VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 20, 2017
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 Guethle, Village Clerk Lori Murray. Not in attendance: Trustee Mark Carroll.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Streets Superintendent Brian Richter, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Village Engineer Jim Bibby.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Randall Crossing PUD Map Amendments
Ed Roberts, representing the petitioner, addressed the Board regarding the 7.86 acres in Randall Crossing. Other members of the development team included Theresa Bateman of NextGen Development, Mike Schoppe of Schoppe Design Associates and Mike Mueller of Cemcom (engineering firm). This proposal consists of a hotel, 40 townhomes and 2 restaurant pad sites. The plan is to take the existing property, create 4 lots ranging in size from an acre to 3.41 acres. Zoning would need to change from a B2 to an R3 for the townhomes. The hotel phase of the development would be developed first. The hotel is a 3-story, 64-room, extended-stay MyPlace prototype. The hotel brand is a second generation product of the Rivett family who developed a thousand hotels over 20 years under the brand name Super 8.
Trustee Curtis asked about the nightly room rate for the proposed My Place hotel. Roberts said that from a proforma standpoint, the rate is $82/night. Curtis asked about the target market for the hotel. Roberts said that the target would be the corporate environment (manufacturing businesses along the I-88 corridor). It would target people who are coming in for training and meetings. Bosco stated that the average stay is 16 days. Curtis noted her concern that the hotel is an economy product and the outlot would be fast food business. Curtis said that this would not be desirable since the Village has a high end restaurant such as the Turf Room in the same location. Roberts said he envisions a Chili’s type restaurant for the outlot. Trustee Gaffino said this topic came up in the concept plan and he agreed with Trustee Curtis with not wanting a fast food restaurant in this space. Gaffino said that he would like to see more upscale restaurants.
Community and Economic Development Director Mike Toth stated that restaurant sites are conceptual in nature. Built into the Randall Highland PUD, drive-thrus are a permitted use. The Village does not have any mechanism through the special use process to deny a business with a quick service restaurant.
Trustee Guethle asked about the expected occupancy rate for the hotel throughout the year. Roberts said that My Place runs at a 66% occupancy.
There was concern by the Board regarding the look of the My Place sign. Toth said the Plan Commission recommended that the sign coloration be more of a neutral tone. Roberts said it is a registered trademark for a brand, so they are unable to change the dynamic of the sign or the coloring. He added that there was discussion about having dimmer switches for the signs and placement of eaves that may assist. There will be no signage on the west side of the building which is where the townhomes are located. Roberts asked that that placeholder be removed since they cannot change a registered trademark.
Mike Schoppe addressed the Board regarding the site plan. It is very similar to the last concept plan that was seen. Materials being used will accommodate a similar look to the Turf Room. Internal sidewalks will be added for access to the commercial area. They are also looking at a sidewalk connection for pedestrians which will be located by the southern townhomes.
Toth said that a special use is required for this project:
-Height deviation of the hotel from 35 feet to 35 feet 10 inches.
-Spacing of landscape islands.
-Building setbacks between building 3 and 4 of the townhome development.
-Building separation between buildings 1, 2 and 3 to accommodate a small fire closet.
-Temporary signage for townhome development.
-Map amendment required.
-Sunset clause to state that if this does not develop within a year, the actual property will remain in the B2 district.
-Site plan approval for the townhomes and hotel only.
In terms of impact fees, they are requesting to go from $3.00/sf to $1.00/sf. Toth said the impact fee portion is just for the hotel and not the townhomes.
The public hearing date is scheduled for April 3rd at the next Village board Meeting.
2. Watering Permit Text Amendments
The village code has a water conservation provision which allows those with even numbered addresses to water on even numbered days between 6am – 9am and 6pm – 9pm and those with odd numbered addressed on odd numbered days. There are special exemptions via a water permit in the form of a 10-day pass. This allows watering for 8 hours on the first day and the remaining 9 days between 6am – 9am and 6pm – 9pm. The village issues about 50 of these a year.
Toth said that the Village is looking to eliminate the requirement for staff to come before the board to acquire a certain number of permits that would be allocated for the year. There would be no cap on the number of these permits that would be issued each year.
3. Community Sign
Three companies were interviewed to develop a new community sign to replace the existing one currently located at the corner of Route 31 and State Street. The Village chose Western Remac, Inc.
The Village will have $70,000 that will be placed in the budget for June 1st. The question for the Board was if it wanted to move forward with sponsorship requests, who will be the sponsors and what would be the required dollar amount.
Trustee Gaffino asked if the existing sign would be used in any way. Bosco said it would probably not be used. Bosco noted, however, that there is a provision in the code that will allow for an exemption. If the Village keeps some of the existing pole structure, the new sign could be higher than the 8 feet that is required along the Route 31 corridor.
Curtis said her concern is that the sign will minimize the marketability of that corner. Someone might want to develop that corner but not like the idea of the community sign on their lot. Faber asked if the sign will be moveable. Bosco said yes. Signs built on highway corners are made to breakaway. Curtis asked about the logic in spending $70,000 on a sign for a temporary location and didn’t feel it was the best use of $70,000. Trustee Gaffino said that people do look at the community sign for village information. Faber said that the sign will benefit the community. Guethle said that residents do use the sign and it is a great improvement to the community.
The Board decided to move forward with the sign with no sponsorships.
4. Budget Review
General Fund Revenues
3 revenues make up 79% of General Fund Revenues.
Sales tax revenues (44% of GF Revenues) are up 5% in the current YTD (7 months)
Next year projecting about a 2% increase or $4,692,000.
Income tax revenue – has been down 9%. Projecting a 4% increase next year, taking into account the special census.
Property taxes make up 19% which incorporate the CPI factor from 2016. It is a $35,000 increase in the general fund. However, after the pension requirement for the police pension fund, it is actually a net decrease of 9%.
State-shared income tax revenues (16% of GF Revenues) down 9% in current YTD (10 months). Projecting a 4.0% increase for next year or $1,685,000.
The village will have a balanced general fund for next year. Revenues exceeding expenditures by about $25,000. Maintaining our reserve level of 64% or $6.8 million.
MFT Fund
MFT revenues projected to increase to $450,000 from $435,000.
Initial estimate of Village’s share of Airport Road/Ice Cream Drive/Alder Project was $700,000 and is now about $450,000. Approx $700,000 reserve in the MFT Fund.
TIF Funds
Current year increment in Route 31 TIF fund $377,000 with an increase to $385,000 next year.
Completion of Smoketree Phase III for $366,000 in Route 31 TIF Fund.
Reconstruction of Alley in North Lincolnway TIF Fund for about $41,000.
Capital Projects Fund
Total dedicated funding of 0.50% sales tax and 3% utility taxes equals $1,670,000 in the current year. It is projected to be $1,718,000 next year.
Sanitary Sewer Fund
The village completed sanitary sewer lining last fiscal year and began televising and cleaning this current fiscal year for $153,000. Approximately 258,600 lineal feet remains at a cost of $362,000 over two years.
Water Fund
The Board approved the bond issuance tonight for construction of Wells 8 & 9. Watermain replacement and remaining funds for new central water tower over the next 2-3 years.
Increased maintenance and replacement costs with two treatment plants:
MIOX Generators $480,000 over next three years .
Cleaning backwash treatment plant tanks $50,000.
Mixer Motors $16,000; Other replacement items $20,000.
Vehicles, Capital Equip and IT
Replacement of 5 police patrol vehicles with 2017 Ford Explorer AWD for $230,00 ($46,000 each includes changeover costs)
Replacement of 5-yard Truck (2004 Low Pro) for $150,000
Replacement Pickup Truck Public Works (2003 Blazer) for $23,000
Replace Used 2006 Explorer at Village Hall with new vehicle $25,000
Replacement of Police Department Camera System (server and Cameras) $55,000
Street Superintendent Brian Richter said that moving away from the Caprices is good because they are hard to service and are in the garage twice a week. The Village currently has 9 Caprices.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of reviewing Executive Session Minutes. All in favor. Motion approved.
Executive session Meeting
1. Review Executive Session Minutes dated 11/7/16; 11/21/16 Session I; 11/21/16 Session II; 2/6/17 Session I; 2/6/17 Session II
(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
