NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 6, 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, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher.
PUBLIC HEARING-2021 Tax Levy
No public comment, public hearing was closed.
PRESENTATION-North Aurora Fire Protection District
Administrator Bosco introduced Deputy Fire Chief Mike Klemencic who was in attendance with a presentation for the Village Board in regard to the North Aurora Fire Protection District’s desire to build a new Station 1. Recently a space needs study had been conducted for the current Fire Station 1 and Deputy Chief Klemencic was there to discuss the options for building a new station within parameters of their drive times and site needs.
Deputy Chief Klemencic stated to the Board that the needs assessment resulted in the recommendation to build a new Fire Station 1. He presented to the Board a map which highlighted the current response times from Station 1 and compared those times to estimated times from proposed new sites including 230 S. Lincolnway and 310 Butterfield Rd. He emphasized that a parameter that must be reached is that driving times must stay under four minutes for the majority of the Village.
Deputy Chief Klemencic stated that based on numbers from the past three years, the area between Randall Road and the river account for 54%-56% of calls while the east side of the river account for between 21%-23% of calls.
Trustee Curtis stated that Lincoln Valley is a new residential community being built on the east side of the river with 400 new homes being built and the numbers from previous years that Deputy Chief Klemencic presented could not reflect the potential increase of calls that may be coming from the east side with the growth of the development.
There was discussion in regard to the potential hazard of having the main thoroughfare to the east side of the river being limited to the State St. bridge and the possibilities of slowed reaction time should the bridge be congested or impassible. Deputy Chief Klemencic maintained that traveling times from the west side of the river to the east side of the river would be efficient. He stated that by moving the station to the east side of the river it would add a minute or a minute and half to the area where they have seen a majority of their calls generated from on the west side of the river.
Deputy Chief Klemencic stated that the North Aurora Fire Protection District would like to remain on the current site of Fire Station 1, 2 N. Monroe St, or adjacent to it.
The Village Board and Deputy Chief Klemencic discussed additional potential lots for the Station to be relocated to. They also discussed the Board’s desire to free up the land where the current Station is located, on Monroe Street, for potential retail growth and creating a centralized “downtown” area. A majority of the Trustees also commented that they were in favor of building a station on the east side of the river in order to make Fire District availability more equitable for east side residents as there is a Fire Station 2 on the west side of the Village.
Both the Village Board and Deputy Chief Klemencic agreed to open discussions on this topic as the Fire District moves forward with their decision making.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – Brayden Bernardi of 554 Mallard Point Drive, North Aurora thanked Mayor Gaffino for attending his last Cub Scout den meeting. Brayden spoke about a lack of crosswalk at the intersection of Dogwood and Randall Road. Brayden also mentioned that he noticed some of the crosswalks around some of the schools needed to be repainted.
Administrator Bosco explained the process of adding a crosswalk to the intersection.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 11/15/2021 and Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 11/15/2021
2. Bills List Dated 12/06/2021 in the Amount of $323,116.02
3. Approval of the Messenger Public Library Resolution of the Board of Library Trustees for .02% Maintenance Tax
4. Approval of Travel and Expenses for Business Purposes in the Amount of $40.00
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. 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).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Ordinance Approving Changes to Sections 5.08.010 and 5.08.340 of Chapter 5.08 of Title 5 of the North Aurora Municipal Code Amending the Liquor License Classification that Allow Video Gaming and Adding a Supplemental Video Gaming License
Administrator Bosco explained that the Village Board has had recent conversations in regard to the Village’s Liquor code relating to video gaming. Conversations during the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 15, 2021 resulted in the following changes to the liquor code on the agenda for approval:
1. Define Video gaming parlors
2. Define Class A License Large Restaurants as having 2,000 or more square feet
3. Define Class B License Small Restaurants as having 1,999 square feet or less
4. Require initial liquor license applicants in categories that allow video gaming to have
Village Board review
5. Create a supplemental video gaming license
a. Prohibits video gaming parlors
b. Capacity requirement of 50 people based on 15 square feet per person in dining/video gaming area (which eliminates the current seating and any potential two-year waiting requirement)
c. Requires Committee of the Whole review and subsequent Village Board approval in the first year (can be at the same time as initial application if video gaming is pursued immediately)
d. Requires the submittal of a floorplan the first year
e. Requires any approved supplemental liquor license applicant to maintain a substantially similar floor plan to the floor plan approved during the initial supplemental license process
f. Requires a dedicated person to prepare or cook food in a kitchen on premises
g. Establishes a $500 annual fee for the supplemental license (which includes the annual registration fee for video gaming machines: currently $25 per machine)
h. The Mayor/Liquor Commissioner can issue renewals in subsequent years
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 to Authorize of the Repair of the Pump for Well #9 to Layne Christensen in the Amount of $51,499.95
Director Laskowski explained that at the October 18, 2021 Village Board meeting, the Board retroactively approved an expenditure that allowed staff to send the poorly functioning pump to Layne to diagnose why it was no longer producing water at the expected rate. Layne prepared a damage report that concluded the cause of the damage to the pump was from the shale walls of the well collapsing and then being sucked into the pump. The damage report was evaluated by staff as well as Water Well Solutions who recommended several options to resolve the issue. The suggested solutions ranged in cost between $51,000 and $250,000. Director Laskowski stated that the lowest cost solution was the best option in this case. Layne will adjust the elevation of the pump to minimize the migration of shale in to the shaft, and utilizing the variable frequency drive on the motor to determine the maximum flow that can be maintained without sucking shale into the pump.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. 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).
3. Approval to Authorize Village Administrator to Execute Purchase of Utility Truck for Water Division Above Spending Authority
Director Laskowski explained that at the Committee of the whole meeting on November 15, 2021, it was the consensus of the Board to allow the Administrator authority to purchase a utility truck for the water division should one become available.
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).
4. Approval of Sewer Televising Contract with Visu-Sewer for the Unity Price Agreement in the Amount of $19,357.12
Director Laskowski explained that this request was in connection with the water main replacement program for the Chestnut, Spruce and Locust area. Televising will allow for verification of the pipes alignments and connections. This contract will also cover the sanitary sewer extension project and an addition repair on Grant St.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
5. Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Batavia Formalizing Emergency Water Sharing Operations
Director Laskowski explained this IGA would be a formalization of procedures currently in place for sharing water during times of emergency with Batavia. The agreement was reviewed by the Village Attorney, Village Administrator, Public Works Director as well as the Water Superintendent.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Salazar. 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).
6. Approval of Resolution Approving a Recapture Agreement with Richmar Realty and Development LLC Pursuant to the Orchard Commons Annexation Agreement
Director Toth explained that this item is referring to the Orchard Commons development which is located on the west side of Orchard Road between Oak Street and Tanner Road. The Annexation was approved in 2007, as part of that agreement the developer was required to put certain improvements in to benefit the property and the surrounding community. Once the property was developed, the agreement allows for the recapture of the costs of the improvements. This resolution will allow for the Village to capture those funds once those properties are developed and redistributing them to Richmar Realty, the holder of the recapture rights.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. 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).
7. Resolution approving Amendment No. 5 to the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of North Aurora and the County of Kane For Jurisdictional Transfer and Access to Randall Road
Director Toth explained that in 2004 the Village entered into an IGA with Kane County for jurisdictional transfer and access to Randall road from Orchard Road south to the I-88 Bridge. This IGA transferred jurisdictional control of Randall Road from the County to the Village and included terms specifying direct vehicular access points from properties adjacent to Randall Road. The agreement has been amended four times since its adoption, this amendment would give the Village control over the access points, and anything south of the dogwood access point would no longer need county approval to get access.
The Kane County Board had already approved the amendment at their November 9, 2021 meeting.
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. Motion approved (6-0).
8. Approval of Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes in and for the Village of North Aurora and the Messenger Public Library, Kane County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning June 1, 2021 and Ending May 31, 2022
Director Hannah stated that the next nine agenda items were various tax levy ordinances. The first one was the levy and assessment of taxes for the Village of North Aurora as well as the Messenger Public Library. The levy for the Village is $2,690,000, the levy for the Library is $1,970,000.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll. 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).
9. Approval of Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Waterford Oaks Special Service Area #4 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022
Property tax levy ordinance for Waterford Oaks special service area #4 in the amount of $8,600.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Carroll. 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).
10. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Oak Hill Special Service Area #7 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022
Property tax levy ordinance for Oak Hill special service area #7 in the amount of $10,000.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Salazar. 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).
11. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Timber Oaks Special Service Area #8 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2921 and ending May 31, 2022
Property tax levy ordinance for Timer Oaks special service area #8 in the amount of $7,500.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Carroll. 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).
12. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Pinecreek (Phase III) Special Service Area #9 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022
Property tax levy ordinance for Pinecreek (Phase III) special service area #9 in the amount of $2,000
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Carroll. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
13. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Willow Lakes Special Service Area #11 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022
Property tax levy ordinance for Willow Lakes special service area #11 in the amount of $200
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Carroll. 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).
14. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the North Towne Centre Special Service Area #32 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022
Property tax levy ordinance for North Towne Centre special service area #32 in the amount of $30,000.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Salazar. 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).
15. Approval of an Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2021 to Pay Debt Service on $6,885,000 General Obligation Refunding bonds, Series 2014 (Alternate Revenue Source)
Director Hannah explained that these were the refunding bonds that are being paid off with sales tax revenues, originally issued to fund the construction of the police station. The total principal and interest payments next year will be paid by sales tax revenue and not necessary to pay with property taxes will be $634,700.
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).
16. Approval of an Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2021 to Pay Debt Service on $5,800,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017 (Alternate Revenue Source)
Director Hannah explained that these bonds are paid with water works fund revenues and it is not necessary to levy property taxes, in the amount of $496,075.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Curtis. 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).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT –
1. Beautification Committee Appointments
a. Appointing Chairman-Mark Carroll
b. Appointing Existing Commission Members
i. Al Boholm
ii. Rose Harding
iii. Mary Ann Hosler
c. Appointing New Members
i. Brian Apgar
ii. Gabby Gaytan
iii. Edoardo Tabasso
All in favor of appointments to the Beautification Committee.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – Multiple Board Members commented on the Village’s light decorations at Riverfront Park and complimented Public Works for their efforts.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Bosco stated that the IGA with Batavia establishing formal emergency water sharing operations was rushed to the Board because the Village is trying to file it by the end of the month as part of the Village’s emergency response plan for the water system that the Village has been upgrading.
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 Niedzwiedez and seconded by Trustee Guethle. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
