City of Yorkville City Council met Sept. 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Purcell called the meeting to order at 7: 03 p. m. and led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Behland called the roll.
Ward I Koch Present
Transier Present
Ward II Plocher Present
Soling Present
Ward III Funkhouser Present
Marek Present
Ward IV Tarulis Absent
Corneils Present
Staff in attendance at City Hall: City Clerk Behland, City Administrator Olson, Chief of Police Jensen, Attorney Orr, Public Works Director Dhuse, Finance Director Fredrickson, Parks and Recreation Director Evans, Assistant City Administrator Willrett, and EEI Engineer Sanderson.
Staff in attendance electronically: Community Development Director Barksdale- Noble
Members of the public were able to attend this meeting in person as well as being able to access the meeting remotely via Zoom which allowed for video, audio, and telephonic participation.
A meeting notice was posted on the City' s website on the agenda, minutes, and packets webpage with instructions regarding remote meeting access and a link was included for the public to participate in the meeting remotely: hups:// us02web. zoom. us/ i/ 81067485791? pwd= OFh5Y3hPemV6azZmYINCRHdiSmFMQT09. The Zoom meeting ID was 810 6748 5791.
QUORUM
A quorum was established.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None.
PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
l. Minutes of the Regular City Council— August 22, 2023
2. Bill Payments for Approval
1, 666,422. 29 ( vendors)
185, 827. 04 ( wire payments)
388, 973. 37 ( payroll period ending 08/ 18/ 23)
354, 460. 94 ( payroll period ending 09/ 01/ 23)
2, 595, 683. 64 ( total)
Mayor Purcell entertained a motion to approve the consent agenda. So moved by Alderman Soling; seconded by Alderman Koch.
Motion approved by a roll call vote. Ayes- 7 Nays- 0
Koch- aye, Plocher- aye, Funkhouser- aye, Transier- aye, Soling- aye, Marek- aye, Comeils- aye
REPORTS
MAYOR' S REPORT
Friends of the Fox River" It' s Our
Fox River Day" Proclamation
(CC 2023- 54)
Mayor Purcell proclaimed the third Saturday of September, this year, and every year thereafter, as" It' s Our Fox River Day" in the United City of Yorkville( see attached).
Constitution Week Proclamation
(CC 2023- 55)
Mayor Purcell proclaimed September 17 - 23, 2023, as Constitution Week in the United City of Yorkville see attached).
City Hall Landscaping Proposal
(CC 2023- 56)
Mayor Purcell entertained a motion for a City Hall landscaping contract with Max' s Greener Places, Inc. in an amount not to exceed$ 4, 000 for landscape design and an amount not to exceed$ 20, 000 for native plants. So moved by Alderman Marek; seconded by Alderman Soling.
Alderman Funkhouser has some concerns about the plant selection. He believes some plants and trees are not conducive to some areas, especially near the parking lot. He would like to discuss the plan and where items are laid out. Director of Public Works Dhuse shared that the placement and species are ok to change.
Motion approved by a roll call vote. Ayes- 7 Nays- 0
Plocher- aye, Funkhouser- aye, Transier- aye, Soling- aye, Marek- aye, Comeils- aye, Koch- aye
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT
No report.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Ordinance 2023- 29 Amending the Yorkville City Code, Title 10, Chapter 19, Section 10- 19- 9
(Solar Farm Building Permit Fee)
(EDC 2023- 38)
Alderman Plocher made a motion to approve an Ordinance Amending the Yorkville City Code, Title 10, Chapter 19, Section 10- 19- 9( Solar Farm Building Permit Fee) and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute; seconded by Alderman Funkhouser.
Motion approved by a roll call vote. Ayes- 7 Nays- 0
Funkhouser- aye, Transier- aye, Soling- aye, Marek- aye, Corneils- aye, Koch- aye, Plocher- aye
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT
No report.
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE REPORT
No report.
PARK BOARD
Parks and Recreation Director Evans reported on the following upcoming events in the area:
Saluting with Smoke BBQ Festival and Fundraiser
Mission Zero Hundred Hours is hosting their Saluting with Smoke BBQ Festival and Fundraiser at Raging Waves Water Park on September 15- 17, 2023. This event includes live bands, carnival rides, BBQ competitions, food trucks, and more.
Yorkville Storywalk
The Yorkville Educational Foundation, Y115, and the Yorkville Public Library are hosting their annual free family event at the Yorkville Storywalk on September 20, 2023, from 4: 30 p. m. to 6: 30 p. m. The Yorkville Storywalk is at YJWC Heartland Park( 1267 Taus Circle).
Scarecrow Walk
The Scarecrow Walk 2023 takes place at Riverfront Park East End( 131 East Hydraulic Avenue) from September 291h— October 3151. The deadline to submit a scarecrow into the walk is Monday, September 25th.
Yorktoberfest
The Kiwanis Yorktoberfest is Friday, September 291h, and Saturday, September 30`h, at Riverfront Park East. Live music, craft beer, and family- friendly performances and activities will be there.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
No report.
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
No report.
CITY CLERK' S REPORT
No report.
COMMUNITY& LIAISON REPORT
Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Alderman Funkhouser reported the state has appointed the Deputy Director of Tourism. They are doing a tour around the state and will stop by the AACVB on September 27`h for a meet and greet. He also thanked Raging Waves Waterpark for hosting the AACVB and holding a behind- the- scenes tour.
STAFF REPORT
No report.
MAYOR' S REPORT ( cont' d)
Bristol Ridge Solar Farms— Update and Discussion
(CC 2023- 57)
Scott Osborn, Director of Project Development with TurningPoint Energy, shared he was at the meeting to review any questions the Council might have on the proposed Bristol Ridge Solar Farms project. Tonight, the Council voted on approving the building permit fees for solar at$ 7 per panel. Each Bristol Ridge project will have around 15, 000 panels, which will be approximately $ 100, 000 in permit fees per project. Mr. Osborn then reviewed the informational memo passed out as a supplemental packet to the council. He went over the drainage problems and visibility concerns. Mayor Purcell asked Engineer Sanderson about drainage and how our ordinances handle water runoff from developed sites. Engineer Sanderson said any new developments in the community must follow the city' s current stormwater ordinance and will have to go through that permit process. Mayor Purcell asked Community Development Director Barksdale Noble to explain the project' s decommissioning and bonding aspects. The decommissioned cost is the reasonable cost and expense to remove all structures from the properties and restore them to their original usage. The petitioner calculates the amount and timeline to remove the structures at today' s cost and then adds a 3% inflation rate. The project is also bonded at 120% to cover the City if they must restore the parcels to their original usage and remove all structures. This would be two bonds for around$ 600k each.
Alderman Koch asked for clarification on the tax revenue numbers. Mr. Osborn stated that$ 34, 775 is the expected tax revenue for the City, and $ 430,000 would go to the Yorkville School District over 20 years. Alderman Koch asked ifthere would be a benefit to the residents. Mr. Osborn stated this is a community solar program under ComEd, which local customers can sign up for and receive discounts. Alderman
Koch also asked about the community engagement and investment mentioned in the memo. Mr. Osborn shared that the company owner would like to give away so much money per year to the community as they usually invest in every community where they have projects. They are willing to commit to$ 40, 000 in donations($ 20, 000 per project).
Alderman Funkhouser also asked Mr. Osborn to clarify if the tax revenue numbers were doubled figures. Mr. Osborn explained that the amounts were for each project. The$ 34, 775 in tax revenue to the city is for one project. The other project will average the same amount. The Yorkville School District should receive approximately $ 860, 000 over 20 years($ 430, 000 for each project). Alderman Funkhouser shared his concern about wanting to keep this property available for potential residential use or an age- restricted facility due to the potential tax revenue. Alderman Funkhouser also asked if there were any plans for the large setback area. Mr. Osborn said he would like to see it as farmland, but it may not be useful due to the location and size. Another option is to have it planted in native plants and seeds. It will then have to be mowed and maintained. Alderman Funkhouser also stated that if there was a reason they were only going to move forward with one of the properties, is to leave the north property for residential use and put the solar farm on the south parcel.
City Buildings Update
(CC 2021- 04)
No Update.
Water Study Update
(CC 2021- 38)
No Update.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Molly Krempski, a Yorkville resident, shared with the Council that the Library Board was sworn in at their meeting yesterday and stated it was nice to witness. She then read through parts of the Constitution of the State of Illinois book that was passed out to the elected officials. Mrs. Krempski then commented on the proposed yard sign regulations, mainly the restrictions on yard signs on private property. She stated the Council does not have the authority to regulate private properties, only public property.
Kenneth Knapp, a Yorkville resident, shared he is in the Bristol Bay subdivision and moved here two years ago. He wants to know where his tax revenue is going with the new development. Mr. Knapp is still paying the SSA for the next thirteen years. He is also concerned with the rental units not paying into the tax system.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Purcell entertained a motion to adjourn the City Council meeting. So moved by Alderman Plocher; seconded by Alderman Koch.
Motion unanimously approved by a viva voce vote.
Meeting adjourned at 8: 12 p. m.
https://www.yorkville.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5345
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