VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, May 1, 2023
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 Jason Christiansen, 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 Brian Richter, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – Trustee Salazar offered Director Toth congratulations and stated that it had been a pleasure working with him.
Mayor Gaffino echoed Salazar’s comments adding that being able to retain Toth was a win for the Village.
DISCUSSION
1. Liquor License for Juquilita Tacos
Administrator Bosco stated that Juquilita Tacos, who has been in North Aurora since 2011, had decided to pursue a Class C Liquor License for the sale of beer and wine.
Per the new Code, all new Liquor Licenses will come before the Board, regardless the length of time a petitioner has been in business. If the Committee of the Whole has no issues or questions, it then goes before the Village Board for approval so the Mayor can issue the Liquor License.
Mayor Gaffino commented that Juquilita’s was a great restaurant and involved in the community, Trustee Salazar offered congratulations and well wishes for the business.
The Village Board offered a positive response to the request.
2. Route 31 TIF Request
Administrator Bosco stated that the item was in regard to a TIF request for the property located at 307 S. Lincolnway. The item had gone before the Committee of the Whole previously on February 6, 2023 at which time the Board directed Staff to put together a draft agreement. Administrator Bosco stated that should the Board have no issues with the draft agreement it would then go before the Village Board for approval.
Director Toth stated that the property owner was seeking $66,167 to the Illinois Department of Transportation for release of access control to allow for a right-in, right-out curb cut. Toth stated that at the previous Committee of the Whole, there was not full support from the Village Board for the request, however there was support to move forward with a draft agreement as long as there were no additional monetary funds that were being sought by the current property owner moving forward in the future. That was one of the provisions in the agreement as well as the agreement only applies to the property owner and does not run with the land. In addition, if the fee required by IDOT for the release of access is more than the $66,167 requested by the property owner, it would be the burden of the property owner to make the additional payment. If the payment required is less, the difference would be paid back to the Village. There will be a three year stipulation, if there is no action taken on the Route 31 access within three years, the Village will have the right to request the funding back from the State.
Trustee Niedzwiedz asked if the funds were going to go to the property owner or directly to the State, Toth replied that it would be paid to the State.
Trustee Christiansen asked how this action would benefit the Village. Director Toth stated that it was a commercial property in a TIF district, it had had commercial interest in the past but given the lack of access to the property the developers abandoned the deal. Toth explained that it was a rare and time consuming process to reacquire access control from the State. Acquiring the access makes the property ready for development.
Christiansen asked if this would be something that the land owner would pay the Village back if the property sold. Toth stated that there was no requirement for reimbursement in the agreement, however if the property were to be developed, it would be under the Route 31 TIF district, however it would be unlikely to recoup the TIF funds but then it comes on the tax bill eventually as well as any sales tax that derive from the business if it happens to be retail. There are potential financial benefits, long term.
Trustee Salazar asked what the property was zoned for. Toth stated the B-3 district.
The Village Board were in unanimous approval of the item.
EXECUTIVE SESSION –
1. Property Acquisition
2. Review of the Executive Session Minutes Dated 11/07/2022 Part 1, 11/07/2022 Part 2, 11/21/2022 Part 1, 11/21/2022 Part 2, 12/05/2022, 02/06/2023, 03/20/2023 Part 1, 03/20/2023 Part 2, 04/17/2023
3. 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 Salazar. 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 Jason Christiansen, 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 Brian Richter, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Salazar and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
