Village Board Minutes

NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING

VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Monday, March 4, 2024

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 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 Development Director Nathan Darga, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director Brian Richter, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director Brandon Tonarelli, Police Chief Joe DeLeo.

PROCLAMATION– Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week

Mayor Gaffino proclaimed the week of March 10^th through March 16^th to be Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in support and recognition for those affected by multiple sclerosis.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Village Board Minutes Dated 02/05/2024; Committee of the Whole Minutes Dated 02/05/2024
2. Bills List Dated 03/04/2024 in the Amount of $1,087,026.41
3. Business and Travel Expenses in the Amount of $50.00
4. A Resolution Acknowledging Substantial Completion Triggering the One-Year Maintenance Period and Reduction of the Surety for Public Improvements for Casey’s
5. An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Disposition of Surplus Personal Property

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, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (6-0).

NEW BUSINESS

1. Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Entering Into of a Contract for the Purchase of Electricity From the Lowest Cost Electricity Provider for a One, Two, or Three Year Term for Water Wells and Treatment Plants Through the NIMEC Bid Process

Finance Director Paprocki stated that the Village last went to bid in March of 2022 for facilities, at that time the Village entered into a 24 month agreement with a directive from the Village Board to enter with a green energy option.  Currently NIMEC stated that the green energy option was about a half of a cent more than just the traditional energy option.  Staff was looking for direction from the Board whether or not to pursue green or traditional energy options as well as authorization to move forward with a bid.  NIMEC will be conduction a group bid for electricity services on March 27, 2024.

Director Paprocki stated that the green energy would cost the Village an estimated $20,000-$25,000 more than traditional energy, however rates had fallen since the last time out to bid so the Village should be seeing a savings regardless of whether traditional or green energy was selected.

The Village Board opted to move forward with green energy.

Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote:  Trustee Christiansen – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (6-0).

2. Approval of Resolution Approving TIF Façade Grant Funding in the Amount of $2,837.50 for the Property Located at 108 John Street, North Aurora, Illinois

Community Development Director Darga reminded the Board that this agenda item was discussed at the last Committee of the Whole meeting.  The building owners of 108 John Street, North Aurora requested TIF grant funding for assistance in installing an awning on the building which would align the façade with that of the building’s neighbors.

Motion for approval made by Trustee Salazar and seconded by Trustee Curtis. Roll Call Vote:  Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Christiansen – yes. Motion approved (6-0).

3. Approval to Award Bid for Lovedale Lane, Offutt Lane, Clearwater Drive, and Fox River Crossing Water Main Improvements Project to FER-PAL Construction USA LLC in the Amount of $1,598,787.00

Public Works Director Richter stated that the scope of the agenda item project included the lining of the aged water main, replacement of water valves, fire hydrants and restoration.  To line the water main, an above grade temporary water service system is put in place by the contractor as they need to excavate access pits for televising, cleaning and then lining the water main.  Lining the water main was chosen for this project due to the cost of permitting and construction of the water main under the Fox River.  Cofferdams would have to be built and shallow bedrock would have to be dealt with.  The estimated traditional open cut construction would have exceeded $3,000,000.

The Village went out for bid for lining and received one bid on February 22^nd from FER-PAL Construction USA in the amount of $1,598,787.00.  There are a limited number of companies that perform this type of work in the area due to the proprietary technologies and water main quality pipelining material.  All three area companies had been informed about the bid.

$964,750 would come from the Water Fund.  In 2021 the Village applied for a Kane County development grant which was awarded to the Village in the amount of $634,037.

FER-PAL has successfully completed water main lining projects for other municipalities in the area.

Village Staff was recommending awarding the Bid to FER-PAL Construction.

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, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (6-0).

VILLAGE PRESIDENT – Mayor Gaffino stated that he was grateful that the Tornadoes that occurred the previous Tuesday had minimal effect of the Village.  He thanked Director Richter and Administrator Bosco for going out after the storms to assess any damages it may have caused.

TRUSTEES COMMENTS – None

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – None

VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS

1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – Chief DeLeo stated that there had been a group of officers that had taken part in a Polar Plunge event in St. Charles that previous weekend. He then spoke about some intelligence that the police had gotten the previous weekend regarding street racing which ultimately led to 15 citations issued and over 20 traffic stops.  There was further discussion regarding the activities of street racers in and around the community.
4. Public Works – None
5. Village Attorney– None

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. All in favor.  Motion approved.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jessi Watkins

Village Clerk