VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AUGUST 21, 2006
CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of Village President John Hansen, Trustee Max Herwig served as acting Village President for the Committee of the Whole Meeting. Trustee Herwig called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Trustees Max Herwig, Paul Shoemaker, Dale Berman, Linda Mitchell, Mark Gaffino, Mike Herlihy. Not in attendance: Village President John Hansen.
Staff in attendance: Atty. Kevin Drendel, Sue McLaughlin, Wes Kornowske, DeWayne Williams, Mike Glock, Jim Bibby, Tom Fetzer, Mark Bozik.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Scott Novicki, 610 Hickory Ct., North Aurora, IL – Mr. Novicki addressed the Board regarding barking issues at Mr. Scott’s Dog Resort. Novicki explained that the indoor enclosures are cleaned out 3 times a day. The dogs are brought out 3 times a day at 7:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sundays. On Monday mornings the kennel opens at 7:00 a.m. and therefore dogs are let out at 6:30 a.m. or 6:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The dogs are typically outside for a half hour to 45 minutes maximum for each session. Novicki stated that there are 29 enclosures at the kennel. When at full capacity, which is about 10 weeks out of a year, 10 dogs are outside at a time for 45 minutes, at most there will be dogs outside for 2 hours and 15 minutes three times a day. Novicki said that the dogs are not out all day long and that his business is an indoor kennel. After the indoor kennels are cleaned the dogs are immediately brought inside. The first session ends at 10:00 a.m. The 2:00 p.m. session ends at 4:15 p.m. and the 7:30 p.m. session ends at about 9:30 or 9:45 p.m. Novicki said he is concerned about the noise issue and has installed a bark arrestor, which sends out a high frequency signal to help curb the barking. Novicki said that he has taken additional precautions and steps. For the morning shift, the barkers will be let out last and back in the kennel as quickly as possible to keep the outside noise at a minimum. For the night shift, the barkers will be let out first.
Novicki mentioned that his business is in the B2 zoning. Novicki said that although he has an exemption under the Animal Control Act, he does try to comply with the limits set forth in the Noise Ordinance, which is from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. except on Sundays. Novicki said he would be willing to adjust his hours to fit into the parameters of the noise ordinance. Novicki said he would start his last session at 6:30 p.m. when full to capacity which would end the session by 9:00 p.m. Novicki said that on Monday mornings he would let the dogs out at 7:00 a.m. Novicki noted that he would need the exemption for Sunday since the cut off for Sunday is 6:00 p.m. and the dogs would need to be let out after this time. Novicki noted that the Noise Ordinance does not stipulate anything about animals.
Novicki informed the Board that Mr. McKnight left a threatening message on his answering machine last year stating that he would shut down Mr. Novicki’s business. Novicki said that this message was recorded by the police and entered into evidence. Novicki said that he is afraid that if the exemption is lifted, it will enable Mr. McKnight to call in a complaint whether or not there is a dog barking. Novicki asked the Board not to lift the exemption. Trustee Herwig said that in further investigation he discovered that that there is a beagle two doors down from the kennel that is kept outside on a regular basis and is yelled at by its owner. Novicki said there is a beagle at 323 S. Lincolnway that was outside all day long for a month-and-a-half over the summer and the owner would yell at the dog. Novicki said he does not want to be blamed for someone else’s dog.
Jeff Bolger, 621 Lindsay Circle, North Aurora – Bolger said he and his wife are frequent customers of Mr. Scott’s Dog Spa and Mr. Scott’s Dog Resort. Bolger asked that in consideration of the Noise Ordinance and Animal Control Ordinance, that the Board keep in mind the need for this type of business in the community.
Gene Novicki, 226 W. Park, Sugar Grove – Mr. Gene Novicki said he has worked at Mr. Scott’s Dog Resort for over a year now and no one has come in to complain to him about noise. The only comments he has received is about the cleanliness and how much they like the business.
Jeff Ekstrom, 810 Magnolia Drive, North Aurora – Mr. Ekstrom referenced Ordinance 060424-01 that was passed on April 24th regarding solicitation. Ekstrom said it seems that the Board has told the police not to act on the citations which are set forth in the ordinance. Ekstrom said he does not want to be bothered with solicitors. Page 5 of the ordinance states that any person to place, deposit or in any manner affix anything on the door is in violation. Ekstrom said that the businesses should be cited for the violation.
Kevin Jestice, 3250 Fox Ridge Ct., Woodridge, IL – Mr. Jestice said he drives more than 30 minutes to bring his business to Mr. Scott’s Dog Resort. Jestice said it is the cleanest and best dog facility he has ever seen.
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