VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, March 3, 2025
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, 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
- Orchard Plaza Concept
Community Development Director Darga stated that the first agenda item was for a concept plan for the Orchard Plaza, located on the northeast corner of Orchard Road and Oak Street. It was the triangle shaped piece of land that was reserved for commercial purposes when The Springs development was built. The comp plan calls for commercial uses and the property is zoned B-2, General Business District. The current proposal would be to create three lots. The lot furthest north would contain a fueling center with a convenience store, a drive-thru, and a space for a restaurant. The store would be set up to have a patio. The center lot would be developed with a five unit, 11,000 square foot retail center. This would also be set up to have a possible drive-thru on one of the units. The developer would reserve the largest lot on the corner to be marketed for future uses. This choice was at the request of staff to reserve the largest, deepest part of the parcel which could house a larger development in the future. Darga stated that the site had been set up during the construction of The Springs, there currently exists a right in right out on Orchard Road. Access to the site would be through that right in right out or behind the development, through The Springs. The storm water detention for the site has already been provided with The Springs development as well as utilities.
Bill Zalewski of Advantage Consulting Engineers and Himanshu Modi of Nova Design Build were on hand on behalf of the applicant to present the design concept.
Trustee Guethle asked if the developer had any idea what businesses may move in, Mr. Zalewski stated that they would have a shell gas station in the northern building and possibly a Cilantro in the middle building.
Trustee Curtis expressed a desire to see more architectural detail on the facades, to compliment the higher end buildings that were already located in proximity to the development. Mr. Modi stated that the buildings would be contemporary with a lot of glass in the front, along with stone cladding, and brick masonry. He further explained the planned details of the façade.
Trustee Salazar asked how many retail spaces were to be included in the middle building, along with where the parking would be situated. The building would contain five retail spaces and the parking would be situated in the front of the buildings along with a space in the rear for a drive-thru.
Mayor Gaffino asked for confirmation of the potential for one restaurant offering in the middle building. Mr. Modi stated that there would be two food offerings within the Shell gas station, a coffee offering to the north and a subway on the south end. The middle, retail building would have a Cilantro.
Trustee Niedzwiedz expressed concern with placing a gas station in that location. There was discussion regarding that concern. This discussion involved the concern that the gas station would be a Special Use.
The discussion turned to what might future business could possibly occupy the uninhabited lot on the far south end and whether or not there was a concept for the entirety of the parcel.
There was discussion about whether or not there would be a better use for the land.
The majority of the Board felt that the gas station was not an appropriate use for the land, but had no issue with the retail building.
Administrator Bosco stated that the next step would be to bring this information back to the developer and to let them know that it would be challenging to obtain a Special Use from the Village for the gas station.
- FY2025-2026 Budget Presentation
Finance Director Jason Paprocki stated that the Village was nearing the end of the budget process for FY 2025-2026 and staff wanted to update the Village Board on where they were in the process.
Paprocki began with Personnel Assumptions for FY25-26. He stated that pay adjustments would take into effect for Public Works whose union contract called for a 3.75% increase, Police Sergeants would receive a 3.5% increase, the Police Officers pay increase was yet to be determined, and non-union employees would receive a 3% increase.
Insurance would increase, medical HMO by 6.5%, and PPO by 11%. Dental insurance would see no increase in the HMO but a 4.5% increase in the PPO.
The IMRF rate for 2025 would be 9.52% with a projected 11% for 2026.
Paprocki spoke about a new position that staff would like to see made available soon and would be proposing a budget amendment for, the Administrative Operations Assistant position. This position would assume the duties from the Community Relations Coordinator, such as preparing meeting and agenda packets, FOIA requests, Strategic Plan tracking and updates, assisting with special events, serving as the deputy clerk, providing office support, handling resolutions, ordinances and contracts, and interdepartmental projects. This new position would free up the Community Relations Coordinator to focus on community outreach, events, economic development, and marketing.
Paprocki spoke about additional proposed positions for the FY 25-26 budget which included a Full-Time Patrol Officer, a Part-Time Code Enforcement Officer, a Part-Time Custodian, additional Public Works seasonal labor, and a Public Works Streets Foreman promotion to Streets Superintendent.
Paprocki then spoke about Village debt. He stated that the Village had two debt issuances outstanding. The first was the water debt, for water capital that had been done years ago. The Village owes a little over $3 million on this debt, and total principal and interest due for the year was $492,772. The Village’s newest debt was for the Public Works Facility, with principal and interest of $1,234,847 due.
Paprocki spoke about the 1% state sales tax elimination that was to take in to effect on January 1, 2026. The Village received an estimated $600,000 in grocery sales tax annually. Paprocki explained that municipalities could adopt an ordinance to establish a local grocery sales tax and the Village would be pursuing that option.
Paprocki presented a slide that detailed the Village’s major revenues into the General Fund and spoke about it. He then spoke about the anticipated expenditures from the General Fund including a $400,000 Capital transfer.
Paprocki then spoke about the projects expected to be funded by the Capital Projects fund including the 2025 Annual Road Program which would be paid for in part by Rebuild Illinois funding.
Paprocki moved on to the TIF funds stating that the Route 31 TIF would be ending in August 2025. The projected $1,315,155 funds would be transferred to the United TIF for a fund closeout. Paprocki spoke further about TIF budget.
Paprocki spoke next about the Water Fund. He reminded the Village Board that in 2023 staff proposed a five year plan for a cumulative 50% water rate increase based on the operating needs and the capital projects of the water fund, resulting in a fee of $5.95 per 1,000 gallons in FY 27-28. Upon further review of the operation, supplies, energy costs, and maintenance, costs were higher than what was anticipated. Staff was recommending to increase the fees to $5.95 per 1,000 gallons beginning next year. There was currently a Water System Master Plan evaluation being conducted by EEI. Staff was anticipating that the rates suggested by the study would be a lot higher than the $5.95 per 1,000 gallons. Paprocki spoke further about the Water Fund in more detail.
Paprocki spoke about the anticipated vehicle and equipment expenses.
Paprocki presented other considerations such as the plan for the projected $2.5 million surplus in the General Fund. He stated that $400,000 would be transferred to the Capital Projects Fund, $1.6 million to the Water Fund, and $500,000 to General Fund reserve.
Administrator Bosco added that the current water fund rates were not covering the cost of the production of water. He stated that the goal would be to have the rates slightly above the general maintenance and operational costs. The Village Board will have to review the results of EEI’s study and decide what the future water source will be for the Village. He spoke further about the Village’s position regarding the Water Fund.
Paprocki wrapped up the presentation with a budget timeline stating that he anticipated the draft budget to be finished and released by March 14. At the next Committee of the Whole meeting on March 17th he would present a more in depth look at the budget. If more time is needed, there will be space reserved on the April 7th and 21st agendas to update the Board on any changes. The Public Hearing would be on April 21, 2025 and then approval on May 5th.
EXECUTIVE SESSION –
- Review of the executive Session Minutes Dated 06/17/2024; 07/01/2024; 08/05/2024 #1; 08/05/2024 #2; 09/16/2024; 10/07/2024 #1; 10/07/2024 #2; 11/04/2024 #1; and 11/04/2024 #2
- 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 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 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.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn to made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Salazar. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
