tina Tichet leading us in tonight's Pledge of Allegiance. So if you'll all please rise and join Tina for the Pledge of Allegiance. Hi. For which it stands. One nation. Under God. Liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Tina. President Kaufman. Here. Trustee Geist. Present. Trustee Kirk. Present. Trustee McCarthy Lang. President. Trustee Novi. Present Trustee Torres. Present. Trustee Jones Senate. Absent. All right. First up, we have some recognitions and appointments. We have our business of the rec business of the month recognition. If I could have uh the member representatives from Pam's boutique, Pam and the EDC members and Kevin Lighty come to the front and join me. I would like to extend our congratulations to Pam's Boutique for being featured as the Economic Development Commission's Business of the Month for April. Each month. Sure, yeah. Feel the love. Each month, the economic development commissioners nominate and vote on a business to feature, which has demonstrated significant involvement in the Oswego community. This month features Pam's Boutique, which is owned and operated by Pam Weaver. A large part of the reason why the Economic Development Commission chose to feature Pam's Boutique this month is because Pam will be celebrating 40 impressive years in business, two days from now on April 24th. In all of that time, Pam's Boutique has been a mainstay in downtown Oswego at 19 Jefferson Street, directly across from the Oswego library. In her first week of business, Pam serviced 18 clients, which has now grown to s grown any to anywhere from 70 to 100 each week. Pam's Boutique offers a wide variety of services, including haircuts, styles, perms, and color treatments. Over the years, Pam has built a talented team of stylists who have contributed significantly to the boutique's success, including Diana, who joined the team in 1986. And Jenny, who has been with this boutique for 28 years. And Jennifer, who is celebrating her tenth anniversary this year. Congratulations on those anniversaries, by the way. Pam's boutique is proud to serve fourth generation clients, a testament to the trust and loyalty it has garnered over the years. Pam is joined in this celebration by her husband, Jerry Weaver. Both Pam and Jerry are longtime Oswego residents, having been born and raised in the Oswego area. In addition to all its years of being in business, Pam's Boutique has also been a regular contributor to different civic organizations. They have donated raffle baskets to the Oswego Lands Senior Center and regularly participate in various holiday food and toy drives. So I ask you please to join me once again in congratulating Pam's Boutique for being the April 2025 business of the month and thanking them for all of the contributions they have made and continue to make to our community. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations again, fam. Next up, we have National Small Business Week, and I believe Angie is going to come forward and uh and join me for this one.
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