VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, July 1, 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 Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
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, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
- River Front Ram Incentive
Finance Director Jason Paprocki provided an overview of the history of the incentive request. He said Riverfront explained to the Village they had encountered unexpected expenses including increases in construction cost, interest rates and impact fees and were reaching out for an incentive, to which the Village does not have a policy and handle requests on a case by case basis. That is something the currently in progress Economic Development Strategy is planning to address.
Paprocki explained that Riverfront initially asked for a 15-year 50% sales tax rebate capped at $2.8 million based on sales projections in that timeframe. Staff looked into those numbers along with Illinois Department of Revenue projections and determined that the dealership was also including out of State sales, which are not taxable. They also looked at the current incentive deal with Gerald Ford, which like River Front Ram is an existing business looking to expand another location, for comparison and following that agreement took a baseline of Ram Truck sales to devise an incentive agreement. That total came back at a cap of $1,062,138 that would stretch over the 15-year request by River Front Ram.
Corey Spooner was on hand to represent River Front Ram and provided additional context of the request stating that River Front had to walk away from their initial planned location after investing $200,000 into it due to high costs associated with Target and JCPenney and said that construction costs have risen 21% over the last 5 years and interest rates are up to 8% from 4.25%. There were also unexpected additional costs. He said having the new dedicated Ram dealership, which would be the only one in the entire Midwest and there are only 4 total in the country, will allow them to not only sell more Rams but sell more Jeeps at their first location.
Trustee Laura Curtis expressed concerns over the incentive request. She said while she sympathized with the unexpected and higher costs, she said that everyone has been hit by inflation and higher costs and did not think the Village should be giving handouts to businesses just because they were asking when taxpaying residents are struggling too and not receiving any rebates. She also said the building was already built and as proven by Spooner’s statements of being the only one in the area and of a limited number that the business will be viable and successful without needing an incentive rebate.
Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz noted that the Board had talked about incentive policies during strategic planning earlier in the year and said it would be a good idea to have a policy in place going forward, but he felt that this request was in line with what they had discussed about retaining existing businesses and encouraging new buildings. He also noted that staff had brought the incentive request down to just over $1 million from $2.8 million.
Other trustees and Mayor Mark Gaffino expressed their support for the incentive, although Trustee Carolyn Bird Salazar did say she felt there needed to be a uniformed policy going forward and Trustee Niedzwiedz also said he felt that request should be made during the pre-approval process, not over halfway through. Trustee Mike Lowery said he also agreed with points Trustee Curtis had made and the Village might be too free with giving incentives, but in this case the pros outweighed the cons. Mayor Gaffino remarked the Village has enjoyed strong revenues generated by the auto mall and said the dealerships help the Village immensely. He agreed though that requests should be made up front and not at the rear.
- Tree Management Ordinance
Administrator Steve Bosco explained that the Village is a member of Tree City USA and the Arbor Day Foundation and in order to maintain membership Tree City USA asks Village’s to update their tree policies to their standards. Public Works Director Brian Richter said most of the changes were made in December 2005, but were not spelled out. He said updates include purpose, definitions, delegation of authority, plant care standards and prohibition of harmful practices. These standards do not apply to private property; just Village right of way and public parks. All Village Board members expressed their support for the updated standards.
- North Aurora Food and Liquor Class D Liquor License
Administrator Bosco explained that North Aurora Food and Liquor is seeking a Class D liquor license. The business, located at 5 South Lincolnway, is taking over the Tiya Liquors store in that location and will be under new ownership. Due to the fact liquor licenses due not transfer the new owners needed to apply. All Village Board members expressed their support for the liquor license approval.
- Public Works Facility Update
Administrator Bosco said the Public Works Facility’s Construction Documents are at about 95-100% completed, which means the project could go out to bid as early as July 11. Prior to doing so, staff wanted to provide the Board an update and show the newest renderings. Public Works Director Richter said the last update provided was in May after the finalization of the land swap. The next phase is the bidding of the Construction Documents, which will have about 30 bid packages. Bids will be opened on August 1 and if the bids are in range will come to the Board for approval on August 19. If they are not then they will go to the COW meeting on August 19 to discuss potential cost saving methods. Administrator Bosco added the plan is to break ground in September but no later than October.
The Board expressed their approval of the designs and information and this item will be revisited in some capacity at the August 19 Village Board meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – Property Acquisition
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 Development Director Nathan Darga, Police Chief Joe DeLeo, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Guethle. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
