VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, June 17, 2024
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 Todd Niedzwiedz
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community Development Director Nathan Darga, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director Brian Richter, Deputy Police Chief Joe Gorski.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
- Fortunato Liquor Licenses
Administrator Bosco stated that the item was regarding Fortunato, the restaurant located at 2040 W. Orchard Road, which was to open soon. They were seeking to have full liquor with a supplemental outside liquor license. The business was also looking to have video gaming at some point. Per code, this would be brought to the Village Board at that time, the building is 7,100 square feet and they would be allowed to have six machines.
The Village Board offered positive feedback for the request.
- Police Department Bollards
Administrator Bosco stated that the existing bollards in front of the police station were damaged, staff had been researching ways to replace them.
Public Works Director Richter stated that the existing bollards were mounted to 38” bolts, basically decorative. A vehicle had backed into one and broke it off, there was really no stopping power to the current system. Staff researched true bollards and opened a bid. The Village received only one bid for $111,040 which staff felt was high. Staff conducted further research and found an alternative solution, flower planter. A planter that is three feet tall by three feet wide weigh approximately 1,200 pounds empty. A three foot tall by four foot wide planter weighs approximately 1,800 pounds empty. Staff would fill them halfway up with stone and then plant flowers in them. Richter said that some of the concrete work could be done in-house, the Village received a quote from an electrician for under $4,000. Staff believed that they could complete the project in-house for $33,000 or less. Staff felt this concept would be a viable option to make the police department look good and effective.
Trustee Guethle stated that he liked the flower pot idea.
Director Richter stated that the planters were not crash rated due to the expense associated with receiving a rating.
Mayor Gaffino stated that the southern wall of the police stated was built to withstand a collision. He also stated that he thought the planters would dress up the front of the building.
Trustee Niedzwiedz felt the planters would look nicer than the bollards.
Trustee Christiansen commented that if one of the planters were to be damaged, the Village could just replace the damaged one.
Director Richter explained that with a bollard system, the bollards are interconnected, therefore if one is damaged multiple would need to be replaced.
There was discussion regarding what fail-safe measures were in place to prevent a breach into the police station.
The Village Board offered positive feedback on the choice to install flower planters to replace the existing bollards at the police station.
EXECUTIVE SESSION –
- Collective Bargaining
ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. 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 Todd Niedzwiedz
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Village Attorney John Kelly.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Christiansen. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
