Aurora Township Board of Trustees met March 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
I. Call to Order by Supervisor Catching at 4:00 p.m.
II. Pledge of Allegiance led by Supervisor Catching
III. Invocation led by Dolores Hicks
IV. Roll Call by Township Clerk, Reginald N. Campbell with a Quorum established, with the Following Officials and Board of Trustee members present: William Catching, Supervisor; Juan Reyna, Highway Commissioner; Davis Offutt, Assessor; excused absence, Reginald Campbell, Clerk; Trustees Dolores Hicks, David Moore, Juanita Wells, and Brenda Hernandez. Staff and Public also present- See attached Attendance Sign in Sheet.
V. Motion to approve of the minutes of the regular Board Meeting held on March 14, 2019, made by Supervisor Catching, seconded by Trustee Hicks, and carried by unanimous voice vote,
VI. Approval and /or audit of Township and Road District Bills
a. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Moore to approve the Town Fund bills in the amount of $48,441.16. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Discussion: Trustee inquired about the $350.00 payment to the Chicago Tribune re job applicant search. HR Director, Ken Maurice stated that payment consisted of included placement of ads in multiple websites and from the various ads received 11 candidates for drivers including 2 with CDLs'.
b. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Wells to approve the Road & Bridge Fund bills in the amount of $13,469.37. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
c. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Hicks to approve the General Assistance Fund bills in the amount of $2,985.22. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
d. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Wells to approve the Combined IMRF Fund and Road & Bridge IMRF Fund bills in the amount of $8,214.20. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
e. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Hicks to approve the Combined Social Security Fund and Road & Bridge Social Security Fund bills in the amount of $10,348.45. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
VII. Reports
a. Assessor's Report. See Written Report
b. Highway Commissioner's Report Highlight of Written Report- Work has begun on the warehouse roof replacement and is anticipated to be completed within 1 week; Dept. continues to do patching of pot holes; Trustee Hernandez raised the question of residents concern about the number of accidents near the intersection of Solfisburg and Beckwith. A deputy from the KCSD confirmed that there have been numerous accidents in that area, and at least one with a fatality. Hernandez asked if a speed bump could be installed. Currently there are no speed bumps on township-maintained roads, and Supervisor Catching stated the first step would be doing a traffic study of the area. A resident in the audience asked Commissioner Reyna about the lack of striping on Jericho Road between Edgelawn and Highway Ridge. Commissioner stated that Jericho Road is one of five township roads due to be restriped in the near future.
c. Supervisor's Report- Supervisor Catching stated that the Township will provide transportation for nearly 300 volunteers to help clean up along the shores of the Fox River on 4/11/19. Someone contacted Supervisor Catching about placing a headstone at his grandfather's gravesite at the Township Cemetery. Supervisor Catching will contact a monument co. regarding the costs of headstones. No one has been buried in the Cemetery since the 1980's.
d. Code Enforcement Officer's Report-See Written Report
e. General Assistance Manger’s Report- In February there were 13 residents reapproved for assistance. 7 new applicants were approved.
f. Presentation of February 2019 financial statements -Financial statements are fairly stated, no unusual variances. Annual audit will commence in May, 2019.
VIII. Unfinished Business
a. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Moore for Resolution 2019-07 establishing Aurora Township Senior Citizens Services Committee and Appointing of members. Discussion-Trustee Hernandez asked how the members were selected to the committee. Supervisor Catching stated that Jerry Butler submitted some names and that Supervisor Catching recruited the rest. He stated that one more member may be added to the committee which will then be comprised of nine members. Trustee Moore commended the Supervisor for putting such a diverse group together and Trustee Hicks concurred with that. Trustee Wells suggested that once the committee meets, each committee member should put a brief bio together. Supervisor Catching reiterated that the purpose of the committee is the make recommendations to the board how the grant is to be spent. Board is also responsible for monitoring and auditing how the grant money is spent. Motion passed by voice vote with one dissension.
b. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Moore for approving hiring a full time driver for Ride In Kane program. Discussion- Trustee Hernandez asked how competitive the Township is with other similar positions. Supervisor Catching stated that the Township offers a pension when most others do not, although they may offer $2,000.00-$3,000.00 signing bonus. Ken Maurice stated that four candidates were interviewed and two of those had CDL with passenger endorsements. One finalist applicant withdrew his name from consideration. The person hired will start at $15.50 per hour. Trustee Moore stated that Mr. Maurice and the Township is doing a good job hiring good and experienced drivers. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
IX. New Business
a. Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Wells regarding Resolution 2019-11 Transfer of Appropriation-Town Fund. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
X. Board Member comments
Trustee Wells stated she has concerns about increasing the number of residents eligible for the lawn service program to 200, in light of just getting the snow removal service program for seniors and disabled off the ground. Trustee Hicks stated that the City of Aurora is not providing these or other services to its senior residents. Trustee Moore visited the Youth Center and was able to enter through the main door without being buzzed in. He stated that it's important to have functional cameras. He will write a policy on security procedures and a policy on employee response to an active shooter.
XI. Public Comments
Resident Ron Jaffee asked why does the township provide snow removal services for private residents and that tax dollars should not be used for this service. Supervisor Catching stated that most of the residents that qualify for the services are on a fixed social security income, and their eligibility is based on their age and income level. Trustee Wells added that these seniors have earned the right to receive these services.
XII. Announcements
None
XIII. Adjournment Motion made by Supervisor Catching and seconded by Trustee Moore to adjourn the meeting at 5:16. p.m. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
http://auroratownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/March-28-2019-Board-Meeting-Minutes-1.pdf
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