NORTH AURORA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday, May 17, 2021
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 Mike Lowery, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher.
PROCLAMATION- National Boat Safety Week
Mayor Gaffino read the proclamation for National Boat Safety Week which highlights safety measures and responsibility for watercrafts.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS –
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Village Board Minutes dated 05/03/2021 and Committee of the Whole minutes dated 05/03/2021
2. Bills List Dated 05/17/2021 in the amount of $300,347.39
3. Approval of Special Events Permit for the Fox Valley Park District
4. Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with the Fox Valley Park District for Independence Day Fireworks Celebration on Fox Valley Park District Property
5. Approval of Special Events Permit for Independence Day Celebration Fireworks at North Aurora Riverfront Park
6. Approval of Resolution Designating the North Aurora Independence Day Fireworks Celebration a Village Sponsored event and Allowing he Consumption of Liquor in North Aurora Riverfront Park
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 Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval to Award Contract for 2021 Road Program to Geneva Construction Company in the Amount of $1,550,783.92
Director Laskowski explained that the roads that will be repaired this year are located in Pine Creek. Of the three contract bids, the staff recommends to award the contract to Geneva Construction Company, which has completed projects for the Village in the past. The funding for this project is from the Motor Fuel Tax and the Capital Fund.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Guethle –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
2. Approval to Award Contract for Orchard Gateway Streetlight and Pole Replacement Project to Utility Dynamics in the Amount of $149,230.00
Director Laskowski reminded the Board of previous discussion of the replacement of the light poles and fixtures on Orchard Gateway and Hansen Boulevard. Staff recommended to replace the light fixtures and bulbs along Hansen Boulevard, leaving the existing poles to be reevaluated in the next three to seven years. Director Laskowski stated that the poles on Orchard Gateway will need to be replaced, staff recommended that they be replaced with aluminum poles. He also stated that Utility Dynamics came in as the lowest bid.
Director Laskowski stated that ComEd is offering an incentive for replacing the traditional bulbs with LED resulting in an approximate $37,000 rebate.
Trustee Guethle stated that he approved of the aluminum poles and made a motion for approval.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
3. Approval to Purchase 2022 International HV607 Plow and Dump Truck from Monroe Truck Equipment/Rush Truck Center in the Amount of $168,444.00
Director Laskowski made a request to purchase a Plow and Dump Truck, the fleet currently consists of eight vehicles, of which one is consistently in need of repair.
Because of the current high cost of production as well as production delays, the staff is recommending the purchase of an International truck rather than a Freight Liner.
Mayor Gaffino asked if going forward Public Works will return to purchasing Freight Liner vehicles, to which Director Laskowski stated that he would leave that decisions to the mechanics however he does not have a preference and would likely choose the most affordable option.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar –yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
4. Approval of Resolution to Authorize Application for Kane County Community Development Funds and Execution of all Necessary Documents
Director Laskowski stated that Village staff have identified a grant opportunity through the Kane County Community Development Block Grant program. Public Works have identified three streets with deteriorating water mains and possibly lead services. Approval was needed from the Board for to apply for the grant funding.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Curtis and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Guethle –yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
5. Approval of Public Works Facility Expansion Civil Engineering Agreement with WBK Engineering, LLC in the Amount of $91,945.00
Director Laskowski explained that this Agreement would be the first step in the execution of the Public Works Facility Expansion design. He recommended that the Village award the contract to WBK Engineering, LLC whom the Village has previously worked with.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz –yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
6. Approval of Ordinance Approving a Special Use for Expansion of a Motor Vehicle Sales and/or Service Establishment and Site Plan In The B-2 General Commercial District for the Property Located At 209 Hansen Boulevard, Gerald Hyundai
Director Toth reminded the Board that this expansion has been before them at the Committee of the Whole meeting dated April 19, 2021 and received unanimous recommendation for approval at the May 4, 2021 Plan Commission Public Hearing.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Salazar. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Curtis –yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
7. Approval of Resolution Transferring the Library Capital Asset to the Messenger Public Library
Director Hannah explained in 2001 there was a successful referendum to build a new library. The Village issued $5.9 million in bonds to fund the construction of the library, the bonds were paid off as of January 1, 2021. Director Hannah stated that it is now time to transfer the Library Capital Asset formally to the Messenger Public Library. Per the Village’s auditors, it is best practice to complete the transaction in this manner.
Motion for approval made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Niedzwiedz. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
8. Approval of Resolution 02-2021 for Appropriations and Budget Resolution for Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
Motion for approval made by Trustee Salazar and seconded by Trustee Lowery. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Salazar – yes, Trustee Lowery –yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Carroll – yes, Trustee Curtis – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
9. Approval of an Employment Agreement for the Village Administrator
Motion for approval made by Trustee Lowery and seconded by Trustee Guethle. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Curtis – yes, Trustee Carroll –yes, Trustee Guethle – yes, Trustee Lowery – yes, Trustee Niedzwiedz – yes, Trustee Salazar – yes. Motion approved (6-0).
VILLAGE PRESIDENT –
1. Appointment of Scott Branson to the Plan Commission-
Mayor Gaffino suggested the appointment of Scott Branson to the Plan commission. There are currently three openings, Mr. Branson expressed interest in one of the positions.
Trustee Guethle stated that he believes that Mr. Branson would be a good appointment.
There was discussion in regard to the various openings on the Boards of the Plan Commission, North Aurora Days and the North Aurora River District Alliance. Mayor Gaffino stated that he is planning on reaching out to residents to help fill the openings.
All in favor. Motion Passes.
TRUSTEES COMMENTS – None
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –
Administrator Bosco expressed gratitude for the renewal of his contract.
Administrator Bosco stated that the Village is currently in the middle of the waste company transition. He stated that the Village will not fine residents for excess toters outside their home during the transition.
Administrator Bosco spoke about the Village’s exchange program for residents’ unused garbage stickers. The current Waste Management stickers will be honored by Groot for the first four collections after transition.
Discussion was had in regard to the specifics of the cost of stickers versus toter rentals.
VILLAGE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Finance – None
2. Community Development – None
3. Police – None
4. Public Works – None
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 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
