NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, October 18, 2021
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.
SILENT PRAYER – MEDITATION – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher.
PUBLIC HEARING-Agreement for Exchange of Property by and Between Randall Road Industrial Owner, LLC and the Village of North Aurora.
No comments, Public Hearing Closed
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – Resident Marc Crosby, 815 Aster Ct., North Aurora
Mr. Crosby spoke about the Village Zoning Code that is preventing him from having solar panels installed on his roof. The panels can only be installed on the southern facing side of the roof, however Village Zoning Code states that panels cannot be installed on the front of the home, facing the street. The southern side of Mr. Crosby’s home faces the street.
The Board discussed the possibility of changing the zoning code. Administrator Bosco explained the current code and that the process of altering the code would include involving the Plan Commission for review.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 10/04/2021 and Committee of the Whole Minutes date 10/04/2021
2. Bills List Dated 10/18/2021 in the Amount of $187,844.25
3. Travel and Business Expenses in the Amount of $40.00
4. Approval of Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by North Aurora
5. Approval of Green Infrastructure Policy
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Ordinance Approving a Supplemental Entertainment Class B Liquor License for Brother Chimp Brewing
Administrator Bosco reminded the Board that this License was discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 4, 2021. The Board was in favor of the License request with the addition of the ability to revisit the License should noise become an issue.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (6-0).
2. Approval of Retroactive Emergency Expenditure Authorization for Well #9 in the Amount of $22,432.05
Director Laskowski explained that staff had noticed the declining performance of Well #9, leading them to believe there was a significant problem with the pump or well piping. Layne Christensen, the contractor who initially installed the pump, were contacted. It was discovered that the well shaft itself had been compromised with shale collapsing into the well shaft, resulting in the pump attempting to pump the solid rock which is not covered by the warranty. Director Laskowski stated that staff was looking in to ways to repair the well shaft.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Salazar and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
3. Approval of Salt Purchase through the Illinois Central Management System’s Bureau of Strategic Sourcing in the Amount of $185,940.00 with the Option of Spending $22,128.00 Pending Severe Weather Conditions
Director Laskowski stated that the purchase price of salt has decreased by 55%. The contract allows the Village the option to purchase 100%-120% of the Village’s requested amount of salt.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
4. Approval of Environmental and Existing Conditions Assessment Services Testing to Testing Service Corporation in the Amount of $21,080.00
Director Laskowski explained that the Village currently has four projects that require environmental soil testing or assessment of the pavement. The projects are Cherrytree Court Sanitary Sever Extension, Chestnut, Spruce and Locust Water Main Replacement, 2022 Road Program, and the Tanner Trails Storm Sewer.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
5. Approval of Ordinance Approving an Agreement for Exchange of Property By and Between Randall Road Industrial Owner, LLC and the Village of North Aurora
Attorney Drendel explained that this item had previously been discussed by the Village Board, the mutually beneficial trade of land between Transwestern Development (Randall Road Industrial Owner, LLC) and the Village of North Aurora. This Ordinance has been through all of the appropriate steps consistent with the provisions of the Special Use.
Drendel added that there had been a slight change from the original resolution resulting in Transwestern granting additional land to the Village.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Mayor Gaffino – yes. Motion approved (7-0).
6. Approval of 2022 Annual Contribution to IMLRMA in the Amount of $310,345.20
Director Hannah explained that the Village had received its annual renewal from Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association for liability, property, workers’ comp and other related coverages for the 2022 calendar year, at a 5.6% increase. This is the first increase in the Village’s annual contribution in four years.
Hannah stated that the Village had the option to participate in the Min-Max program offering a two-to-one risk vs. reward for a 15% reduction in the Village’s contribution portion of the Loss fund. The Staff did not recommend participation in this program.
Staff recommended the Village continue to pay the normal contribution for the 2022 year less the 1% early pay discount. Staff felt the IMLRMA continues to provide the best overall value for the Village’s coverage needs.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (6-0).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – None
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – Trustee Guethle asked if there was a way to project a Christmas tree on the Berman Tower. Administrator Bosco stated that staff can speak to the lighting consultant company.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – None
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – None
4. Public Works – None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Salazar and seconded by Trustee Carroll. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
