VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 3, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dale Berman called the meeting to order.
SILENT PRAYER – MEDITATION – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark 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 David Fisher, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Truth in Taxation for 2018 Property Tax Levy
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. Finance Director Bill Hannah noted that the proposed tax levy is 2.6% more than last year’s extension. This levy is less than what is allowed by PTELL statutes. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
2. Hearing on Property Tax Levy increase greater than 5% for the Waterford Oak
Special Service Area #4
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
3. Hearing on Property Tax Levy increase greater than 5% for the Oak Hill Special
Service Area #7
Beth Eggers, 141 Greenview Court, North Aurora – questioned the need for the SSA due to a resident’s concern that his property is eroding. Eggers said if a person lives by a retention pond, it will erode over time. To apply an SSA or charge the homeowner more, to resolve the issue is detrimental. Village Administrator Steve Bosco stated that Oak Hill has a Special Service Area. The HOA had concerns with the level of the pond and erosion along the shoreline. Bosco said that he attended a meeting with the HOA a couple of months ago and heard from some of the residents. The Village has an SSA that was being levied at zero dollars. The HOA wants the village to levy a tax on that SSA in order to collect funds to do work on the pond. Two issues of concern were identified. One is that if pond levels are high, the channel of water that goes to the wetland area might only be high because it is blocked by vegetation and rocks. There is about $2200 available to the SSA that was held over from years ago. That can be used to have a company come out and clear some of those rocks. The HOA has asked for $10,000 to be levied to have money to do the work. Since the village is in control of the HOA, it does not want to put a tax on residents unless it knows what the issues are. Therefore, the Village has lowered the request to $5000. The Village is looking to levy $5000 on the HOA to hire a company to do a pond study to determine if there is any erosion and what can be done. Bosco said it was brought to the Village’s attention that rates have not been raised on the HOA in 10 – 12 years and they have had trouble getting a quorum of people to come to the meetings in order to even raise the HOA fees which is why they came to the Village. The HOA feels that if they do not have the SSA to do the study, they will never get a study done to do future work. The average homeowner would see an increase of $50 to $55 a year for the SSA.
Bosco said that just because it is levied at $5000 this year, does not mean that once the study is done, that it can’t go back to zero, if nothing has to be done. If work is recommended, the HOA can go back to the residents with the information. It does not mean the village has to have a levy of $5000 or $10,000 every year.
Dave Smith, 51 Pinehill Drive, North Aurora – asked if the tax revenue would be generated in 2020. Finance Director Bill Hannah said it would be collected in calendar year 2019. Smith asked if the Village has any history of doing this type of repair work. Bosco said work of this nature was done in Oak Hill in the past. At the time, the SSA had roughly a little more than $30,000. The Village thought there was an issue with the pond 5 years ago. They used the SSA money to hire an engineer. They and the Village’s Public Works Department hired a company to assess the pond. There was some erosion control needed and plantings were put in. Bosco said when you do any type of pond work there would be an ongoing maintenance plan. There needs to be a maintenance of the pond. A study needs to be done first and a landscape management company would do the assessment. Smith asked if the $2200 would be credited towards the $5000. Bosco said yes and that it can also be used to hire a landscape company to help move the rocks that are in the spillway and possibly alleviate concerns regarding the high water table.
There were no further comments. Mayor Berman closed hearing.
4. Hearing on Property Tax Levy Increase greater than 5% for the Timber Oaks
Special Service Area #8
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
5. Hearing on Property Tax Levy Increase greater than 5% for the Pinecreek (Phase
III) Special Service Area # 9
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
6. Hearing on Property Tax Levy Increase greater than 5% for the Willow Lakes
Special Service Area #11
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
7. Hearing on Property Tax Levy Increase greater than 5% for the North Towne
Centre Special Service Area #32
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
8. Hearing regarding the Establishment of Special Service Area 42 in the Village of
North Aurora (Lincoln Valley on the Fox Development)
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
9. Hearing Regarding the Establishment of Special Service Area 43 in the Village of
North Aurora (Springs at Orchard Road Residential Development)
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
10. Hearing Regarding the Establishment of Special Service Area 44 in the Village of
North Aurora (Springs at Orchard Road Commercial Development)
Mayor Berman opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Berman closed the public hearing.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
Trustee Guethle thanked Staff for fixing a problem with a blinking street light in town.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 11/19/18; Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 11/19/18
2. 2019 Meeting schedules for the Village Board Meetings; Committee of the Whole Meetings; Plan Commission Meetings and Trustee Committee Meetings
3. Bills List dated 12/3/18 in the Amount of $119,940.48
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of the Messenger Public Library Resolution of the Board of Library
Trustees for .02% Maintenance Tax
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote:
Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
2. Approval of an Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes in and for the
Village of North Aurora, Kane County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning June 1, 2018 and Ending May 31, 2019
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Trustee Curtis confirmed that this would not have an increase in the total tax assessment per individual homeowner. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
3. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Waterford Oaks Special
Service Area #4 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2018 and ending May 31, 2019
Motion for approval made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Curtis.
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
4. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Oak Hill Special Service Area
#7 for the Fiscal Year Beginning June 1, 2-018 and ending May 31, 2019
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
5. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Timber Oaks Special Service
Area #8 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2018 and ending May 31, 2019.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
6. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Pinecreek (Phase III) Special
Service Area #9 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2018 and ending May 31, 2019 Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
7. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Willow Lakes Special Service
Area #11 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2018 and ending May 31, 2019
Motion for approval made by Trustee and seconded by Trustee Carroll. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
8. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the North Towne Centre Special
Service Area #32 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2018 and ending May 31, 2019
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Trustee Curtis asked why the amount is so large. Bill Hannah explained that the cost of maintenance for that service area for the retention areas has been in the range of $15,000 – $20,000 a year and the Village is trying to catch up to what the current costs of maintenance are for the NA Towne Centre. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
9. Approval of an Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2018 to
pay Debt Service on $6,885,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2014 (Alternate Revenue Source)
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
10. Approval of an Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2018 to
Pay Debt Service on $5,800,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017 (Alternate Revenue Source)
Motion for approval made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
11. Approval of an Ordinance Establishing Special Service Area 42 in the Village of
North Aurora (Lincoln Valley on the Fox Development)
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
12. Approval of an Ordinance Establishing Special Service Area 43 in the Village of
North Aurora (Springs at Orchard Road Reside3ntial Development)
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
13. Approval of an Ordinance Establishing of Special Service Area 44 in the Village of
North Aurora (Springs at Orchard Road Commercial Development)
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Martinez. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
14. Approval of an Agreement with Melrose Pyrotechnics for the July 3, 2019
Fireworks in the Amount of $25,000
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, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
15. Approval of an Engineering Agreement with Rempe-Sharpe Engineering for the
2019 Street Maintenance Project in an Amount of $137,430.00
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
16. Approval of an Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 9.24 of the North Aurora
Municipal Code Prohibiting Truancy
Chief Fisher noted that there was one change per Trustee Carroll’s suggestion from the last meeting. The change was in reference to section A which dealt with jurisdictional issues with kids living in North Aurora but attending schools in other towns. It allows the Village to enforce the ordinance in these cases as well. Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Gaffino – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Martinez – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
OLD BUSINESS – None
COMMITTEE REPORTS – None
TRUSTEES’ COMMENTS
Trustee Gaffino complemented the Public Works department for their work on the last snow storm. Laskowski said the village received 7.9 inches of snow.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Village Administrator Steve Bosco mentioned that the Village had to halt its leaf pick-up program temporarily due to the storm. The Village was working on the east side of town at the time. The Village only has 6 people on staff in the streets department and only 2 leaf pick up vehicles. The trucks had to be converted to snow plows. The village received a lot of complaints from residents on the northeast side of town and the village is looking at some different things that can be done for next year. Crews were sent out this morning and got a significant amount of the leaf pickup finished. The village only has the very far northeast side of town and a couple of areas in the Pinecreek subdivision left to do.
Trustee Carroll said he understands the issue with the leaf pickup, but this storm was very early in the season and very unusual so this issue may not happen again.
Trustee Martinez said he spoke to a mother who was concerned with snow being packed in corners where bus stops are located. Another concern was with safety since some children are using the snow hills as ramps and run the risk of sliding into the street and possibly getting hit by a car. Public Works Director John Laskowski said that there is a relationship with the school district in which the bus driver would shift the bus stop to the next nearest driveway that is clear. The Village can work with the school district to inform them, the parents and students that in those cases the stop would be moved to the driveway for safety concerns.
ATTORNEY’S 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 Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
