VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
AUGUST 13, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
Village President Hansen called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Village President John Hansen, Trustees Dale Berman, Mike Herlihy, Bob Strusz, Mark Gaffino, Linda Mitchell, Max Herwig.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Kevin Davis, Messenger Public Library Administrator informed the Board and community of the Fox Valley Reads Program, which is in its second year. The concept behind the program is to have the entire tri-city area read and discuss one book. The committee has chosen My Antonia by Willa Cathers. This year’s funding for the program was through a competitive matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Messenger Public Library will officially kick off the program on September 15th at a community square dance at the Marvis Davis barn in Big Rock. Nationally known actress Betty Jean Steinhauser will give a one-woman play titled, “Willa Cathers” at IMSA on Sept. 29th. The Midwest Literary Festival will be held in downtown Aurora. There will be a film discussion and a screening of the Hallmark Hall of Fame T.V. adaptation of the book and play.
Michelle Rippinger, 18 Grant Street, North Aurora addressed the Board about the village code regarding parking of a vehicle with larger plates in a residential driveway. Rippinger said she has lived at her residence for 24 years and her truck is parked alongside the house, toward the back. Rippinger asked that they be grandfathered to allow them to continue parking the truck where it currently is located. Village President Hansen said that the Board would hold a discussion regarding the issue at the next COW meeting.
Sharon Nagy, 501 Princeton Drive, North Aurora – Ms. Nagy was concerned about a helicopter that was taking photos over her area on Saturday morning. On Sunday morning another helicopter appeared, with a man hanging out of the helicopter taking more pictures. Nagy said there is no information from the FAA. The Aurora police informed her that this was authorized. Nagy said she does not want pictures of her home and her car and license plates exposed. Village President Hansen asked Mike Glock to check on this and report back.
Pastor Derrick Jackson of Wheaton Christian Center Aurora, 1019 Catherine Court – Pastor Jackson thanked Trustee Herwig for allowing the Wheaton Christian Center to meet at the Activity Center and asked the Board about the possibility of allowing Wheaton Christian Center to install several window air conditioning units in the gym area. Mike Glock said that in order to cool the gymnasium, it would require a 10 – 20 ton unit. Glock said that there are a couple of problems. There is a panel of glass on the outside windows. If they were ever taken out they would be ruined. Power is another source of problem in that the air conditioning would overload the breakers and circuits. Pastor Jackson said that the congregation would pay for replacing the windows if they are damaged. Trustee Mitchell said that her concern was a safety issue because of power overloads. Trustee Herlihy said that the windows at the Activity Center wouldn’t keep the air-conditioning units stable. Herlihy said the Board is still looking at what the long term plan and vision is for the building and what the Village can afford to invest in that building. Village President Hansen said that at this time the best direction is to utilize the fans in the gym and possibly utilize the fireplace room.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS
Trustee Strusz noted that the new custodian at the Activity Center is doing a great job and that the inside as well as the outside of the building is looking very clean.
Trustee Herwig thanked the Mothers Club and the Lions Club for an outstanding job on running and managing the beer tent at North Aurora Days, adding that it was the most well run part of the event he has seen in the last ten years he has been involved. Record attendance on Friday and Saturday night. The Auto Fest, which was rained out on Sunday, will be rescheduled for October 7th. Village President Hansen also thanked the Kane County Civil Defense for their volunteerism.
PRESENTATION: DESIGN PERSPECTIVES’ RIVERFRONT VIABILITY STUDY PROGRESS
Overview of the planning process: Input has been received through community meetings, focus group meetings and interviews with Staff. A group meeting will be scheduled with the Fox Valley Park District and the Kane County Forest Preserve for next week. Telephone survey results are forthcoming. The next part of the study will involve the design plans and looking at the capital improvement strategies and how to implement the long-term vision.
From public meetings, a lot of residents have addressed parking issues, entry points to the riverfront site and a lack of parking at these areas. Many residents would like a focal point or central area for people to gather. Other recommendations were shops, improvements of playgrounds and bike paths. Residents want a balance between the natural setting and commercial to the area. Also suggested were more activities at the riverfront (i.e. kayak rentals).
Preliminary survey findings – Mail survey results are at 531 responses out of 1000. Eight-two percent were in favor of a riverwalk. Survey to the business community showed that the businesses are willing to pay some sort of tax increase in the form of a sales tax increase.
CONSENT AGENDA
A.
