VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 2, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Mark Guethle.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Police Chief Dave Summer, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Oak and Orchard Annexation Amendment Discussion
The developer is proposing a local traffic impact fee of $360/per drilling unit based on a 20% reduction in the vehicle trips based on a 180,000 s.f. retail center and 20% of those anticipated vehicle counts. Continental is requesting a slight reduction in the code based storm sewer fee and sanitary connection fee. With the sanitary connection fee, the developer is responsible for a Woodman’s recapture that takes into consideration additional pipe diameter and depth to accommodate additional flow from the north. Requirement for the revenue GAP fee and the storm water connection fee was removed per Village Engineer Jim Bibby’s recommendation and memo. Village Staff concurred with the fee schedule proposed.
Trustee Curtis asked how the village’s fees compare to those of surrounding communities. Eric Hahn of Continental Properties, W134N8675 Executive Parkway, Menomonee Falls, WI, said that the village’s fees are significantly higher than the property they are working on in Romeoville. North Aurora’s Fees combined with Fox Metro Sanitary Sewer District and KDOT resulted in $1.5 million higher for fees.
Per unit cost to develop the site:
North Aurora – $9,265 a unit.
Romeoville – $4,368 a unit.
Atty. Drendel noted that back in 2007 the village’s fees were slightly under most of the surrounding communities, but things have changed and the village has not changed its fees. The village does not have its own sanitary treatment plant and therefore has no control over those fees from Fox Metro.
Eric Hahn said that there is only one agency they pay fees to for their project in Romeoville and that is the Village of Romeoville. The situation is the same for the Village of Plainfield.
The fees to North Aurora only as compared to the Romeoville area are $1.72 million in fees less than the other agencies. In Romeoville, we paid $1.25 million. Drendel asked how many of our fees are those of Fox Metro and KDOT. Hahn said KDOTs fees are $337,884 which does not include an Orchard Road recapture. Fox Metro fees were $495,000 for the multi-family and then there is a per acre charge for $94,000. Drendel said that is $900,000 in fees that the Village has no control over.
Trustee Faber noted that current fee schedule was put in place at a different time and with an entirely different use in mind. Faber said he was in favor of the modified schedule. There were no objections.
2. Strategic Plan Update
Goal: Community Vitality
Objective: Conduct a formal building needs assessment for a community building/space.
Action Plan: Hire a firm to conduct a building needs assessment. Bosco said that he should have 4 proposals on this topic.
Objective: Design and install new gateway entry signs for the Village.
Action plan: Hope to have information to the Board as early as the next meeting to go over sign designs.
Objective: Develop a village flag embracing our new logo and color scheme.
Action Plan: Create and display a village flag at the village’s facility.
Objective: Continue the Village’s branding and identity program; expand use of new logo and branding elements.
Action plan: Continue incorporating the village’s new log and tagline where appropriate.
Goal: Economic Development
Objective: Explore options for the use of the Village parcel at Orchard Gateway.
Action Plan: Monitor opportunities for private and public use of the property.
Objective: Expand economic development activities including marketing and promoting of North Aurora.
Action Plan: Review zoning and sign ordinances when appropriate. On an individual basis, review and comment on request for incentives. Create marketing literature to highlight the community.
Objective: Evaluate alternate uses and partnerships for the silo on the Fox River
Action Plan: Determine interest from Harner’s Restaurant to utilize the silo for a public use. Confirm the silo’s current structural condition can support a future public use. Determine potential types of adaptive reuse for the silo to become a public use. Determine potential partnerships from municipal entities and/or community groups to utilize the silo for a public use.
Objective: Develop and Village Economic Action Plan to facilitate economic and business development activities.
Action Plan: Open dialogue with brokers and medical groups on locating to North Aurora to increase daytime population. Work with property owners to facilitate new businesses.
Goal: Efficient and Effective Delivery of Core Services
Objective: Develop and implementation plan for G.I.S. use in the Village
Action Plan: Determine whether to create an implementation plan in-house or via another company/agency. Evaluate option to implement and maintain a GIS system.
Objective: Explore equipment acquisition opportunities from federal/state surplus sales
Action Plan: Continue monitoring state, federal and joint purchasing contracts/opportunities.
Objective: Facilitate new community outreach initiative in Police Department, enhance crime prevention programs and interactions, and explore expanded use of technology of methods.
Action Plan: Continue working with the Community Emergency Response Team. Review the potential for utilizing body cameras in the police department.
Objective: Take advantage of the ITEP program to improve the Village’s transportation corridors.
Action Plan: Determine the potential eligibility of an upcoming projects for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) funding.
Objective: Continue evaluation of share equipment and resource uses with other units of local government (consider establishing an equipment exchange)
Objective: Undertake yearly or bi-yearly strategic goal update meetings
Action Plan: Review progress of strategic plan with Village Board annually or bi-annually.
Objective: Evaluate departmental staffing levels to address changing demands and programs as part of the annual budget process.
Goal: Continue Maintenance and Capital Resource Planning for Village Infrastructure
Objective: Reach emergency water distribution inter-connect agreement with City of Aurora.
Action Plan: Continue working with City of Aurora to amend the existing intergovernmental and boundary line agreement.
Objective: Build Well #8 for Village water supply enhancement.
Action Plan: Evaluate funding options. Determine need to expand west water treatment plant.
Objective: Evaluate the need to upgrade water meter system to fixed base system. Improve loss/cost and maximize integration of financial management software.
Objective: Further evaluate the inclusion and design of non-motorized transportation lanes in the Village.
Action Plan: Evaluate the potential for non-motorized transportation lanes in future projects.
Goal: Redevelopment and Enhancement of the Route 31 Corridor
Objective: Relocate the Route 31 gazebo and create a pedestrian friendly recreation area.
Action Plan: Evaluate the potential relocation of the Route 31 gazebo and Exposition Park Mural to the Police Department or other sites. Evaluate grant funding opportunities for the project.
3. 2016 Meeting Schedules – Village Board; Committee of the Whole; Plan
Commission; and Trustee Committee Meetings
Mayor Berman proposed a meeting date be added to the 2016 meeting schedule for the Village Board to meet on February 22nd.
With that change being made, the schedule will be placed on the consent agenda for the next Board meeting.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition.
(return from executive session)
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Guethle. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
