VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of Village President Hansen, Trustee Herwig called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Trustee Max Herwig, Trustee Dale Berman, Trustee Bob Strsuz, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Linda Mitchell. Not in attendance: Village President John Hansen, Trustee Mike Herlihy.
Staff in attendance: Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin, Assistant to the Village Administrator Wes Kornowske, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community Development Director Scott Buening, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Police Chief Tom Fetzer, Fire Bureau Chief Mark Bozik, Village Engineer Jim Bibby
Larry Miller 305 Long Ave, North Aurora – Mr. Miller asked the Board about the status of his request for the Village to act upon the water situation with his neighbor. Community Development Director Scott Buening said he spoke with Mr. Miller about this and had informed him that there was nothing in violation when this was done. The Village currently does not require driveway permits. The discharge was not in violation of any village codes. Mr. Miller asked if the ordinance could be amended to address the problem. Buening said the Village Board can amend the ordinances as they see fit but directed the question regarding retroactively imposing it upon a property owner to the village attorney. Atty. Drendel said the Village would not have the ability to impose it retroactively. If the Village passed an ordinance, it would be effective going forward. Atty. Drendel said this is an issue between two landowners and one landowner does not have the right to use their property to the detriment of another. Atty. Drendel said that the Village, as a governmental body, does not insert itself into disputes between property owners. If it makes sense from the big picture to adopt an ordinance to address this, it is something the Board can do. Atty. Drendel suggested Mr. Miller contact an attorney.
Ed Zacharius, 46 Grant Street, North Aurora – Mr. Zacharius asked that parking be allowed on Grant Street. Zacharius suggested parking on one side of the street. A concern that was mentioned in the past was cars driving northbound and then turning westbound onto State Street. A suggestion that was mentioned was to make a no left turn during rush hour time periods. Another concern was with parking on the south end of the street and cars coming down the hill. Zacharius suggested going 200 feet to the driveway at 48 Grant and have no parking from that point to the corner.
Joe Marconi, 48 Grant Street, North Aurora – Mr. Marconi said that parking was allowed in the past on Grant Street and there were no problems. The residents exceeded to the demands and were promised that after the construction was over, the parking would be reinstated. Marconi requested that parking be reinstated on Grant Street.
Bill Slaker, 129 S. Lincolnway, North Aurora – Mr. Slaker said that there was a presentation by McShane Corporation a few months ago for the North Valley Industrial Park to be located on Route 31, north and west of the Everest College. The project has the potential of producing up to $130,000 a month to the Village. This monthly revenue to the village is also a nonrecoverable amount that is foregone as time goes by. Slaker said that the perception is that the project has died. Mr. Slaker said he has been in continuous discussions with representatives by McShane who are very interested in going forward, however the project is being held up since the traffic report is at IDOT. Slaker said he called Village Engineer Jim Bibby to get information on what direction to move. Mr. Slaker said that Mr. Bibby said he would be happy to help, but due to Rempe-Sharpe’s contract with the Village, that it would be best to request permission from the Village Board. Slaker said he spoke with Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin a couple of times and she did not have a problem with this as long as the Village did not get billed for anything. McLaughlin said that was before she knew that Jim Bibby would be working for Slaker. McLaughlin said that if Jim Bibby is working on behalf of the Village and meeting with Slaker, then someone has to pay for that. Mr. Slaker said that his understanding is that as long as the Village does not get billed for this, it would be okay for him to work with Rempe-Sharpe. McLaughlin said it is a huge conflict of interest if Slaker hires Bibb separately and Bibby is still the Village engineer.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS
All of the trustees thanked the public works department and the fire department for all of their hard work during the rain and flooding over the weekend. Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock said the fire dept. did a wonderful job.
Trustee Gaffino noted that the Village Hall building should be a safe and secure building in times of emergency and this building needs to be reviewed for the future. Trustee Strusz agreed with Trustee Gaffino that Village Hall needs to be a safe haven in times of disaster and the building does not seem to be holding up. Strusz suggested looking at moving Village Hall or finding ways to keep the water from Village Hall.
1. DISCUSSION OF GRANT STREET PARKING
Assistant to the Village Administrator Wes Kornowske said that Staff has been looking at the Grant Street parking issue over the last few months. Staff has looked at several scenarios such as making Grant Street one way, incorporating a cul-de-sac and parking on only one side of the street. Kornowske noted a chart showing the pros and cons of each.
Kornowske said that the width of the street is 26 feet from face of curb to face of curb. State Street was 22 feet and Grace Street was 27. The width showed that there was adequate space for a vehicle to pass between two parked vehicles. Kornowske pointed out certain areas on Grant Street where parking could be allowed. Staff suggested moving forward with parking on Grant Street in specific areas only on the west side of the street, amounting to approximately 10 – 12 parking stalls. The present posted speed would be 25 mph.
Bureau Fire Chief Mark Bozik recommended curbs be painted yellow by the hydrants. The Board was in favor of Staff’s recommendation to allow parking on the west side of Grant Street and to have striping painted by the hydrants. New Business.
2. DISCUSSION OF THE PURCHASE OF THREE (3) REPLACEMENT POLICE VEHICLES IN THE AMOUNT OF $64,886.00
Consent Agenda.
3. DISCUSSION OF THE PURCHASE OF A POLICE SUPERVISOR VEHICLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,399.76
Consent Agenda.
4. DISCUSSION OF AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS DISTRICT WALL SIGN MAXIMUM SIZE
Community Development Director Buening said that Staff suggested revising the sign ordinance to increase the maximum wall sign from 150 s.f. to 300 s.f. Consent Agenda.
5. DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENTS TO PLUMBING AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE
Community Development Director Buening noted the following changes:
-1 and 2 Family Dwelling Code – the insulation requirements, as currently written, gives developers options to do a comcheck form. This creates some deficiencies in what is actually being put in the homes. The change will require developers to have the minimum insulation requirements throughout the house.
-Plumbing Code – Change would create a larger minimum diameter drain for drains that are underground in order to have enough capacity for today’s floods. Another change would be the deletion of plastic pvc as an approved water supply pipe due to concerns of that material and possible leaching into the water supply. The last change is the requirement of a safety pan under water heaters that are located above living areas.
Consent Agenda.
6. DISCUSSION OF A LEASE FOR ORCHARD GATEWAY SIGN
In relation to variances granted to the North American Real Estate regarding their sign. They asked for the lease for the land where the sign variance was granted. There was discussion with the applicant on term. They wanted a 99-year lease. Staff suggested a 20-year lease and the Village can always extend the lease at a later date. Some language that was placed in the lease by their attorney was struck. Due to the existing lease, staff felt it was in conflict with the terms of that lease. Revenue is $1,250 per year collected on an annual basis. Consent Agenda.
7. DISCUSSION OF A LEASE FOR ORCHARD GATEWAY SIGN
Buening said the lease is for the right-of-way for the adjacent property owners on Long Ave at Laurel. This allows them to use the existing right-of-way and to continue using the playset and the right-of-way area for gardens. In exchange for that, the property owners would maintain the areas and agree to hold harmless the Village for anyone who is injured on those properties. The Village would not collect any rent. In exchange for that, the property owners would maintain and mow the area. One property owner has already signed the lease. The other property owner has asked for the opportunity to review it with his insurance company since the Village is asking to be listed as an additional insured on their insurance.
Atty. Drendel clarified that the form is drafted as a license as opposed to a lease. Licenses are terminable as opposed to Leases that convey some right that might not be subject to termination. Consent Agenda.
8. DISCUSSION OF ROAD SALT CONTRACT
Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock noted that prices are increasing and Morton Salt’s price for this year increased from $43.11/ton to $106.89/ton. Glock purchasing 1000 tons of salt from Morton Salt for this year. Consent Agenda.
9. DISCUSSION OF CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,405.14 AND PAY ESTIMATE NO. 1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $224,176.28 TO GENEVA CONSTRUCTION FOR THE 2008 NON-MFT STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Public Works Superintendent Glock said that the change is for Harmony, State and Kingswood. The extra costs for the change order was for unknown field tile running thru the subdivision that need to be hooked up. Consent Agenda.
10. DISCUSSION OF PAY REQUEST NO. 2, FINAL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,450.51 TO VISU-SEWER OF ILLINOIS FOR THE 2007 SANITARY SEWER REHABILITATION – C.I.P.P.
Public Works Superintendent Glock said that the work is complete. Consent Agenda.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
Trustee Strusz announced that registration for Friday Nite Spot would be held on Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Activity Center. This will mark Friday Nite Spot’s 30th year.
Trustee Gaffino thanked the police department for their work with the rain situation this weekend.
Trustee Herwig said that a number of residents were very pleased that the fire department helped with pumping out flooded basements.
Bureau Fire Chief Bozik said that the fire district doubled their staffing on Saturday at the height of the flood, running four engine companies and an ambulance. The fire district responded to 35 calls for service in addition to running some additional calls in Batavia and Sugar Grove.
Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin thanked the Public Works Department and the firefighters for their work over the weekend.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Strusz to adjourn the meeting. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
