VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, April 18, 2022
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village Board meeting was conducted live remotely
via telecommunications.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gaffino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher, Deputy Chief Scott Buziecki
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – See below
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. 950 Ice Cream Drive Minor PUD Change
Director Toth reminded the Board of the property at 950 Ice Cream Drive currently under development. The property is nine acres at the northeast corner of Randall Road and Ice Cream Drive, it was approved as part of a PUD and was intended for industrial use. The property owners had been working with a food manufacturing group looking to utilize the facility. Director Toth stated that there would be some minor changes to the actual building and property that would require a minor change to the PUD which Toth has the authority to approve. Toth invited the interested parties to address the Board.
Brandon Talbert with Austin Consulting, as well as Lionel Mendoza representing the manufacturing company and Tim Stuchly from Transwestern were on hand to provide information about the proposed changes to the facility as well as information regarding the intended occupants. It was stated that the food manufacturing company intended on ultimately employing up to 400 employees, offering multiple benefits.
The intended change from warehouse to manufacturing would bring the estimated truck traffic down. Mr. Mendoza stated that there would be steam emitted by the cooking process, but no odor due to the technology used.
Intended minor changes for the site were changing the color of the façade of the building as well as reducing the number of truck stalls and adding parking spaces.
Trustee Guethle asked when the manufacturer would be open for business. Mr. Stuchly stated that the building would be finished June 1, 2022, however there would be an extensive build out by the manufacturer taking an additional eighteen months.
Mayor Gaffino stated that he liked the intended manufacturing use for the facility and the job potential it would be creating.
Trustee Curtis asked for clarification on the steam the building would be emitting, Mr. Mendoza stated that production would only be happening during the day so that is when the water vapor would be present.
The Board expressed positive feedback for the intended manufacturing use for the facility.
2. Police Body Worn Cameras
Chief Fisher reminded the Board that the SAFE-T Act in 2021 required the use of Body Worn Cameras for the Police Department by January 1, 2025. The Police Department had begun researching cameras prior to the passage of the Act and was bringing their findings before the Board for discussion.
Chief Fisher explained that the Police Department had recruited the assistance of Marketplace, a business that specialized in the research and comparing products based on specifications that are provided to them. This resulted in three companies, Axon, Watchguard and Utility. Pilot testing was conducted on body worn cameras for all three companies and data was compared. Axon and Watchguard had the best ratings. Squad Mounted cameras were also compared.
The total cost for a five year plan for Axon body worn cameras (32) and squad cameras (12) would be $264,846.00.
The total cost for a five year plan for Watchguard body worn cameras (32) and squad cameras (2) would be $252,200.00.
Chief Fisher stated that Staff recommended purchasing the Axon package due to product performance preference as well as benefits Axon offers such as warranty coverage.
Deputy Chief Scott Buziecki explained the vetting process the Police Department employed in testing the cameras. He also explained the features for both the WatchGuard and Axon cameras and what features the Axon cameras had that Police Department preferred over the WatchGuard cameras such as ease of use, stability and a feature that activates a camera based on proximity to another officer whose camera has been activated.
Trustee Niedzwiedz asked what happens to the equipment after five years, Buziecki stated that the equipment is “refreshed” at two and half years. At the end of five years it will be up to the Village to decide whether or not to get new equipment or continue using the same equipment and pay for the licensing.
Mayor Gaffino asked about data storage, Buziecki stated that the quotes included unlimited storage. Gaffino asked what happens to the data if the Village decided to terminate the relationship with the company, Buziecki stated that the Village would be given reasonable time to remove the data and put it in other storage.
The Board expressed support of the Police Department’s decision to contract with Axon for body worn and squad cameras.
3. Title 2 Administration and Personnel Code Revisions
Administrator Bosco stated that a review of the North Aurora Municipal Code prompted revisions to outdated administrative code.
Attorney Drendel explained that there were provisions in the code that dated back to 1967, many outdated provisions rendered obsolete. Drendel stated that some changes included position titles updated, a large section that was reproducing the open meetings act was eliminated, and supervision of the departments under the Administrator was streamlined.
The Village Board approved of the suggested changes.
4. FY 2022-23 Draft Budget Review
Administrator Bosco explained that this was the final review of the Draft Budget before approval.
Finance Director Jason Paprocki detailed the changes to the Draft Budget since the last review. Some changes included the removal of the HR position resulting in $113,000 savings for the General Fund but $16,000 of contract and HR services were added. A Police Records Specialist was removed for $29,000, there was an increase of $5,000 for the budgeted Police Social Worker compensation. Adjustments were made for the anticipated Police body worn cameras, to the Waterworks Fund for expenditures related to the postponed Central Water Tower Project, also adjustments were made to the TIF district budget. As a result of the changes the General Fund budgeted increase has gone from $54,371 to $184,797.
Administrator Bosco spoke about the removal of HR generalist position from the budget and shifting the funding elsewhere. He also stated that a position can be brought back as a budget amendment.
Trustee Lowery asked how many people are employed by the Village, Bosco stated that there are currently 65 full time employees with a potential of 67-70.
Mayor Gaffino suggested that the Village put forth more effort in initiatives to help senior citizens. Administrator Bosco stated that there are funds in the General Fund for community donations as well as a Community Events Fund.
There was discussion on what the Village could potentially participate in or contribute to with an emphasis on Village of North Aurora residents.
Administrator Bosco complimented Accounting and Finance Manager Mandy Flatt and Finance Director Jason Paprocki for their efforts on the Budget. The Village Board added their compliments as well.
EXECUTIVE SESSION –
1. Review of the Executive Session Minutes Dated 1206/21 Part 1, 12/06/21 Part 2, 12/20/21, 02/07/22 and 02/21/22
2. Review of the Release of Executive Session Minutes
ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to adjourn to Executive Session made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. All in favor. Motion approved.
RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gaffino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
