NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, February 7, 2022
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 Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Planner David Hansen, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS –
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 01/17/2022
2. Bills List Dated 02/07/2022 in the Amount of $434,625.84
3. Approval of Resolution for the Appointment of IMRF Authorized Agent
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Special Event Permit for ABD Cycling
Administrator Bosco introduced the Special Event Permit request from ABD Cycling. They are requesting the streets of Breton Avenue, Patterson Avenue and Fair Meadow Street on Saturday, May 28, 2022, from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm for their bicycling event, which they held previously in the same location in 2021. No street closures will be necessary. ABD Cycling has yet to submit their certificate of insurance however they can submit that prior to the event.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
2. Approval of Special Event Permit for The Rustic Fox “Galentine’s Day” Event
Administrator Bosco explained that the Rustic Fox is planning a “Galentine’s Day” event on February 19, 2022 from 10 am until 6pm. Staff learned that the event organizers were planning on serving liquor at the event which requires a special event permit. The venue will be seeking a vender with a state issued liquor license to oversee the liquor portion of their event and will submit for a special use liquor permit.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (5-0).
3. Approval of Contract with Waste Management for Street Sweeping Services in the Amount of $90,192.00
Director Laskowski explained that this item is for the approval of a street sweeping services four year contract. Laskowski stated that there were two bidders for the contract, Waste Management and LRS with Waste Management coming in with the lower bid. Director Laskowski mentioned that with Waste Management having previously done the Village’s waste hauling, he is confident of their familiarity with the Village’s road network.
Laskowski explained that street sweeping is done three times a year with additional services after special events completed at an hourly rate.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
4. Approval of One-Year Agreement with the Hey and Associates, Inc. for Maintenance Agreement for Towne Center Wetlands in the Amount of $20,000.00
Director Laskowski stated that the Village is required to maintain the wetlands at Towne Center and utilizes Hey and Associates for expertise in cataloging the plants and ensuring there are no invasive species as well as treatments that are administered to promote the functioning of the stormwater infrastructure system. Hey and Associates provides the Village with reports of any maintenance that needs to be done.
The Village was seeking approval of a one year contract with Hey and Associates in the amount of $20,000, which is funded out of the North Aurora Towne Center SSA fund.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (5-0).
5. Approval of Change Order with Utility Dynamics Corporation for Hansen Boulevard Streetlight Replacement in the Amount of $17,932.00
Director Laskowski reminded the Village Board that in May of 2021 the Orchard Gateway streetlight replacement project was approved, those lights arrived in December due to supply chain delays. The lights have been installed. Director Laskowski explained that the item before the Board was a change order for the lights on Hansen Boulevard. He stated that ComEd is providing an incentive rebate of $3,528 once the project is completed.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes Trustee Carroll – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
6. Approval of Resolution Opposing Kane County Special Use to Allow a Private Landing Strip
Director Toth explained that the Village was made aware of a Special Use application submitted to Kane County to allow a private landing strip on the property located at 40W778 Norris Road. This land is in unincorporated Kane County within the Village’s planning boundary per the 2019 Boundary Agreement with Sugar Grove. The Special Use would allow for a 800’x50’ private grass airstrip to be used for recreational purposes by the property owner. There would be no structures constructed and the land used could be converted back to agricultural use.
Director Toth stated that the Village Board did not have to pass this Resolution unless they are interested in opposing the Special Use Permit, it would then be sent on to the Kane County Board.
Trustee Guethle had questions regarding the intended use for the landing strip. Director Toth stated that the owner intended on using the landing strip recreationally, however they may use it for crop dusting.
Trustee Guethle also asked if there may eventually be intentions for residential development for the land around the property. Director Toth stated that that was why this item was brought before the Board, in the event that may be the opportunity for development.
Trustee Carroll asked if the Variance were to be granted by the County, if that would then run with the land, to which Director Toth stated that is typically how it would work.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
7. Approval of Ordinance Approving a Minor Change to a Planned Unit Development for the Properties Located at 125 and 149 S. Grant Street, North Aurora
Director Toth stated that the Village approved the PUD Ordinance in 2020 which included the zoning, site plan and subdivision entitlements for a multi-phased redevelopment plan to create a unified campus of the Aurora Packing Company located at 125 and 149 S. Grant Street, North Aurora.
The final plans have been submitted and reviewed by staff. There have been revisions made that staff felt constituted minor changes to the PUD and would require a Village Board review.
Kathleen West, attorney representing Aurora Packing Company, Inc. explained the changes to the original development plans as an increase of 19,629 square feet of building area, the impervious surface area would be increasing by 27,142 square feet and the number of parking spaces would be reduced to 306, exceeding the 297 required spaces.
Trustee Carroll asked if with the increase in square footage to accommodate livestock, there would be proper ventilation. He stated that he has heard complaints from nearby residents about the odor from the livestock during the summer months. Dan Russo from ESI Design Services stated there would be ventilation.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (5-0).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – Mayor Gaffino yielded his time to new Messenger Public Library Director Shannon Halikias. Ms. Halikias introduced herself, stating that she has had over twenty years of experience, working with libraries in Sugar Grove, Aurora and Lisle. Additionally she has taught about the library system at College of DuPage and Joliet Junior College. She stated that she looked forward to fostering partnerships within the community as well as the development of the Library’s next strategic plan.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – None
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 Curtis and seconded by Trustee Guethle. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
