City Council

City Hall - Second Floor City of Aurora Council Chambers 44 East Downer Place Aurora, IL City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday June 24, 2025 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 6:00 p.m. and the roll was called. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to allow Alderwoman Baid to participate remotely in this meeting pursuant to Sec 2-80 of the Code of Ordinances. The motion carried by voice vote and Alderwoman Baid 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 Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms for this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and Officer Ortinau served as Sergeant-at-Arms for this meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Franco. The Invocation was given by Alderman Mesiacos. City of Aurora Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 MAYOR'S REPORT Jon Zaghloul, Communications Manager - City of Aurora presented an update regarding the illegality of fireworks in the City of Aurora. Additionally, Mr. Zaghloul discussed the upcoming City of Aurora Fourth of July events including July 3rd City Fireworks and July 4th Parade. A representative of the Community Foundation of Fox Valley announced there will be a ribbon cutting at their new Aurora location on June 26th at 3:00 p.m. Mayor Laesch spoke regarding Attorney Rick Veenstra, Corporation Counsel, and honored him at this, his last City Council meeting. Mayor Laesch and members of the City Council thanked Attorney Veenstra for his 8 years of service to the City of Aurora. PUBLIC COMMENT The City Clerk read the Rules of Public Comment and the following people presented comments to the City Council: 1. Senayit Aukbamichael spoke regarding the Aurora Juneteenth flag raising. 2. Cynthia Latimer spoke regarding the Aurora Juneteenth flag raising. 3. Greg Zilioli spoke regarding A Call to Shoulders (ACTS). 4. Ricky Rodgers, African American Men of Unity spoke regarding the Juneteenth Celebration. 5. Theodia Gillesbie, Quad County Urban League spoke regarding the Juneteenth Celebration. 6. Mercy Galicia spoke regarding the Illinois Tejano Organization. 7. Brandon Tolliver spoke regarding the Juneteenth Celebration. 8. Michelle Gumz spoke regarding the Juneteenth Celebration. 9. Ray Hull spoke regarding City water rates. 10. Saul Fultz III spoke regarding property taxes. 11. Gale Verdick, President - Aurora Turners Club, spoke regarding items 25-0421, 25-0422, and 25-0424. 12. Char Peterson spoke regarding the Juneteenth Celebration. A motion was made by Alderman Larson and seconded by Alderman Saville to extend the period for public comment in order to accommodate all people registered to present comment to the Committee of the Whole. 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 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 CONSENT AGENDA The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Counsel Consent Agendas in full. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Counsel Consent Agenda in full. Alderman Mesiacos requested that item 25-0484 be removed from the Consent Agenda. Item 25-0484 was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on Unfinished Business. Alderman Bugg requested that item 25-0488 be removed from the Consent Agenda. Item 25-0488 was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on Unfinished Business. After the removal of items 25-0484 and 25-0488 from the Consent Agenda, the motion to approve carried by the following vote and the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Counsel Consent Agenda were approved. 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 24-0726 A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Joint Funding Agreement with the State of Illinois, the execution of a Phase 3 Construction Engineering Services Agreement with HR Green, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $706,956.00, and the appropriation of $2,100,000.00 of REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds and/or MFT Funds for the Sullivan Rd Reconstruction Project. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-203 25-0199 A Resolution authorizing the execution of the Joint Funding Agreement for Federally Funded PE/ROW with the State of Illinois for ROW, authorizing the execution of the Standard Agreement Provisions Joint Improvement Projects on the State Highway System, and the appropriation of REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds and/or MFT Funds for Montgomery Road and Hill Avenue Intersection Improvement. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-204 25-0289 A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of Anthem Excavation & Demolition, Inc. as the contractor to demolish 306 N River St and 316 N River St Aurora, IL 60506. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-205 City of Aurora Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 25-0364 A Resolution to approve the awarding of the Fire Station 3 renovation bid to T. Fisher Construction, LLC of Ingleside, IL. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-206 25-0376 A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of Anthem Excavation & Demolition, Inc. as the contractor to demolish 630 Hammond Av Aurora, IL 60506. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-207 25-0383 A Resolution authorizing the City to enter into a Highway Authority Agreement (and associated Environmental Indemnity Agreement supplement) with Flip 25, LLC for property located at 1125 Aurora Avenue. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-208 25-0401 An Ordinance Vacating a City Easement on the Property at 400 Mercy Lane, in Kane County, Aurora, Illinois, 60506 This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O25-040 25-0403 A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Third Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, Inc., and the City of Aurora, expanding the FEC Expert Partner Scope of Work to include the Small Business Boost and to receive the $90,000 grant upon full execution of this Third Amendment). This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-209 25-0451 A Resolution to execute a one-year contract with Allied Door Inc. for garage door preventative maintenance and repairs, with an option for two additional years. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-211 City of Aurora Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 25-0460 A Resolution authorizing the purchase of eight replacement mobile column lifts from Mohawk Lifts LLC for $119,032.10. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-212 25-0461 A Resolution authorizing the purchase of a Hunter alignment machine from Mohawk Lifts LLC for $67,588.25. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-213 . 25-0465 A Resolution to approve GoGo Grandparent as the replacement contractor for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Program through December 31, 2025, utilizing the remaining budgeted funding, not to exceed $100,000.00. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-214 25-0477 An Ordinance Vacating a City Easement on the Property located at the southwest corner of Independence Drive and Constitution Drive, in Kane County, Aurora, Illinois 60506 This Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O25-044 25-0478 A Resolution Authorizing Execution of an Encroachment Easement and Maintenance Agreement with CR Aurora Land, LLC for a portion of the property located on Independence Drive and west of Constitution Drive related to the Heyday Final Plan This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-216 25-0479 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District for general services and cooperation on various projects. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-217 City of Aurora Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 25-0481 A Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties in the amount of $50,800.00 and appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds and/or MFT Funds for the Sullivan Road Reconstruction (Edgelawn to Golden Oaks) Project. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-218 25-0483 A Resolution increasing the maximum number of Class D: Downtown Fringe On-Site Consumption liquor licenses (unofficially related to the application from Nide Jardin LLC). [Ward 4] This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-219 25-0491 A Resolution authorizing the execution of a service agreement between the City of Aurora, and Family Service Association of Elgin in support of the Aurora Police Department Crisis Intervention Unit for the period of July of 2025 through June of 2026. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-220 25-0495 A Resolution authorizing the appropriation of REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds and/or MFT Funds for Phase 2 Design Engineering for New York Street Bridge Project. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-221 DIRECT TO COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA 25-0505 Approval of the Minutes of the Tuesday, June 10, 2025, City Council Meeting. The Minutes were approved and filed as presented on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. 25-0518 A Resolution accepting the improvements and waiving the maintenance security for Wild Fork (New Store), 936 N State Route 59. This Resolution was approved on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-222 City of Aurora Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 25-0419 A Resolution approving funding support payments to VNA in the amount of $250,000 in 2025 and $250,000 during 2026 for a total disbursement of $500,000 in support of the recently constructed Bloomhaven campus. Chris Minick, Chief Financial Officer - City of Aurora, spoke briefly. Patrick Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Saville to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 9- Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large White Nay: 3- Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Bugg and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-210 25-0421 An Ordinance Annexing Property located at 1231 Mitchell Road to the City of Aurora, Illinois 60505 A motion was made by Alderman Saville 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: O25-041 25-0422 An Ordinance Establishing a Conditional Use Planned Development at 1231 Mitchell Road, to be incorporated under the existing Aurora Turners Plan Description, under Parcel A, and amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map attached thereto, to an underlying zoning of B-2 Business District - General Retail 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: O25-042 City of Aurora Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 25-0424 A Resolution Approving the Final Plat for Aurora Turners Club Subdivision located at 1231 Mitchell Rd, 1215 Mitchell Rd, and 500 E Indian Trail 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: R25-223 25-0501 A Resolution approving the appointment of Yordana Wysocki as Corporation Counsel. 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: R25-224 25-0514 A Resolution approving the appointment of Alison Lindburg as Director of Sustainability. 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: R25-225 25-0484 A Resolution establishing the maximum number of Class A: Package Sales (Convenience Store/Beer & Wine Only) liquor licenses (unofficially related to the application from B&K Foodmart). [Ward 4] A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman-at-Large Larson and Alderman-at-Large White Abstain: 1 - Alderman Mesiacos Enactment No: R25-226 City of Aurora Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 25-0488 An Ordinance amending Article II of Chapter 48 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances Entitled “Municipal Utility Service” (Water and Sewer Rates) and establishing rates for said services for the annual periods beginning July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026. Chris Minick, Chief Financial Officer - City of Aurora, responded to questions. Jason Bauer, Interim Director of Public Works - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Saville 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: O25-043 NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza 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 25-0523 A Resolution authorizing various City officers and employees to hold positions on the board of On Light Aurora, and any subsidiary thereof, for the specific purpose of representing the interest of the City thereon. Rick Veenstra, Corporation Counsel - City of Aurora, presented and responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Larson 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: R25-227 City of Aurora Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 25-0526 A Resolution approving a parking lot usage agreement with Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc., "Opus" for the purpose of providing a mobile emissions testing public service at the Aurora Police Department. Commander Bill Rowley, Aurora Police Department - presented briefly and 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: R25-215 APPROVAL OF THE BILL SUMMARY AND LARGE BILL LIST 25-0525 Bill Summary and Large Bill List. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco 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 There was no need for a Closed Session. ADJOURN A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to adjourn this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Submitted by: _______________________________________ Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk City of Aurora Page 10 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 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