East Central Reporter

Village of Montgomery Board of Trustees met May 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. President Brolley called the meeting to order at 7:03 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: Administrator Jeff Zoephel, Assistant Administrator Meghan Ostreko, Attorney Brandy Quance, Engineer Chris Ott, Director of Community Development Sonya Abt, Director of Public Works Mark Wolf, Director of Finance Jennifer Milewski, Deputy Chief Armando Sanders, Manager Kristina Nemetz, Manager Patrick Burke, and guests.

III. Public Participation

A. Public Comment – Several residents spoke against the proposed Wayside Ministries Youth Center, while other residents spoke in favor of the program. Dan Britton, President of St. Olaf church council, pointed out that despite people referring to the space as a park or open space, it is St. Olaf’s property that they want to use for a better purpose for youth programs.

IV. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of the May 12, 2025 Village Board Meeting

B. Minutes of the May 12, 2025 Executive Session Meeting

C. Accounts Payable Summary Report through May 27, 2025, in the Amount of $3,804,566.59.

D. Resolution 2025-013 Authorizing the Acceptance of Public Improvements (321-323 Clinton Duplex)

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

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. Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission on PZC 2025-005, Annexation, Amendment to a Special Use (PUD) for Spartan Athletic Park (Aurora University - Spartan Athletic Park)

Trustee Abt explained that Aurora University wants to annex two parcels to add to the Spartan Athletic Park, one to the east and one to the west at the corner of Jericho and Edgelawn. They want to amend the existing PUD to include those parcels. Trustee Sperling asked about issues raised at the Plan Commission, and Director Abt said a neighbor asked about issues with stormwater, lighting, noise, etc. and all issues were resolved. Trustee Sperling asked how the development would affect well water, to which the attorney explained that they use city water, so it doesn’t affect nearby wells. The two associated ordinances will be on the Consent Agenda at the next meeting.

Trustee Gier moved to approve Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission on PZC 2025-005, Annexation, Amendment to a Special Use (PUD) for Spartan Athletic Park (Aurora University - Spartan Athletic Park), seconded by Trustee Marecek.

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

B. Ordinance 2134 Annexing Property – Spartan Athletic Club (1st Reading)

C. Ordinance 2135 Amending Special Use for a Planned Unit Development (Spartan Athletic Park)

D. Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission on PZC 2025-006, Annexation, Rezoning, Special Use (Utility-Scale Solar Energy System), and Variation (Cenergy Power) Director Abt said Cenergy is proposing to annex 21 acres on Spencer at the end of Oakton that is currently undeveloped. It would be rezoned to Agriculture since solar farms are a Special Use in agriculture zoning. The structures would be approximately 34 feet tall and would be enclosed by a chain link fence with landscape screening along Spencer. In response to Trustee Sperling’s questions, the petitioner said it will be a 20-year lease with an option to purchase. Structures will not be more than 15 feet tall but there will be 4-5 poles that are taller. Trustee Sperling asked about restoration after the lease is up. There is an agricultural impact agreement and after the solar farm it must be returned to its natural state, which in this case would be farming. They must post a decommission bond to ensure this is done. Trustee Brolley asked if they have any facilities in Illinois. They have over 11 systems in Illinois and over 5,000 total in the company history. They said they never had any sort of leakage on any of their projects. They will video monitor the grounds if needed and will have vegetative screening on the north and south in addition to their screening on Spencer.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission on PZC 2025- 006, Annexation, Rezoning, Special Use (Utility-Scale Solar Energy System), and Variation (Cenergy Power), 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. Ordinance 2131 Annexing Property (Bap Power, LLC D/B/A Cenergy Power) (1st Reading) The two ordinances for Cenergy will be on the Consent Agenda for the next meeting.

F. Ordinance 2132 Rezoning Property and Granting a Special Use and Variation (Spencer and Oakland Streets – Bap Power, LLC D/B/A Cenergy Power) (1st Reading)

G. Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission on PZC 2025-008, Text Amendment, Preliminary Plat of Subdivision, Special Use, Variations and Preliminary/ Final Plat of Subdivision (Wayside Cross Ministries – Youth Activity Center)

Director Abt reviewed that the petitioner is proposing to build a 12,500 SF facility on the west side of the property near St. Olaf church. Due to concerns about changing to business zoning, they are requesting a text amendment to allow this use in R-1 zoning, which requires Special Use approval. There is also a variance for the irregularly shaped lot. They have added berms along the west and north property line based on neighbor feedback. James Lucos, Executive Director of Wayside, expressed his enthusiasm for this program and asked for the board’s support of this new facility. He said they will use WCM Youth Center on signage. Trustee Gier said he doesn’t want to allow this as a Special Use in R-1 because it could lead to other similar requests in the future. He would prefer to include it as a school or educational facility. President Brolley noted this was the solution discussed by the Board at an earlier meeting to avoid the rezoning. Trustee Bauman asked if the Special Use could be challenged by the residents. Attorney Quance said the use is already there so it would not be overturned. Robin Circle of Wayside said they do background checks and fingerprinting on everyone, including baseball coaches. Director Abt clarified this building does not meet the definition of a church.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission on PZC 2025- 008, Text Amendment, Preliminary Plat of Subdivision, Special Use, Variations and Preliminary/ Final Plat of Subdivision (Wayside Cross Ministries – Youth Activity Center), seconded by Trustee Brzoska.

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

H. Ordinance 2125 Vacating Part of Elliott Avenue (Waiver of First Reading)

Trustee Gier asked and received clarification that the ROW is being vacated to the church.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Ordinance 2125 Vacating Part of Elliott Avenue (Waiver of First Reading), seconded by Trustee Brzoska.

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

I. Ordinance 2133 Granting a Text Amendment, Special Use and Variances and a Preliminary Plat of Subdivision (Wayside Cross – Youth Activity Center) (Waiver of First Reading)

President Brolley stated this process was not a referendum of Wayside or their value to the community. It is a zoning matter as to whether the use is fitting for the area, and it is 100% fitting and useful for this property. He said he appreciates the public comments. Trustee Gier said he agrees and would vote yes as a school, but not as a lodge or hall.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Ordinance 2133 Granting a Text Amendment, Special Use and Variances and a Preliminary Plat of Subdivision (Wayside Cross – Youth Activity Center) (Waiver of First Reading), seconded by Trustee Jungermann.

4 Yea. 2 No. Motion carried. Trustee Marecek, Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Bauman and Trustee Jungermann voting yea. Trustee Gier and Trustee Sperling voting no. Trustee Brolley said he would vote yes if he were voting.

J. Resolution 2025-014 Authorizing Mobile Food Facility Licenses (Primo’s Tacos – 1970 Caterpillar Drive)

Director Abt summarized that this mobile food truck has applied to set up by Ivy Hall in the drive through area. Trustee Gier asked if this was the same vendor who started a food court, put in gravel and didn’t clean it up and left a mess, and Director Abt said yes. Trustee Gier said he would vote no accordingly. Trustee Bauman said the board should consider what the corridor should look like, and he is not in favor.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Resolution 2025-014 Authorizing Mobile Food Facility Licenses (Primo’s Tacos – 1970 Caterpillar Drive), seconded by Trustee Jungermann.

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

K. Resolution 2025-015 Authorizing Mobile Food Facility Licenses (DIGBYZ Fast Food LLC – 2283 Cornell Avenue)

Director Abt introduced the food truck owner who was present. He would like to have a truck at Orchard and Cornell in front of the tattoo shop to cater to employees in the industrial area. He will do Italian beef, hot dogs, hamburgers, and some specials. Trustee Bauman said the Village needs a vision of this corridor and he doesn’t want food trucks right on Orchard Road.

Trustee Marecek moved to approve Resolution 2025-015 Authorizing Mobile Food Facility Licenses (DIGBYZ Fast Food LLC – 2283 Cornell Avenue), seconded by Trustee Gier.

4 Yea. 3 No. Motion carried. Trustee Marecek, Trustee Gier and Trustee Sperling voting yea. Trustee Brzoska, Trustee Bauman and Trustee Jungermann voting no. President Brolley voted yea to break the tie.

Trustee Jungermann asked how the board can vote down one truck and approve another. Trustee Gier said it was because the last person didn’t fulfill his prior contract with the village. Trustee Sperling asked about where food truck licenses that are not being renewed are located. Director Abt said on Lafayette and at the VFW.

L. Accepting an Easement on Lot C of Foxmoor Subdivision to the Village of Montgomery for Maintenance of Playground Equipment and Village Memorial Site

Director Wolf said the transfer of this property didn’t take place with the County, so the school district is providing an easement that includes the playground and memorial site. After recording, the parcel will be transferred to the school district.

Trustee Jungermann moved to Accept an Easement on Lot C of Foxmoor Subdivision to the Village of Montgomery for Maintenance of Playground Equipment and Village Memorial Site, seconded by Trustee Gier.

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

VI. Items for Discussion

VII. New or Unfinished Business

President Brolley thanked Director of Finance Milewski for her work at the Village of Montgomery and wished her the best in her new job.

Trustee Brzoska reminded everyone the Downtown Historical Walk is on June 7th at 10am. The June 11th Beautification Committee meeting is canceled. Floral judging will be June 18th; contact him if you want to judge.

Trustee Gier mentioned that the vacant lot on Harrison is not being mowed; Director Abt said they will address that. He also reported that evergreens at Concord/Deerpoint appear like they are partly chopped down and the weeds are terrible. Director Abt will check whose property that is and work to get that resolved.

Trustee Jungermann asked why the Village is not laying sod as part of the roadway project; Director Wolf said it is too dry and they will wait until fall to lay the sod. Trustee Jungermann also asked for an update on the bridge lights. Attorney Quance said she reviewed the contract and sent the company a demand letter, giving them until June 30 to complete the repairs.

Trustee Sperling said there are traffic barricades on the sidewalk on Lexington that need to be picked up, and on Briarcliff there is a sidewalk with taped off stakes that will need to be removed. She also asked about black tire marks on Aucutt, which trustees agreed are probably from the 110 Custom car show last year. Trustee Sperling noted that Montgomery Road west of Douglas does not look great and asked Director Wolf to find out when it will be resurfaced.

Trustee Bauman thanked staff for an email with information a board member requested. He questioned whether it is appropriate to cover a Chamber membership for a business in town that has lots of employees and money. He also questioned why the Chamber is not using a local Montgomery business or a Chamber member for their promo materials or at least allowing them to quote those items.

VIII. Future Meeting Schedule

A. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting – Thursday, June 5, 2025

B. Village Board Meeting – Monday, June 9, 2025

IX. Executive Session

X. Adjournment: 9:17 p.m.

Trustee Jungermann moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Marecek.

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/Agenda/_06092025-755