NORTH AURORA DAYS
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, March 8, 2021
Call to Order
Mark Gaffino called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.
Attendance
Mark Gaffino, Doug Botkin, Jessi Watkins, Holly O’Brien, Carolyn Bird Salazar, David Fisher Robyn Stecklein, John Laskowski, Steve Bosco, Bill Hannah and David Hansen.
Approval of Minutes
David Fisher made a motion to approve the May 11, 2020 meeting minutes, which were seconded by Jessi Watkins.
Motion to Approve: All in Favor
Discussion
1. Discussion of North Aurora Days 2021
Village Administrator Steve Bosco asked the committee if North Aurora Days 2021 can be done in the same capacity as a normal year. Bosco shared the State of Illinois is not issuing any special event liquor licenses for large events at this point in time and staff is monitoring surrounding communities’ festivals, but has not seen any cancellations to date so far. Bosco mentioned that a new agreement with the Clocktower Plaza owners would be needed for any future event at that site and it may be best to work on that sooner rather than later.
The committee shared some ideas and concerns about holding a community event. Carolyn Bird Salazar mentioned the committee would have to take into consideration that many people will not be wearing masks if we were to have the event. Jessi Watkins mentioned she heard herd immunity may not be met until late July and without liquor, which is a major component of the event, holding North Aurora Days for its full three day festival would be difficult to attract people and to pull off in a safe manner. Salazar mentioned holding a one day event later in the year may be a possibility. North Aurora Days Chairman Mark Gaffino mentioned pushing the event back to September or possibly moving the event to Riverfront Park if it was a smaller one day event. Gaffino along with Police Chief David Fisher mentioned since the event utilizes a lot of the public works staff as well as police officers that it could put the Village daily operations at risk. Several committee members mentioned if the event was held there would probably be a larger than normal gathering since people want something to do. Bosco mentioned that that kids vaccinations probably won’t be until the fall which could be another risk to consider. Gaffino brought up the idea of a virtual NAD as a possibility where bands and other events could be broadcasted in a safe manner.
Holly O’Brien said it would probably be difficult to have a three day event like past years, but said it would be nice to have a one day event during North Aurora Days weekend if possible to provide something for the residents. Doug Botkin mentioned that we could share with the public that it takes many months to plan and put North Aurora Days together so even having it at this point in time would be difficult to pull off. Gaffino said that maybe we should lightly plan so the event has some details and direction should some breakthrough happen with the pandemic.
Robyn Stecklein shared the Safety Day Coalition asked if North Aurora Days was going to happen this year or if she should have the coalition do an independent one day event at another point during the year. Gaffino mentioned that having it as a separate event may be easier to plan. Stecklein said she will see if the Coalition would like to do a separate safety event.
The committee agreed that having a regularly scheduled three day full North Aurora Days event was not possible at this time. The committee thought a one day event in the fall may be a possibility to provide something to the residents. The committee discussed when the Village should share that the North Aurora Days was not going to be a full three day event and most likely cancelled. The committee came to the conclusion that there should be a meeting held in May to discuss the event and determine the official decision then. The committee also asked staff to work on an agreement with the new owners of the Clocktower Plaza for this year and future years so something will be on file going forward. Bosco mentioned that staff will need to prepare to answer questions why the event is not happening and that staff will continue to monitor surrounding community festivals. Bosco also said having a committee meeting in May would still allow staff the time to put the North Aurora Days event status in the June/July Newsletter.
Mark Gaffino made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 pm, which was seconded by Carolyn Bird Salazar.
Motion to Adjourn: All in Favor
Respectfully submitted,
David Hansen
