VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
AUGUST 4, 2014
CALLTO 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 Carroll, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Guethle, Village Clerk Lori Murray.
Staff in attendance: Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Police Chief Dave Summer, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion on Strategic Plan
Village Administrator Steve Bosco noted the six categories of goals for the strategic plan. The item will be on the agenda for final approval at the August 18th meeting.
Six categories of goals
1. Community Vitality
Trustee Faber suggested promoting discussions with Fermilab in reference to the section that discusses collaborating on the wetland development. Mayor Berman suggested adding the Conservation Foundation in Naperville. Bosco said Staff could work on an action step to have the Conservation Foundation come to the Village to give a public presentation.
2. Economic Development – no suggestions or comments by the Board.
3. Maintain and Strengthen the Village’s strong financial position – no suggestions of comments by the Board.
4. Efficient and effective delivery of core services
Trustee Faber asked if there is an internal ranking for the goals. Bosco said that there is a prioritized list in the office, but will work on all items little by little so that items will be worked every year.
5. Continue maintenance and capital resource planning for Village infrastructure – no suggestions or comments by the Board.
6. Redevelop enhancement of the Route 31 corridor
Trustee Curtis asked when Houseal Lavigne would come to a conclusion with their report. The market analysis will be done in the fall and the Comp Plan will be done by early spring. The draft will be reviewed as a whole at that time. Houseal Lavigne will then have their recommendations for the Route 31 corridor including the focal points of Route 56 and 31.
Curtis asked Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth what his short term plans are to promote the Village and develop relationships with brokers and industries that would want to relocate to the Village. Toth said the Village works with prospective developers and property owners and he as already been in contact with another hotel developer. Toth said that he also attends ICSC events and is working with brokers he has worked with in the past. Curtis said she wants to make sure the Village is being aggressive in its approach since the economy appears to be coming back. Toth said that staff also met with the Steering Committee last week and reviewed the marketing analysis.
Steve Bosco said that there are objectives in the strategic plan that refer to marketing the Village.
The economic development approach is more of an aggressive approach. The process includes selecting companies that will solicit the Board’s information to create a logo or slogan and a way to market the Village for the future.
Trustee Carroll said that a lot of marketing comes from word of mouth, and added that if developers come in and deal with staff and are as impressed as we are with their professionalism, the Village will be perceived as more collaborative than obstructionist.
Carroll suggested and addition to the objectives for the Route 31/Block 1 Approach. Carroll said that one area missing is the use of eminent domain power by the Village in certain areas along Route 31. Bosco said that the strategic plan is written to be descriptive enough so that there can be direction from the Board. Trustee Faber said there is a time to exercise eminent domain, but was not sure it should be written into the strategic plan. Trustee Gaffino said he would like to work with residents first. Bosco noted that this is an annual process and can be changed at any time.
Trustee Lowery suggested, in reference to the 3rd objective in the plan for exploring alternative redevelopment strategies and designations, that there is something mentioned about the wires and telephone poles along Route 31 since they are a big deterrent.
Faber asked how far the Village is with the watermain project along Route 31. Water Superintendent Paul Young said that it is 65% completed.
Bosco said the Board can look at burying the power lines as action step. Faber said that the Village has a rough estimate of the cost and the steps moving forward are to figure out when the Village wants to approach this and figure out how it would be funded. Mayor Berman said the thought is how to pay for the project. Bosco said that the project could be added into the plan during the project review. A capital budget could be created to evaluate Route 31 to include the watermain and power lines.
This item will be on the agenda for the August 18th Board meeting.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
EXECUTIVE SESION
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of personnel. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
