City of Aurora City Council met Feb. 27

Juany Garza, Alderwoman - Ward 2 | City of Aurora

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Mar 30, 2024

City of Aurora City Council met Feb. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

ROLL CALL

Mayor Irvin called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and the roll was called.

Present: 12 - Alderwoman Juany Garza, Alderman Ted Mesiacos, Alderman Bill Donnell, Alderman Carl Franco, Alderman Mike Saville, Alderman Brandon Tolliver, Alderwoman Patty Smith, Alderman Edward Bugg, Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Alderman John Laesch, Alderman Ron Woerman and Mayor Richard Irvin

Absent: 1 - Alderman Emmanuel Llamas

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 Dispensa served as Sergeant-At-Arms for this meeting.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ms. Amina Hart.

INVOCATION

The Invocation was presented by Dr. John Tredosi.

MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS PRESENTATIONS

Clayton Muhammad, Chief Communication and Equity Officer - City of Aurora presented the following:

Mayor Irvin presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Pastor Dr. John Tredosi and his wife, Theressa DuBois Tredosi, for leading the Invocation at tonight's City Council meeting and thanking them for all they do for the Aurora community as a result of their many efforts to promote deaf inclusion through the Deaf Welcome Foundation and Deaf Welcome Ministries.

The City recently joined in honoring Aurora's Tom Skilling on his retirement and Mayor Irvin presented Mr. Skilling with a Key to the City of Aurora.

The City of Aurora Black History Month and Lunar New Year activities were discussed and Mayor Irvin presented the Mayor's Award of Black Excellence to members of the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board.

The City of Aurora will hold the Aurora Interfaith Alliance Leadership Breakfast on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

The Mayor's State of the City Address will be held quarterly in 2024. The first quarterly State of the City Address will be the State of Economic Development on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Bloomhaven.

A moment of silence was held in honor of Mr. John Russell, who recently passed. Mr. Russell worked for the Beacon News for 30 years until 2013 and then joined the City of Aurora as the first Grant Writer for the City.

MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS

24-0042 A Resolution approving the reappointments of Charlie Zine and Doug Johnson, and the appointments of Dave Horner and Thad Murillo to the Bicycle, Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Board.

A motion was made by Alderman Saville and seconded by Alderwoman Smith to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 11 - Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderman Tolliver, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid, Alderman Laesch, Alderman Woerman

Enactment No: R24-038

24-0043 A Resolution approving the reappointment of Charles Baker and Ayo Dahunsi to the Innovation and Technology Advisory Commission.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

Enactment No: R24-039

24-0051 A Resolution approving the appointment of Jennifer Paprocki and Denise Morgan representing Aurora to the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Board (AACVB).

A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

Enactment No: R24-040

24-0057 A Resolution approving the reappointment of Angie Thomas and the appointment of A. Elizabeth Robinson-Chan to the Civil Service Commission

A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

Enactment No: R24-041

24-0066 A Resolution approving the appointments of Amina Hart, Tonya Majersky, Charmaine Peterson, and Alonso Beckford to the African American Heritage Advisory Board.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

Enactment No: R24-042

24-0069 A Resolution authorizing the reappointment of Linda Cole, Warren Barton, Ken Gaul, Dan Hoffman, Geral Lubshina, Judy Durham, and Eric Rodriguez and the appointment of Luma Webster and Karen Christensen as members to the Block Grant Working Committee (BGWC).

A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

Enactment No: R24-043

24-0079 A Resolution appointing Alderman Ron Woerman and Alderman Brandon Tolliver to the Aquatics Administrative Board.

Alderman Woerman and Alderman Tolliver recused themselves from discussion and vote on this item and left the room during the vote. Alderman Woerman and Alderman Tolliver returned to the meeting at the conclusion of the vote on this item.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to approve this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

9 - Aye: Alderwoman Garza, Alderman Mesiacos, Alderman Donnell, Alderman Franco, Alderman Saville, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Bugg, Alderwoman Baid and Alderman Laesch

Enactment No: R24-044

PUBLIC COMMENT

The City Clerk read the Rules of Public Comment and Mr. Luis Hernandez Garcia presented comments to the City Council regarding a recent police interaction he experienced.

PUBLIC HEARING

24-0061 Public Hearing on a Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, Kane County and the City of Elgin; the participation in the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and the use of the City of Aurora's portion toward the Aurora Police Department equipment purchase.

Mayor Irvin asked if there were any members of the public present and wishing to make comments during the public hearing. There were no members of the public wishing to make comments during the public hearing. There were no questions from the City Council.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderman Franco to close the public hearing. The motion carried by the following vote and the public hearing was closed.

CONSENT AGENDA

The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda and the Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. A motion was made by Alderwoman Smith and seconded by Alderwoman Garza to approve the Consent Agenda and Direct to Council Consent Agenda in full. The motion carried by the following vote:

23-0836 A Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties and appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds required for the Indian Trail Road Signal Modernization and Resurfacing (Edgelawn to Highland) Project in the amount of $9,350.00.