VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 7, 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 Mark Carroll, 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 Joe DeLeo.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Petition #22-05: Woodman’s Warehouse Addition
Jim Arneson of FoxArneson Construction was on hand to present regarding the Woodman’s proposed warehouse expansion. Arneson stated that FoxArneson had been working with Woodman’s since 1983. He explained that Woodman’s does not have any centralized distribution centers, instead each of the Woodman’s stores has a significant amount of warehouse space and Woodman’s own trucking fleet redistributes the inventory between the stores. Due to recent distribution issues, Woodman’s has begun building more warehouse space on to locations that can accommodate expansions. Woodman’s was looking to add 67,000 square feet to their existing store, totaling just over 300,000 square feet. The proposed plan called for matching the existing structure. Mr. Arneson went on to explain in more detail how they plan on achieving that.
Mr. Arneson addressed traffic issues that the Plan Commission had mentioned.
Mr. Arneson spoke about the PUD deviations of the exterior lighting as well as the parking that had been proposed. He stated that the lighting that had been called for in the PUD was outdated and that they preferred to use LED lighting. The PUD called for a parking ratio that aligned with accounting for customers, however the additional warehouse space was not intended for customer access.
Paul McIlheran, civil engineer from raSmith detailed the site plan for the Village Board. McIlheran stated that they will be working with the Village to update the site’s storm water management. He also spoke about the landscaping surrounding the new structure.
Director Toth commented that the deviations of the lighting and parking were a Special Use requiring a Public Hearing which was held before the Plan Commission Meeting on November 1, 2022.
Trustee Curtis stated that she was concerned about the aesthetics of the entirety of the building, including the existing structure. Mr. Arneson explained that the current building was the model that all Woodman’s stores adopt, however they would not be opposed to looking in to changes.
Trustee Lowery asked for clarification on the changes to the rear of the building. Mr. McIlheran stated that the throughway behind the building would be widened to meet standards. There was discussion about a concern brought up at the Plan Commission meeting about traffic issues behind the Woodman’s building as well as at the parcel pick-up area.
The Village Board were in favor of the expansion.
2. Silo Lighting Concepts
Administrator Bosco reminded the Board about the history of the silo (Berman Tower) restoration/lighting project which began in 2018 with the activation of the lighting in December 2020. He stated that about a year ago, the Board asked if anything further could be done with the lighting, perhaps animation. Bosco said that since then staff had worked on creating more lighting thematic options and reached out to Schuler and Shook, the lighting consultants used during the initial part of the project, for pricing and lighting options which they estimate to be $75,000-$150,000.
Administrator Bosco presented animated lighting options offered by Shuler and Shook. He also presented the Board with renderings of the original concept options along with the original pricing information. These option included a deck around the silo structure, a playground utilizing the existing topography of the land, and conversion of the silo to an observation tower. Bosco spoke about the specifics of each of these concepts as well as the original estimates of the enhancements.
Bosco asked the Board for feedback about whether or not they were interested in pursuing the animated lighting. He also asked if the Board would be interested in moving forward with any of the original concept plans or if they were content with the silo as it was.
Trustee Curtis stated that she is content with the way the silo is and does not want to invest any additional money in the project. She explained that the Fox Valley Park District is investing in improvements at their parks along the river north of the silo and would be in competition with the Village’s silo. Additionally, she stated that she believed that animating the lights could be a distraction to drivers.
Trustee Salazar commented that if the Village invested in some of the original concept plans, such as seating, walkways or a playground, it could create an area for people to visit. She said it would also be complementary to the Block One area. She would not be interested in upgrading the lighting.
Administrator Bosco spoke about the original idea of incorporating the concepts being that the improvements would create a destination for visitors as opposed to just a beacon that the lighted silo creates. Bosco also reminded the Board that the silo is located within a TIF district.
Mayor Gaffino said he sees the silo as a landmark. With North Aurora’s lack of a downtown area, he said that this project can become a destination that the Village can take ownership of and potentially tie in to the Block One area.
Trustee Curtis stated that the silo is only lit at night and she does not anticipate people making the silo a destination point.
Trustee Carroll expressed that he believed the only way that people will view the silo as a destination point is if it is converted to an observation tower.
There was further discussion about regarding improvements to the silo and how that could or may not enhance the area.
Administrator Bosco reminded the Board that there was also a redevelopment concept for the Riverfront Park area. He explained that having a completed concept with cost estimates bodes better for attempting to win grants to assist in funding projects. He suggested that the Board decide what to prioritize and to have a completed concept in an effort to receive grant funds.
The Board discussed what they felt the priorities of the Village should be and offered different ideas for the area. The consensus being that the silo and Riverfront Park would be brought up for discussion during the Village’s strategic planning.
EXECUTIVE SESSION –
1. Collective Bargaining
2. Personnel
ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to adjourn to Executive Session made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. All in favor. Motion approved.
RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Gaffino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Carroll, 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, Police Chief Joe DeLeo, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Attorney John Kelly.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
