Oswego Village Board Regular Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Oswego Village Board held its regular meeting on May 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Oswego Village Hall. Village President Coffin presided. Trustees Cooper, Hughes, McCarthy Lang, Novi, and Torres were present; one trustee, identified in the transcript as "Trustee Connects," was absent. The board conducted recognitions and appointments, approved the consent agenda and bill list, and approved an economic incentive agreement for a new restaurant tenant.

Recognitions and Appointments

• The board issued a proclamation designating May 20, 2026, as National Rescue Dog Day. The proclamation cited ASPCA estimates that about 3.3 million dogs arrive at U.S. shelters each year.
• Anthony DeNatale was sworn in as a police sergeant after nearly ten years with the department, including service as a field training officer, juvenile officer, and acting sergeant, among other roles.
• Andrzej "Andy" Szwajnos was sworn in as a patrol officer. He is 26, a Marine Corps veteran, and will wear badge number 99, the last double-digit badge in the department.
• Ruby, a student, was recognized for winning first place in the 3D art category, grades 9–12, at the Hometown Expo art competition for a popsicle-stick treehouse inspired by family camping trips.
• The board recognized Discovery Inspection Services as Business of the Month, as acknowledged in trustee comments.
• The board issued a D-Day 2026 proclamation marking June 6, 2026, as a day of remembrance on the 82nd anniversary of the Normandy invasion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The public forum was opened and closed with no members of the public speaking.

Consent Calendar

Trustees approved the consent agenda 5-0. Items included:

• May 5, 2026, Committee of the Whole and Regular Village Board minutes.
• An ordinance revoking Ordinance 26-07 and approving the intergovernmental planning and boundary agreement between the Village of Oswego and the United City of Yorkville.
• A path and utility easement agreement at Ashcroft Place Unit 3 and Traughber Junior High School.
• Annexation of territory east of the future Douglas Road extension and south of Wolf Road (Avanterra).
• A five-year Motorola Solutions agreement for three M500 in-car video systems at a total cost of $29,700.
• Annexations at Wolf's Crossing Road and Douglas Road, including 1116 Wolf's Crossing Road and the northeast corner of Wolf's Crossing Road and Douglas Road.
• Final PUD and subdivision plat for Polo Crossing Phase 1, allowing 200 single-unit attached dwelling units in the R-4 district.
• Initial acceptance of Sonoma Trails Phase 1 earthwork and reduction of project surety, effective May 26, 2026.
• A permanent easement to the DuPage Water Commission for Lake Michigan meter stations.
• An agreement with Metropolitan Alliance of Police Oswego Chapter No. 516 and renewal of the municipal electrical aggregation program.

Bill List

• The board approved the May 26, 2026, bill list in the amount of $1,690,474.71.

New Business: Billy Bricks Economic Incentive Agreement

• Economic Development Director Kevin Lighty presented a request from Billy Bricks of Oswego LLC, the signed tenant at 5 South Madison Street. The applicant requested the maximum $40,000 grant and a $232,716 loan.
• The total project cost is about $545,432 to convert the former Keith's Car Care/service station into a restaurant, including build-out, walk-in cooler, HVAC, alarm system, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, flooring, and concrete work.
• Landlord Fox Metro will spend approximately $130,000 for fire sprinklers and a grease trap, bringing total investment to roughly $675,000.
• The loan would be for 10 years at 3% interest, backed by cash/savings, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and a personal guaranty from owner/manager Rick Gruber Jr. Staff reviewed tax returns, proformas, and sales estimates.
• Staff said the revolving loan fund had approximately $248,000 and would drop to less than $10,000 after this loan, with the ability to replenish from the general fund and monthly repayments. Prevailing wages are required under the grant program.
• Rick Gruber Jr. said landlord work had not started because Fox Metro was re-running cameras; he estimated 3–4 weeks of landlord work, about a month of plumbing, and another 8–12 weeks of remaining work, with a hoped-for opening by September or October 2026.
• The site will also include Mojo's, a sister ice cream brand, in a separate entrance, and Gruber planned food-truck presence at community events, except Prairie Fest because his company closes on Father's Day weekend. Several trustees welcomed the investment and praised the applicant's community involvement.

Trustee Reports

• Trustees thanked staff for transparent financial reporting, praised the Memorial Day parade and American Legion Post 675, highlighted that 16.4 million Americans served in World War II and fewer than 45,000 are still alive, shared personal rescue-dog stories, and welcomed the new police officers and Billy Bricks.

President's Report

• President Coffin thanked the American Legion and Chris Kearns for the Memorial Day parade and shared a family story about his wife's grandfather, a WWII prisoner of war.
• He reported on the ICSC conference, with 21 meetings over two days (15 on the first day and 6 on the second), saying developers described Oswego as "very, very hot" and noting that commercial development follows residential growth.
• He announced the second annual Canines & Cops adoption event on May 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oswego Police Department, with five rescues, four pet-related businesses, comfort dogs, K9s, and Dilla Dogs. He also congratulated Deputy Chief Drew Santa on graduating from Northwestern Command School.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 5-0, with the absent trustee not voting.
• Bill list totaling $1,690,474.71 approved.
• Economic incentive agreement approved 5-0: $40,000 grant and $232,716 loan at 3% for 10 years to Billy Bricks of Oswego LLC / EJ Vision LLC for 5 S. Madison Street.
• Recognitions, proclamations, and oaths of office were made as listed above.