NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, May 2, 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, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher.
POLICE OFFICER SWEARING-IN-
Chief Fisher introduced Jeff Cook as the newest Village of North Aurora Police Officer. Mr. Cook was sworn in by Clerk Watkins.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 04/18/2022; Committee of the Whole Minutes dated 04/18/2022
2. Bills List Dated 05/02/2022
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 Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes. Motion approved (6-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Ordinance Amending the North Aurora Code Section 5.08.350 to Decrease the Number of Class B Liquor Licenses Authorized in the Village of North Aurora
Administrator Bosco explained that Ma Maw’s Kitchen & Concessions had been issued a Class B Liquor License, and have permanently closed. The number of Class B Liquor Licenses needed to be amended from seven to six.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Carroll. 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).
2. Approval of Ordinance Amending Provision of Title 2 Of The North Aurora Municipal Code Dealing With Administration and Personnel
Attorney Drendel explained that this item was to approve the proposed changes to the North Aurora Municipal Code. Many outdated and obsolete provisions were removed and/or updated.
Attorney Drendel also mentioned that compensation for elected officials has not changed since 2017, any changes to compensation would not affect the current term, but subsequent terms.
Drendel stated that one of the updates was to streamline the supervision of departments under the Administrator, which included the Police Chief position.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. 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 Ordinance Adopting the Budget of the Village of North Aurora for the Fiscal Year Beginning June 1, 2022 and Ending May 31, 2023
Director Paprocki stated that the item was for Approval of Adoption of the Budget for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year. He noted that a few final changes had been made, there was an additional $10,000 in the General Fund for community initiatives, $60,000 in the Sanitary Sewer Fund for Ridge Road sewer lining, and $10,000 in the Vehicle and Equipment Fund for IT Hardware.
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).
4. Approval of Resolution to Approve a Revised Investment Policy for the Village of North Aurora
Director Paprocki introduced this agenda item and explained the updates that were to be approved. He stated that in section eight reference to the Public Funds investment Act were added as well as descriptive verbiage. In section ten, regarding the three party system for trading, the proposed language change allows securities to be held by the broker’s safekeeping agent as long as the securities are identified to a specific Village account and held in the Village’s name. In section 11, currently the Illinois Public Funds Investment Act allows for investment of no more than 33% in corporate bonds. The Village’s policy states that corporate obligations shall not exceed 10%, staff is recommending raising that to 25%. Section 18 is new to the investment policy. In 2020 the Illinois Sustainable Investing Act was passed and states “any public agency or governmental unit should develop, public, and implemented sustainable investment policies applicable to the management of all public funds under its control”. The act suggests items to consider when investing, corporate governance and leadership, environmental, social capital, human capital and business model and innovation.
Trustee Lowery asked for clarification regarding the Village’s third party custodial and investment relationships with Fifth Third Bank and US Bank and utilizing National Financial Securities services. Paprocki explained that the change was intended to eliminate delays and streamline the process.
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).
5. Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Village Administrator to the Execute the Purchase of a Vehicle for the Public Works Department Exceeding the Spending Authority of the Village Administrator and Outside Normal Procurement Requirements Outlined in the Village’s Purchasing Policy
Director Laskowski explained that the Ford Explorer that the Village had ordered in May 2021 has yet to arrive with no updated delivery date provided by the dealership. Staff is requesting the ability for the Administrator to purchase a vehicle exceeding his spending authority in the event an opportunity to purchase a vehicle arises.
Trustee Curtis asked if the purchase of the original vehicle would be canceled, Laskowski stated that they were planning on keeping that option open until the Village procures a vehicle.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Salazar. 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).
6. Approval to Waive the Competitive Bid Process and Pre-Authorize the Purchase of a Replacement Automatic Transfer Switch at the East Treatment Plant with Frank Marshall in the Amount of $37,432.00
Director Laskowski explained that the auto transfer switch at the East Water Treatment Plant was in of repair. With the switch not functioning staff created a protocol to switch the power source manually to a generator in the event of a power outage. It is a two person job and cumbersome as well as a potentially dangerous task. There are not a lot of qualified contractors available to perform the work of the needed repair. With the complexity of the repair, staff thought it best to reach out to companies to survey the situation and provide quotes to resolve the situation. Three companies were approached, Illinois Power, Frank Marshall Electric and Altorfer/CAT. Illinois Power indicated they were unable to make the repairs and did not provide a quote. Frank Marshall Electric provided a quote of $37,432 and Altorfer/Cat a quote of $72,000. Each company stated that there would be a substantial lead time due to supply of parts.
Staff was asking for the approval to waive the competitive bid process to contract with Frank Marshall Electric with the lowest quote.
Trustee Salazar asked why there was such a large difference in the quotes. Laskowski explained that the companies contract with different suppliers for parts, resulting in different estimates.
Administrator Bosco added that Frank Marshall had previously worked on some of the Village’s wells and was familiar with the Village’s systems.
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 Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
7. Approval of Purchase of Police Body Worn Cameras and Squad Cameras from Axon Enterprises, Inc. Over the Next Five Years in an Amount Not to Exceed $264,846.00
Chief Fisher reminded the Board that at the last Committee of the Whole meeting a presentation was given regarding the findings of the Police Department’s research between multiple body camera providing companies. Based on pilot testing within the Police Department, Axon had the best rating. Staff was seeking approval of purchase of police worn body cameras and squad cameras from Axon Enterprises, Inc.
Trustee Carroll asked Chief Fisher if the Village officers were in favor of wearing body cameras, Chief Fisher stated that they were.
Mayor Gaffino complimented the Village Police Department for their depth of research on the cameras.
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).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT – None
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – None
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Bosco provided an update on the Beautification Committee efforts including the possibility of starting a program to award residents on their landscaping efforts.
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 Lowery. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk
