Votes at a glance: Montgomery board approves legal services, water‑meter purchase, dispatch lease; first readings set for water funding and code changes

The Village of Montgomery Board of Trustees took several formal actions at its meeting, approving new contracts, equipment purchases and land‑use measures and holding first readings on proposed financing and code changes.

Approved actions (summary)

- Legal services contract with Zukowski Rogers Flood & McCardle (ZRFM LLC): Board approved contracting with ZRFM and a subcontract arrangement for local ordinance prosecutions to be handled by a previously used prosecutor. Roll call recorded unanimous approval in favor (6–0).

- Sole‑source purchase of water meters and MXUs from Core & Main: The board approved a waiver of bid for an order of 750 residential meters and 750 MXUs to continue the village's meter replacement program. The village indicated a FY25 budgeted amount of $627,650 for the program and said it is targeting roughly 1,000 meter changeouts this year. The board approved the item (vote recorded 6–0).

- Site lease agreement with TRICOM central dispatch: Trustees approved a resolution formalizing the use of space and equipment placement on the village's Fairfield water tower by TRICOM central dispatch (vote recorded 6–0). Staff said the lease formalizes equipment that existed on the tank and will govern future installations and tank maintenance coordination.

- Special‑use ordinance for receiving station at Goodwin Drive and Hill Avenue (Ordinance 21‑15): Second reading and board approval of a special use and related variances for a water receiving station on a village site. Staff updated the ordinance to require village board approval of final site plans, landscape plans and building elevations. The motion passed by a 5–1 tally (one trustee voted no).

- Special‑use ordinance for Galena Road adjacent to Oswego Fire Protection District Station 3 (Ordinance 21‑16): Board approved a similar special use and related variances for the Galena Road receiving station site; the ordinance was updated to require board approval of final site plan, landscape plan and elevations (vote recorded as passed).

- Termination of Montgomery SSA No. 26 (Ordinance 21‑17): Board approved an ordinance terminating Special Service Area No. 26 for the Aurora Faith Center backup SSA in Kane County (vote recorded 6–0).

- Reduction of performance security for Montgomery Place Apartments (Resolution 2025‑006): Trustees approved release of an amount of performance security following inspection and completion of punch‑list items; additional releases will follow as remaining buildings complete landscaping (vote recorded 6–0).

Consent agenda and other routine items: The board approved the consent agenda (minutes of Feb. 10 meeting, accounts payable summary through Feb. 24, January refuse report and the reappointment of Mary Anne Bond to the Planning & Zoning Commission) by voice/roll call (vote recorded 6–0).

First readings/no immediate action

- Ordinance 21‑18 authorizing 2025 debt certificates for $29,500,000 (first reading): Director Milewski presented the proposed debt certificates to fund transmission line construction with DuPage Water Commission. Staff said Huntington Associate Bank presented the lowest interest terms; the certificates are for a five‑year term at an indicated rate (4.48% as presented) and would close on March 11. Trustees did not vote on second reading; staff said a budget amendment will be brought forward to close the certificates.

- Ordinance 21‑19 amending Chapters 1, 2 and 20 of the village code related to water billing, return payment fees and owner/renter joint liability (first reading): Staff presented proposed code amendments including (1) adding owner/renter joint liability language for village‑provided services, (2) expanding the $25 returned payment fee to all returned items, (3) authorization to estimate and charge for water loss between the curb/shutoff and the meter, (4) updates to billing dispute procedures and transfer of occupancy responsibilities. Trustees asked clarifying questions about private mains and how estimated leak charges would be applied; staff said some items may be added in a future amendment.

What trustees asked and instructed staff

Trustees pressed staff for more detail on the debt certificates' schedule and long‑term funding for Lake Michigan water; staff said the certificates are short‑term relief while longer‑term funding is identified. On the proposed code amendments, trustees asked whether private water main situations (where owners may not repair private mains) are addressed; staff said that language is not yet in the amended sections but they will look into adding it.

Outcomes and next steps

Several items required follow‑up: staff will return with a budget amendment tied to the debt certificates and will refine code language regarding private mains and leak estimation procedures. The receiving‑station ordinances (Goodwin and Galena) were updated to require final site plan, landscape and elevation approvals to return to the board before construction proceeds.