City Council

City Hall - Second Floor City of Aurora Council Chambers 44 East Downer Place Aurora, IL 60505 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday October 14, 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 6:04 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, Alderwoman Patty Smith, Alderman Edward Bugg, Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Alderman-At-Large Keith Larson and Mayor John Laesch Absent: 1 - Alderman-At-Large Will White 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 Ortinau served as Sergeant-at-Arms for this meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Mesiacos. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Laesch presented a Proclamation to representatives from the Aurora IT Department in honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month proclaiming October 2025 as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the City of Aurora. Mayor Laesch presented a Proclamation to Kenny Battle in honor of his achievements while playing and coaching the game of basketball proclaiming October 10th as Kenny Battle Day in the City of Aurora. Kenny Battle was also presented with a custom City of Aurora jersey. City of Aurora Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS 25-0707 A Resolution authorizing the appointment of Brian Caputo to the Aurora Civic Center Authority Board. 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-at-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-298 25-0724 A Resolution authorizing the reappointment of Ramona Wood and Craig Gunty to the Aurora Civil Service Commission. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-at-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-299 25-0730 A Resolution authorizing the reappointments of Gerald Lubshina, Eric Rodriguez, Linda Cole, Judy Durham, Minal Shah and the appointment of Shannon Buckley to the Block Grant Working Committee (BGWC). A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Núñez 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-at-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-300 City of Aurora Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENT The City Clerk read the Rules of Public Comment and the following people presented comments to the City Council: 1. Vernita McGee Andrews spoke regarding Stable Able Housing. 2. Andrea Prestinario spoke regarding funding for the Paramount Theatre. 3. Senayit spoke regarding ICE in Aurora. 4. Lydia Burke spoke regarding funding for the Paramount Theatre. 5. Rick Lawrence spoke regarding City finances. 6. Danny Souri spoke regarding the City's response to recent ICE protests. 7. Guadalupe Garcia spoke regarding the state of the City and prayed for all. 8. Sandi Schmitt wished all a Happy Diwali and spoke regarding City finances. 9. Ann Bachman-McIntosh spoke regarding City finances. CONSENT AGENDA The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Larson to approve the Consent Agenda and Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith to move item 25-0732 to Unfinished Business and item 25-0732 was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on Unfinished Business. Alderman Bugg identified a scrivener's error in item 23-0407 and stated that "Georgetown" should be replaced with "Providence" in the title of the Resolution. Jason Bauer, Director of Public Works - City of Aurora, confirmed that the change should be made. There was no objection to this correction being made. With this change made, this item was amended on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. With the removal of item 25-0732 to Unfinished Business and the correction of item 23-0407, the motion to approve the Consent Agenda and Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-at-Large Larson 25-0619 A Resolution authorizing the purchase and installation of new pumping equipment for new Well 105 in the not to exceed amount of $178,213.00. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-301 City of Aurora Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 25-0663 A Resolution authorizing procurement of an Enterprise Agreement ("EA") for GIS software from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) of Redlands, California in the amount of $562,100.00 for a three-year term plus year 2 and year 3 of ArcGIS Indoors and Business Analyst. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-302 25-0693 A Resolution Authorizing Agreement for Administrative Services with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) for HMO, PPO and Value HAS (HDHP) Group Health, and Stop Loss Plan Administration for period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-303 25-0702 A Resolution authorizing the purchase of golf course patio furniture and portable bar from Sister Bay Furniture Co. using the TIPS-USA cooperative contract for $67,586.10 from the Golf Operations Fund. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-304 25-0706 A Resolution Authorizing the acceptance of a grant award of $4,033.65 for the Aurora Fire Department to purchase hazardous materials equipment. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-305 25-0715 A Resolution approving the purchase of bulk rock salt in the amounts of $70.79 per ton from Compass Minerals America Inc., Overland Park, KS, for the Division of Street Maintenance under the DuPage County Department of Transportation of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement Bid for the 2025-2026 winter season. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-306 25-0738 An Ordinance Vacating a Water Main Easement and Cross Access Easement on the Property located south of Bilter Road and west of N. Eola Road, in Dupage County, Aurora, Illinois 60502. This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: O25-065 City of Aurora Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 25-0739 A Resolution to approve an amendment to an existing contract with HR Green in the amount of $247,259.51 for the purposes of land acquisition. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-307 25-0742 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a contract with National Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $60,000 for fiber relocation in association with the Farnsworth and Bilter Roadway Improvement Project. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-308 25-0753 A Resolution authorizing the approval of an amendment to the agreement with MC2 to provide electrical aggregation services. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-309 DIRECT TO COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA 23-0407 A Resolution Accepting the Dedication of a Watermain Easement located South of Providence Avenue, between South Barrington Drive E and Carls Drive. Alderman Bugg identified a scrivener's error in the proposed Resolution in that "Georgetown" should say "Providence" and it was agreed that this correction should be made to the Resolution. With this correction, this item was approved on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-310 25-0748 A Resolution Accepting the Dedication of a City Easement and City Watermain Easement, located in Lot 1 of Meridian Parkways Resubdivision This Resolution was approved on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-311 25-0767 Approval of the Minutes of the Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 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 October 14, 2025 25-0768 Approval of the Minutes of the Thursday, September 25, 2025, Special City Council Meeting. The Minutes were approved and filed as presented on the Direct to Council Consent Agenda. 25-0788 A Resolution approving reduction No. 01 for PAS Plaza, 1395 Butterfield Rd. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-312 25-0789 A Resolution accepting the improvements and waiving the maintenance security for Aurora Genesis, 4170 Ogden Ave. This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. Enactment No: R25-313 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 25-0733 A Resolution authorizing an Agreement with Humana to Administer a Medicare Advantage Plan for Medicare Eligible Retirees for the Period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-314 City of Aurora Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 25-0740 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a change order to an existing contract with R.C. Wegman in the amount of $266,972.33 for ongoing work at RiverEdge Park including the installation of jumbotron support structures and paver replacement. Jim Jarvis of the Aurora Civic Center Authority spoke and responded to questions. Jason Bauer, Director of Public Works - City of Aurora responded to questions. This item as reviewed by the Committee of the Whole on October 7, 2025, read, "A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute contracts and change orders for ongoing work at RiverEdge Park for jumbotron purchases and paver replacement." Subsequent to the October 7th Committee of the Whole Meeting, modifications to this item were made by staff. A discussion was held as to whether it was proper to amend an item without the approval of the City Council by vote. It was determined that a vote should have been taken prior to changing this item. As there was no prior motion to amend the initial item by the Committee of the Whole on October 7, 2025, a motion was made by Alderman Barreiro and seconded by Alderman Bañuelos to amend the item to the version appearing on the agenda for this October 14, 2025, City Council Meeting, which effectively divided the original item into two parts. The motion to amend this item failed by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Alderman Barriero, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Bañuelos and Alderman-at-Large Larson Nay: 7 - Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg and Alderwoman Baid A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Mesiacos to approve this item as reviewed by the Committee of the Whole on October 7, 2025, "A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute contracts and change orders for ongoing work at RiverEdge Park for jumbotron purchases and paver replacement." The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg and Alderwoman Baid Nay: 4- Alderman Barreiro, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Bañuelos and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-315 City of Aurora Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 25-0741 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a change order to the existing contract with Ratio Architects in the amount of $105,270 for design services at RiverEdge Park. A motion was made by Alderman Mesiacos and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 9- Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson Nay: 2- Alderman Núñez and Alderman Bañuelos Enactment No: R25-316 25-0752 A Resolution approving estoppel certificates for the solar farm development at the Aurora Airport. 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: 11 - Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-317 25-0754 A Resolution authorizing the City Treasurer to consent to the mortgage of the leasehold interest of TD Hangar, Inc. at the Aurora Municipal Airport. Patrick Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel - City of Aurora, presented briefly. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-318 City of Aurora Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 25-0756 An Ordinance authorizing the 2025 Voluntary Reduction in Force Incentive Plan Michele Clark, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Bañuelos to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8- Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg and Alderman-At-Large Larson Nay: 3- Alderman Núñez, Alderwoman Smith and Alderwoman Baid Enactment No: O25-066 25-0732 A Resolution authorizing Sun Life Insurance to provide life insurance services for January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Brian Caputo, Director of Fiscal Integrity and Operations Management - City of Aurora, responded to questions. After the Consent Agenda and Direct to Council Consent Agenda were both read in full, a motion was made by Alderwoman Smith to move item 25-0732 to Unfinished Business and item 25-0732 was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on Unfinished Business. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderwoman Baid to approve this item. Discussion was held and a subsequent motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Saville to table this item for two weeks. The motion carried by voice vote and this item is held until the October 28, 2025 City Council meeting. Enactment No: R25-339 NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Núñez 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, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson City of Aurora Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 25-0775 A Resolution financially supporting City Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects in SD129, SD131, SD204 & SD308, using primarily ward funds for any City local share. Jason Bauer, Director of Public Works - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-319 25-0794 A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $2,000,000 from the State of Illinois Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Healthy Houses Program to preserve up to six-unit (per site), landlord-owned residential properties for low- and moderate-income residents, and encourage neighborhood revitalization with an emphasis on maintaining health and safety. Amy Munro, Community Services Coordinator - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderwoman Baid and seconded by Alderwoman Smith 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-320 25-0814 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute contracts for the purchase and installation of jumbotrons and supporting equipment at RiverEdge Park in the amount of $584,367.46. This Resolution was removed from the agenda with no objection. City of Aurora Page 10 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 25-0820 A Resolution authorizing the expenditure of special service area tax funds in a total aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000 and the provision of staff support for the purposes of organizing an independent not-for-profit organization to render special services within Special Service Area One. The following City of Aurora staff members were present for this item as follows: Nicholas Richard-Thompson, Deputy Chief of Staff, presented and responded to questions. Danielle Tufano, Downtown Economic Development Manager, presented and responded to questions. David Dibo, Director of Economic Development, responded to questions. Brian Caputo, Director of Fiscal Integrity and Operations Management, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderman Mesiacos and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to amend this item to reflect that the total aggregate amount is not to exceed $15,000. Discussion was held. A motion was made by Alderman Saville and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to refer this item to the October 21, 2025 Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee meeting. The motion carried by the following vote and Alderman Mesiacos and Alderwoman Garza subsequently withdrew their motion and this Resolution was returned to the Rules, Administration, and Procedure Committee: Aye: 7- Alderman Barreiro, Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith and Alderwoman Baid Nay: 4- Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderman Bugg and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-340 25-0822 A Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 1531 E. New York St., Aurora, IL 60505. Patrick Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel - City of Aurora, presented. 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 Mesiacos, Alderman Núñez, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Bañuelos, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson Enactment No: R25-321 REPORT There were no reports. City of Aurora Page 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 APPROVAL OF THE BILL SUMMARY AND LARGE BILL LIST 25-0823 Bill Summary and Large Bill List. Stacey Peterson, Chief Financial Officer - City of Aurora, responded to questions. A motion was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Bañuelos to approve and pay the bills. Alderman Bugg asked a question regarding item #13 on page 4 of the Large Bills List. Discussion was held and Stacy Peterson, Chief Financial Officer, is to provide Alderman Bugg an answer to his question. The motion to approve and pay the bills 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, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman-At-Large Larson CLOSED SESSION There was no need for a Closed Session at this meeting. ADJOURN A motion was made by Alderwoman Baid and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to adjourn this meeting. The motion carried by voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Submitted by: ______________________________________________ Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk City of Aurora Page 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 14, 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 13