NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, March 6, 2023
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 – Chuck Nelson of 235 LeGrande Blvd, Aurora IL candidate for the Fox Metro Board. Nelson spoke about the Fox Metro Water Reclamation Board, the upcoming election and the candidates in the running. He provided the Board information regarding his qualifications.
Tom Muth of 2360 Sans Sauci Dr. Aurora, IL candidate for Fox Metro District Five. Muth spoke about his qualifications.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 02/20/2023: Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 02/20/2023
2. Bills List Dated 03/06/2023 in the Amount of $176,042.75
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).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of a Resolution Approving a Proposal from Lauterbach and Amen for Auditing Services
Finance Director Paprocki stated that the Village had just concluded its five year agreement with Lauterbach and Amen. The Village had solicited bids from twelve different firms for a new agreement and received three bids. Of the three bids received, staff believed that Lauterbach and Amen provided the best pricing and prior experience with the Village.
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).
2. Approval of Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Agreement Regarding Addition of Classification of Crew Leader Between the Village of North Aurora and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, Public Employees Division
Administrator Bosco explained that this Resolution would allow the Village to authorize two crew leader positions who would then report to the Street Superintendent.
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).
3. Approval of Ordinance Approving the 3rd Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Finance Director Paprocki explained that this item amends the budget to include the previous agenda item, adding $1,390 to the remainder of the year to accommodate the Crew Leader positions.
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, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
4. Approval to Purchase a Public Works Bucket Truck in an Amount Not to Exceed $95,000.00
Public Works Director Laskowski explained that the Village currently had one bucket truck in its fleet, it is 23 years old and is temperamental creating challenges. Public Works has also found need for an additional bucket truck so that projects could be completed simultaneously. In searching for a truck, staff found that the State Purchase Program does not offer the truck and that used trucks range between $170,000 and $204,000, but found one at a private dealership for $78,000. The truck has been inspected by two mechanics, some maintenance would need to be done on the truck at a cost of between $8,000 and $15,000 bringing the total cost of the truck not to exceed $95,000.
Administrator Bosco added that if for some reason that truck was no longer available, the approval would allow him to authorize the purchase of a different truck not to exceed that dollar amount.
Mayor Gaffino expressed approval for the purchase.
Trustee Salazar asked if the old truck was going to be kept until it was no longer usable, to which staff answered yes.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll 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).
5. Approval of an Ordinance Amending the North Aurora Municipal Code Regarding Construction Permitting Fees
Community & Economic Development Director Toth reminded the Board of the presentation he gave regarding Permitting Fees at the previous Committee of the Whole meeting. He stated that two changes had been made per the request of the Village Board. The first was moving residential decks from tier two to tier one in the fee schedule. The second was to raise the fee in the residential tier three from $225 to $250. If approved, the fees would take in to effect June 1, 2023.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Salazar and seconded by Trustee Carroll. 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).
6. Approval of a Resolution From the Village of North Aurora in Support of Tax Increment Financing Districts
Administrator Bosco explained that Metro West, a council of government that the Village is a member of, monitors legislation in Springfield. They were seeking passage of resolutions supporting TIF Districts from municipalities as legislation moving away from utilizing TIF Districts are being discussed in Springfield. The Village of North Aurora currently has two TIF Districts, one set to expire soon and one that will be in effect for 22 more years. If the Resolution is approved, it will go to the Illinois Municipal League who works with legislators regarding issues that are relevant to villages.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle 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).
7. Approval to Enter into Contract with Flock Group, Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of Four Fixed Flock Safety Cameras and Two Portable Flock Safety Cameras in the Amount of $21,100.00
Police Chief Joe DeLeo reminded the Board about the discussion regarding Flock cameras at the previous Committee of the Whole meeting which was met with mostly positive feedback. He stated that the cost for four installed cameras and two portable cameras was $21,100 for the first year. Flock would lock in the price and defer payment to the Village’s next budget year starting June 1, 2023. The first year renewal charge will be $18,500.
Trustee Salazar asked where the four installed cameras would be located. Chief DeLeo stated that they would be located at Orchard and Orchard Gateway, two at I88 and Route 31 and one at Butterfield and Mitchell Roads.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –no, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (5-1).
8. Approval of a Resolution Regarding Drones as First Responders
Administrator Bosco stated that a resolution was forwarded to the Village by Metro West regarding the use of drones by first responders. Currently laws prohibit the use of drones in certain situations. This resolution encourages amending state laws to allow police to utilize drones in cases of crowd safety at special events. Bosco said that if approved, the Resolution would be sent to Fox Metro as well as the Village’s State Representatives.
Trustee Curtis expressed concern for privacy issues and asked how this would be utilized. Chief DeLeo explained that currently during special events, for instance North Aurora Days, the use of drones for crowd safety and monitoring rooftops is not permitted. He stated it would be an asset to be able to utilize drones for events like that.
Trustee Curtis continued to express concern and asked what safeguards would be put in place to protect the privacy of the citizens. DeLeo stated that there is no expectation of privacy when a person is in a public space. Curtis explained that she did not mean during an event however in instances when drones are used to locate suspicious people in neighborhoods. DeLeo said that in those cases drones are not deployed to watch innocent people walking down the street. He described the amount of staff, effort and time it entails to deploy a drone as well as the call for service. Everything is documented, recorded and available for FOIA requests.
Trustee Carroll asked if the Village has any guidelines in deployment of drones. Chief DeLeo reiterated that there must be a call for service, a report is filed, a pilot is located, a second pilot, a report is filed, and permission from the FAA is received. There was further discussion regarding what was type of drone surveillance was currently allowed and not permissible.
Trustee Guethle reminded the Board that the agenda item was for the approval of a Resolution Regarding Drone use during a special event.
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 –no,. Motion approved (5-1).
9. Approval of a Resolution Adopting the 10 Shared Principles Established by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Illinois State Conference and Illinois Association Chiefs of Police (ILACP)
Police Chief DeLeo stated that on March 22, 2018, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Illinois State Conference and the Illinois Association Chiefs of Police (ILACP) agreed to Ten Shared Principles designed to build trust between law enforcement and communities of color. The two statewide associations vowed by mutual affirmation to work together and stand together in our communities and at the state level to implement these values and principles, and to replace mistrust with mutual trust wherever, whenever, and however we can.
He went on to say that the staff recently discussed the Ten Shared Principles and how these principles align with the mission of the North Aurora Police Department. A strengthened outreach
through community events, seminars, and recruitment have been a recent focus of
this agency. Members of the North Aurora Police Department from the top down
were already expected to treat all people with respect. However, staff agreed that adopting the 10 Shared Principles publicly affirms this expectation. It acknowledges a responsibility for police and members of the community to work together and understand each other. Currently over 300 law enforcement agencies in Illinois, including the Aurora Police
Department, the Sugar Grove Police Department, the St. Charles Police
Department, and most recently the Batavia Police Department have adopted these
10 Shared Principles.
Staff was requesting that the Board acknowledged and adopted the Ten Shared Principles as their own and add the Village of North Aurora to the historic agreement.
Trustee Carroll asked why, after five years, was this agreement before the Board. He also expressed concerns that the agreement was politically charged. He mentioned that he was not in agreement with the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing because it is admitting that the police department had some participation in discrimination and we are apologizing for that. Carroll stated that since he has been on the Board, there has never been discrimination. He was not prepared to buy in to the idea that the Village Police Department had participated in social injustice. He stated that he did agree with the model of respect for everyone. He did not believe that adopting this document would promote that or detract from that.
Trustee Guethle asked Attorney Drendel for confirmation that it was a non-binding resolution, to which Attorney Drendel agreed.
Trustee Curtis stated that she was in agreement with Trustee Carroll and that the Police Department already exemplifies respect and this item did not need to come before the Village Board.
Trustee Salazar asked Chief DeLeo if he thought that the principles somehow puts the Village Board in a position of apologizing. DeLeo stated that no, he did not. He felt that he appreciated that there was a discussion between parties whom acknowledged the feelings of both sides and came together to form an agreement to work together for the future. He stated that staff had discussed this in depth and had agreed that it was best to publicly affirm their belief in the shared principles.
Trustee Guethle asked Chief DeLeo if he agreed with the motion, to which he stated yes.
There was further discussion regarding whether the item was a political statement.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Salazar and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Carroll – no, Trustee Curtis –no, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – no, Mayor Gaffino- yes. Motion approved (4-3).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – None
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 Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
