By Jason Crane
At the Aurora city government Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, the Council members gave consent to a number of development and improvement projects from traffic signals and parking garage surveillance system upgrades to sidewalks, affordable housing, and planning for higher-end housing.
The meeting was less than 30 minutes because Council members had to meet with their constituents at several National Night Out sites.
• Aurora resident John Sargent used his three minutes to play the ukulele to promote the Fourth Annual Aurora Uke Fest which will be August 22.
The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items:
• Consent was given to a resolution Approving the Final Plat for Habitat Acres Subdivision, South of Spruce Street and East of North Russell Avenue (Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity – Ward 4).
City government of Aurora documents show the petitioner, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, is requesting approval of a Final Plat for .45 acres of vacant land that will be subdivided per the R-2, One Family Dwelling district lot standards, to allow for two new lots that will each be developed for one-unit dwellings.
The property is zoned R-2, One Family Dwelling District. The property is presently vacant land that is approximately .45 acres. The lot’s existing width is approximately 130 feet. This is an Interior Lot. The Comprehensive Plan designates the Property as Low Density Residential. The Property is the last remaining vacant lot in the surrounding neighborhood.
The petitioner, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, is requesting approval of a Final Plat for the property to allow for the property to be equally subdivided for two new lots. The proposed lots will both have a width of approximately 65 feet on Spruce Street, and will both have a lot area of approximately 9,800 square feet. Both lots will exceed the minimum lot width and area requirements per the R-2 zoning district. As the proposed lots are the last remaining undeveloped lots in this area, the houses that are built on this property will comply with the applicable Infill Housing Standards per the Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 107.3-4. Per the R-2 zoning, Zoning’s review and approval of the homes that will be built on these lots will be completed via a permitting process.
Staff members have reviewed the Final Plat petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances.
• Consent was given to a resolution authorizing the purchase and installation of the Stolp Island Parking Garage Surveillance System from Scientel Solutions, LLC 2021 N. Eola Rd Aurora. NTI National Technologies, 5101 Thatcher Rd, Downers Grove, and supporting software licensing from Genetec Software.
City government of Aurora documents show city of Aurora government has requested Scientel to provide procurement and installation of the Stolp Island Parking Garage Surveillance System which will provide improved video coverage for visitors and residents. These cameras would then be integrated into the existing Genetec Video Management System for centralized monitoring and license plate reading.
The following efforts have been identified to achieve this scope.
- Remove the current obsolete ViconNet System, cameras and license plate readers at the entrances and exits of the Stolp Garage.
- Install new conduit and cabling infrastructure to support the new installation.
- Procure, install, and integrate new cameras and license plate readers into the existing Genetec Video Management System.
The city government is proposing to install new security cameras throughout the Stolp Island Garage. Public safety remains a concern with inside the garage and the current system is no longer adequate. These new surveillance cameras will offer enhanced views throughout the Stolp Island Garage, especially at entrance and exits along with extended views outside perimeter of the building.
NTI has extensive knowledge of the City’s outside plant and offers competitive rates validated on Kane County Bid 23-018 dated June 12, 2018 for Fiber Optic Support Services.
Scientel Solutions was selected as the City’s Preventive Maintenance and Support vendor for surveillance systems with R21-135.
Here is an itemized summary of all related costs:
Cameras & Network Switches and MM Link $ 91,436.09.
NTI Conduit & Cable to all cameras $109,352.23.
Project Management, Engineering Design, Installation & Testing $73,361.28.
Genetec APLR Software License $68,181.00. Total: $ 342,330.60.
• Consent was given to a resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 1 engineering agreement with Stanley Consultants, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $268,347.00, and the appropriation of $280,000.00 of Rebuild Illinois Bond Funds for the Indian Trail Signal – Edgelawn to Highland Project.
City government of Aurora documents show this is a resolution to approve the above referenced Engineering Services agreement and to appropriate Rebuild Illinois Bond funds as required by the Illinois Highway Code.
The City applied for federal funding in the March 2020 Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) Call for Projects for 11 different projects. These projects were discussed at the February 27, 2020 Finance Committee meeting as information only (legistar 20-0121). Nine of the City’s 11 submitted projects were selected to be in KKCOM’s 5-year program. In total, $11,355,000 of federal funds were allocated for these nine City projects. This project was selected to be in the KKCOM 5-year program for Construction funds to be used in 2024. In order to remain on schedule, it is necessary to start the Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering Study at this time.
The project will include modernizing the five traffic signals on Indian Trail from Edgelawn Drive to Highland Avenue. The corridor will also be resurfaced with intersection radii improvements as needed and ADA ramp replacement. The funding ratio for these projects is 75/25 (75% federal / 25% local) for Construction and Construction Engineering, up to a maximum amount of $2,500,000. Such resurfacing projects help reduce the burden of funding the City’s yearly resurfacing program with local and motor fuel tax (MFT) funding sources. Much of the traffic signal equipment is old and outdated, and this project will replace all that equipment in the corridor using federal funds.
The City published a qualifications based selection (QBS) for the Phase 1 Engineering services on April 1, 2021. Fifteen firms submitted their qualifications and experiences. Staff members have reviewed the qualifications and determined that Stanley Consultants, Inc. of Chicago, was the most qualified with the top three firm’s scores. Stanley Consultants have completed a number of similar projects and the provided references had positive feedback regarding their past performance.
This followed the Request for Qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy. The funding source, Rebuild Illinois Bond Funds, is not subject to the local preference policy.
The Rebuild Illinois Bond Fund is a grant program using proceeds from general obligation (transportation, series A) bonds authorized in the Rebuild Illinois capital program to provide Local Agencies with the funds for transportation improvement projects. At this time IDOT intends to award and disburse Rebuild Illinois grants twice each year over a period of three years. The City has received two payments in 2020, two payments in 2021, and the remaining two are anticipated to be received in 2022. The City is estimated to receive $13,042,322.82 in total over this three year period. The funds can only be used on bridge and major highway projects that provide an average useful life of greater than or equal to 13 years.
The total cost of the agreement is in an amount not to exceed $268,347.00.
IDOT requires a resolution to appropriate the Rebuild Illinois Bond Funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. The resolution for Improvement – BLR 09110 appropriating Rebuild Illinois Bond Funds is in the amount of $280,000.00. This amount includes a contingency for other expenses that may be incurred.
The 2021 City Budget provides $270,000 for this item in Account 202-4020-418.76-39 (GC083, Indian Trail Signal – Edgelawn to Highland). As this is a multi-year project, any additional funds will be budgeted in future years, if required.
• Consent was given to a resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 1 engineering agreement with HR Green, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $616,687.00, and the appropriation of $650,000.00 of MFT Funds for the Galena Boulevard Signal – Constitution to Locust Project.
City government of Aurora documents show this is a resolution to approve the above referenced Engineering Services agreement and to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds as required by the Illinois Highway Code.
The City applied for federal funding in the March 2020 Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) Call for Projects for 11 different projects. These projects were discussed at the February 27, 2020 Finance Committee meeting as information only (legistar 20-0121). Nine of the City’s 11 submitted projects were selected to be in KKCOM’s 5-year program. In total, $11,355,000 of federal funds were allocated for these 9 City projects. This project was selected to be in the KKCOM five-year program for Construction funds to be used in 2025. In order to remain on schedule, it is necessary to start the Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering Study at this time.
The project will include modernizing the 12 traffic signals on Galena Boulevard from Constitution Drive to Locust Street. Bicycle accommodates will be provided from Constitution Drive to Edgelawn Drive. The scope of any roadway improvements will be determined during the Phase 1 Study. The funding ratio for these projects is 75/25 (75% federal / 25% local) for Construction and Construction Engineering, up to a maximum amount of $2,500,000. Much of the traffic signal equipment is old and outdated, and this project will replace all that equipment in the corridor using federal funds.
The City published a Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) for the Phase 1 Engineering services on April 1, 2021. Fourteen firms submitted their qualifications and experiences. Staff members have reviewed the qualifications and determined that HR Green, Inc. of Aurora, was the most qualified with the top three firm’s scores. HR Green, Inc. has completed a number of similar projects including previous signal work in this exact corridor.
This followed the request for qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy. The funding source, MFT Funds, is not subject to the local preference policy.
The total cost of the agreement is in an amount not to exceed $618,687.00.
IDOT requires a resolution to appropriate the MFT funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. The resolution for improvement, BLR 09110 to appropriate MFT funds is in the amount of $650,000.00. This amount includes a contingency for other expenses that may be incurred.
The 2021 City Budget provides $300,000 for this item in Account 203-4020-418.76-39 (GC084, Galena Blvd Signal – Constitution to Locust). As this is a multi-year project, any additional funds will be budgeted in future years.
• Consent was given to an ordinance vacating a temporary easement on the property at the southeast corner of Wolf’s Crossing and Eola Road in Will County in Aurora’s 9th Ward.
City government of Aurora documents show the petitioner, Pulte Home Group, is requesting approval of a Final Plat for Lincoln Crossing Subdivision at the southeast corner of Wolf’s Crossing and Eola Road for a 170-lot single-family subdivision.
The property is approximately 63.9 acres of vacant land which is part of Lincoln Prairie Planned Development District. This property was annexed into the City of Aurora in December of 2002 pursuant to an approved annexation agreement. A plan description was approved at the same time which zoned this area for multi-family residential uses. In 2005, a Preliminary Plat and Plan for manorhomes and duplexes was approved and then in 2006, a Final Plat and Plan was approved for Phase 1A of this area. However, this development never came to fruition and the property has sat undeveloped. In February 2021, the City approved the Wolf’s Crossing Subarea Plan which redesignated the future land use for this area as low-density residential use. In April this year, the City Council approved a revision to the Annexation Agreement and Plan Description which zoned this property for single-family residential uses. A Preliminary Plat and Plan Revision for the Lincoln Crossing Subdivision was approved at the same time which consists of 162 traditional detached single-family residential homes.
The petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plat for Lincoln Crossing Subdivision. The details of the Final Plat include subdividing the property into 170 Lots with Lots 1-162 being developed for single-family homes. A neighborhood park is being constructed on Lot 166 and a stormwater detention facility and overflow flood routes will be on Lots 167, 168, and 169. Lots 163, 164, 165, 170 are outlots which will provide a neighborhood border for landscaping. The homeowner association will own and maintain the stormwater detention lots and the neighborhood border lots.
Concurrently with this proposal, the petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plan for Lincoln Crossing Subdivision. The proposal is to construct 162 traditional detached single-family residential homes with a gross density is 2.54 dwelling units per acre. The development has a mixture of 55-foot wide lots with a minimum lot size of 7,150 square footage and 65-foot wide lots with a minimum lot size of 8,060 square feet. The petitioner is proposing to construct a 4.16-acre park site which will be donated to the Fox Valley Park District as part their Land Cash obligation.
Access to Lincoln Crossing is being provided via a full access off Wolf’s Crossing Road and a full access off Eola Road. The local street will be 31 feet back to back with sidewalks along both sides. The petitioner will be constructing road improvement which consist of restriping a left-hand turn lane at the entrance in the subdivision along Wolf’s Crossing Road and constructing a left-hand turn lane and a right-hand turn lane at the at the entrance in the subdivision along Eola Road. A stormwater detention facility is being constructed on a 7.14-acre lot at the southwest portion of the development. The petitioner is proposing to construct an additional stormwater detention facility on the adjacent off-site parcel to the south to meet the runoff requirements. This facility will be expanded in the future phases.
The Final Plan proposal includes a full landscape plan consisting of street and lot trees, a variety of landscaping around the stormwater detention facility and a variety of neighborhood border landscaping and berming along Wolf’s Crossing Road, Eola Road and the newly constructed Del Webb Boulevard. A six-foot board on board fence is also being proposed behind Lot 112 and 118 to help buffer from future commercial development.
• Final approval for items on the consent agenda are set to be made at the August 10 Aurora City Council meeting.