VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 21, 2011
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 Guethle, Trustee Ryan Lambert, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Laura Curtis, Village Clerk Lori Murray. Not in attendance: Trustee Vince Mancini.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Wes Kornowske, Community Development Director Scott Buening, Police Chief Dave Summer, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Robert Jones, 125 Pierce St., North Aurora, IL – Mr. Jones noted his concern about the Village Hall renovations and questioned where the funds were coming from to pay for the renovation. Mayor Berman said that the Village has funds set aside for capital projects and those funds would be used for the renovations. Jones said he felt that the renovations were a little extravagant and wondered if the money would have been better spent on schools, the fire district or police department. Atty. Drendel said that the renovations to Village Hall were necessary due to the age of the building and work being done would be similar to those that residents would have done on their homes. Drendel added that the building is an asset of the Village and discussions were ongoing for two years regarding renovation. Mayor Berman said that a study was done regarding the design of Village Hall and was approved over a year ago.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Village Board Minutes dated 11/7/2011
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of an Ordinance Granting a Special Use for an Automotive Service Station (Gas Station) at 417 S. Lincolnway
Community Development Director Scott Buening noted that the Plan Commission recommended approval of the special use with a number of conditions, which are contained in the ordinance.
Speedway representatives said that their goal is to be a good neighbor. They would like to build in the spring of 2012. Orientation of the site includes a 3900 s.f. convenience store and 8 filling dispensers. Drivers on Route 31 will be Speedway’s primary source of customers. Customers going north in the morning to I-88 will enter from Route 31 and exit back onto Route 31. Two other accesses proposed on Offutt Lane are currently in existence today. Speedway said they would be adding a significant amount of landscaping and is open to putting up fencing.
Other items of concern were addressed such as lighting and storwater runoff. Speedway uses LED lighting which emits less lighting than that of typical gas station lights. Speedway said they will reduce the amount of water that leaves the site and will use best management practices resulting in cleaning of the water before it leaves the site. As far as fuel leakage from underground tanks, Speedway said that technology has come a long way and that they use double wall fiberglass tanks at their facilities. Monitoring devices are also in place. All of these items will be addressed during the full site plan review.
Regulatory bodies from the state level will also review this in order to make sure it is a safe site.
There have been concerns by residents regarding traffic on Lovedale Lane. Speedway said they understand those concerns. As today, there are no restrictions preventing anyone from cutting through to Offutt or Lovedale Lane. Speedway said they would be willing to put up signage as well as physical barrier options.
Trustee Lambert asked about the anticipated traffic flow for Speedway. Speedway said they anticipated the traffic to be low and will not have a substantial impact to the street since it is not a destination use. On a daily basis there are approximately 1500 transactions that take place at Speedway.
Trustee Gaffino asked if Speedway would be opposed to a right turn only on Offutt onto Sullivan Road. Speedway said they would do what is necessary to not permit a left onto Offutt. Buening said that was originally meant for trucks only but can amend it to include cars.
Gaffino asked if there have been any issues with the double wall fiberglass tanks. Bill Oster, Project Manager for Speedway, said that he has had zero issues. The tanks are tested for liquid on the inside and anything that permeates through the second lining will set off the sensors.
In terms of noise, Gaffino asked if there would be monitors/television screens at the pumps. The regional manager said they were not looking to do that at this time.
Faber said that lighting allowed would be no more than 1 foot candle at the lot line. Speedway said they would be agreeable to comply with that requirement.
Tony Montana, 415 Offutt Lane, North Aurora, IL – Mr. Montana spoke on behalf of the residents of Offutt and Lovedale Lanes, requesting the Village deny the special use for an Automotive Service (Speedway Gas Station) at 417 S Lincolnway. Montana said that there are 19 houses and 50 residents living on these two lanes. The residents do not have anything against Speedway as an organization. They are concerned with a 24-hour gas station, noise, traffic and safety, decline in property values and increased crime to the area. Montana provided the Board with a petition of 28 signatures from residents on Sullivan Road.
Montana noted that there are 2 abandoned gas stations within a mile of the proposed speedway gas station.
Montana asked the Board to consider the issues that will affect their neighborhood and said that items 1, 2 6 and 7 of the requirements of a special use are not met.
George Schramer 708 Lindsay Circle – Mr. Schramer said that the Village has too many gas stations and does not need any more
Mr. June of June’s Mobil, 329 S. Lincolnway – Mr. June said that North Aurora has enough gas stations.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Gaffino, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
Trustee Faber asked how spillage is contained within the site. Speedway said that the way the site is engineered, whenever there is a 2-inch rainfall, water is channeled through stormsewers and plants.
Buening noted that Condition D of the ordinance still reflects truck traffic only. Change to be made to include cars.
Faber said that any increase of traffic on Offutt Lane would not be acceptable. Trustee Lambert agreed. Mayor Berman agreed and suggested no access to Offutt. Lambert suggested allowing right only turns at the southernmost end of the property and eliminate the north access. Trustee Curtis asked why there is no curb cut onto Sullivan. Buening said it would be too close to Route 31 and the Offutt intersection. It is also the control of the City of Aurora. Buening said that one option which was discussed was to have a single access off of Offutt instead of the two that are currently in place.
Buening suggested that design of the access be discussed during the site plan process.
The Board suggested a right turn only onto Offutt and that no vehicles be allowed onto Offutt Lane. Trustee Guethle amended his Motion to include these conditions. Trustee Curtis seconded the Motion.
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
Roll Call Vote on the amended Motion: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Faber –yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
2. Approval of a Motion approving pricing from Carus for the purchase of chemicals through December 31, 2012 in amount not to exceed $71,000.00
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lambert and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
3. Approval of the Purchase of a 2012 ¾ Ton Pick-up Truck and Plow from River Front Chrysler for a total amount of $28,885.50
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lambert. Trustee Curtis asked what would happen if the Village did not purchase the new truck. Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock said the Village would have to hire a third party for snow plowing at a cost of $7400. Village Administrator Wes Kornowske noted that there would be a four-year payoff on the new truck. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
4. Approval of an Ordinance Amending Title 16 regarding Driveway Approaches and Amendments to the Subdivision Control Ordinance
Community Development Director Scott Buening said the Village is proposing to widen the measurement of driveways to allow for 20 feet wide at the property line and 23 feet at the curb line. Buening noted that the Plan Commission should review amendments to the Subdivision Control Ordinance. Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
5. Approval of School Resource Officer Letter of Agreement between the Village of North Aurora and School District 129
Wes Kornowske asked for approval of a Letter of Agreement to continue with the Resource Officer at Jewel Middle School for the remainder of the year. As of January 1st, coverage at the school will only be for morning drop off and afternoon pickup. The prorated amount will be $17,120. The Letter of Agreement expires at the end of this year. School District 129 has already approved the Letter of Agreement. Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. It was noted that the Public Safety Committee recommended approval at their meeting earlier this evening. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
6. Approval of DCEO Funded Route 31 Sidewalk Installation Pay Request No. 1 from Copenhaver Construction, Inc. in the amount of $80,722.57 for work through November 14, 2011
Motion for approval made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Faber – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
7. Approval of Bill List dated November 21, 2011 in the amount of $270,373.67
Motion for approval made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Faber – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
OLD BUSINESS – None
VILLAGE PRESIDENT REPORT – None
COMMITTEE REPORTS – None
TRUSTEES’ COMMENTS – None
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Wes Kornowske reported on the following:
December 4 – Evergreen Holiday Festival at the park across from Village Hall, hosted by NOARDA. Information can be found on the village website. A Reverse 911 will go out this Saturday.
Open Meetings Act law will require mandatory online training to be completed within the next 90 days for the Village Board.
The Village is on track for its Dec 16th completion.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None
FIRE DISTRICT REPORT – None
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Finance – none
B. Community Development – none
C. Police – none
D. Public Works – Mike Glock reported that they are at the end of the leaf pickup job and are currently on the east side. Last week there were 35 truck loads on the west side.
Trees at Tanner Trails have been planted and the company did a nice job.
E. Water – None
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Michelle Slaughter (Offutt Lane) – Ms. Slaughter mentioned that on Nov. 1st the Plan Commission went through a list of items before making its decision regarding the proposed gas station. Slaughter asked why the Board did not do the same.
Atty. Drendel said that if the Village Board disagrees with any of the criteria that was discussed by the Plan Commission, they would discuss it further.
Atty. Drendel noted that special uses are permitted uses in the zoning district. A special use is noted as such because it might adversely impact neighboring properties. It requires review by the Plan Commission and Village Board and conditions can be placed on the use. It will have to go through a site plan review which may result in more conditions.
Mayor Berman said that in going through the process, the Village meets with its engineer, public works, water department and community development department and makes sure that all concerns are taken into consideration.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Trustee Lambert and seconded by Trustee Guethle to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel. All in favor. Motion approved.
Executive Session
1. Personnel
(RETURN TO OPEN SESSION)
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino to appoint Lieut. Scott Buziecki as the Village’s Emergency Management Coordinator. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle -yes, Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Lambert – yes, Trustee Faber – yes.
Motion approved (5-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
