NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, June 19, 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 Jason Christiansen, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community Development Director Nathan Darga, Village Planner David Hansen, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director Brian Richter, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – Village resident Robert Leskovar of 473 Pheasant Hill Drive spoke about new construction next to his home in Moose Lake Estates. He stated that the builder was constructing a new home on lot #168, and the position of the home will be obstructing the view from his home. Leskovar stated that the previous builder had built the majority of the homes in Moose Lake Estates 40 feet back from the curb, but the current builder, McCue was building homes 30 feet from the curb. Although this falls within code, the resident expressed his frustration with the Village, home owners’ association and the builder for their combined lack of diligence in the aesthetic of the new builds and how they fit in to the existing neighborhood.
Linda Brooks of 477 Pheasant Hill Drive spoke in support of Leskovar.
Village Attorney Drendel stated that while the Village Board and Staff were empathetic to the situation, the Village has the responsibility to uphold the zoning standards. This ensures consistency throughout the Village. Drendel encourage Leskovar to pursue a private legal remedy.
Administrator Bosco stated that Villages do not typically have architectural review. When a subdivision comes in, it will go before the Village Board and they will look at the types of housing that is being proposed. A building come in a few years ago with a proposal to complete the building within Moose Lake Estates. That proposal was not the type of housing the Board, nor the residents of Moose Lake Estates wanted. The current building, McCue came in and submitted renderings of the types of housing that they would build in Moose Lake Estates, this proposal was approved. At that time, Bosco stated, the Village had been made aware that the HOA had been negotiating an agreement with McCue Builders for aesthetic review. The Village is unaware if that agreement had ever been signed because it was a private agreement.
Leskovar stated that in his research and discussion with the HOA, he has found that document is missing.
Kevin Kedzior of 453 Pheasant Hill Drive spoke in support of the Leskovars and emphasized what he believed to be the financial impact of the situation.
Attorney Drendel readdressed his suggestion to look into private legal remedies.
Trustee Christiansen expressed hope that the building would act in good faith and remedy the situation.
Trustee Niedzwiedz asked if there were any additional empty lots that were being developed that may encounter the same challenges. Leskovar replied that there were two additional lots within the cul-de-sac that were being developed but did not appear to present the same situation.
Trustee Lowery empathized with the resident. He asked about the HOA’s position on the situation. There was further discussion about the HOA’s involvement.
Trustee Salazar also empathized and stated that McCue’s approach to the problem was not very neighborly and suggested that the Village Board keep that in mind should the builder ever come before the Village Board in the future.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village board Minutes dated 06/05/2023; Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 06/05/2023
2. Bills List Dated 06/19/2023 FY23 in the Amount of $1,495,225.78
3. Bills List Dated 06/19/2023 FY24 in the Amount of $221,355.96
4. Travel and Business Expenses in the Amount of $95.00
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 Christiansen – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement Regarding Addition of Classification of Mechanic
Finance Director Paprocki stated that the Staff had previously presented a restructuring of the Public Works department, within this restructuring staff would like to convert a laborer positon to a Mechanic position. This position required more specialized certifications and approval through the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. This position would take the place of a laborer position, therefore no increase in headcount.
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 Christiansen – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
2. Approval of Ordinance Approving the 2nd Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2023-24
Finance Director Paprocki explained that the item was in regard to the item that had just passed. The item would authorize a Mechanic position and de-authorize a Laborer position. This will increase the salary and benefits within the Public Works department by $3,930. He also reminded the Board that the first amendment that had passed with the reorganization plan had reduced the budget by $78,530.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Christiansen – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
3. Approval of Purchase of a Public Works Five-Yard Snowplow Truck with Swap Loader System and Anti-Icing Spray Unit form Monroe Truck Equipment/Rush Truck Center in an Amount not to Exceed $350,000.00
Public Works Director Richter stated that the Staff was seeking approval to purchase a new 2026 International snowplow. He stated that the production of vehicles is so far out that the Village will not have the vehicles in possession until 2026. The truck would be equipped with a swap loader hook lift system, v-box salt spreader, an 11’ snowplow, and a 1,065-gallon anti-icing system. The truck is very versatile, the Village already owns different attachments that will fit the truck.
Mayor Gaffino commented that he believes that it would help with the leaf pick up deadline, making it easier to convert the truck between leaf pick-up and snow removal.
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 Christiansen – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
4. Approval to Cancel Truck Purchase with National Auto Fleet Group and to Purchase Two Ford F-350 Trucks for Public Works from Bredeman Ford in the Amount of $110,820.52
Director Richter was seeking approval to cancel a truck purchase with the state purchase program, National Auto Fleet Group, which had become unreliable and unable to deliver vehicles in a timely manner. There was currently an eight month delay on the outstanding order, therefore the Village would not incur a penalty for withdrawing from the contract. An additional truck had been budgeted for the current fiscal year, the staff would like to purchase two trucks from dealership that was found online. The amount budgeted $107, 910, the purchase of the two trucks would be $110,820.52.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Christiansen – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
5. Approval of Ordinance Approving a Special Use to Allow an Educational Facility, Vocational School in the B-2 General Business District for the Property Located at 202 Genesis Drive, North Aurora, Illinois
Community & Economic Development Director Nathan Darga reminded the Board that the item was discussed at the May 15th Committee of the Whole meeting and the Plan Commission on June 6th voted to approve the Special Use with one caveat of the School District would stay within standards should they change the façade. The District was looking to close on the property by the end of the month.
Mayor Gaffino commented that he thought it was going to be a great use for the building.
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 Christiansen – yes. Motion approved (5-0).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – None
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – Trustee Salazar welcomed Director Darga to his first Board meeting.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Bosco also welcomed Director Darga, he stated that Darga arrives at the Village with plenty of experience.
Bosco also commented to Director Richter that he had been very proud of the way the Public Works department has gone about looking at their truck purchases.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – Chief DeLeo stated that Officer Manko had retired that day after 28 years of service. The department had a newly established entry level list and an officer will start the academy August 28th once that person is identified. The department was hoping for solo patrol by March of 2024.
4. Public Works – None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Guethle. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
