VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
MAY 1, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Lowery, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Chris Faber, 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 Dave Summer, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Quiet Zone
Village Administrator Steve Bosco said that there have been requests by residents to have a quiet zone along the BNSF line that runs across Village Hall. Bosco said it seemed simple at first since South Street, Grant Street and the crossing at Butterfield have the prerequisites, which are lights, bells, gates and a warning system that is already in the ground. The Village then looked at extending the quiet zone all the way through North Aurora passed Butterfield, to the Batavia border. To have a quiet zone, it has to end on a public crossing. If the Village wants to extend it north, the next public crossing is in unincorporated Kane County. That appears to work, however, the issue is that there are a few private crossings in between and those private crossings are at parks that are frequented by children (Red Oak Nature Center and Lippold Park). The Village reached out to some of the members of the diagnostic team. This is the team that would review any concerns with the quiet zone. They would also involve anyone who is involved with the railroad. This would include the Village, IDOT, BNSF, the Federal Railroad Administration and the ICC (Illinois Commerce Commission). Bosco asked the Village Board if they were in favor of the proposed quiet zone from South Street to Route 56. Bosco noted that a decision was made not to go further north because the ICC had some concerns with the private crossings. The plan would be to get the one in place from South Street to Route 56 and eventually take a look at the northern part to see if it could be added at a later date. Trustee Curtis said she was concerned with not having a quiet zone at Route 25 and the railroad crossing because trains go through that location at 11:00 and 12:00 each night and the sound is very loud and very close to residential.
Bosco said he would start on getting a quiet zone from South Street to Route 56 and will look further with the county to see if it is willing to get a quiet zone just at their crossing at Route 25. The Board was in favor of this decision.
ADJOURN TO EXEC SESSION
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. All in favor. Motion approved.
(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
