City Council

City Hall - Second Floor City of Aurora Council Chambers 44 East Downer Place Aurora, IL 60505 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday February 24, 2026 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. Call the City Clerk's Office at (630) 256-3070 with questions. Please refer to the last page of this agenda for information regarding translation & reasonable accommodation requests. ROLL CALL Mayor Laesch called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and the roll was called. Present: 12 - Alderman Daniel Barreiro, Alderwoman Juany Garza, Alderman Ted Mesiacos, Alderman Jonathan Núñez, Alderman Carl Franco, Alderman Mike Saville, Alderman Javier Bañuelos, Alderman Edward Bugg, Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Alderman-At-Large Keith Larson, Alderman-At-Large Will White and Mayor John Laesch Absent: 1 - Alderwoman Patty Smith APPOINTMENT OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms for this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and Officer Robertson served as Sergeant-at-Arms for this meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Mesiacos. MAYOR'S REPORT Jon Zaghloul, Communications Manager - City of Aurora, presented an events recap report regarding the following: 1. The new Choose Aurora Homebuyer Assistance Program. Chris Ragona, Director of Community Services, responded to questions. 2. The City of Lights Film Festival will screen the movie Bad River on March 4, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at Aurora University. 3. The 20th Annual African American Heritage Advisory Board Heritage Dinner will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. City of Aurora Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 PUBLIC COMMENT The City Clerk read the Rules of Public Comment and the following people presented comments to the City Council: 1. Suzi Smith spoke regarding Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb. 2. Paula Helberg spoke regarding Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb. 3. Arlene Smolich spoke regarding Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb. 4. Senayit spoke regarding recent school walkouts. 5. Robert Dean spoke regarding Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb. 6. Ash Draighean spoke regarding the Civilian Review Board. CONSENT AGENDA The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve the Consent Agenda and Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White 25-1007 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing or her designee to pay Invoice #S0035939 to Waubonsee Community College in the amount of $22,058.29 for Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic Education. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-029 25-1034 A Resolution authorizing the city to approve a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the DuPage County Department of Community Services to formalize a partnership for ensuring a central access point for providing basic health and human services for Aurora residents living in DuPage County This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-030 26-0007 A Resolution to adopt unit prices submitted by Utility Dynamics Corporation, Oswego, IL for 2026 Electrical Services. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-031 City of Aurora Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 26-0023 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a three-year contract with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc., in the amount of $267,225 for water system leak detection services. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-032 26-0027 A Resolution to execute a two-year $263,000 contract with Fehr Graham & Associates, LLC for NPDES compliance and environmental sampling. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-033 26-0034 A Resolution to award a contract with Fehr Graham and Associates, LLC in the amount of $242,000 for the 2026 Annual Manhole Inspections located throughout the City of Aurora, with the option to extend for a second year upon mutual agreement. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-034 26-0044 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into agreement with Mid-American Elevator Company, Inc. for elevator maintenance and testing services for City facilities. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-035 26-0049 A Resolution to award a contract to Era-Valdivia Contractors, Inc., for the Church Road Elevated Water Storage Tank Rehabilitation project in the amount of $1,861,150.00 for the Water Production Division. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-036 26-0052 A Resolution authorizing the award of a contract to supply Dipotassium Orthophosphate for the Water Production Division. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-037 26-0061 A Resolution Authorizing the City of Aurora to enter an Intergovernmental Agreement with Will County that will allow the City of Aurora to host electronic recycling events. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-038 City of Aurora Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 26-0067 A Resolution Approving Project Recommendations Funded from Year Two of the Aurora Affordable Housing Fund in the Amount of $550,000. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-039 26-0069 A Resolution to enter into an agreement with Hoerr Construction, Inc in the amount of $460,535 for the 2026 Sewer Televising annual contract. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-040 26-0071 A Resolution authorizing the execution of an Engineering Services contract with Thomas Engineering Group, LLC of Aurora in an amount not to exceed $168,890 to design a sound wall to replace the existing wooden fence along Orchard Road. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-041 26-0081 An Ordinance Amending the Ward 6 Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O26-006 26-0084 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a contract with Interiors for Business in the amount of $307,000 for furnishings at RiverEdge Park. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-042 26-0086 An Ordinance Amending the Ward 10 Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O26-007 26-0089 An Ordinance amending the Ward 4 budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O26-008 City of Aurora Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 26-0094 A Resolution approving the appointment of Michele Clark as Chief Human Resource Officer. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-043 26-0095 A Resolution approving the appointment of Theodore Van De Sampel as Emergency Management Coordinator. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-044 26-0096 A Resolution approving the appointment of Josue Alcaraz as Director of Property Standards. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-045 DIRECT TO COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA 26-0101 Approval of the Minutes of the Tuesday, February 10, 2026, City Council Meeting. The Minutes were approved and filed as presented on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. 26-0127 A Resolution accepting the improvements and waiving the maintenance security for Indian Trail Splash Pad, 1180 High St. This Resolution was approved on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-046 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 25-1047 A Resolution Approving a Preliminary Plan and Plats for Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb Subdivision, Phase 4A and 4B on vacant land located at the northeast corner of Del Webb Boulevard and US Route 30 Jill Morgan, Senior Planner - City of Aurora, spoke briefly. Matt Brolley from Pulte Homes spoke and responded to questions. JoAnne Bowers from Pulte Homes responded to questions regarding reserve funding and Board membership/actions. Tracey Vacek, Director of Zoning & Planning - City of Aurora, responded to questions regarding landscaping inspections. Inspections will occur in May. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Aurora Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: R26-047 25-1048 A Resolution Approving the Final Plat for Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb Subdivision, Phase 4A on vacant land located at the northeast corner of Del Webb Boulevard and US Route 30 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 Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Nay: 1- Alderwoman Baid Enactment No: R26-048 25-1049 A Resolution Approving the Final Plat for Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb Subdivision, Phase 4B on vacant land located at the northeast corner of Del Webb Boulevard and US Route 30 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 Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Nay: 1- Alderwoman Baid Enactment No: R26-049 25-1053 A Resolution Approving a Final Plan for Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb Subdivision, Phase 4A and 4B, located at the northeast corner of Del Webb Boulevard and US Route 30 for a One Family Dwelling (1110) Use A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 9- Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Nay: 2- Alderman Bugg and Alderwoman Baid Enactment No: R26-050 City of Aurora Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 26-0065 A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the 2026 Annual Action Plan and Substantial Amendment 2026-#1. Chris Ragona, Director of Community Services - City of Aurora, responded to questions. Alderman Núñez recused himself and left City Council Chambers during the discussion and vote on this item. 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 Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: R26-051 26-0066 A Resolution Approving the 2026 Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Grants in the Amount of $203,000. Alderman Núñez returned to City Council Chambers. Alderman Mesiacos recused himself and left City Council Chambers during the discussion and vote on this item. 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 Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: R26-052 26-0068 A Resolution Approving the 2026 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $863,000. Chris Ragona, Director of Community Services - City of Aurora, responded to questions. Alderman Barreiro and Alderman Bugg recused themselves and left City Council Chambers during the discussion and vote on this item. Alderman Mesiacos recused himself and remained outside of City Council Chambers during the discussion and vote on this item. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8- Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: R26-053 City of Aurora Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 NEW BUSINESS Alderman Barreiro, Alderman Mesiacos and Alderman Bugg returned to City Council Chambers. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to suspend the rules to hear items of New Business. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White 26-0129 A motion authorizing and directing the Corporation Counsel to execute the completion of a settlement agreement in the case of Ivan Cuevas v. City of Aurora, et al., case number, 22 CV 2893, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White 26-0131 A motion authorizing and directing the Corporation Counsel to execute the completion of a settlement agreement in Gutierrez v. City of Aurora, et al, case number 21 CV 2211, in the United State District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White APPROVAL OF THE BILL SUMMARY AND LARGE BILL LIST 26-0132 Bill Summary and Large Bill List. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Saville to approve and pay the bills. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White City of Aurora Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 CLOSED SESSION There was no need for a Closed Session. ADJOURN A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Núñez to adjourn this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Submitted by: ________________________________________ Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk Any individual requiring language translation and/or 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.us. Every effort will be made to allow for meeting participation. Cualquier persona que requiera traducción de idiomas y/o tenga una discapacidad y solicite una adaptación razonable para poder participar en una junta pública, debe comunicarse con la Oficina de la Secretaría Municipal al menos 48 horas antes de la junta programada. Puede comunicarse con la Oficina de la Secretaría Municipal en persona en 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora Illinois, por teléfono al 630-256-3070 o por correo electrónico a CityClerk@aurora.il.us. Se hará todo lo posible para permitir la participación en la junta. City of Aurora Page 9