VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2019
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, Trustee Mark Guethle, Village Clerk Lori Murray.
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, Captain/Fire Marshall Eric Bunkofske, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Denise Elsbree of the League of Women Voters addressed the board. A new league chapter, League of Women Voters Aurora Area, was recognized by the LWVUS on July 25th. Communities in this league include Aurora, Montgomery, North Aurora and Oswego.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 10/07/2019; Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 10/07/2019
2. Approval of Bills List Dated 10/21/2019 in the Amount of $215,120.94
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of an Ordinance Amending Title 17 Zoning of the Village of North Aurora
Municipal Code Pertaining to Adult-Use Cannabis
Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth noted the specifics to the amendment which were discussed at the last Committee of the Whole meeting on October 7th:
-Adult-use cannabis dispensing organizations as a special use in all non-residential districts.
-Adult-use cannabis craft grower organizations as a special use in the I-2 district.
-Adult-use cannabis infuser organizations as a special use in the I-2 district.
-Adult-use cannabis processing organizations as a special use in the I-2 district.
-Adult-use cannabis transportation organizations as a special use in the I-2 district.
Use standards:
-Limiting the number of adult-use cannabis dispensing organizations to one (1).
-1000 foot buffer which pertains specifically to school grounds, public playgrounds, public recreation centers, childcare centers, public parks, public libraries or game arcade (which admission is restricted to 21 years or older) in the Village of North Aurora.
-Prohibit all onsite consumption.
-Codified the state requirement that adult-use cannabis dispensing organizations be a minimum of 1500 feet from the property line from existing adult-use cannabis dispensing organizations in North Aurora.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino.
Mayor Berman said that at the committee of the whole meeting it was mentioned that the village limit to one adult cannabis business. Berman said that it may be limiting and would like to see it changed to two. Trustee Curtis suggested leaving the number at one and if another business comes into town, they can petition for a second license. Trustee Guethle asked Mayor Berman if he was in favor of having two locations. Mayor Berman said yes. Trustee Guethle said he would be in favor of having 2 dispensaries in town. Trustee Lowery said he thought the village would be limiting the number of dispensaries simply by the restrictive 1000 foot buffer condition. Toth said yes, it would limit diminish the ability for businesses to locate in town. Trustee Carroll said he was against this to begin with and is in favor of taking it slow and would rather see less than more. Lowery said he wants to start slowly, too, but not sure if there should be a restriction to one dispensary. Guethle amended his motion to include limiting the number of dispensaries to 2. Motion seconded by Trustee Martinez. Carroll noted that the standard is different for a special use versus a text amendment. Atty. Drendel said that if the village has a code that says two dispensaries are allowed, the village has some control, but the control is focused on the location and the logistics of the location. If the village had one and it didn’t go well, and the village did not get around to changing it back from 2 to 1 and someone came in for an application for a special use, the village would have to entertain it. Drendel said there is more control if the village only had one and just had to do a text amendment in order to accept a second dispensary in town. Roll Call Vote on the amended motion: Guethle – yes, Martinez – yes, Carroll – no, Curtis – no, Lowery – yes, Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (4-2). Vote on the original motion: Guethle – yes, Martinez – yes, Carroll – no, Curtis – no, Lowery – yes, Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (4-2).
2. Approval of Resolution Amending the Village of North Aurora Purchasing Policy
The amendment would give the village administrator the authority to sell items of minimal value, under $500, without bringing it to the village board for approval. It will also give the administrator the ability to donate those items to charities, not for profits or other governmental entities. Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
3. Approval to Award Bid for Site Work at Well Houses 8 & 9 to H Linden and Sons
Sewer and Water, Inc. in the Amount of $477,725.00
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
4. Approval to Award Bid for Electrical Work at Well Houses 8 & 9 to Frank
Marshall Electric in the Amount of $1,144,848.00
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
5. Approval of Resolution to Terminate Membership in the Southwest Fox Valley
Cable & Telecommunications Consortium Effective June 30, 2020
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
6. Resolution Approving Amendment No. 1 to the Intergovernmental Agreement
Between the Village of North Aurora and the County of Kane Regarding Jurisdictional Transfer and Access to Oak Street from Randall Road to Orchard Road
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
7. Approval of Supplemental Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Resolution for Salt Purchase
Public Works Director John Laskowski stated that the price of salt is substantially higher than in past years. In 2016/17 the price of salt was $65/ton, 2017/18 = $53/ton, 2018/19 = $58/ton and this year it is at $96/ton. Due to the increase in price, staff did not estimate that money to expend on salt. Therefore, staff is requesting additional funds be made available through the motor fuel tax. The total dollar amount for salt will be $288,750.00.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Trustee Carroll asked the reason for the large increase. Laskowski said that he has heard that it is the result of maintenance being performed on the Illinois River, the locks. Instead of having two routes, the Mississippi and the Illinois River, they are limited to one. Trustee Curtis asked if the village is looking at alternate options. Laskowski said they will definitely be looking into other sources. Trustee Gaffino suggested possibly using liquid chemical on the roads. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
8. Approval of Special Events Permit for North Aurora Firefighters Association
This permit is for the Annual Turkey Raffle on Nov 22nd and 23rd. Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
OLD BUSINESS – None
VILLAGE PRESIDENT REPORT – None
COMMITTEE REPORTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – None
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – A special use application was received from PharmaCann/Veralife for the River Atrium building at 161 S. Lincolnway. This will go before the Plan Commission in November.
3. Public Works – None
4. Police – None
FIRE DISTRICT – None
EXECUTIVE SESSION –None
ADJOURNTMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
