VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 6, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of Mayor Berman, Trustee Gaffino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Mark Guethle, Village Clerk Lori Murray.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Police Chief Dave Summer, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Street Superintendent Brian Richter, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Franchise Agreement – Comcast
Comcast had a non-exclusive franchise agreement for 12 years with the Village. When that expired, the Village did a couple of extensions. The Village allowed the Southwest Fox Valley Cable and Telecommunications Consortium to negotiate on its behalf. The primary change to the agreement is in Section 8 which talks about public educational and governmental access. There is a section that allows for a PEG fee which is 53 cents per bill per month which is used to offset capital costs for equipment. Bosco noted that just because it is in the agreement does not mean that the Village will enact it. Trustee Curtis asked, if the fee is enacted, would it be charged to all consumers or just Comcast customers. Bosco said it would just be Comcast customers. Curtis asked what the Village pays into this program. Bosco stated that the Village gets 40% of all revenue from the Comcast subscriptions. There is a 5% surcharge. Out of that the Village gives 40% to the Consortium and retains 60%. In the past, the Consortium has taken the 40% and issued the Village a rebate. In the last 3 years, the Village’s total contribution to the Consortium was 20-40% of our total revenues for the Comcast fees. Curtis said that as a consumer and a resident she would rather have her bill decrease by 5% than have PEG access. Curtis said she did not think that spending $40,000 for a small portion of the village is wise when there are other mediums such as YouTube which could be used. Curtis asked when the Village needs to finalize this portion of the agreement. Bosco said that the Village should have the franchise agreement negotiated first and then when the process is over, the Board could re-evaluate the current situation.
Bosco said that the franchise agreement has to be renewed at some point. The agreement with the Consortium is something the Village and three other villages chose to do separately. Trustees Faber, Guethle and Carroll said they were okay with the way the agreement stands. Trustee Gaffino asked if there would be any additional cost to televising the Village meetings. Mike Reynolds of the FVCC said that there is no additional cost. Reynolds noted that the Consortium has returned 40% of the monies back to the Village since 2007. Reynolds added that if the Village decides to give up PEG access, it would be very difficult to get it back.
2. 102 S. Lincolnway
John White addressed the Board. He is looking to open a full auto service repair business with his son-in-laws. The site is a 14,000+ s.f. lot which has been vacant for the last 200+ days. The building will have 4 bays and 1,325 s.f. of retail space. The property is designed as an automotive garage.
Mike Toth mentioned that a public hearing was held February 7th before the Plan Commission. They unanimously recommended approval with 6 conditions:
1. Outdoor Storage is prohibited
2. Storage rack to be removed from the property
3. Screening of the dumpster
4. Any debris is not to be kept onsite
5. 25-foot utility easement for stormwater
6. Any intensification of the use would require an additional special use.
3. North Aurora Smiles Site Plan
This went before the Plan Commission and was received favorably. No additional conditions other than the condition about the dumpster being screened.
Ryan Blocker, Jacob and Hefner Associates, civil engineer for Dr. Aziz, addressed the Board.
This proposal is a 2-acre lot in Randall Crossings subdivision. The site has been previously mass graded and the utilities have been stubbed. Dr. Aziz has been in the community for ten years and due to the expansion of his business, there is a need to develop the sight as a standalone office building. The building is 5400 s.f. The Board was in favor of moving forward. There were no further questions.
4. Riverfront Jeep Site Plan
This went before the Plan Commission on Feb 7. It was received favorably with one condition that the dumpster be screened.
John Eggert of Hardt Stern and Kayne , 2610 Lake Cook Road, Riverwoods addressed the Board. The proposal is to construct a 31,000 s.f. facility on Orchard Gateway Boulevard, just north of the Target location.
Dennis Leston of Custom Facilities (architect out of Indiana) was also in attendance.
Bill Perry of Watermark Engineering said that the site is directly east of the auto mall. The site will be subdivided and utilize 7-1/2 acres. Stormwater detention already exists. There are currently 2 curb cuts. One full access on the west side of the property and one on the east side that is a right-in/right-out. The proposal is to take the eastern driveway away and create a new one east of that which would be shared with the additional property to the east. The right-in/right-out would be changed to a full access. There will be 64 customer spaces and 567 inventory spaces behind the property.
Eggert said that the petitioner wanted 2 conditions attached to the agreement:
1. Preliminary and final approval of the ultimate plat of subdivision.
2. Driveway proposed to be shared by Riverfront and whoever ends up in lot 2. That will be access left and right access to Orchard Gateweay. This agreement would be contingent upon the village’s review and approval of a cross easement agreement between our property and the property next door. Asked those 2 conditions be tacked on to the ultimate approval that comes from the Board. Drendel said that would be a condition tacked onto subdivision. Drendel said that the Village would agree to that. Eggert said that in the actual subdivision, that the ordinance approving all of this would not take effect until Riverfront acquires title to the property. Drendel said the Village would have no issue with that request.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll to adjourn the meeting. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
