VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
FEBRUARY 1, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Mike Herlihy, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Bob Strusz, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Vince Mancini. Not in attendance: Trustee Mark Guethle.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
PRESENTATION OF NOARDA SPRAY PAD DESIGN AND FUNDRAISING EFFORT
NOARDA member Jennifer Duncan addressed the Village Board. Duncan noted that the Fox Valley Park District Staff reviewed two different concepts and selected a design. The FVPD felt the project would be best pursued as an independent NOARDA fund raiser as opposed to a grant funded project. NOARDA was seeking approval from the Board to pursue the project further with the park district and as an independent fund raising project by NOARDA. This will most likely include an intergovernmental agreement between the FVPD and the Village of North Aurora.
Duncan presented the design to the Board. The splash pad would be at the northeast quadrant of the riverfront. One of the park district’s concerns was that they want it to be more of an architectural and cultural look rather than a playground look.
NOARDA received staff approval from the park district. Duncan said that while NOARDA waits for confirmation of the 5013C status, NOARDA has fund raising events planned, such as a cake decorating contest, rubber duck race and a 5k/10k race during NA Days. NOARDA will also be introducing NOARDA to local service organizations and individual businesses to create awareness and interest in the efforts. Trustee Mancini asked if the FVPD expressed why they did not want the splash pads at the east quadrant since that is where parking is located. Duncan said they were concerned this would make it too crowded in that particular area. Trustee Herlihy said that parking and access would force people to travel back behind the Village Hall to get to the splash pad area. Herlihy said he was concerned about security and safety. Duncan said it is a small area and will not be running at all times. The splash pads would be activated by someone being there and pressing a button. Mayor Berman noted that the liability insurance would be through the park district.
The Board was concerned with the water supply being a fresh water system. Water Superintendent Paul Young said that there is no 3-inch water line nearby and that it would have to come from the Sperry property. Trustee Gaffino asked about the volume of water that would be used on a daily basis. The answer was that it would run a half hour every hour for 6 hours. Depending on utility availability, the Village could use a reservoir for recycling water.
The Board decided that would be a better route in order to conserve water.
Trustee Herlihy asked for an estimate for the total project. The answer was that raw construction cost would be over $100,000.
The Village Board was in favor of moving the project forward.
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion on North Aurora Days Budget
Trustee Gaffino said that direction was needed from the Board as far as what the Village will spend on NA Days this year. Gaffino provided a breakdown of the budget expenses this year and last year and proposed some changes this year in order to bring costs down.
Trustee Gaffino said that the cost of fireworks could be decreased to $5,000, cost for bands to $5,000.
Trustee Gaffino said that the committee discussed charging a cover for everyone attending. Mayor Berman said he would rather increase the wristband cost by a dollar instead of charging everyone who attends.
Trustee Faber said that a lot of money is made from selling beer and that money is not going to pay for the bands. Faber said that at most festivals, alcohol sales are a big part of what covers band fees. Mayor Berman said there could be a cap on those who are doing the work or manning the beer tent. Trustee Mancini suggested the first $5000 go to the Village and the rest to the not for profit organizations. Trustee Strusz said that the not-for-profit organizations that are helping NA Days are also absorbing some costs and that the money that is made by the organizations is put back into the community in various ways.
The committee decided to eliminate the electronic signs which cost the village $2,000 last year. The committee is also debating on how to do the mailers this year which cost $3,570 last year. Trustee Herlihy said he got a lot of good feedback on the mailers. Gaffino said the committee was thinking about mailing something in the water bill as well as putting information on the NA Days website that is being created.
The Village Board proposed a $40,000 working budget for this year’s NA Days. Mayor Berman mentioned that the committee needs to work on getting sponsors for NA Days.
2. Discussion on Fireworks for 4th of July and North Aurora Days
Mayor Berman said that Aurora would like to continue working with the Village for the 4th of July fireworks. Fireworks would be at IMSA. Cost to the Village would be $6,000.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS
Trustee Strusz announced that Mark Bozik was voted Firefighter of the Year by the fire department.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Probable Litigation
2. Labor Negotiations
3. Review of Executive Session Minutes dated 1/4/10 I & II and Executive Session Minutes dated January 18, 2010 I, II, III
Motion made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Mancini to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of probable litigation, labor negotiations and review of executive session minutes. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
