NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 4, 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 Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Jason Paprocki, Community & Economic Development Director Nathan Darga, Village Attorney Ed Boula, Public Works Director Brian Richter, Deputy Police Chief Joe Gorski.
PUBLIC HEARING- 2023 Tax Levy
Mayor Gaffino opened the Public Hearing. There were no speakers in attendance. Mayor Gaffino closed the Public Hearing
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes Dated 11/20/2023; Committee of the Whole Minutes Dated 11/20/2023
2. Bills list Dated 12/04/2023 in the Amount of $260,309.07
3. Travel and Business Expenses in the Amount of $300.00
4. Approval of Resolution Acknowledging Substantial Completion Triggering the One-Year Maintenance Period and Reduction of the Surety for Public Improvements for Orchard Acres Lot 1, Lot 3, and Lot 4
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 Curtis –yes. Motion approved (4-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Ordinance Amending Title 15 of the North Aurora Code to Adopt New Building Codes
Community & Economic Development Director Nathan Darga stated that the agenda item was for the final approval of adoption of updated Building Codes. He reminded the Board that the Village was adopting 2021 Codes and touched on a few of the proposed amendments that the Village would also be adopting.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
2. Approval of Ordinance Amending Title 17 of the North Aurora Code Regarding Administrative Procedures, Nonconformities, and Other Corrections and Clarifications
Director Darga stated that this agenda item addressed the Zoning Code amendments that had been discussed at a previous Committee of the Whole meeting, most of which were corrections and clarifications. He said that the one stand out change was to the Public Hearing signage, minimizing the verbiage on them making them easier to read for passers-by.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (4-0)
3. Approval of an Ordinance Proposing the Establishment of Special Service Area No. 46 (840 Ice Cream Drive Development) in the Village of North Aurora
Director Darga explained that the item was in regard to the establishment of the special service area #46. He stated that during the previous Board meeting the Board approved the resolution for substantial completion for 840 Ice Cream Drive, 950 Ice Cream Drive and the vacant lot in between the existing buildings. As part of the PUD, there is a storm water pond and per Village policy, there is a backup SSA in case it is needed. The Ordinance would start the process of establishing the SSA, there would be a Public Hearing at the next Village Board Meeting on December 18, 2023, and then it would go back before the Village Board for final approval.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
4. Approval to Award Bid for Orchard Gateway Boulevard Breakaway Modification to Utility Dynamics Corporation in the Amount of $75,000.00
Public Works Director Richter stated that the Village had obtained federal funding for the installation of a traffic signal and road widening at the intersection of Orchard Gateway and Hansen. Richter said that due to the federal funding, I-DOT reviews all the documents and they have found that the majority of the Orchard Gateway lights do not have breakaway devices which are required. I-DOT is requiring the Village to modify the lights. The Village went out for bid, Utility Dynamics came back as a low bidder, however the project had not been budgeted. Richter stated that there were sufficient funds within the MFT fund to cover the expenditure. Staff recommended awarding the bid to Utility Dynamics Corporation.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
5. Approval of Service Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) for Design Engineering od Elevated 1,000,000 Gallon Water Storage Tank Not to Exceed a Total Amount of $155,100.00
Director Richter explained that in 2016 the Village entered into a design contract with Rempe-Sharpe for a 750,000 gallon water tank. The project was bid three times and each time the Village had rejected the bids. The Village had been in the process of completing a Water Model and Water System Master Plan with EEI, during the course of these studies usage information had been obtained regarding Aurora Packing. It was determined that the Village needed a larger capacity water storage tank. The change of tank size required a new set of plans and specifications were needed. Richter stated that the Village had received a proposal from EEI for their services. The proposal was to complete the scope of work in and not to exceed the amount of $155,100. EEI would be paid on an hourly basis and $20,300 for their electrical engineer. Richter explained that the project was not budgeted but the Water Fund has adequate funding for the project. Staff believed that it would be beneficial to begin work now as it takes six months for design and approximately a year for construction.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
6. Approval of the Messenger Public Library Resolution of the Board of Library Trustees for .02% Maintenance Tax
Finance Director Paprocki stated that the Messenger Public Library Resolution of the Board of Library Trustees for .02% Maintenance Tax had been approved at the library’s Board Meeting on October 12, 2023.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
7. Approval of Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes in and for the Village of North Aurora and the Messenger Public Library, Kane County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning June 1, 2023 and Ending May 31, 2024
Director Paprocki stated that this agenda item was the Ordinance to approve the Tax Levy for the Village and the Library. The total Levy was $4,917,900, made up of the Village’s $2,801,000 which represents the 2.5% CPI increase and the added value of new construction, as well as the Library’s $2,116,900.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
8. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Waterford Oaks Special Service Area #4 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2023 and ending May 31, 2024
Director Paprocki stated that the Levy was $188,600 which represented no change from the previous year.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
9. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the taxes for the Timber Oaks Special Service Area #8 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2023 and ending May 31, 2024
Director Paprocki stated that this Levy was $7,500 which represented no change from the previous year.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
10. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Pinecreek (Phase III) Special Service Area #9 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2023 and ending May 31, 2024
Director Paprocki stated that this Levy was $2,000 and represented no change from the previous year.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (4-0).
11. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Willow Lakes Special Service Area #11 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2023 and ending May 31, 2024
Director Paprocki stated that this Levy was for $10,200 and represented no change from the previous year.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (4-0).
12. Approval of an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the North Towne Centre Special Service Area #32 for the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2023 and ending May 31, 2024
Director Paprocki stated that the Levy was for $30,000 and represented no change from the previous year.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
13. Approval of an Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2023 to Pay Debt Service on $6,885,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2014 (Alternate Revenue Source)
Director Paprocki stated that these were for the Police Station Debt Service which was pledged by sales tax revenue, no property taxes for the bonds.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Niedzwiedz and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
14. Approval of an Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2023 to Pay Debt Service on $5,800,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017 (Alternate Revenue Source)
Director Paprocki stated that these were the water bonds pledged by water usage.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
15. Approval of a Resolution Initiating the Submission of a Public Question to Increase the Village’s Existing Local Municipal Sales Tax from ½% to a Rate of 1% to the Voters of the Village of North Aurora
Director Paprocki stated that the item included two resolutions of which one would be selected and voted on. Paprocki explained that after the November 20, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting, Staff worked to pare the question down but remain within what the statute required by the Department of Revenue. Staff was presenting to the Board two versions of the resolution question. Per the State statute, the Village can utilize non-home rule sales tax revenue only for the purposes of public infrastructure, property tax relief, and/or municipal operations (until July 1, 2030). One version of the question stated that the revenue would be for the purpose of infrastructure improvements only and the second version included all three allowable purposes.
Village Board discussion resulted in agreement to vote on the second version of the question which contained all three purposes, public infrastructure, property tax relief, and/or municipal operations.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (4-0).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – Mayor Gaffino stated that there had been a good turnout for the Making Spirits Bright event. He commended the Police and he also expressed appreciation for Public Works and all of their efforts readying the park for the event while maintaining leaf collection and salting roads.
The Mayor also thanked IT Manager Dave Arndt for his assistance in fixing the Village’s North Aurora Days Facebook page after it had been compromised.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – None
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Bosco thanked Director Richter and the Public Works department for their work in Riverfront Park for the Making Spirits Bright event. Bosco also thanked the Police Department for their presence at the event.
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – None
4. Public Works – None
5. Attorney- 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
