Regular Village Board Meeting - July 15, 2025
Regular Village Board Meeting - July 15, 2025
The Village Board of Oswego held a regular meeting on July 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Key actions included approval of the consent agenda, a presentation on the countywide crime suppression detail, unanimous approval of two downtown economic incentive agreements (Bay 54 cocktail lounge and Taco Dale Cantina), and authorization of a comprehensive plan update contract with the Lakota Group. The meeting also featured the swearing-in of a new patrol officer and a certificate of recognition for a public works technician.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved Committee of the Whole minutes (June 24, 2025), Regular Village Board minutes (June 24, 2025), and Closed Session minutes (June 24, 2025, approved but not released).
- G.4: Resolution approving changes to the Economic Development Incentive Award (EDIA) eligibility and program criteria.
- G.5: Ordinance amending multiple sections of the Subdivision and Development Control Regulations.
- G.6: Ordinance granting a variance for a six-foot privacy fence at 107 N. Madison Street.
- G.7: Ordinance granting a Major Planned Unit Development amendment for the MJR Oswego development (Candy Cloud) at 2830-2834 US Route 34.
- All consent items were approved unanimously via roll call.
Recognitions & Appointments
- Oath of Office: Patrol Officer Selim Smlatic was sworn in. He is 26 years old, a Batavia High School graduate, and previously worked as a videographer. His badge number is 97.
- Certificate of Recognition: Joe McGillis, Public Works Technician, was recognized for his positive attitude, energy, and willingness to assist since his hire date of July 1, 2014.
- Business of the Month: Imagination Print & Design was recognized (noted on agenda but not discussed in the transcript).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during Public Forum; it was closed after a brief pause.
Staff Reports
- Crime Suppression Detail (F.1): Chief Aston and Undersheriff Bobby Richardson presented a multi-agency task force operating since early summer. Key statistics (countywide, task force only):
- 816 traffic stops
- 544 citations written
- 181 individuals arrested (arrestable offenses)
- 80 gang contacts (certified gang members)
- 187 search vehicles
- 5 DUIs
- 619 grams of cannabis, 3.2 grams of cocaine, and crack cocaine seized
- Firearms and stolen vehicles (including a re-vined Jeep) recovered
- Agencies involved: Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Oswego PD, Montgomery PD, Illinois State Police, KCPAT (undercover), and CIT (overt team).
- The task force uses overtime funding and has been described as a "force multiplier." Officials noted the operation has led to a relatively quiet summer and deterrence of gang activity. Future continuation depends on budget evaluation.
New Business
- J.1 – A2T Hospitality (Bay 54) at 57 Main Street: Owner Dan Thomas proposed a cocktail lounge in the former Bike Rack space. The project includes $142,000 in improvements (plumbing, ADA chairlift, second egress, bathroom renovations). The incentive package includes a grant and a $32,000 loan backed by a personal guarantee. The concept is a warm, lounge-style venue with eventual second-phase expansion upstairs (up to 60 additional seats). Opening targeted for late September/early October 2025. The board expressed strong support. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
- J.2 – Taco Dale Cantina at 123 Washington Street: Owner Ilda Rodriguez proposed a higher-end Mexican-American concept with a full bar, replacing the former Tap House Grill. Total project cost ~$63,500; requesting ~$22,000 in grant funding for signage and a new walk-in cooler (instead of using the basement cooler). Trustee Cooper raised concerns about redundancy with other Mexican restaurants and prior village investment in the building. After discussion and clarification that the concept is distinct (dine-in, catering, American options), the board supported the incentive. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
- J.3 – Comprehensive Plan Update Contract with Lakota Group: Staff recommended switching consultants after the previous contractor’s approach was deemed unsatisfactory. The new contract with Lakota Group is for $173,752. Subcontractor SB Friedman (economic analysis) will continue. Lakota President Scott Furratt emphasized community engagement by going to events (festivals, churches, schools) rather than holding public meetings. The board expressed disappointment in the prior consultant but supported moving forward. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved as read.
- Bill List: Approved for $4,705,583.32.
- J.1 (Bay 54 Incentive): Ordinance approved (unanimous).
- J.2 (Taco Dale Cantina Incentive): Ordinance approved (unanimous).
- J.3 (Comprehensive Plan Contract): Resolution approved (unanimous).
- Crime Suppression Detail: Board members praised the initiative; Trustee Novi indicated willingness to discuss additional funding at the October budget meeting.
- Trustee Reports: Covered recognition of events (run/walk/ruck, softball game, cultural arts commission, sidewalk sale, school district easement for water main extension). President Kaufman highlighted the importance of community input for the comprehensive plan and noted upcoming events (park district ribbon cutting July 28).
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
For which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Joe. And thank you for your service. All right, roll call, please. President Kaufman. Here. Trusty Cooper. Here. Trustee Hughes? Here. Trusty Koenig. Here. Trusty McCarthy Lang. Here. Trusty Novi. Here. Trustee Torres, absent. All right, up next we have some uh recognitions and appointments. And first up, we have the oath of office for Salim Slotik. If I could have uh Salim and uh Chief Baston and members of our police commission come join us down front. Welcome. We have a swearing in, Salim Smalatic. Um also here tonight we have our police commission as usual, who have done a great job of going through the process of hiring police officers like Salim so that we can fill our roles with really good candidates. So a kudos to them and everything they do. Um Salim is here tonight with his mother Aliza, his father Brian, and his girlfriend Jessica, and he brought somebody from the Aurora Police Department. Um I've already offered a lateral transfer application for him, so we'll see how that works out. Uh Salim is twenty-six years old. He was born in Chicago, but he uh was raised in Iowa until moving back at about fifteen years old. He went to Batavia High School. He has also attended COD, which is good because that's where we're sending him back for the police academy, so you'll know your way around campus, hopefully. Uh he most recently worked as a videographer, converting old video into new digital media. That must have been interesting. Um we don't have any old video for you to do. That won't be part of your new job. Um we've got a lot of new digital media though. All right. Uh Salim is very excited about starting his career in law enforcement. He enjoys travel, spending time with his family. He's a Bears fan and a Cubs fan, which is good. There's a lot of Bears and Cubs fans here. So uh his badge number is going to be ninety-seven. And Mr. President, would you like to swear him in? Salim. Please raise your right hand. I Salim Smalotic. Hi, Salim Smaltic. Having been hired to the position of patrol officer in the village of Oswego. Have been hired as the position of patrol officer in Oswego. In the counties of Kendall and Will, Illinois.
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