City Council

City Hall - 5th Floor City of Aurora Conference Room 44 East Downer Place Aurora, IL City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday June 27, 2023 6:00 PM Members of the public wishing to provide public comment for this meeting must be physically present at the meeting and registered to speak prior to the meeting being called to order. Please call the City Clerk's Office at (630) 256-3070 with questions. ROLL CALL Mayor Irvin called the meeting to order at and the roll was called. Present: 12 - Alderman Emmanuel Llamas, Alderwoman Juany Garza, Alderman Ted Mesiacos, Alderman Bill Donnell, Alderman Carl Franco, Alderman Mike Saville, Alderwoman Patty Smith, Alderman Edward Bugg, Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Alderman John Laesch, Alderman Ron Woerman and Mayor Richard Irvin APPOINTMENT OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to appoint a Sergeant-At-Arms for this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and Officer Sullivan served as Sergeant-At-Arms for this meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by veterans and active military members present for the City Council meeting. INVOCATION The Invocation was led by Ward 9 Alderman and Church Elder Edward Bugg. City of Aurora Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS PRESENTATIONS There were no presentations at this meeting. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS 23-0415 A Resolution approving the reappointments of Sarah Ramos and Lillian Feinberg as well as the appointment of Kevin Martinez to the Aurora Youth Council. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch, Alderman Woerman Enactment No: R23-170 23-0421 A Resolution approving the reappointments of Marc Straits, Fawn Clarke Peterson, and Natasha Ritsma as well as the appointment of Ginger Ingram to the Public Art Commission. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch, Alderman Woerman Enactment No: R23-171 23-0427 A Resolution approving the reappointment of Abhijit Choudhury to the Planning and Zoning Commission. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch, Alderman Woerman Enactment No: R23-172 City of Aurora Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 23-0428 A Resolution approving the reappointment of Christopher Minick to the Aurora Police Pension Board. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch, Alderman Woerman Enactment No: R23-173 23-0439 A Resolution approving the appointment of Jill LaVine and Michael Zafran to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch, Alderman Woerman Enactment No: R23-174 PUBLIC COMMENT The City Clerk read the Rules of Public Comment and the following members of the public addressed the City Council: 1. Brian Dahl spoke in support of items 23-0440 and 23-0441. 2. Dick Furstenau spoke regarding residents in the flood plain. 3. Mike Powers spoke in support of items 23-0440 and 23-0441. 4. Mercy Galicia thanked the Council on behalf of L.T.O. for their support of their recent festival. 5. Steve Hendry spoke regarding internet service and the Affordable Connectivity Program. PUBLIC HEARING 23-0460 Public Hearing on a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant award from the US Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Grant program in the amount of $294,657.51; and the City of Aurora's use of grant funds to enhance the Crisis Intervention Unit. This public hearing item was called. No members of the public presented public comment on this item. There were no questions or comments from the City Council. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to close and adjourn the public hearing. The motion carried by the following vote and the hearing was adjourned. Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch and Alderman Woerman City of Aurora Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 CONSENT AGENDA The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. Item 23-0472 was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on Unfinished Business. After Item 23-0472 was removed from the Consent Agenda, a motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to approve the Consent Agenda and Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch and Alderman Woerman 23-0366 A Resolution to create the Ward 2 Residential Property Improvement Grant to support Ward 2 residents who want to improve their driveways and fences. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-175 23-0374 A Resolution authorizing a two-year Project Management Professional Services agreement with Crowe LLP, 225 W Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (“Crowe”) in an amount of $392,000. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-176 23-0399 A Resolution Authorizing the Ward 5 Residential and Nonprofit Grant Program. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-177 23-0402 A Resolution approving the purchase of 48 Tecton jury base armless chairs and 40 Tecton chairs on casters from Group Management Office Furniture of Aurora, Illinois, through the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance contract #07-116 in the amount of $58,967.40. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-178 23-0412 A Resolution authorizing the Ward 8 Residential and Nonprofit Grant Program. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-179 City of Aurora Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 23-0420 A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $24,658 from the Morton Arboretum for the 2023 Chicago Region Earmark Urban and Community Forestry Support in the Chicago Region Grant Program with the City to contribute matching funds of $8,261 to improve the forest health of the downtown. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-180 23-0422 A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of the low bid from F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates LLC, for the renovation of the Human Resources Department office for $683,500.00 plus a ten percent (10%) project contingency amount of $68,350.00. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-181 23-0444 An Ordinance Establishing the Music, Events and Entertainment (MEE) Commission Under Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O23-042 23-0445 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 25, Article VIII of the Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Raffles. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O23-043 23-0450 A Resolution Establishing a Fee Schedule for Raffle Licenses, Related to Chapter 25, Sec. VIII, "Raffles" of the Code of Ordinances. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-182 23-0451 A Resolution to Award the contract for the 115-125 S. Fordham Avenue and Lancaster Avenue Sanitary Sewer Improvements project to Stokes Excavating, Inc. in the amount of one hundred sixty thousand, six hundred eighty dollars and zero cents ($160,680.00). This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-183 City of Aurora Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 23-0458 A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $294,657.51 from the US Department of Justice COPS Office to enhance the Aurora Police Department Crisis Intervention Unit. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-184 23-0463 A Resolution approving the appointment of John Blickem as Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Maintenance. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-185 DIRECT TO COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA 23-0448 A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Easement Agreement between the City of Aurora and Chicago Title Land Trust Company Trust #1122, for the Vacant Property located near the Northeast Corner of Eastern Avenue and East New York Street. This Resolution was approved on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R23-186 23-0481 Approval of the Minutes of the Tuesday, June 13, 2023, City Council Meeting. The Minutes were approved and filed as presented on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. City of Aurora Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 23-0440 An Ordinance Establishing a Conditional Use Planned Development, Approving the Hollywood Casino Plan Description and amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map attached thereto from B-3 Business and Wholesale District and M-1 Manufacturing - Limited District to B-3(C) Business and Wholesale District with a Conditional Use Planned Development for the property located at West side of Farnsworth Avenue, between Bilter Road and Corporate Boulevard A motion was made by Alderman Saville and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman Woerman Nay: 1- Alderman Laesch Enactment No: O23-044 23-0441 A Resolution Approving a Preliminary Plan and Plat for HC Aurora Subdivision located on the west side of Farnsworth Avenue, between Bilter Road and Corporate Boulevard Chris Minick, Chief Financial Officer - City of Aurora, responded to questions regarding this item. Alex Alexandrou, Chief Management Officer - City of Aurora, responded to questions regarding this item. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman Woerman Nay: 1- Alderman Laesch Enactment No: R23-187 23-0443 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22 Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Harassment and Discrimination Prohibitions. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch and Alderman Woerman Enactment No: O23-045 City of Aurora Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 23-0447 An Ordinance amending Section 48-57 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, effective July 1, 2023, and establishing the utility rates for water and sewer services provided within the City thereafter A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch and Alderman Woerman Enactment No: O23-046 23-0466 A Resolution authorizing the execution of a property purchase and sales contract for property at 101 N Lake and 102 N. River Street, Aurora, IL. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman Woerman Nay: 1- Alderman Laesch Enactment No: R23-188 23-0468 An Ordinance Amending The Annual Budget For The Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2022 and Ending December 31, 2022 (Amendment #2 For The 2022 Fiscal Year). Alderman Woerman and Alderman Mesiacos recused themselves from discussion and vote on this item and left the meeting until discussion and vote concluded. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8- Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg and Alderwoman Baid Nay: 1- Alderman Laesch Enactment No: O23-047 City of Aurora Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 23-0472 A Resolution to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with The Boys and Girls Club of Aurora for a possible land donation adjacent to Garfield Park. Alderman Woerman recused himself from discussion and vote on this item and left the meeting until discussion and vote concluded. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch Enactment No: R23-189 NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to suspend the rules to consider items under New Business. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Woerman Nay: 1 - Alderman Laesch 23-0470 A Resolution ratifying payment to Morrow Brother's Ford Inc., in the amount of $662,080.00, for the purchase of sixteen (16) replacement Police Utility Vehicles for the City's Fleet. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman Woerman Nay: 1- Alderman Laesch Enactment No: R23-190 City of Aurora Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 23-0498 An Ordinance pursuant to Section 2 of the Local Government Property Transfer Act pertaining to real property owned by the County of DuPage located at the southwest corner of Bilter and Eola Roads. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch and Alderman Woerman Enactment No: O23-048 APPROVAL OF THE BILL SUMMARY AND LARGE BILL LIST 23-0501 Bill Summary and Large Bill List. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve and pay the bills. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Llamas, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch and Alderman Woerman CLOSED SESSION There was no need for a Closed Session at this meeting. ADJOURN A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to adjourn this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Submitted by: _____________________________________ Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk Any individual with a disability requesting a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in a public meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Office at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. The City Clerk’s Office can be reached in person at 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora Illinois, via telephone at 630-256-3070, or via e-mail at cityclerk@aurora-il.org. Every effort will be made to allow for meeting participation. City of Aurora Page 10