NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 19, 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, Village Engineer Brandon Tonarelli, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
PUBLIC HEARING-Special Service Area #45
Mayor Gaffino Opened the Public Hearing, no comments, Mayor Gaffino closed the public hearing.
SWEARING-IN-Emotional Support Pawfficer Indy
Police Chief DeLeo introduced the newest member of the North Aurora Police Department, Pawfficer Indy the therapy dog. DeLeo stated that Indy arrived at the police department on December 12th and has been becoming acclimated with his new home and work environment. Chief DeLeo also said that there would be a meet and greet held at the police department on Tuesday, December 20th from 3pm to 7pm for the public to attend. Accompanied by his handler, Officer David Parr, Pawfficer Indy was sworn in by Mayor Gaffino.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 12/05/2022; Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 12/05/2022
2. Bills List Dated 12/19/2022 in the Amount of $336,448.48
3. Travel and Business Expenses in the Amount of $190.00
4. Executive Session Minutes Dated 04/18/2022 Part 1, 04/18/2022 Part 2, 05/02/2022 Part 1, 05/02/2022 Part 2, 05/02/2022 Part 3, 06/06/2022, 08/15/2022 Part 1, 08/15/2022 Part 2, 09/19/2022, 10/17/2022
5. Approval of Resolution Accepting Grant and Vacation of Easement for Randall Square
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Salazar. 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 Amending the North Aurora Code Section 5.08.350 to Increase the Number of Class A Liquor Licenses Authorized in the Village of North Aurora (Agave Restaurant & Tequila Bar)
Administrator Bosco stated that Agave Restaurant & Tequila Bar was seeking a Class A Liquor License and had gone before the Committee of the Whole recently with the request. The restaurant was described as an upscale Latin fusion restaurant with a dining room as well as a separate room for private events. The owner is also seeking a Supplemental Entertainment License in order to have live music as well as a Video Gaming License.
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).
2. Approval of Resolution For a Supplemental Video Gaming Liquor License for Agave Restaurant & Tequila Bar (19 South Randall Road)
Administrator Bosco explained that per the Village’s code, the owner of the new Agave Restaurant & Tequila Bar needed to present their plans to the Village Board in order to be considered for a Supplemental Video Gaming Liquor License which occurred at the last Committee of the Whole meeting.
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 Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
3. Approval of Resolution For a Supplemental Entertainment Class-B Liquor License for Agave Restaurant & Tequila Bar (19 South Randall Road)
Administrator Bosco stated that the Agave Restaurant & Tequila Bar intended to host live music. He explained that this type of license initially receives Board approval and then can be reevaluated by the Mayor each subsequent year.
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).
4. Approval of a Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Village of North Aurora and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police
Administrator Bosco stated that this Resolution was for a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Village and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police whom represent the Village of North Aurora Police. The contract term beginning retroactively, June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2025.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. 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 Ordinance Approving a Minor Change to the Towne Center Planned Unit Development in the North Aurora Towne Center
Director Toth stated that this item was for the approval of a Minor Change to the Towne Center PUD in the North Aurora Towne Center, a six lot subdivision of the space between Target and JCPenny in the Towne Center. This change had previously been discussed at the October 17, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting.
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).
6. Approval of Ordinance Approving the 2nd Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2022-23
Director Paprocki stated that due to staffing changes within the Police Department, there was a request to approve the funding for a one week overlap of having 33 sworn officers, this would increase the budget by $1,415 in salaries and payroll taxes.
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).
7. Approval of an Ordinance Establishing Special Service Area #45
Director Paprocki stated that this agenda item was related to the Public Hearing held earlier in the evening.
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).
8. Approval to Award Bid for Chestnut Street, Locus Street and Spruce Street Water Main and Street Improvement Project to Geneva Construction Company in the Amount of $1,304,453.02
Village Engineer Tonarelli stated that the Village had been awarded a $363,000 grant from Kane County toward the construction of the water main improvements. Tonarelli spoke about the alternate bid that included the replacement of the Ductile Iron water main with Zinc Coated Ductile Iron water main which would help prevent corrosion for a longer life expectancy. The Village received nine bids with Geneva Construction Company providing the lowest bid. The alternate bid was for $9,310 more than the base bid. Staff recommended awarding the bid to Geneva Construction Company, to include the alternate bid in an effort to extend the life of the water main.
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 Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
9. Approval to Enter into an Agreement for Environmental, Existing Conditions Assessment, and Construction Materials Testing Services with Testing Service Corporation in the Total Base Cost Amount of $22,000.00
Engineer Tonarelli stated that this agenda item was for the environmental, existing conditions assessment and construction materials testing services for three construction projects including the Chestnut, Spruce, and Locust project, the 2023 Road Program, and the Public Works Facility. Tonarelli said that Testing Service Corporation provided a responsive RFP and the most competitive pricing. The total base cost was $22,000 which is below the Village Administrator’s spending authority, however services could exceed $25,000 if there is poor soil conditions or environmental issues with the soil that requires more testing.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Lowery. 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).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – Mayor Gaffino wished everyone happy holidays.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – Trustees Lowery and Salazar spoke about the decorations adorning the Riverfront Park and complementing the Public Works department on their efforts.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Bosco stated that the Beautification Committee was wrapping up their first holiday decoration award program. He also spoke about the Village’s tree inventory program in which staff has already inventoried over 1,800 trees within a week. The goal of the program was to map, know the species, and what maintenance is required for each of the Village’s over 9,000 parkway trees.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – Chief DeLeo stated that Mark Swoboda had been sworn in as the Village’s newest Patrol Sergeant, the Department was now at full staff for supervisors.
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
