City Council

City Hall - Second Floor City of Aurora Council Chambers 44 East Downer Place Aurora, IL 60505 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday March 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 6:03 p.m. and the roll was called. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to allow Alderman Saville to participate in this meeting remotely pursuant to Sec 2-80 of the code of ordinances. The motion carried by voice vote and Alderman Saville participated in this meeting remotely. Present: 13 - Alderman Daniel Barreiro, Alderwoman Juany Garza, Alderman Ted Mesiacos, Alderman Jonathan Núñez, Alderman Carl Franco, Alderman Mike Saville, Alderman Javier Bañuelos, Alderwoman Patty Smith, Alderman Edward Bugg, Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Alderman-At-Large Keith Larson, Alderman-At-Large Will White and Mayor John Laesch APPOINTMENT OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco 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. City of Aurora Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 MAYOR'S REPORT Jon Zaghloul, Communications Manager - City of Aurora, presented the following: 1. A Proclamation in honor of Women's History Month was presented to women staff representatives and Alderwomen of the City of Aurora. 2. Mayor Laesch honored the 2026 7th Grade Girls City of Lights Basketball Tournament Champion team from Simmons Middle School. 3. Mayor Laesch honored the 2026 8th Grade Girls City of Lights Basketball Tournament Champion team from Holy Angels Catholic School. 4. Mayor Laesch presented a Mayoral Proclamation to the family of Tony Galvez who passed on March 5, 2026, proclaiming Tony's birthday, March 26th, "Tony Galvez Day" in the City of Aurora in perpetuity. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS There were no Mayoral Appointments. City of Aurora Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 PUBLIC COMMENT The City Clerk read the Rules of Public Comment and the following people presented public comment to the City Council: 1. Anonymous Aurora Resident spoke regarding data centers. 2. Rick Handell complimented the Aldermen, Alderman Franco, Mayor Laesch and City staff regarding their work on the sound wall on Orchard Road. 3. Ashley Staat spoke regarding data centers and water resources. 4. Rick Lawrence spoke in support of data centers. 5. Luis Hernandez spoke regarding food sales to children across from schools and traffic on Jungels Street. 6. Kevin Lennon spoke on behalf of CME Group regarding data centers. 7. Laura Evans spoke regarding data centers. 8. Keith Evans spoke regarding data centers. 9. Leo Wright spoke regarding data centers. 10. Kevin Bishop spoke regarding his interactions and arrest by the Aurora Police Department. At the conclusion of the initial 30 minutes of public comment, a motion was made by Alderwoman Baid and seconded by Alderman-at-Large Larson to extend the time for public comment to allow all people registered for public comment to speak. The motion carried by the following vote and the remaining registered speakers were allowed to present public comment: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-at-Large Larson and Alderman-at-Large White 11. Brian Castro spoke regarding data centers. 12. Marcy Kersch spoke regarding data centers. 13. Lyn Farmer spoke regarding data centers. 14. Julie Mraz spoke regarding data centers. 15. Paul Jaskowiak spoke regarding data centers. 16. Abhijit Choudhury spoke regarding data centers. 17. Danielle Fischer spoke regarding data centers. 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 Alderwoman Smith to approve the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White City of Aurora Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 25-0795 A Resolution authorizing a one-year contract with Air One Equipment for the purchase of protective gear for the Fire Department in amount not to exceed $316,000.00, with two optional one-year extensions. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-065 26-0076 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with LDV Custom Specialty Vehicles (LDV, Inc.) for the construction of a negotiator vehicle for the APD Crisis Negotiator Team in an amount not to exceed $200,000 This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-066 26-0091 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to purchase services for Amendment 5 of the System Maintenance Agreement with L3Harris, Melbourne, FL for $284,189. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-067 26-0098 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 "Alcoholic Liquor", Sec. 6-2 "Definitions" and Sec. 6-8 "Classifications" of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O26-018 26-0137 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc. in the amount of $1,058,300.00 for the 2026 Citywide Pavement Patching for Water and Sewer Maintenance. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-068 26-0138 A Resolution to award the Star Ave Water Main Replacement Project, located in Ward 1, to Gerardi Water & Sewer Co., in the bid amount of $467,106.00. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-069 City of Aurora Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 26-0154 An Ordinance prohibiting the Use of Groundwater as a Potable Water Supply by the Installation or Use of Potable Water Supply Wells or By Any Other Method. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O26-019 26-0155 An Ordinance approving the acquisition of certain real property generally located on the east side of North Farnsworth Avenue, north of Bilter Road, Aurora, Illinois by eminent domain or otherwise. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O26-020 26-0170 A Resolution consenting to a short-term lease extension until the end of 2026 to FR2, Inc. at the Aurora Airport. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-070 26-0175 A Resolution Authorizing Emergency Procurement for Interim Transportation Services with GoGo Grandparent for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-071 DIRECT TO COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA 26-0179 A Resolution approving reduction No. 01 for Medinah of Aurora - Village Green Subdivision Unit 24 - Lot 3, 2931 Village Green Drive. This Resolution was approved on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-072 26-0182 A Resolution approving reduction No. 01 for Fox Valley Mall- Phase 2 Residential, 195 Fox Valley Center Dr. This Resolution was approved on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R26-073 26-0183 Approval of the Minutes of the Tuesday, March 10, 2026, City Council Meeting. The minutes were approved and filed as presented on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. City of Aurora Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 26-0092 An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by adding “Chapter 50 - Aurora Responsible Data Center Ordinance” and “Chapter 51 - Data Center Privacy Protection Ordinance,” pertaining to performance standards and operational reporting requirements for Data Centers. John Curley, Chief Development Services Officer - City of Aurora, presented and responded to questions. Alison Lindburg, Director of Sustainability - City of Aurora, presented and responded to questions. Tracey Vacek, Director of Zoning & Planning - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion to amend the item as presented was made by Alderwoman Baid and seconded by Alderman-at-Large Larson to require continuous air quality monitoring to monitor particles from the generators. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-at-Large Larson Nay: 8 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg and Alderman-at-Large White A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: O26-021 City of Aurora Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 26-0112 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying Section 49-103.3 Definitions and 49-104.3 Conditional Uses and Structures with regards to data center facilities John Curley, Chief Development Services Officer - City of Aurora, responded to questions. Yordana Wysocki, Corporation Counsel - City of Aurora, responded to questions. Tracey Vacek, Director of Zoning & Planning - City of Aurora, responded to questions. Amendment #1. A motion was made by Alderman Bugg and seconded by Alderman-at-Large Larson to amend this item to change daytime hours of 7am to 7pm maximum decibels to 56 decibels and to change the nighttime hours of 7pm to 7am maximum decibels to 46 decibels. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-at-Large Larson and Alderman-at-Large White Amendment #2. A motion was made by Alderwoman Baid and seconded by Alderman-at-Large White to amend this item to change Exhibit A - p. 6 to reflect the distance in Line 8 from 1500 feet to 2640 feet and Line 20 from 1000 feet to 2640 feet. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-at-Large Larson Nay: 7 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg and Alderman-at-Large White Amendment #3. A motion was made by Alderwoman Baid to amend Exhibit A, page 14, Line 7 to allow Data Centers in M1 and M2 and exclude ORI. The motion failed for lack of 2nd. Amendment #4. A motion was made by Alderwoman Baid and seconded by Alderman-at-Large Larson to amend Exhibit A testing of the long-term health impact on the residents near the Data Center, including chronic sleep disturbance and cortisol level impacts from constant low-frequency noise, the cumulative effect of electromagnetic field exposure on nearby residents, respiratory impacts from the periodic testing of high-capacity diesel backup generators. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Alderwoman Garza and Alderwoman Baid Nay: 10 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderman-at-Large Larson and Alderman-at-Large White Amendment #5. A motion was made by Alderwoman Baid and seconded by Alderman-at-Large Larson to amend Exhibit A to add a mandatory 24/7 environmental hazard management plan including air quality monitoring installed permanently to calculate the real-time air quality sensors at the property line to monitor nitrogen oxide and particulate matter that is emitted City of Aurora Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 during generator testing. Staff noted that this amendment is better suited for item 26-0092. This motion was subsequently withdrawn by Alderwoman Baid and the second was withdrawn by Alderman-at-Large Larson. A discussion relating to staff's discretion in negotiation of agreements was held with respect to the authority of staff to negotiate agreements vs. the authority of City Council to approve or amend agreements. With the addition of the changes to Exhibit A approved in Amendment #1, a motion was made by Alderman-at-Large Larson and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item as amended. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Nay: 1- Alderwoman Baid Enactment No: O26-022 26-0114 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying Section 49-103.3 Definitions and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research and Light Industry District regarding warehouses and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research and Light Industry District, Section 49-109.2 "M-1" Manufacturing District, Limited and Section 49-109.3 "M-2" Manufacturing District, General regarding performance standards A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: O26-023 26-0115 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, Article II "Building Code" of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying Section 12-17.1 Additions, Insertions, Deletions and Changes 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 Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Nay: 1- Alderwoman Baid Enactment No: O26-024 City of Aurora Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to suspend the rules to hear items of New Business. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White 26-0189 A Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 574 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL 60505. Patrick Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: R26-074 26-0190 A Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 773 Aurora Ave., Aurora, IL 60505. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: R26-075 26-0191 A Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 1127 Talma St., Aurora, IL 60505. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Enactment No: R26-076 City of Aurora Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 26-0192 A Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 801 Claim St., Aurora, IL 60505. This matter was removed from the agenda at the request of Assistant Corporation Counsel, Patrick Collins. REPORT There were no reports. APPROVAL OF THE BILL SUMMARY AND LARGE BILL LIST 26-0188 Bill Summary and Large Bill List. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve and pay the bills. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 12 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderman Larson to enter into Closed Session and thereafter adjourn this City Council meeting with no further action or public business to take place to pursuant to section 2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss pending litigation. The motion carried by the following vote and the City Council meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 10:47 p.m. The Closed Session meeting was called to order at 10:51 p.m. and adjourned at 10:56 p.m. Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-At-Large Larson and Alderman-At-Large White Nay: 1- Alderman Franco ADJOURN Submitted by: __________________________________________________ Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk City of Aurora Page 10 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 24, 2026 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 11