VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, May 20, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gaffino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Jason Christiansen, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community Development Director Nathan Darga, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director Brian Richter, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
- Squad Car Designs
Administrator Bosco stated that with the arrival of new Dodge Durangos to the Police Department, it was a good opportunity to redesign the department’s squad cars. The new designs were developed and voted on internally by the Police Department.
Chief DeLeo explained that a group of officers, including himself and administration as well as a graphic designer had developed the new design of the squad cars. The new design differs from the existing design by being very bold and visible, while current design was more subdued. The new design would include the squad number on the rear and top of the vehicle. The new design was not expected to have an impact on the operating budget as all new marked squad cars are already budgeted for decals at a similar cost. The new logo would be phased in with each new vehicle, in addition to existing vehicles if any additional funds are available.
Staff was looking for feedback from the Village Board on the design.
Trustee Salazar stated that she appreciated the brightness of the design which made it easier for identification.
Trustee Christiansen asked about moving the identifying number of the squads to the windows, DeLeo stated that they were advised against that.
Positive feedback was offered by the Village Board.
- Development Fees
Administrator Bosco stated that since Director Darga had been with the Village, he had been undertaking the task of cleaning up the Village Code. He had recently updated the Code to reflect the 2021 building codes. The Village also did restructure the permit fees and upon further review, Darga had additional changes he would like the Board to consider.
Director Darga stated that currently the Village had fees for development all over the code. He said that nearly every chapter had some kind of fee in it. The three he chose to begin with were 15.56.010 Building Permit Fees, 3.44 Development Deposits, and Title 17 Appendix B Zoning Application Fees. Darga stated that he was proposing condensing these to one section with sub sections in an effort to make the Code less confusing and consolidate. The proposed changes would look like 15.56.010 Building Permit Fees, 15.56.020 Deposits for Expenses Related to Zoning, Subdivisions, Development and Annexation, and 15.56.030 Application Fees for Zoning, Subdivisions, and Annexations. This would be in an effort to make the Code easier to navigate for developers as well as Village staff.
Darga also spoke about making changes to some Building Permit Fees. He suggested changing the fees for the installation of prefabricated pergolas and gazebos down from $175 to $75, the creation of a lower level of re-inspection fee for tier 1 residential ($25), add minimum fees based on square footage, and clarification of language on how the Village calculates square footage, rounding, and plan review deposits.
In regard to Development Deposits, the changes would summarize required deposits into a chart, update amounts based on current practices, and remove outdated language.
The Zoning Application Fee changes would summarize required deposits into a chart, update amounts based on current practices, remove outdated language, and create a larger PUD fee that covers multiple application types.
Trustee Lowery asked for clarification regarding a permit fee for installation of exterior doors. The fee applied to business, rather than residential installation of doors.
Administrator Bosco explained that within the Village, in 2013 a change in the code required any development with two acres or more to become a PUD. He spoke further in regard to the history of the rapid development of the Village in the 1990s and early 2000s and of the confusion of the annexation agreements that came with that development. There was further discussion regarding the confusion and the necessity of simplification.
The Village Board were in favor of the suggested changes.
EXECUTIVE SESSION –
- Personnel
- Collective Bargaining
ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to adjourn to Executive Session made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Salazar. All in favor. Motion approved.
RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gaffino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Jason Christiansen, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director Brian Richter, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
