City Council - Regular Meeting

body. I'd like to begin the meeting of the city council January 27th, 2026. It is 6:01 p.m. Um, call the meeting order. Clerk, please call the Alderman Barero here. Alderman Garza, here. Alderman Messios, present. Alderman Nunes, here. Alderman Franco here. Alderman Seville here. Alderman Benuelos here. Alderwoman Smith here. Alderman Bug here. Alderwoman Bade here. Alderman Larson here. Alderman White here. Mayor Lash is absent. Okay. Thank you. Uh is there a motion to approve the appointment of a sergeant-at-arms meeting? Been moved by Alderman Smith, second by Alderwoman Garza. Uh please. Um all those in favor say I.

Opposed. Motion carried by voice vote. Uh tonight I'd like to ask the uh the Boy Scouts if they were to lead the do the honors and lead the pledge of allegiance this evening. Okay. Boy Scout troop 508 right here from Aurora.

I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, gentlemen. Uh the mayor's report. Um John, would you like to present that for us? Absolutely. Thank you so much, Mayor Prom Seville. Uh so many things going on here in Avora. Just want to give you guys a quick recap of the events taking place and what's to come in the next week. We'll start off with restaurant week. Aurora Restaurant Week continues through February 3rd. We have over 50 restaurants across the city offering special menus, deals, and discounts. NBC Vic Chicago recently caught up with our downtown economic development manager Danielle Toano to take a look at what's going on here in Aurora. We'll play that clip now.

Looking for a new spot to try in the west suburbs? Aurora Restaurant Week is in full swing. Dozens of restaurants are offering lunch and dinner deals. It comes as the cold weather is leading to a slowdown for some businesses. Organizers tell us there's a dish for any taste or budget. Whether you have a taste for something international or American food, you can find it uh at Aurora Restaurant where you can really any budget. Some of them are offering discounted prefix menus for lunch, dinner, brunch. Some of them are just offering a flatout discount. This runs through February 3rd. For a complete list of restaurants, you can go to auror restaurantweek.com

through February 3rd right here at Aurora. Support your local restaurants. Go to aurora restaurantweek.com. You can see all the information about special deals, menus, and discounts and that beautiful B-roll video courtesy of our talented video team. It looks delicious. As we reflect here this Tuesday, a week ago today, we launched the SEA Workforce Development Hub right here in the city of Aurora. It was a really historic day, a very exciting event. And our video team actually put together a really good comprehensive video that breaks down what exactly is going to be going on at that space and what's to come in the future for that development. So, let's take a look here now.

Very exciting to launch the SJO workforce development hub at 649 South River. Uh this is going to be a multi-use training facility with a bunch of partners [music] who are looking to train roar workers for living wage jobs in a coming green color economy. Today is a ending and a beginning. It's the culmination of over 10 years of work on the part of Illinois [music] and the city of Aurora to bring a climate policy, a green energy policy to reality. It's about hope. If you give somebody a job opportunity, it [music] gives them hope that they can anchor a family and truly lead a community. And I think what the mayor has done with this announcement is to say, "Hey, we've got our partners. We're ready to move forward and we're ready to [music] continue to inspire and to seed more hope in the community."

The way that CJ has uplifted my life and changed [music] my life within just the last 6 months since I graduated from the program was tremendous, amazing. [music] It got me a great job, got me making great money. I was able to elevate within that [music] job and within that role so fast because of the way that CJ prepared me in the things that CJ prepped me for. I went into a job and because of SA, I had more certifications than people that had been there for years and that put me in a position to continue to go further [music] and get promoted within that company.

I would definitely recommend going to seizure for training. Um, and the reason why is because, [music] like I said, it got me ready for real world experience. Um, everything they said they were going to do, they did. I actually was able to not only learn a skill, a trade, I'm actually able to apply it and teach others. With SA [music] is definitely a huge huge help and a huge leap for to help people get to where they want to be. We want to make sure that Aurora workforce is trained. So, uh, we capitalize and are leading the state of Illinois in this field.

This is, um, a chance to help our community, help our economy, help the green economy, and help people, real people, get jobs here in Aurora and in Illinois.

I think it's safe to say Aurora is in good hands, and there's going to be a lot of clean jobs coming this way. Congratulations again to everybody involved with the seizure workforce development hub here in the city of Aora. [applause] Partnerships are still ongoing. We saw the 548 Foundation College of DuPage. They've signed on to start things off, but city's always looking for partners. And if you want to be a part of it, if you're watching at home, you can reach out to our director of sustainability, Allison Lindberg, to be a part of it moving forward. Finally, worth noting that as Black History Month begins this Sunday, the city will be partnering with Aurora Public Art, alderman at large Will White, Alderman Edward J. Bug, and Mary Folultz to host a special meet and greet with Negro League baseball star Dennis Biddle on Friday, February 6th at 6 PM. The event will showcase Bidd's traveling Negro League Museum. It's also going to feature some memorabilia that could be uh had in exchange for donations. Uh just a background on Bidd. He was born in 1935, graduated high school at the age of 17 and pursued his dream of playing professional baseball. He actually joined the Chicago American Giants as a pitcher at a record of 15 and3 during his rookie year at 17. That same year, Biddle actually beat Gerald Lefty McKinnis, one of the few pitchers to ever beat Satchel Paige, who's a baseball hall of famer and of course a a Negro League legend. And it earned him the nickname of the man who beat the man who beat the man. today. He lives in Milwaukee, travels the country to talk about the Negro Leagues and to show off his museum. So, it's really going to be an amazing time. He's 92 years old coming out to Aurora. And Alderman White knows we got some special things planned for him as well. So, it's going to be a great evening at Aurora Public Art. We hope to see you on First Fridays, Friday, February 6th at 6 p.m. for a meet and greet and have an opportunity to take pictures and meet a living legend in the baseball community. So, a really exciting event to come. That concludes the mayor's report from my perspective tonight. We are going to have Oh,

Chicago. There we go. So, Chicago American Giants hat right there from Alderman Edward J. Buck. Beautiful cap.

Yeah. So, we'll be able to see more of that uh on February 6th. We're going to kick it now over to our interim fire chief, Kevin Nickel. He's going to talk more about the gas leak that took place on the far east side last week, give us an update, and see what's going on from there. But, thank you guys. Good evening, council. Kevin Nickel, interim fire chief. I just want to give you a brief overview of our uh incident that we had a week ago. Um it was on Wednesday, uh January 21st uh at Walcott and Waterford over by Copley Hospital. Uh if you can see here uh where the red red circle is, that's where uh the damage occurred. Um we had a construction company that was putting in a new sign and uh while in installing that sign, they were using an augur and hit a 5- in supply line. Uh the reason why that was really bad is because it was um to Copley Hospital. So having to shut that down to do the repair uh would have been a monumental task uh to to do that. So that was um hopefully our worst case scenario, but we were building off of that. Uh um the uh engine 5, one of our engines responded there first on the scene. Uh requested Nyore right away and our hazmat team. Uh Captain John Ross, he's our hazmat team leader. He was over at station 12 and he responded uh he was very uh he was a great resource and directed crews throughout this incident.

Uh our hazmat team members uh reported to the scene also. Uh they began periodic atmospheric uh monitoring in the area uh of the buildings. Uh EMA and also King County was uh called out. King County's EMA. Um we were limited on resources because we al also had another large incident uh with our PD on the other side of town. Um so that was a lot of help being able to reach out and um dig a little little deeper for help. Um uh EMO was helping with our evacuation measures. Uh also traffic control. Uh this was one of the units that King County brought out. Uh it was their mobile command center. Uh that was great getting out of the elements too. We had uh over the course of this this was about 10 hours out in the elements. We were uh able to switch out our crews halfway. Um but we also were able to uh warm up in in the command center uh to make decisions in there with all of our stakeholders. Um, our EMA reported there with Theo, our interim coordinator, and three other volunteers. They were able to assist uh in uh traffic and our evacuation efforts. Uh APD um uh again was was limited, but CPPley uh graciously offered their security officers um which was a huge help. As we were monitoring some of these uh businesses, u couple of the apartments over there had to get evacuated right away. Uh also this gas station, we were getting readings. Um on our monitors, it

was a low level. Uh it wasn't uh like it was eminent. Um but what was happening, we kept periodically checking those levels and they were going up. So that's when we made a determination to evacuate those businesses and some of the healthc care facilities. Uh when we got Nyore involved in in uh giving us estimates on how long that work is going to take uh they said that uh ballpark was 8 hours. So then we knew we're going to be there for a while. uh eight hours and that was just to do a bypass to stop the leak. They also had to do four more additional hours uh to um do the full full repair. All right. And this is an overview of the area. If you could take a look um some of the challenges that were involved here. Uh I'll just let you know those yellow circles are the ones that got evacuated.

Uh the red arrow is where the damage occurred and those blue arrows are uh the wind direction uh which is very important uh in a in a leak like this. Um, one of the good things too is it was it was pointing the opposite the the uh the wind was going the opposite direction of CPPley which was good too. Um so the evacuations we were doing systematically uh based off of what type of readings we were getting and who was in the fallout from that wind direction. Those cold temperatures what it also does is it drops that product. Uh typically on a hot day or it'll go straight up. Um with the cold it was pushing it down. uh which was also involving uh the HVAC of of these buildings. And there was underground pipes uh that were going into these buildings that that uh that natural gas was following that pipeline and making its way into the basement of some of these um buildings. Another challenge was right at that corner uh where that uh damage occurred was a drop off for kids in school

and in an hour uh they're going to be dropping off kids. So, we had to make calls to the school uh coordinate that the bus company to reroute them going uh the opposite way on Walcott and going to the community center uh in in the uh apartment complex. Uh the uh pro property manager was extremely helpful. She was able to put out uh email blasts to inform all those residents of what's going on and where to pick up their children. I was always also in close communication with John, our very own. Uh he was uh getting out information, pushing out information to the media because he already had uh news pro uh uh news agencies reaching out wanting information. Uh so I was able to give them on time information and contacting dispatch uh because 311 was getting uh overloaded with calls from the residents. what do we do? Uh, so it was important that we not only said who was getting evacuated and when they might be able to get back in, but also telling individuals you're okay where you're at because sometimes you'll get that mass hysteria. Well, if they're evacuating, then we need to. Um, so it was important to let them know if if you haven't been notified, then you are you are safe where you're at. One of the things that you uh you know you come up with surprise we're going to do an afteraction report on Thursday uh with all of the stakeholders but one of the things was pets. Uh everybody was concerned about their pets rightfully so uh because they when they evacuated they left them in there. Uh so after some time the ha the heat is turned off now

they're like what's going to h are they going to freeze to death and um you know we were sensitive to that and were able to uh later in the incident uh get some firefighters geared up and uh help them get some of those pets out for them uh so they could have that uh that comfort knowing that they're okay without having to put them in a dangerous situation. We also set up a warming shelter. Uh CPPley again very helpful uh with with the situation. They offered up the health plex. Uh we we set that up as a warming shelter for all those residents that were getting um evacuated out of there so they had a warm place to go. Uh Red Cross set up there. Uh they were they were very helpful as well uh providing them resources. Here's the uh health plex. They had a Red Cross set up there. Uh the timing worked out uh pretty pretty well with uh the Health Plex was closing at 9:30. Uh we were able to get people back into their places at 10 10 p.m. Uh so uh they also had security over there um uh providing safety for them over there as well. And we were busing them back and forth uh because that was on the other side of Ring Drive. It's cold out. Uh we were able to get them get them uh transportation as well. So also these these two units uh all the

other ones everybody was able to go into they had electric and and gas. These two were able to get electric at 10 but not uh natural gas uh for heat. So uh that was that was conveyed to them. uh the property manager sent out the information uh that they can make a decision. A lot of them found um families uh be able to go to famil family's houses to because they didn't want to wait it out. They did end up getting gas back on at 2 in the morning. Um and there was a nightcore representative that stayed there throughout the night so if somebody showed up that they could light their pilot lights and get them squared away. I just want to take time to recognize these all the people involved in this whole incident. Uh and I truly want to say thank you um to all of them. Um it just goes to show how public safety is a shared responsibility and everybody is able to work together to ensure the safest outcome for our residents. uh and each one of them played a huge huge role in that. I didn't mention streets department. I want to mention them too. They were uh they set up a lot of um uh a lot of the road closure stuff as well uh to keep everybody safe because people were wanting to go around everything. There was people that were walking down the sidewalk. We were telling them to stop. They're like and trying to walk right in front of where that uh that large spill is coming out. It's hissing. Um so they were able to uh come out and give us a hand in keeping keeping people safe in the area. U but that concludes uh my overview. Any questions?

Any questions of city council? I have a question. Alderman Alderman Woman Smith. I actually have two questions. Um, one is more of a statement, the other one's a question. Um, did they contact Julie before they put that uh sign in the ground? And if they didn't, are there any penalties or repercussions for the problem caused? Uh, they they did contact a uh Julie come. They have a it's not Julie, it's something similar. Um, but yeah, they did contact him. There were lines on the on the ground. Did they just go too far? Uh, I'm not sure. Um, I think there was more confusion on where where they should go.

Um, but yeah, there were lines on the ground.

And my other um statement is towards John. Um, John, I know you're not new at this, but you're new at your job. Um, I think the next time something like this happens, it would be really through all your communications would be really um, great for you to reach out to the alderman that were responsible um, for those areas because I know Alderman Bug had people in that area. I've got my neighborhoods in there and it's it's it's uh, seventh actually in the seventh ward and we were not made a breast of any of that and we did see the confusion um, throughout the uh, social media. So, it would have been helpful to have some communication as well.

You mind if I intercept that one? Yeah, absolutely. Uh, absolutely. I mind Yes. Yeah. No. Um, that's that's on me. Uh, I I did reach out to Alderman Bug uh uh to inform him. I was I thought it was his ward just south. You just made it worse. I [laughter] know. I know. Um, but yes, I'm I'm glad you brought that because it is uh it's something that I noticed. It's all the meno and my houses are right behind there. Yes, absolutely. Um I will be I promise I'll be better. It's not I'm not being critical. It's just you know it's definitely something you should know especially with traffic. People are going to be calling you. So

well and our neighborhoods were going crazy because they could smell gas and what's going on and you know we would have it would have been better if we would have had a little more details and information. Sorry John throw you under the bus over there. I agree. Thank you. And that's an ongoing situation that I think city overall is working on. The last time we had an incident at near that same area, it's really bad to have those big things next to a hospital as as we found out.

So, uh, couple years ago, we had another situation. Most of Route 34 was shut down, if you can imagine, for a number of hours and really, uh, just a nightmare. So yeah, just uh trying to make it better for all the residents. Yes, sir. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you. Okay. Um all the mural um appointments and well, we have the mural appointments next, right?

Uh so the clerk, please read the resolution. 260001, a resolution authorizing the reappoint of Ginger Ingram and the appointment of Jav Terz, Jiari Thompson, and Brian Joseph to the Aurora Public Art Commission. Motion moved by Alderman Garza, second by Alderwoman Smith. Any further discussion? There being none, um will the clerk please call the role. Barrero, yes. Garza, yes. Masakos, yes. Nunes, yes. Franco, yes. Seville, yes. Benuelos, yes. Smith, yes. Bug, yes. Bade, yes. Larson, yes. White, yes. 12, yes. Zero, no.

The resolution is approved. Um, John, is there any members of the the committee that was just appointed here present this evening? Would you like to step forward and we can take a photo? Appreciate your service. Thanks for your service. [clears throat]

What do you want? I think right where

we go square your shoulders with me and then scooch in as close as you can. Perfect. There we go. Okay. Public comment. Madam clerk, do we have any members of the public wishing to offer public comment?

We do. Okay. Will they please uh read the rules for public comment? Pursuant to the open meetings act, all persons shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the council. Under our rules, any person may address the city council for up to three minutes with a maximum of 30 minutes allotted for all public comment. No person other than the timekeeper or the chair for the purpose of maintaining order may interrupt a person recognized for public comment during his or her comments. Members of the city council shall not engage with nor respond to a speaker during the time set aside for public comment. Staff is directed to follow up with members of the public with respect to any concerns raised during public comment within the scope of the city's authority following the adjournment of this meeting.

Okay. Madam clerk, will you please read the name of the first per first person to offer public comment? Manuel Fernando Cardardoza. You have three minutes beginning now, sir.

City, city and honorable members, I come to address city and honorable members, I come to address my concerns and comment my comments on the unity of Aura. Unifying the people is important to ensure that proper represent proper rep proper representation is done to ensure that everyone has a equal voice in the city. Ensure that many people know what happens in the city. Many people sometimes lack information considering the vacancy in this room and Thank you.

Thank you very much. Are there any more speakers willing to give public comment? Yes. The last speaker is Mercy Galysia.

Mercy, welcome. You have three minutes beginning now.

All right. Thank you. Um, good evening city alderman and older women. I just came to um remind you guys our year started. So, the Illinois Tahano organization is beginning their first scholarship fundraiser this uh February 13th. It'll be held at Nash Vegas Saloon. It's really nice. So, we went there to check it out. We will be having music from A to One. food, drinks, and a 50/50 raffle and some other baskets to raffle. It's a fundraiser. So, please, if you have any time, come out and join us. That'll be February 13th. Thank you so much. Bye-bye.

Thank you. And that is our last speaker. Yes. Okay. agenda uh and all the agendas we have on the agenda tonight. Would you please read the items?

25890, a resolution establishing the maximum number of class B on-site consumption liquor licenses unofficially related to the application from Amayas Corporation located at 749 North Lake Street in W 6. 2500947, an ordinance creating a PACE area and establishing the Illinois Finance Authority property assessed clean energy PACE program for certain properties in Aurora city limits. 2550959, a resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant award of $24,000 from the Illinois Attorney General's Office as part of the 2026 Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Grant Program 25960, a resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant award of 17,736 from the fiscal year 26 Illinois Department of Transportation State and Community Highway Safety National Priority Safety programs grant 2550984, an ordinance granting a conditional use permit for a social service agency's charitable organizations, health related facilities, and similar uses when not operated for pecuniary profit used to allow an emergency warming shelter on the property located at 712 South River Street. 25988, a resolution authorizing the execution of a phase 2 design engineering supplement with Kimley Horn and Associates in the not to exceed amount of $42,829 and the appropriation of $42,829 of MFTt funds for the Indian Trail, Ohio to Pensbury Signal Modernization Project. 251014, a resolution authorizing the execution of a license agreement with College of DuPage and 548 Foundation for Space at 649 South River Street. 251037, a resolution authorizing the approval of a one-year renewal of software licenses for the computer aided dispatch and records management systems from

Intergraph Corporation Madison, Alabama at a cost of $437,612.40. 251040, a resolution authorizing the execution of a phase one preliminary engineering agreement with Stanley Consultants in the not to exceed amount of $376,398 and the appropriation of $380,000 for the Commons Drive resurfacing in Fox Valley Mall signal modernization project. 251045, an ordinance amending chapter 49 of the code of ordinances by modifying the zoning map attached there to to reszone property located at 462 Jackson Street from R4 two family dwelling to R3 one family dwelling. 251051, [snorts] a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Aurora and the Kendall County Cooperative Police Assistance Team. 260005, a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Aurora and Illinois Department of Transportation for partial reimbursement of the South Broadway Avenue SU sewer separation Hazel Avenue to North Avenue project. 2600015, a resolution authorizing the 2026 Ward neighborhood cleanup and shred events in all wards in the city of Aurora. 2600051, approval of the minutes of the Tuesday, January 13, 2026 city council meeting. So moved.

Second. And moved by Alderwoman Smith, second by Alderwoman Garza. Any questions of the consent agenda or the direct of the council consent agenda? Hearing none, please call the role. Guero, yes. Garza, yes. Makos, yes. Nunes, yes. Franco, yes. Seville, yes. Benuelos, yes. Smith, yes. Bug, yes. Bade, yes. Larson, yes. White, yes. 12, yes. Zero, no. Okay. Okay. The consent agenda is passed as read. Uh the unfinished business, we have an item there. Would you please uh bring that up for the table?

251027, a motion authorizing and directing the interim chief human resources officer to execute a settlement agreement on behalf of the city in workers compensation claim 23 Q051562322. Is there a motion? So moved. Moved by Alderwoman Smith, second by Alderman Franco. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please call the role. Barrero, yes. Garza, yes. Masakos, yes. Nunes, yes. Franco, yes. Seville, yes. Benuelos, yes. Smith, yes. Bug, yes. Fade, yes. Larson, yes. White, yes. 12, yes. Zero, no.

The item is approved. Uh, new business. Is there a motion to suspend the rules to consider items under new business? Moved by Alderman Smith. Is there a second? Second. Second by alderman uh Nunes. Um all in favor say Oh, you got to call the role on this. Sorry. Please call the role. Barrero, yes. Garza, yes. Messiakos, yes. Nunes, yes. Franco, yes. Seville, yes. Benuelos, yes. Smith, yes. Bug, yes. Bade, yes. Larson, yes. White, yes. 12, yes. Zero, no. And the motion is approved. Um, we have the Would you want to read that one? Thanks.

2600014, a resolution to award the 36in Southeast Transmission Repair Project located in Ward One to Vortex Infrastructure Services in the contract amount of $558,470. Second move by Alderman Franco, second by Alderwoman Garza. Any questions or discussion on this item? I think we've been briefed on this before as a council. No. Okay. Please call the role. Ferrero, yes. Garza, yes. Masakos, yes. Nunes, yes. Franco, yes. Seville, yes. Benuelos, yes. Smith, yes. Bug, yes. Bade, yes. Larson, yes. White, yes.

12, yes. Zero, no. Okay. Um, motion is adopted. Uh, please read the next item on the agenda. 2600055. A motion authorizing and directing corporation council to execute the completion of a settlement agreement in City of Aurora versus BS Iirron, Fox Valley Iron and Metal LLC, Robert H. Swickert, Senior, and Robert H. Swickert Jr. case number 20 CV0533. Is there a motion? So moved by Alderman Franco, second by Alderwoman Garza. Any further discussion? Please, please call the role. Barrero. Yes. Can I quick question? I'm sorry. So, Alderman Smith, I think this conversation went on in close session. Correct.

Correct. And that was I had already stepped out. Yes. So, I'm unaware of the u session. Wasn't this discussed in close session? Yes. That was the day I stepped out early. Yes. So, I'm not going to vote against it, but I will abstain from voting because I don't know what the settlement is. You want to say anything? No. Okay. We could. Okay. Uh, please call the role. Barrero, yes. Garza, yes. Messiakos, yes. Nunes, yes. Franco, yes. Seville, yes. Benuelos, yes. Smith, I am abstaining. Bug, yes. Bade, um, abstain.

Larson, yes. White, yes. 10, yes. 02, abstain. This item is approved. Um the next item is the approval of the uh well do we have any reports for to be any more reports other than the large bills? No wish. Second motion. Second. Moved by Aldwoman Smith, second by Alderman Franco to pay the bills. Please call the role. Barrero. Yes. Garza. Yes. Makos. Yes. Nunes. Yes. Franco. Yes. Seville. Yes. Benuelos. Yes. Smith. Yes. Bug. Yes. Bade. Epson. Yes. Larson. Yes. White.

Yes. 12. Yes. Zero. No. Okay. The bills are approved. And yeah. Other items to come before the city council. Motion to adjourn. Moved by Alderwoman Smith. Second by Alderman Franco. Please call the role. Or do we do voice vote? All in favor say I. I. Opposed. We arejourned. It is 6:39 p.m. Thank you one and all. Yeah, that's