VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 16, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
SILENT PRAYER – MEDITATION – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Tao Martinez, Village Clerk Lori Murray. Not in attendance: Trustee Mark Guethle.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Raul Abrego, 83 Pinehill Drive, North Aurora, IL – Mr. Abrego, who lives in the Oak Hill Subdivision, addressed the Board regarding issues of flooding in his neighborhood. He stated that he is concerned that he has lived at his residence for 19 years and flooding is an issue every year. Abrego asked why no drains were placed in the court or on Pinehill Drive. Abrego also asked if a speed bump could be installed to slow down traffic in the area before someone gets hurt.
Mayor Berman thanked Mr. Abrego for coming to the meeting and said that the Village would look into the technical part of his concerns. Village Administrator Steve Bosco said that when there are big storms, the Village will send crews to the streets that are known to have flooding problems. The crews will then clear out the catch basins. Bosco said he would have staff look at the neighborhood drainage and get back to Mr. Abrego.
Mr. Abrego also noted that there is a pothole around the drain that needs to be fixed.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
Trustee Laura Curtis thanked the first responders for their quick action regarding the accident that happened on I-88 earlier today. Curtis said that it is disheartening that the tragedy happened in the Village of North Aurora and that everything she had read points to this being gang related. Curtis restated her concern for our children who have to go into the City of Aurora especially for those attending West Aurora High School. Curtis said she wants to know what is going to be done to ensure the safety of our kids to and from school. Curtis said she wants a partnership with the City of Aurora to have a plan in place to protect North Aurora children.
Police Chief Dave Fisher said that the accident was not in the Village of North Aurora’s jurisdiction. It happened on the bridge and therefore was the jurisdiction of the Kane County Sheriff’s office. As far as the shooting, Fisher said he had not heard where it started. This was an unfortunate random act of violence. Fisher said that the Aurora Police Department has as good a handle on gang issues as you can have. They have an officer in the school and a dedicated gang unit. The school has police officers in the area at all times.
Curtis said her concern is what is going on around the school, not necessarily in the school. Curtis said she is concerned it is getting out of hand and wants to be proactive so that our children are not affected. Fisher said he believes there is probably an increase in these incidents and since there is more media coverage, we are hearing more about it. Fisher said he has no doubt that the Aurora PD is doing everything they can to stop this. Fisher said he can speak with the Aurora Police Department to determine if there is anything going on that we are not aware of.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 10/2/2017; Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 10/2/2017
2. Executive Session Minutes of 5/1/17, 6/5/17, 6/19/17 and 9/18/17
3. Interim Bills List dated 10/5/2017 in the Amount of $84,268.21
4. Interim Bills List dated 10/10/2017 in the Amount of $1,060.00
5. Pay Request No. 5, Final, in the Amount of $36,337.50 to Geneva Construction for the 2016 Street Improvements
6. Pay Request No. 4, Partial, in the Amount of $249,155.18 to Geneva Construction for the 2017 Street Improvements
Motion For approval made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of an Ordinance Amending Title 5, Chapter 5.08, Section 5.08.340 of the
North Aurora Municipal Code Creating a Class L Salon Liquor License
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Carroll. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
2. Approval of an Ordinance Amending the North Aurora Code Section 5.08.350 by
Increasing the Number of Class E Liquor Licenses Authorized in the Village of North Aurora (BP Gas Station)
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
3. Approval of a Resolution Approving a Community Sign Program for North Aurora
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lowery –yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
OLD BUSINESS – None
VILLAGE PRESIDENT REPORT – None
COMMITTEE REPORTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
-The first Local Government 101 class was held last Thursday.
-Silo project – Staff interviewed a fourth finalist. All four companies could easily do the job. Staff will need to determine which company is the best fit.
ATTORNEYS REPORT – None
FIRE DISTRICT REPORT – None
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None.
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – None
4. Public Works – None
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
