By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council and Montgomery Village Board focused on measures to help businesses struggling with the pandemic, Tuesday.
Through their online meetings, they both focused on allowing restaurants to temporarily create or expand outdoor dining areas as the State goes to Phase 3 in the governor’s reopening plan.
The Aurora City Council further discussed the Standing Together with Aurora businesses Local Emergency (STABLE) Fund. At the end of April, Aurora mayor Richard Irvin and Aurora’s City Council approved a $1.4 million dollar COVID-19 relief package to help small businesses. The City, in partnership with Invest Aurora, launched the fund.
Applications were required to be received by May 16. As of Monday, 261 completed applications had been received and approved businesses will start to receive notifications June 1.
In addition to financial help, Aurora is considering the temporary closure of Stolp Avenue near Leland Tower downtown to allow for restaurants without outdoor seating to serve patrons until the ban of indoor seating is lifted.
Some guidlines include permission required by parking lot owners, strong barriers to protect those seated, and a limit of six individuals per table.
Tents will be allowed with the requirement of the sides to be open for ventilation.
The creation of parklets were discussed. A parklet is a sidewalk extension that provides more space and amenities for individuals using the street. Usually they are installed on parking lanes and use multiple parking spaces. Another plan is to use Pinney Street north of Aurora downtown’s Restaurant Row on New York Street.
Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, said “we’re going to make every possible consideration to get people back in business and work to make revenue for them and us.”
Montgomery Village Board
The Montgomery Village Board agreed to allow restaurants to temporarily create or expand outdoor dining areas and discussed the guidelines to follow to help keep restaurants without outdoor dining options afloat.
Discussion included a significant barrier between the parking lot and dining area and whether or not the Village would be liable for any problems.
The Village would maintain flexibility to end or extend the outdoor dining.
• Unanimously approved was an additional 14 Small Business COVID-19 $5,000 Grant applications. Montgomery businesses recommended for approval are: Grumpy Gaucho; La Michoacana; Genesis Beauty Supply; JMC Accounting Inc.; A.B. Distributor SERVICE Inc.; Fox River Landscaping; Pig Dog Pub Inc.; Crown Trophy; Seasons Ridge Day Care; Washington Construction Co.; KM Designs LTD; Aurora Transmission; Valley View Dental; Frontline Autoworks, Inc..
Not approved due to classification as not-for-profit are Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity and VFW Post 7452.
Community Development director, Rich Young said the money is intended to go to payroll first then other expenses.
After the additional 14 were approved, there will be enough for an additional 5 and be within the $200,000 cap level. May 31 is the application deadline.
• The Board unanimously agreed to pause Montgomery Fest scheduled for August and focus on the fest in 2021.
They discussed the costs that the Village would incur if they cancel the Fest.
Village documents show the costs included are:
- Bands – $10,500 (This is the maximum they would incur. The amount could be less depending on the reason for the cancellation and the results of negotiations they would undertake if they decide to cancel.)
- ASCAP – $375 (This is the annual music licensing fee the Village pays, which has already been paid.)
- Stage – $0 (They have already paid the deposit fee of $2,000 but the company said they would put it against next year’s rental.)
Additionally, the Village would not incur overtime costs associated with the Fest. Last year, the Village spent $6,500 on overtime for the three days. This does not take into account any Public Works overtime that might have been incurred for preparation and clean up.
• United Sugars requested to use tax increment finance (TIF) funds not to exceed $2.5 million for a second dome and other improvements.
The Village Board discussed expenditures that are “Redevelopment Project Costs,” in connection with the project, incurred prior to the approval and execution of a redevelopment agreement with the Developer, to be expenditures that are eligible for reimbursement through the TIF Act.