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An Attentive Municipal Organization that Connects with Community, Commerce, and Nature.

Committee of the Whole Minutes

VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 19, 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

Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Engineer Brandon Tonarelli, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None

DISCUSSION

1. Police Comfort Dog Program
Police Chief DeLeo stated that the idea of a Police Comfort Dog Program was brought to him by Officer Parr of the North Aurora Police department and the coordination of the implementation of the program has been a group effort including himself, Officer Parr and Village staff Christine Wagner. DeLeo introduced officer Parr who spoke more about the program.
Officer Parr stated that the program introduces dogs that are specifically trained to provide comfort to people who are in need of emotional support. When used at schools, community events or various victims in the course of police work, the result contributes to the building of trust and positive relationship between the police and the public. Parr stated that the Village could use a comfort dog in a number of situations such as with child victims or child witnesses. Dogs can aid in situations where mental health plays part. The dogs could be used in school support as well. A dog could make appearances at community events building community relations.
Officer Parr suggested retaining a service dog from SIT Service Dog Organization. These dogs are bred specifically for service roles, behaviors and have a high degree of training.
The cost to begin the program would be approximately $11, 915. This cost includes the dog, squad safety equipment, first year veterinary costs, and start up supplies. The annual cost beyond the first year would be approximately between $1,300-$1,500 for food and veterinary costs. Parr stated that the initial cost of the program can be absorbed in to the current budget.
Parr stated that he would be the handler for the comfort dog and have the dog with him while on duty. One of the newly purchased squad cars would be outfitted with the necessary safety equipment, including a kennel and temperature monitor. Officer Parr stated that the dog would live with him and he has discussed with Chief DeLeo his willingness to work various shifts and come in as needed.
Parr stated that the program supports the Village’s strategic plan to facilitate community outreach with the Police Department.
Trustee Guethle asked what type of dog the department would be getting. Parr explained that the typical dogs seen doing police work, such as German shepherds are not therapy dogs. Likely the department would be receiving an American field lab, like a black lab.
Trustee Curtis asked what would happen if the Department was in need of the therapy dog and it was Officer Parr’s day off. Officer Parr stated that he has discussed with Chief DeLeo his willingness to be called in or adjust his schedule. Chief DeLeo stated that there will also be a secondary handler.
The Board expressed that they were in favor of the program.
Administrator Bosco explained that the bulk of the initial start of costs involve modifications to the squad car. Bosco asked for direction on whether or not to move forward with the modifications. The Village Board requested to move forward with the project.
2. Public Works Building Facility Options
Administrator Bosco stated that the goal for this agenda item was to choose one of three Public Works facility concepts in order to move forward and secure more solid building costs.
Trustee Curtis asked if this had previously been discussed by the Board. Bosco stated that although this had been discussed in the past, the Board had never formally picked an option.
Director Laskowski stated that they were currently working through the validation stage. He proceeded to present the three different options to the Village Board.
Option one utilizes the current structure with additional structures built on to the existing structure. Option one is not large enough to house all of the public works vehicles within the structure and an additional structure, further south on the property, would be utilized to house vehicles as well.
The construction of this option would be phased. While the new structures were being built, staff would work out of the existing area and then move in to the newly constructed area for the existing structure to be renovated.
The projected costs for this option range from $14,417,302 to $22,191,913.
Option two, the existing facility would be demolished and a new facility built. The structure would house all of the vehicles, however the vehicle garage would be roughly 400 feet in length, making getting from one end the other a challenge.
The construction is not phased. The existing structure would be demolished and the Public Works department would have to find another place to work from during construction.
This option ranges in estimated cost between $14,407,815 and $21,905,526.
Option three involves utilizing the land that would be acquired from the SKCTA through a land swap. The building would be newly constructed on that property and the existing facility would remain intact for the duration of the construction allowing the Public Works department to continue working out of the existing facility. This was the option the staff preferred.
The estimated cost range for option three is $14,630,757 to $22,055,676.
Laskowski stated that staff would like to move forward to the next step in the design phase which would be the schematic design which will allow a construction manager to make a more accurate cost estimate.
Trustee Guethle expressed favorability for option three.
Mayor Gaffino asked about the gap in cost estimates between $14 million and $22 million. Director Laskowski stated it would be a matter of size of the structures. The higher end cost estimates were the options that were presented to the Board.
Mayor Gaffino asked how many years do the designs accommodate for, Laskowski stated designs typically account for 30 years of use.
Mayor Gaffino asked Administrator Bosco about the potential land swap and where that was. Bosco stated that the Village has had good conversations with the fire department and there is a draft agreement, the Village hopes to keep moving the process forward.
Trustee Niedzwiedz asked Laskowski if the designs accommodated future vehicle purchases. Laskowski stated that the designs accounted for additional vehicles as well as future staff additions.
There was a discussion on what spaces may be reduced for cost saving measures.
The Village Board was in agreement to move forward with Option three for the Public Works facility.
3. 2023 Road Program

Administrator Bosco stated that Village staff was looking for the Board’s recommendation on whether or not to move forward with the proposed road program for next year. Bosco introduced Village Engineer Brandon Tonarelli who gave a presentation on the proposed areas for improvement in 2023.
Tonarelli presented a map to the Board which illustrated the current road conditions.
Trustee Curtis asked about the deterioration of streets shown on the map and whether or not it is expressing rapid deterioration of streets. Tonarelli explained that the resurfacing is done in sections. Administrator Bosco explained that some of the more heavily trafficked streets may experience faster deterioration.

Bosco explained that the Village attempts to get to streets before they deteriorate to a point of failure. It is more costly to rebuild a road than to resurface it.
Tonarelli explained the Village’s strategy on road maintenance. He stated that using the maps and scoring from the studies that the Village has had done along with the road history, a strategy is formulated to optimize the funding that is used for road maintenance. While determining a strategy, water mains and sanitary sewer repairs in the area are taken in to consideration. After maintenance is performed, the model is updated by adjusting the pavement indices. The Pavement Assessment is repeated at a 3-5 year interval.
Finance Director Jason Paprocki stated that the Road Program gets paid out of the Village’s Capital Projects fund. The base revenues that fund the Capital Projects fund are the .50% non-home rule sales tax, and the 3% electricity and gas utility tax. He said that historically these had been about $1.8 million dollars, in 2022 it was $2.1 million. In addition, there had been fund transfers to the Capital Project funds resulting in an extra $7 million over the last four fiscal years. This has helped the fund get up to about $10.4 million, having grown significantly since 2018 when the balance was about $3 million. The Road Program budget was $3 million, 2023 is projected to be $1.8 million.
Tonarelli stated that the Chesterfield subdivision was found to have some of the worst conditioned streets and fit the $1.8 million budget. The staff proposed to make the Chesterfield subdivision the focus of the 2023 Road Program.
Mayor Gaffino brought up the seeding that was done during the 2022 Road Program. A discussion was had about the unsatisfactory grass seeding and what can be done for future plantings during the Road Project.

The Board was in agreement on the proposed Road Program targeted area.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Property Acquisition

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion to adjourn to Executive Session made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. All in favor. Motion approved.

ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz

Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.

ADJOUNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. All in favor. Motion approved.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk

 

 

 

 

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