Illinois Valley Times

City of Batavia Committee of the Whole met Jan. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Wolff called the meeting to session at 7:00 pm. 

1. Roll Call 

Present: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Absent: Ald. Chanzit 

Also Present: Mayor Schielke; Laura Newman, City Administrator; Drew Rackow, Planning and Zoning Officer; Chief Shawn Mazza, Batavia Police Department; Max Weiss, Management Analyst; Jeff Albertson, Building Commissioner; Scott Buening, Director of Community and Economic Development; Gary Holm, Director of Public Works; Ellyn Theis, Recording Secretary. 

2. Reminder: Please Speak Directly into Microphone for BATV Recording 

3. Approve Minutes For: January 3rd 2024 and January 9th special meeting Motion: Approval of minutes as presented 

Maker: Uher 

Second: Malay 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried. 

4. Items Removed/Added/Changed 

None 

5. Matters From The Public (For Items NOT On Agenda) 

None

6. Consent Agenda 

(The consent agenda is made up of items recommended by city staff that require recommendation to the full City Council by the Cow. This agenda is placed as a separate item of the COW agenda. The items on the consent agenda are usually minor items, already budgeted, standard non-policy activities or outgrowths of earlier meetings and are voted on as a “package” in the interest of saving time on non-controversial issues. However, any council member may, by simple request, have an item removed and placed on the “regular” agenda.). 

a. Ordinance 2024-009: Surplus of Vehicle (HC 1/17/24) 

b. Ordinance 2024-010: Donation of Equipment to CHIP IN (HC 1/17/24) 

c. Resolution 2024-008-R: Approving the City of Batavia Strategic Plan for 2024-2028 (MW) 

d. Resolution 2024-011-R: Approving a Master Services Agreement with Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental (AMP 1/17/24) 

e. Resolution 2024-012-R: Approving TO #1 with Fehr Graham for Public Works Yard Improvements: Drying bed & Exterior Storage & Final Engineering Design Services (AMP 1/17/24) 

f. Resolution 2024-010-R: Approval of Telecommunications Franchise Agreement with Unity Dark Fiber (SA) 

Motion: Approve Consent Agenda as presented. 

Maker: Beck 

Second: Uher 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried. 

7. Batavia Square Development 

Former Sam’s Club site at 501 N Randall Road. Applicant is looking to divide the property into two uses, one for a Tesla Motor Dealer approximately 45,000 square feet, and the remainder of the site, roughly 83,000 square feet for self-storage at the rear of the building. The Plan Commission held a public hearing on December 6th and approved with a 7-0 vote for each recommended action presented. A maintenance agreement with the applicant is still in draft form for snow plowing and other similar services. 

a. Ordinance 2024-003: Amendment to the comprehensive plan land use map from general commercial to mixed use (DMR) CD 

Motion: To approve ordinance as presented. 

Maker: Wolff 

Second: Ajazi 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried.

b. Ordinance 2024-004: Amendment to the Zoning map from GC general commercial to MU mixed use zoning district with planned development overlay district (DMR) CD, sign, no mention of ssa item 4. 

Motion: To approve Ordinance 2024-004 with no mention of SSA and plowing maintenance to become item 4. 

Maker: Wolff 

Second: Ajazi 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried. 

c. Ordinance 2024-005: Text amendment for the zoning code to allow certain uses as a conditional use in the MU mixed use district (DMR) CD 

Motion: To approve Ordinance 2024-005 as presented. 

Maker: Wolff 

Second: Ajazi 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried. 

d. Resolution 2024-007: Conditional uses for a Motor Vehicle, Sales and Leasing, New and Used (DMR) CD 

Motion: To approve Resolution 2024-007 as presented. 

Maker: Wolff 

Second: Ajazi 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried. 

e. Resolution 2024-006: Conditional use for indoor personal property storage use (DMR) CD - 

Motion: To approve resolution 2024-006 with the addition of succession. 

Maker: Wolff 

Second: Ajazi 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried.

f. Resolution 2024-009-R: Preliminary/final plat of subdivision for Batavia Square Subdivision (DMR) CD 

Motion: To approve Resolution 2024-009-R as Presented. 

Maker: Wolff 

Second: Ajazi 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried. 

8. Ordinance 2024-008: Extension of a 180 day moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain building and zoning applications for LI light industrial and GI general industrial properties in the SRS overlay district. City of Batavia, applicant (DMR 1/17/24) 

An 180 day moratorium was initially allowed to start the South River Street study that is budgeted. Looking for a renewal to roughly a year-long period to complete. The Plan Commission supported the extension. 

Motion: To approve Ordinance 2024-008 as presented. 

Maker: Wolff 

Second: Uher 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

13-0, 1 absent, motion carried. 

9. Discussion: Amendments to the city code provisions allowing video gaming 

Max Weiss presented a background on video gaming in the city of Batavia and compared it against neighboring cities. Aurora code allows for “full service restaurant establishments” to hold a video gaming endorsement. North Aurora originally did not have any regulations regarding video gaming, but recently added “video gaming parlor” as a defining establishment for the express purpose of video gaming. West Chicago is similar to North Aurora with the defining establishment for the express purpose of video gaming to be called “video gaming cafe”. Bartlett imposes a $0.01 “push tax” of one cent per play on a machine. Discussions surrounding the concern of the enabling of addiction from those who struggle with gambling, and the perception of Batavia as it relates to video gaming signage. Council is in favor of the elimination of any video game advertising in town. A cap could also be considered in order to slowly reduce the number of video gaming establishments. 

10. Project status

A letter was sent to all businesses that hold a liquor license in regards to the technical prohibition of “Happy Hour” promotions. 

11. Other 

None 

12. Executive session: setting the price of land for sale 

Motion: To enter into Executive Session at 9:46 pm 

Maker: Uher 

Second: Malay 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

12-0, 2 absent, motion carried. 

13. Executive Session: Adjournment 

Motion: To exit Executive Session at 10:40pm. 

Maker: Uher 

Second: Malay 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

12-0, 2 absent, motion carried. 

14. Adjournment 

With no further business to be discussed, the meeting was called to adjournment at 10:45pm. 

Motion: To exit Executive Session at 10:45pm. 

Maker: Uher 

Second: Malay 

Roll Call Vote 

Aye: Ald. Barraza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Uher, Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger 

Nay: 

12-0, 2 absent, motion carried. 

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01232024-2203