East Central Reporter

Village of Montgomery Board of Trustees met Feb. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. President Brolley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. Roll Call

Trustee Matt Bauman Yea

Trustee Steve Jungermann Yea

Trustee Ben Brzoska Yea

Trustee Doug Marecek Yea

Trustee Dan Gier Yea

Trustee Theresa Sperling Yea

Village Clerk Debbie Buchanan Yea

Also present: Village Administrator Jeff Zoephel, Assistant Village Administrator Meghan Ostreko, Engineer Peter Wallers, Engineer Chris Ott, Director of Community Development Sonya Abt, Director of Public Works Mark Wolf, Director of Finance Jennifer Milewski, Chief Phil Smith, Manager Patrick Burke, and guests.

III. Public Participation

A. Public Comment. None.

B. Proclamation for National Athletic Training Month. Trustee Bauman read the proclamation. Trustee Sperling moved to approve, seconded by Trustee Bauman. Motion carried by voice vote. Some members of OATS were present and took a photo with President Brolley.

C. Introduction of Lindsay Laurie. Director Abt introduced Lindsay Laurie, GIS Specialist, who started work in August 2024 to bring GIS services in-house.

D. Introduction of MyMontgomery. Lindsay Laurie demonstrated the MyMontgomery GIS website that will allow people to look up addresses and view various maps to find out what school district, garbage day, etc. is associated with that address. Director Abt said front line staff can use this tool as well. Trustee Bauman suggested that state representatives also be added to the website.

IV. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of February 10, 2025, Village Board Meeting.

B. Accounts Payable Summary Report through February 24th, 2025, in the Amount of $900,378.29.

C. Refuse Report January 2025

D. Reappointment of Marion Bond to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Trustee Brzoska moved to approve Items A-D of the Consent Agenda, seconded by Trustee Jungermann.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling, Trustee Bauman, Trustee Jungermann and Trustee Marecek voting yea.

V. Items for Separate Action

A. Ordinance 2118 Authorizing Series 2025 Debt Certificates $29.5M (First Reading).

Director Milewski explained this relates to funding for the Lake Michigan water project and will fund the transmission line construction. The budget will be amended to allow the Village to close on March 11th. There is a prepayment option with no prepayment penalty. Director Milewski said that once the Village has a longer-term funding arrangement, these debt certificates would be paid off.

B. Ordinance 2119 Amending Chapters 1 (General Provisions), 2 (Administration) and 20 (Water and Sewer) of the Village Code of Ordinances (First Reading).

Director Milewski reviewed that at the January 27th Board Meeting, EEI presented the water rate study and recommendations. These chapters have been updated with those changes and other updates, which she reviewed. New water rates will not take effect until May 1st. Trustee Gier asked about leaks on private water mains. Director Milewski said they will check into it and include that.

C. Approval of a Legal Services Agreement Between the Village of Montgomery and ZRFM, LLC.

Administrator Zoephel said the law firm previously used by the Village no longer does municipal practice, so the Village put out an RFQ and staff is recommending ZRFM for legal services. Staff also recommends continuing to use Sergio Galindo to handle Community Development and Police violations and fines as a subcontractor.

Trustee Bauman moved to approve a Legal Services Agreement Between the Village of Montgomery and ZRFM, LLC, seconded by Trustee Brzoska.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Bauman, Trustee Jungermann Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, and Trustee Sperling voting yea.

D. Approval of a Legal Services Agreement Between the Village of Montgomery and Sergio Galindo.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve a Legal Services Agreement Between the Village of Montgomery and Sergio Galindo, seconded by Trustee Gier.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling, Trustee Bauman and Trustee Jungermann voting yea.

E. Sole Source Purchase: Water Meter Replacement Program/ Meter and MXU Purchase.

Director Wolf stated that as part of the Village’s Non-Revenue Water Loss reduction, one project was meter replacement which started in 2021 and is still continuing. This request is for 750 water meters and MXUs. It is waiver of bid since they are the sole source of this product. The Village still has 308 in stock and the plan is to replace 1,000 by the end of this fiscal year. At the start of the year the company will issue a new price sheet and then staff will map out the program for next year.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Sole Source Purchase: Water Meter Replacement Program/ Meter and MXU Purchase, seconded by Trustee Bauman.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling, Trustee Bauman and Trustee Jungermann voting yea.

F. Resolution 2025-005 Approving a Site Lease Agreement Between the Village and Tri Com Central Dispatch.

Director Wolf explained this is a housekeeping item. Tri Com currently has equipment on the Fairfield water tank, and this will formalize that agreement. There is no other leased equipment there.

Trustee Gier moved to approve Resolution 2025-005 Approving a Site Lease Agreement Between the Village and Tri-Com Central Dispatch, seconded by Trustee Sperling.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling, Trustee Bauman, Trustee Jungermann, Trustee Marecek and Trustee Brzoska voting yea.

G. Ordinance 2115 Granting a Special Use for Utility and Related Variations (Northeast Corner of Goodwin Drive and Hill Avenue – Village of Montgomery) (Second Reading).

Director Abt noted a Special Use and variances for height are needed for the receiving station. At the last meeting, concerns were expressed about nearby residential properties. Trustees also asked about elevations of the building, and those will come to the Board for approval. Trustee Sperling asked and Director Wolf stated he talked to the resident who came to the previous meeting and he knew this was on tonight’s agenda. Administrator Zoephel said EEI is looking at options for diameter and height and will make a recommendation. Engineer Ott said the drawing shows a footprint of the largest diameter probable. Engineer Wallers said part of the discussion will be hydraulics from DWC to determine what needs to be built. The design and size of the building will be brought back to the Board.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Ordinance 2115 Granting a Special Use for Utility and Related Variations (Northeast Corner of Goodwin Drive and Hill Avenue – Village of Montgomery) (Second Reading), seconded by Trustee Gier.

5 Yea. 1 No. Motion carried. Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling and Trustee Bauman voting yea. Trustee Jungermann voting no.

H. Ordinance 2116 Granting a Special Use for Utility and Related Variations (Galena Road Adjacent to Oswego Fire Protection District Station #3 – Village of Montgomery) (Second Reading).

Director Abt noted that this is similar to Item G but for the west side receiving station which will be on Galena Road. President Brolley asked if the Village will own the building. Engineer Ott said the Village will own one and DWC will own the other. President Brolley asked if there are any concerns being so close to the Fire Department and Engineer Ott said no, it will be far enough from the property line.

Trustee Gier moved to approve Ordinance 2116 Granting a Special Use for Utility and Related Variations (Galena Road Adjacent to Oswego Fire Protection District Station #3 – Village of Montgomery) (Second Reading), seconded by Trustee Bauman.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling, Trustee Bauman, Trustee Jungermann Trustee Marecek and Trustee Brzoska voting yea.

I. Ordinance 2117 Terminating Village of Montgomery Special Service Area No. 26 (Aurora Faith Center Backup SSA – Kane County) and Repealing Ordinance No. 1230 (Second Reading).

Director Abt stated nothing new since last meeting.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Ordinance 2117 Terminating Village of Montgomery Special Service Area No. 26 (Aurora Faith Center Backup SSA – Kane County) and Repealing Ordinance No. 1230 (Second Reading), seconded by Trustee Bauman.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling, Trustee Bauman and Trustee Jungermann voting yea.

J. Resolution 2025-006 Approving the Reduction of Performance Security (Montgomery Place Apartments).

Director Abt said the one-year maintenance period for public improvements has been completed. EEI has inspected and the remaining items have been addressed. Staff recommends that bonds be reduced for public improvements and landscaping for the area. Four more buildings will be completed in the spring and they will ask to fully release the bonds after that.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Resolution 2025-006 Approving the Reduction of Performance Security (Montgomery Place Apartments), seconded by Trustee Bauman.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling, Trustee Bauman and Trustee Jungermann voting yea.

VI. Items for Discussion

A. Fiscal Year 2026 Budget – General Fund.

Director Milewski reviewed revenues from various sources anticipated for FY 2026 for the Village, as well as expenditures by department. She discussed how the budget is aligned with the strategic plan and reported on progress on various goals. Additional funds will be discussed in upcoming meetings.

Trustee Jungermann said he would like to receive the budget binder sooner instead of the day of the budget meeting. He also would like to see Manager Burke go to the Las Vegas show this year, and wants Concerts in the Park added to the budget. Trustee Sperling noted Manager Burke is going to the show in Chicago this year. Trustee Bauman agrees Trustees need the budget binders sooner, and said the Village needs to prioritize and budget for Manager Burke to attend the retail trade shows. He agrees that Concerts in the Park are important for the downtown area. Trustee Gier agrees, and said economic development is his priority. Trustee Marecek said the trade show is critical and staff should be able to put together a fantastic marketing piece on the Village and use it there. President Brolley pointed out that Montgomery relies heavily on sales taxes, which is why the Board is so focused on bringing in additional development.

VII. New or Unfinished Business

Trustee Gier mentioned another accident at Concord and Thunder Gulch and asked what the threshold is, how many accidents before they get a stop sign there. President Brolley said until it is warranted per the guidelines we can’t do it. Engineer Wallers said they are happy to do another study in the spring/summer when there is more foot traffic to see if signs are warranted.

Trustee Gier also said on the diagram for the receiving station on Goodwin, there is a stub for future development. He wants to be sure there will be a proper cap that can’t accidentally get opened and water get lost. Director Wolf said the operating nuts will be removed from all stubs.

Trustee Brzoska noted there was lots of trash on the streets after trash pickup last week and Director Wolf addressed it with our trash company.

Trustee Sperling asked about a pole near Fox Metro with cell phone things on it and asked what it is. She also asked Director Wolf to forward contact information for Comcast and Xfinity contact people.

Trustee Marecek said PD and staff will do the Polar Plunge on Sunday at Loon Lake and invited everyone to participate or donate. Trustee Bauman stated lately there have been a lot of garbage cans placed on the street and asked if they should be placed on the street or on the curb. Director Wolf said they should not be in the roadway. They should be on the curb on the grass or driveway.

VIII. Future Meeting Schedule

A. Planning & Zoning Commission – Thursday, March 6, 2025

B. Village Board Meeting – Monday, March 10, 2025

IX. Executive Session

X. Adjournment: 8:28 p.m.

Trustee Jungermann moved to adjourn the Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Bauman.

6 Yea. 0 No. Motion carried. Trustee Jungermann, Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Gier, Trustee Sperling and Trustee Bauman voting yea.

https://www.montgomeryil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02242025-729