Committee of the Whole

City Hall - 5th Floor City of Aurora Conference Room 44 East Downer Place Aurora, IL Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday June 20, 2023 5:00 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 5:02 p.m. and the roll was called. A moment of silence was observed in honor of Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns who passed on June 19, 2023. 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 J. Bugg, Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Alderman John Laesch, Alderman Ron Woerman, and Mayor Richard Irvin MINUTES OF THE TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2023 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING 23-0476 Approval of the Minutes of the Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Committee of the Whole Meeting. A motion was made by Alderwoman Garza and seconded by Alderman Saville to approve and file the minutes as presented. The motion carried by voice vote. City of Aurora Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2023 PUBLIC COMMENT The City Clerk read the Rules of Public Comment and the following members of the public commented to the Committee of the Whole: 1. Brian Dahl, Fox Valley Building & Construction Trades Council spoke in support of item 23-0440. 2. Michael Towers, Sheet Metal Workers Local 365 spoke in support of item 23-0440. 3. Matthew Orr offered his condolences for the passing of Scheketa Hart-Burns. 4. Therese Michaels spoke regarding the Aurora Boys and Girls Club site at Garfield Park. 5. Adam Pauley offered his condolences for the passing of Scheketa Hart-Burns. 6. Sandi Schmitt offered her condolences for the passing of Scheketa Hart-Burns and discussed item 23-0447. 7. Mercy Galicia offered her condolences for the passing of Scheketa Hart-Burns and reminded everyone that all are invited to the upcoming I.T.O. Festival. REPORT OF THE BUILDING, ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee Met On June 14, 2023 and Reviewed the Following Items: 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 Tracey Vacek, Senior Planner - City of Aurora, spoke regarding this item. Brian Witkowski, Engineer - City of Aurora, spoke regarding this item. Representatives from Hollywood Casino Aurora and Penn Entertainment spoke regarding this item. (PLACED ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS) 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 (PLACED ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS) City of Aurora Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2023 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 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. Jeff Anderson, Deputy CIO - City of Aurora, responded to questions regarding this item. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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 Chris Minick, Chief Financial Officer - City of Aurora, spoke regarding this item. (PLACED ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS) 23-0450 A Resolution Establishing a Fee Schedule for Raffle Licenses, Related to Chapter 25, Sec. VIII, "Raffles" of the Code of Ordinances. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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. Lieutenant Bill Rowley, Aurora Police Department, spoke regarding this item. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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. Alex Minnella, Planner - City of Aurora, presented and responded to questions regarding this item. (PLACED ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS) City of Aurora Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2023 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). Stacey Peterson, Director of Financial Operations - City of Aurora, spoke regarding this item. Alex Alexandrou, Chief Management Officer - City of Aurora, spoke regarding this item. Chris Minick, Chief Financial Officer - City of Aurora, spoke regarding this item. (PLACED ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS) Alderman Mesiacos asked Legal Counsel if Aldermen are required, pursuant to the city code, to respond to questions posed to them by another Alderman during open meetings. 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. Alex Alexandrou, Chief Management Officer - City of Aurora, spoke and responded to questions regarding this item. Larry Henderson, Boys & Girls Clubs presented and responded to questions regarding this item. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) Alderman Woerman recused himself from discussion and vote on this item and left the room. Alderman Bugg posed the question of whether Alderman Woerman should recuse himself from discussion and vote on item 23-0468 as well. Legal Counsel indicated they will research the issue and advise Alderman Woerman appropriately. REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE The Public Health, Safety and Transportation Committee Meeting scheduled for June 13, 2023 was cancelled. REPORT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE The Infrastructure & Technology Committee Met On June 12, 2023 and Reviewed the Following Items: City of Aurora Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2023 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. Lieutenant Bill Rowley, Aurora Police Department, responded to questions regarding this item. Alderman Bugg asked to have photos of the chairs in question available for review prior to the next City Council meeting. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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). (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) REPORT OF THE RULES, ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE The Rules, Administration and Procedure Committee Met On June 6, 2023 and Reviewed the Following Items: 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. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 23-0399 A Resolution Authorizing the Ward 5 Residential and Nonprofit Grant Program. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) City of Aurora Page 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2023 23-0412 A Resolution authorizing the Ward 8 Residential and Nonprofit Grant Program. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 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. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 23-0427 A Resolution approving the reappointment of Abhijit Choudhury to the Planning and Zoning Commission. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 23-0428 A Resolution approving the reappointment of Christopher Minick to the Aurora Police Pension Board. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 23-0439 A Resolution approving the appointment of Jill LaVine and Michael Zafran to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) 23-0443 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22 Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Harassment and Discrimination Prohibitions. Michelle Clark, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - City of Aurora, responded to questions regarding this item. Deb Lang, Assistant Corporation Counsel - City of Aurora, responded to Alderman Laesch's (3) proposals for modifications to the proposed ordinance. No motions were made and no vote was taken on the (3) proposals for modifications presented by Alderman Laesch. (PLACED ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS) 23-0444 An Ordinance Establishing the Music, Events and Entertainment (MEE) Commission Under Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) City of Aurora Page 6 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2023 23-0445 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 25, Article VIII of the Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Raffles. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) NEW BUSINESS 23-0463 A Resolution approving the appointment of John Blickem as Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Maintenance. (PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA) MAYOR’S REPORT Simon Rodriguez, Youth Services Manager - City of Aurora, presented and welcomed Angel Reyna, International Soccer Star from Mexico. Mayor Irvin presented Angel Reyna with the Mayor's Award of Excellence. Clayton Muhammad introduced the family of Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns and expressed condolences on behalf of the city for the passing of Alderwoman Hart-Burns. Members of the Committee of the Whole and Mayor Irvin each expressed their condolences and gave a statement in remembrance of Alderwoman Hart-Burns. ALDERMAN'S CORNER There was no Alderman's Corner. CLOSED SESSION There was no need for a Closed Session. ADJOURN A motion and a second were made to adjourn this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Submitted by: __________________________________________ Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk City of Aurora Page 7 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2023 THIS MEETING AGENDA SHALL ALSO SERVE AS NOTICE THAT A MAJORITY OF A QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS MAY ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMMITTEE MEETING. NO OFFICIAL ACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL OCCUR AT THIS COMMITTEE MEETING. MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING SHALL CONSTITUTE THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING AND ANY MEETING OF THE MAJORITY OF THE QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME AND LOCATION. 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 8