NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 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 Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS –
PRESENTATION-Presentation by Lauterbach & Amen Regarding the Village’s 2022 Audit Process
Finance Director Paprocki introduced Brad Porter from Lauterbach & Amen to present regarding the 2022 Audit.
Brad Porter provided a recap of the 2021-2022 audit cycle. He commended Director Paprocki and the Finance team on their seamless communication with Lauterbach & Amen throughout the audit process.
Porter went on to mention the Statement on Auditing Standard with no disagreements or difficulties noted during the auditing process. The Village was also awarded the Certificate of Achievement Award for the audit period ending May 31, 2021.
Porter stated that the Village was issued an Unmodified Opinion on the financial statements provided to Lauterbach & Amen.
Porter went on to highlight additional important information within the audit report.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 10/17/2022; Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 10/17/2022
2. Interim Bills List Dated 10/18/2022 in the Amount of $500.00
3. Bills List Dated 11/07/2022 in the Amount of $515,859.98
4. License Agreement with CBS for Berman Tower Livestream
5. Approval of MFT Resolution Hereby Appropriating $50,000.00 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Purpose of Maintaining Streets and Highways Under Applicable Provisions of Illinois Highway Code
6. Approval of Salt Purchase through the Illinois Central Management System’s Bureau of Strategic Sourcing in the Amount of $237,210.00 with the Option of Spending $284,652 Pending Severe Weather Conditions
7. Travel and Expenses for Business Purposes in the Amount of $50.00
8. Approval of Ordinance Establishing Special Service Are No. 45 in the Village of North Aurora (Opus I-88 Corporate Park)
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. 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 an Ordinance Amending the North Aurora Code Section 5.08.350 to Increase the Number of Class G Liquor Licenses Authorized in the Village of North Aurora
Administrator Bosco explained that the Mobil gas station located at 329 Lincolnway had changed ownership and was looking to acquire a Class G-Gas Station Liquor License.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Salazar. 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).
2. Approval of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as of May 31, 2022 and Other Financial Reporting Documents
Director Paprocki stated that the agenda item was for the approval of the audit report that had just been discussed.
Paprocki presented key points from the audit report to the Village Board. He dissected the Balance Sheet to provide more thorough insight of the Village’s funds.
Mayor Gaffino congratulated Paprocki on a job well done and spoke about the pride that the Board has in the Village’s financial position.
Trustee Salazar commended Paprocki on a stellar job.
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).
3. Approval of Estimate of 2022 Tax Levy for Purposes of Truth in Taxation
Director Paprocki explained that the agenda item was for the approval of the estimate for tax levy purposes, which will then be published as a notice in the newspapers and then will return before the Board at the first meeting in December to officially approve.
Paprocki stated that based on the last Committee of the Whole discussion, the Village is going to levy zero percent increase, the introduction of new construction is estimated to bring in an additional $23,355 of new money. Included in the levy estimate was the Library’s $2,017,000, a 3.8% levy over their last request.
Paprocki also spoke about SSA levy amounts for Willow Lakes and Waterford Oaks.
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).
4. Approval of 2023 Annual Contribution to IMLRMA in the Amount of $332,089.76
Director Paprocki stated that the agenda item was for coverage renewal of the Village’s workers compensation and liability policy for 2023. The total policy came in at $335,424 or a 7% increase over the previous year. IMLRMA was offering a one percent discount if paid by November 18.
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).
5. Approval to Purchase Three 2023 Ford Utility AWD Patrol Vehicles from Morrow Bros. Ford in the Amount of $130,196.00
Chief DeLeo was seeking the approval to purchase three vehicles from Morrow Bros. located in Greenfield, IL. Morrow Bros. won the state bid pricing for the Ford vehicles and is a state bid vendor that the Village has purchased vehicles from in the past.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. 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).
6. Approval of Resolution Approving a Land Swap Agreement With the Southern Kane County Training Association for Property on Which to Construct a New Public Works Facility
Village Attorney Drendel explained that the first step in the process of a land exchange with private entities, in accordance with the State of Illinois Municipal Code, would be to sign an agreement with the SKCTA for the land swap. Both parties will have a lengthy period of time for due diligence, which would also include determining the actual size of the land swap based on the amount of land that will be needed for the new Public Works building. A legal description will need to be developed before the statutory process to begin.
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).
7. Approval to Award Ridge Road Strom Sewer Lining Project to Technologies USA, LLC in the Amount of $132,187.00
Director Laskowski reminded the Board about the process of removing roots from the Ridge Road storm sewer between Lincoln Valley and townhomes on Ridge Road. The roots have been cleared out, the next step in the process was to line the storm sewer. Four bids were received for the lining, the base bid for 600 feet of lining and an alternate bid of the initial 600 feet plus an additional 300 feet for sewer lines that weren’t as bad as the initial 600 feet but could pose a problem in the future. The low bid for the base and alternate bids was $132, 187 which is $17,000 more than budgeted. However staff feels this route would be more cost effective in the long run.
Trustee Niedzwiedz asked if asked Director Laskowski if the lining will effectively solve the issue. Director Laskowski stated that in his experience the lining solves the issue, the concern is that some of the trees at this location are very invasive and for this reason the sewer line will be reviewed periodically and if the trees continue to be an issue, the property owner may have to be contacted for either potentially root pruning or tree removal.
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).
8. Approval of Ordinance Approving the Acquisition of the Property Located at 23 N. Lincolnway and Contract for Acquisition of the Property in the Village of North Aurora
Director Toth stated that the Village was intending to purchase the property located at 23 N. Lincolnway, for the purpose of a land swap with the Fire Protection District for the construction of a new fire station. There was a signed contract with the property owner of 23 N. Lincolnway for $780,000 and a closing date of January 6, 2023. There would be a post-closing possession agreement allowing the current property owner to stay at that location until June 2, 2023 with a 30 day option to stay on. The Village will retain the right to access the property for the sake of due diligence and the current property owner will maintain insurance until the Village takes possession.
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).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – Mayor Gaffino commented on the leaf pickup program, and complemented the Public Works staff for their hard work.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – Trustee Carroll commented on the Obregon purchase and the forward momentum of Block One.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Bosco reminded the Board about the Veterans’ Day memorial program held on Friday, November 1, 11am at the Veteran’s Memorial on Willow Way.
Bosco also commented on a memo included in the meeting packet from Director Laskowski regarding staff moving forward with an architect for the new public works facility. He stated that it will be a significant process and a commitment of about $105,000 but necessary to move forward with the final design of the layout. Bosco wanted to ensure the Board that at certain points in the process, things will come back to the Board for review and approval before moving forward.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – Chief DeLeo said that the police therapy dog, Indy, will be arriving at the Police Station on December 12 for training and will be a member of the department moving forward and will be introduced to the community with a meet and greet at the police station.
4. Public Works – None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
