Aurora receives honors again for best Kane County water

By Jason Crane

The Aurora City Council honored Aurora’s Water Production Department Tuesday, Dec. 21 at the Aurora City Council Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting for achieving first place in the Kane County Water Association Water Taste Contest.

It is the eighth time Aurora’s water received the award for taste, odor, and color, against other Kane County municipalities.

The previous victories were in 1998, 2000, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2016, and 2017.

The City won the best-tasting water in the State in 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

• There weren’t any individuals seeking to use their voices for up to three minutes each in the Special City Council meeting following the COW meeting.

The City Council isn’t scheduled to meet until January 2022.

The City Council approved the following agenda items:

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Foresight Sports, 9955 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA, 92126 in the amount of $74,290 for the purchase and installation of two indoor golf simulators for the new addition to the Pro Shop at Phillips Park Golf Course.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to purchase two indoor golf simulators to be installed at the new addition to the Pro Shop at Phillips Park Golf Course.

The City recently awarded a contract to construct an addition to the Pro Shop at Phillips Park Golf Course. This addition will house two indoor golf simulators which will allow for year-round revenue generation at the golf course.

The City published a Request for Bids on September 22, 2021 and no bids were received. Per Sec 2-341 (h), City staff members were authorized to reach out directly to vendors to request pricing. In response to one such request, a quote was received from Foresight Sports in the amount of $74,290. The simulators proposed satisfied the requirements originally stated in the RFB and specified by the City’s golf professionals.

The purchase of these simulators was included as a Decision Package in the 2022 Capital Budget.

The addition of these simulators to the Pro Shop at the Phillips Park Golf Course will generate revenue during typically dormant Winter months.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the renewal of NICE 911 Recording, and iRecord Interview Room Recording from Word Systems, LLC, Indianapolis, Ind. for a three-year agreement for $134878.70, with two additional one-year options totaling $94,954.00 for a total amount of $229,832.70.

City government of Aurora documents show the City’s 911 Dispatch center has been using the NICE 911 Recording systems to record 911 communications since 2009 and the iRecord Interview Room Recording solution since 2016. Both of these solutions have performed satisfactorily since installation and each has been renewed previously.

Previously, these products were purchased separately and held under separate contracts between the City and Word Systems. By combining these renewals into one Technical Support Agreement (TSA) with Word Systems, the City is saving 19% annually ($10,825.00) over the term of the agreement.

The initial term of this agreement is three years at $134,878.70. The City government has an option to renew for year four at $47,459.00 and for year five at $47,495.00.

• Approved was a Resolution appointing alderman Carl Franco and Kenneth “Ken” Van Andel as the Aurora representatives to the Naperville Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB).

City government of Aurora documents show in 2015, the City of Aurora began the process of leaving the Kane County ETSB and create an agreement to join the City of Naperville’s ETSB (R15-335). Resolutions passed in January 2017, allowing Aurora to disconnect from its current ETSB (Kane County ETSB) and join the Naperville ETSB. The legislation established the operation and function of the Naperville ETSB once Aurora and the Village of North Aurora became part of the Naperville ETSB.

The Naperville ETSB is specific as to the Board make-up, of the 12 members, Aurora is provided five seats. Of the five seats, two must be appointed by Aurora’s mayor and City Council, the aldermanic representative, and an Aurora resident. Both alderman Franco and Ken Van Andel have a background in Federal Aviation that will serve them well as the Aurora representatives.

• Approved was a Resolution approving the appointment of Mike Kluber, David Mertz, Adam Marshall, Shaun Thomas, and Gary Krienitz, as members to the Electrical Commission.

City government of Aurora documents show in June 2021, the City Council approved changes to Chapter 2, which included a sunset provision for all board/commission members. The sunset was included to bring the board/commission terms into compliance with the new dates provided in the ordinance, as well as survey members if they wished to continue to serve or step down. The nominations brought forth to represent all veteran candidates.

• Approved was a Resolution approving the appointments of Mike Kluber, Terrence Lindsay, Steve Vervive, Terry Bohr, Bert Wickam, and Kelly Schomer as members of the City’s Administrative Boards including the Building Code Board of Appeals; Fire Code Board of Appeals; and the Permanent Building & Fire Code Committee.

Members of the Building Code Board of Appeals and the Fire Code of Appeals are automatically selected to be appointed to the Permanent Building & Fire Code Committee.

• Approved was a Resolution approving the appointments of Shireen Long and Matthew Hicks Jr. to the Aurora Housing Authority Board.

City government of Aurora documents show the Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) Board was not subject to the Chapter 2 revisions because they exist due to a State statute. The nominations represent an expired term as well as a new candidate to fill a vacancy. Shireen Long is a veteran candidate and Matthew Hicks, Jr. is a Ward 5 resident and new candidate for the AHA board.

• Approved was a Resolution approving the appointment of members to the Aurora Education Commission.

The nomination brought forth to represent all veteran candidates. They are: Dr. Jeff Craig-School District 129, Dr. Todd Leden-School District Kaneland, Dr. Collette House- Aurora Christian, Dr. Rebecca Sherrick-Aurora University, Dr. Mark Curtis-Chavez-College of DuPage, Dr. Christine Sobek-Waubonsee Community College, Darrin Johnson- Family Focus, Patricia Rooney-SPARK, Sandra Harrison-DVA, Colette Wegman-Business, alderman Edward Bugg, Dr. Adrian Talley – School District 204, Dr. Jennifer Norrell – School District 131, Angi Rowley-IMSA, Dr. Lisa Hichens- School District 101, Christine Anderson- School District 129, and Lynor Johnson – Fox Valley Montessori School.

• Approved was a Resolution approving the appointment Keith Wise to the African American Heritage Advisory Board. Wise is a resident of Ward 9.

• Approved was a Resolution approving the appointment of Grace Alcalde to the Aurora Youth Council. Alcalde is a student at East Aurora High School.

• Approved was a Resolution approving the appointment of Mariusz (Mario) Gil, director of IT Operations with the Information Technology (IT) Department.

• Approved was an Ordinance Updating and Revising the Sign Ordinance by Amending Chapter 41 of the Code of Ordinances.

City government of Aurora documents show this new ordinance will replace the current sign ordinance and bring it up to date as far as new sign technology, various specifications, and current law.

In 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in a case called Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, in which the Court held that municipalities cannot restrict expression based on its message, ideas, subject matter, or content. As a result of this decision, this new sign ordinance is content neutral pursuant to the Reed opinion.

Signs serve an important purpose in the community in that they identify and promote businesses, services, residences, events and other matters of interest to the public. They have the ability to add a positive aesthetic value to a neighborhoods and shopping areas. Signs, however; can obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land, create visual clutter, hinder property values, become safety risks, and pose other problems that call for regulation. This new ordinance seeks to encourage adequate communication and speech through signage while encouraging quality in the design, location, size, illumination, maintenance, safety, and purpose, of all signs.

This new ordinance will encourage and allow individuals, businesses and residents to express themselves and promote their businesses. It encourages the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community, provides protection against destruction of or encroachment on historic convenience to citizens and encourages economic development.

• Approved was an Ordinance Amending Chapter 34, (Planning and Development) of the Code of Ordinances in Relation to Variances, Landmark Signs, and Special Sign Districts.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to update and outline the process of applying for a variance or a special sign district, and to make other additions and modifications necessary as a result of the new sign ordinance.

Chapter 34 outlines the various procedures associated with planning and development applications and petitions.

The additions and modifications in this Ordinance modifying Chapter 34, outline how applicants can apply for a landmark sign designation, minor variance, major variance, or a special sign district.

These changes are necessary additions and modification as a result of the adoption of the new sign ordinance under Chapter 41.

• Approved was an Ordinance Amending Chapter 25, (Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances to Add Article XIII, Digital Message Boards and Billboards.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this new section of Chapter 25 explains the application requirements and procedures for digital message board and digital billboard licenses.

The newly adopted sign ordinance, Chapter 41, of the Code of Ordinances requires that all digital message boards and digital billboards be licensed with the City.

Licenses for digital message boards and digital billboards shall not be issued before July 1, 2022. All license fees will be waived for the year 2022.

This ordinance will allow the City to regulate digital media to avoid messages from being displayed too rapidly or in a manner that could create a potential safety hazard.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the extension of an agreement with Dan Shomon, Inc. for Government Affairs Consulting Services.

The purpose of this memo is to recommend an extension to the current contract with Dan Shomon, Inc. for government affairs consulting services in the amount of $9300.00 per month. The proposed contract extension runs from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

City government of Aurora documents show Dan Shomon, Inc. (DSI) has provided government relations consulting services for the City of Aurora since February of 2006. The company monitors and/or lobbies on local, state and federal (on a limited basis) legislation, as well as consults on numerous issues important to the City of Aurora.

The challenges presented in 2021 remain significant. Dan and his team continue provided vital support to the city through lobbying efforts, facilitating meetings with key stakeholders and attending meetings on behalf of the City of Aurora government. Below are some highlights, broken into the categories of funding and policy.

Funding:

• As in prior years, monitored the changing state budget situation throughout the year and its potential impact on the City of Aurora.
• Coordinated lobbying efforts to preserve Aurora’s Local Government Distributive Funding (LGDF) dollars, approximately $2M annually.
• Coordinated multi-city lobbying efforts resulting in a five year extension of the RiverEdge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) Historic Tax Credit.
• Obtained more than $5M for Aurora and more than $12M for all Aurora infrastructure projects in the state’s capital bill (Rebuild Illinois).
• Attended all of the Kane County CARES Act Allocation Committee (CAAC) Meetings on behalf of Aurora, resulting in the county distributing its municipalities the highest percentage of money of any Illinois county from the CARES Act (over $7M).
• Secured approximately $1M each for both Hesed House and the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) of CARES Act funds.
• Lobbied on behalf of non-profit organizations to receive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to assist with COVID-related expenses.

Policy:

-Secured a spot for Aurora in the next round of Lead Service Line (LSL) negotiations, Aurora was able to successfully negotiate changes to the proposed language.

• Continues to facilitate meetings with both the Federal and State Environmental Protection Agency regarding the city’s lime sludge proposal.
• Organized a multi-city campaign of several theatres/entertainment venues throughout Illinois to obtain funds from the Shuttered Venue Operators grant program.
• Supported efforts regarding Aurora’s Police Reform Legislation in partnership with Bukola Bello.
• Testified on behalf of Aurora on legislative matters impacting the Aurora community.
• Arranged meetings with legislators and agencies on issues important to Aurora.
• Located a data expert in support of the city’s Census results review.
• Assisted City staff members from several departments with State Agency contact and response.

The company decreased its monthly fee by 5% in 2011 to accommodate the city during a difficult economic period. In 2013, DSI fees were increased by 3.75%. The company did not raise it fees in 2014 and a modest 2% increase was added in 2015. The company did not increase its fees in 2016, 2017 or 2018. The monthly fee was increased in both 2019 and 2020, but no increase was requested for 2021. After analyzing the historic breakdown of fees and the services provided to the city by DSI over the past sixteen years, staff members are requesting an increase of $1300/month, taking the monthly stipend to $9300 for a total increase of $18K/year.

There are no other significant changes in the contract terms from 2021.

The continuation of the DSI contract will have a positive impact on the City of Aurora.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the City’s participation in intrastate allocation agreements negotiated or approved by the Illinois Attorney General as part of a national multistate opioid settlement.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to authorize the City’s Corporation Counsel, to execute a joinder or other agreement on behalf of the City, to permit the City to participate in a settlement proposals or agreements being negotiated by the Illinois Attorney General against various opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Like many local governmental entities, the City has been impacted by the “Opioid Crisis” in a variety of ways — many of which led to the City incurring increased costs for police and fire responses as well as for various community services. Over the past several years, various counties and municipalities filed suit against various opioid manufacturers and distributors, and in some cases, physicians alleging that they knew that their products were dangerously addictive but did nothing to limit their availability or ubiquity. Lawsuits filed in federal court were consolidated as part of the multidistrict litigation (MDL) process and transferred to Ohio for disposition.

In 2018, the City evaluated the possibility of engaging special counsel to commence its own action against these manufacturers — with the goal of maintaining the litigation entirely in state court so as to avoid consolidation as part of the MDL. Ultimately, on the advice of counsel, the City government opted not to pursue this course as it appeared likely that the Illinois Attorney General would intervene on behalf of all Illinois-party plaintiffs in the interest of achieving a global settlement. Ultimately, that is exactly what happened – and the General Assembly subsequently precluded further municipal suits against opioid defendants.

The Attorney General is in the process of negotiating a settlement proposal in involving McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen (“Distributors”), and manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its parent company Johnson & Johnson that would see Illinois receiving approximately $735 million of a overall $21 billion settlement. As part of the settlement, the Attorney General is negotiating an intrastate allocation agreement that will provide for an allocation pool of $110 million for Illinois local governments. As currently drafted, municipalities like Aurora which are not already part of the litigation will need to join the agreement before January 2, 2022 in order to receive an allocation – though the Attorney General can apparently extend this deadline. If these municipalities do not enter a joinder agreement by January 2, 2022, and the deadline is not extended, then their allocations will be shifted into a recovery fund intended for counties.

In the case of Aurora, the proposed allocation available appears to be approximately $1.2 million.

While it is possible that the proposed agreement may change, it is important that the City is able to join in this distribution agreement, and others involving litigation with other opioid defendants. At the same time, the City is not in the position to relitigate these claims nor negotiate more favorable terms than those arrived at by the Attorney General. The only plaintiffs that appear to have this ability, other than the Attorney General, are Illinois’s counties comprising 60% of the State’s population when acting collectively.

For this reason, and the potentially fluid nature of settlement negotiations, the City Council should authorize the Corporation Counsel to monitor the multistate opioid litigation settlement process, and when appropriate and necessary, join the City as a party to intrastate distribution agreements negotiated by the Attorney General.

Approval of this resolution will permit the Corporation Counsel to execute the agreements necessary for the City to participate in the intrastate allocation of proceeds from national multistate opioid settlements. Failure of the City to timely join these agreements may lead to the disbursement of funds intended for the City to other taxing bodies.

• Approved was an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of an Amended Lease Between the City of Aurora and Suburban Properties, LLC. for two hangars at the Aurora Airport.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval authorizing an amended lease which will combine the terms of the two existing leases into a single amended lease for a twenty years between the City of Aurora and Suburban Properties, LLC.

Presently, there are two leases for the hangars at 43W514 and 43W516 U.S. Route 30 at the Aurora Municipal Airport. Both leases are between the City of Aurora and Suburban Properties, LLC. The original leases were with a different tenant, and were assigned to Suburban properties under ordinance O06-33 on April 25, 2006 for building 43W514 and ordinance O06-18 on March 28, 2006 for building 43W516.

Suburban Properties, LLC is in the process of refinancing both hangars and has requested an amendment to each lease to extend the current term. Tim Ryan of Suburban Properties, LLC has indicated that there are less than 20 years remaining on both original leases and that it is difficult to secure financing without a minimum of a 20 year lease.

Approving an amended lease should have little impact to the City of Aurora. Suburban Properties, LLC is in good standing with the City of Aurora.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing a Two-Year Instrumentation Service Agreement with the HACH Company for $149,021 for the Water Production Division.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain authorization for a two-year Instrumentation Service Agreement with the HACH Company (HACH), Loveland, CO, for routine and emergency maintenance services for existing HACH on-line and laboratory water quality monitoring instrumentation utilized by the Water Production Division (WPD), at a cost of $149,021.00 ($73,758.00 for 2022 and $75,263.00 for 2023).

The WPD utilizes approximately 80 HACH on-line and laboratory instruments for water quality monitoring, process control, and to ensure regulatory compliance. These instruments analyze parameters such as turbidity, pH, chlorine residual, ammonia, and fluoride residual, many on a continuous basis.

Under the proposed agreement, which the WPD has maintained with HACH since 2005, HACH provides regularly scheduled preventive maintenance and calibration service to all instruments covered, prioritized repair service and parts, and loaner instrumentation when needed.

The agreement is advantageous, in that the WPD is assured of high-quality factory authorized maintenance and repair services and is relieved of the cost of carrying its own inventory of all spare parts. Perhaps more importantly, service is prioritized by HACH, which can prevent regulatory excursions when instruments for regulated parameters are involved. Because the parts and meter components are manufactured by HACH, this maintenance agreement is available exclusively through HACH (sole-source).

Due to discussions with the Purchasing Division which began in early 2017, the WPD negotiated a two-year agreement with HACH with separate payments to be made at the beginning of each term year. Thus, this agreement renewal would be in effect for the period January 20, 2022 through January 19, 2023 and a second year from January 20, 2023 through January 19, 2024. Both the Purchasing Division and the WPD believe a negotiated two-year agreement will provide financial savings to the city over the duration of the two-year agreement.

The cost of the proposed two-year HACH service agreement is $149,021.00 ($73,758.00 for year 1 and $75,263.00 for year 2). This represents an increase of $16,895 from the 2020-2021 two-year agreement (approximately 12.8%) which includes a “locked-in” increase of only 2% for the second year. There are several reasons for this percent total increase in the agreement: 1) HACH is predicting that due to the global pandemic, supply chain issues with parts and shipping, and increasing inflationary pressure that their global prices across the board are expected to increase 5% in the first quarter of 2022 with an additional 5% increase in the third quarter; 2) The WPD has numerous older meters which, while still functional, are costlier to maintain as part of this agreement, 3) Several instruments have recently been deemed “obsolete” by HACH and the associated costs to maintain these instruments within the proposed agreement (with dwindling spare parts available) have increased.

Funds have been requested in the 2022 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-38-01, and funds will be requested in the 2023 budget similarly.

• Approved was a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a First Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement Previously Entered into Between the City of Aurora and Sandri Properties LLC.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to approve a first amendment to allow for a three years extension to the previously approved redevelopment agreement between the city of Aurora and Sandri Properties LLC.

Paul Soderstrom owned and ran the Soderstrom Pallet Co. a manufacturing use from the late 1970s to 1995, when he sold the business. Despite the sale of the buildings, new business owners continued to operate it as the Soderstrom Pallet Co. while Paul Soderstrom continued to own the property.

The property, zoned M-1 Manufacturing District Limited, consists of 4.87 acres and north of Indian Trail Road and adjacent to the Fox River Trail on the west side of the Fox River, had a large dilapidated building and a residential structure as well.

The property owner, Paul Soderstrom died in October of 2012 and the property sit vacant for years until June 14, 2016 when the City entered into a redevelopment agreement with Sandri Properties, LLC by approving resolution R2016-174.

The City, recognizing the potentials of the property within a TIF and in the River Edge Redevelopment Zone and hoping to attain residential uses along the river, decided to assist the heiress Karna Sandri with the costs entailed with the demolition and remediation of the site. By doing this the joint effort was aimed to have the property ready for development.

The property had been appraised with a land value of $635,000. The property sits outside of the floodplain as it was estimated by Engineering Enterprises, Inc.. The City of Aurora also owns property nearby to this property which would likely be included as part of a future redevelopment of the property. There are City water mains that run through the property. A Phase II Environmental study was conducted on the property. Additional soil borings were requested as part of a focused Phase II Environmental. An Asbestos Study was conducted by Gabriel Environmental Services. The property has been transferred to the Trust and now to Sandri Properties LLC. Those documents are forthcoming as they have been recorded in the last week.

The demolition bid came in at $140,565. The Asbestos abatement bid came in at $136,755. The insurance premium cost was $5,870.

The original RDA had the property owner to be reimbursed up to $285,000 for the “Demolition Project” which entailed the removal of asbestos and the demolition of the structures on the property. The owner was given a strict timeline to perform in accordance with Section 3 of the agreement. The owner had five (5) years to redevelop the property with a building having a minimum construction value of $2,500,000. If the property had not been redeveloped in accordance with Section 5 of the agreement, the City would have had a mortgage and note which would then be in default.

Despite any and all efforts put forward to requalify the site and effectively market the property, the adverse physical location of the property and market conditions have not brought residential uses to fruition.

Due to limited accessibility to the site, visibility from Indian Trail, and specific site features, property owner Karna Sandri had only received qualified offers from potential users that have proposed intense land uses not adhering to the Comprehensive Plan which recommends high density residential, conservation, open space, recreation and drainage; although the current underlying M-1 zoning (Manufacturing District Limited) would allow for industrial uses. The Comprehensive Plan recommendation also align with the housing demand and intent to requalify the shores along the Fox River. The City would be amenable to less intensive uses such as landscaping businesses with limited outdoor storage, and offices.

Approving the first amendment of the existing redevelopment agreement will grant a three (3) years extension to fulfill the requirements which are still standing. In the event Sandri Properties LLC was not able to secure a qualified buyer, the agreement would be in default and the note should be due.

Approving the first amendment of the existing redevelopment agreement will grant a three year extension and will allow the owner, to market the property for alternative and comparable uses.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the execution of a three-year contract with Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc., for Independence Day fireworks displays in a total annual amount not to exceed $43,000.00.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to extend a contract with Melrose Pyrotechnics (Melrose), Kingsbury, Indiana, for a Fireworks Display for the City’s Independence Day Celebration in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Melrose has been the City’s Fireworks vendor for the past eight years. Melrose has provided a 20-25-minute show synchronized to music. Over the past several years, staff members have established a great working relationship with Melrose. Fireworks vendors do not all have the same level of experience, performance and professionalism. Staff members are concerned that the next vendor may not produce the same quality experience. It is not uncommon for communities to have the same fireworks vendor for an extended period of time. This contract extension will eliminate additional staff member time that would be required with a change in vendors.

The three-year extension will cover 2022, 2023 and 2024 displays. As of the City’s last extension Melrose qualifications included extensive experience with multiple communities and has been providing services to some communities for over 20 years including Champaign County, Itasca and Streator. Their corporate clients include Allstate, Amway, Anheuser-Busch, Caterpillar, Firestone, McDonald’s, Miller Brewing, Nike, State Farm, Target and Toyota. They provide spectacular displays for various large events including the Chicago Air & Water Show, the City of Chicago, the City of Naperville, the Great Lakes Naval Station Celebration, the NHL Winter Classic and the Taste of Chicago. They also have an extensive background in providing pyrotechnic displays for the Chicago White Sox, the Kansas City Royals, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Indy Racing League, the NASCAR Nextel Cup, the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Melrose Pyrotechnics has earned exceptional awards and recognition:

• Exhibition, Seoul International Fireworks Festival, Seoul, South Korea (2015)
• Exhibition, L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec, Montreal, Canada (2016)
• Exhibition, Pohang International Fireworks Festival, Pohang, South Korea (2017)

The Fireworks Display for the City Independence Day Celebration has received exceptional feedback from residents. Melrose is one of the premiere Fireworks Display Companies with an impressive track record. City staff members have had a phenomenal experience with Melrose and strongly feels that portion of the Independence Day Celebration is in good hands. Melrose has experienced staff members and is concerned about safety. In this regard, they are a good partner. Melrose has agreed to provide the same show for the price of $43,000 a year for the next three years. Melrose has not increased their costs to us since 2013, where the costs have been $40,000 annually. Previous contracts included a 24.5-minute show with 3,214 shells with a minimum shell size of 3” and maximum of 6”. Melrose will provide all necessary licenses, permits and certificates of insurance prior to each event.

Melrose was the lowest responsible bidder in 2013 and has provided exceptional service every year since. They provided excellent references who were contacted during the vetting process and have certainly proven themselves to be the best.

Approval of this contract without prior competitive bidding is permissible under the City’s home rule authority.

This contract extension includes an additional financial impact as services will increase by $3,000 per year for the next three years, due to an increase in materials and global shipping costs. However, the contract extension will have a positive impact on staff members and event efficiency.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Wight & Company, 2500 North Frontage Road, Darien, IL, 60561 in the amount of $119,600.00 to develop a Master Plan for Phillips Park and Zoo.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to enter into an agreement with Wight & Company to begin Master Planning of improvements to Phillips Park and Zoo.

For parks with considerable size and amenities such as Phillips Park, the best was to evaluate existing layout, facilities, and infrastructure and determine the proper scope and sequence of improvements is through the development of a 10-year Master Plan. In order to begin this process, the City recently published two Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) to begin the process of selecting a Master Planning consultant.

The first of the two RFQ’s, which is the subject of this request, includes Master Planning for the entire park (including the zoo but excluding the golf course and water park). The City received five responses to this request, of which three were selected as finalists. Following interviews of the three finalists, City staff members selected Wight & Company, who provided the cost proposal in the amount of $118,800 plus (not to exceed) $800 in reimbursable expenses.

Because these Master Planning services were not included in the 2022 Capital Budget but are a prerequisite to properly executing the two budgeted Capital Projects for the park/zoo, funding for this contract will be split proportionately between the accounts allocated to fund the two projects ($23,900 from account 340-4441-451.73-43 (CIP F052) and $95,700 from account 287-4440-451.73-43 (CIP F056)).

It is worth noting that the second RFQ was specific to the Golf Course, as it was determined that golf course master planning is typically performed by consultants specific to that industry. The City received three responses to that request, and selected Martin Design Golf as the best qualified consultant. A contract for their services in the amount of $17,000 will be awarded in January 2022 and will be funded similarly by the accounts allocated to fund the five budgeted golf fund CIP’s.

Inclusion of the waterpark in the Master Planning was deemed unnecessary at this time.

The development of a Master Plan at Phillips Park will allow the City to properly evaluate existing layout, facilities, and infrastructure and determine the proper scope and sequence of improvements.

• Approved was a Resolution approving a lease extension agreement with F.H. Paschen, for its lease of City-owned space at 1 S. Broadway, 2nd floor, Aurora, Illinois, for an additional one-year term through September 30, 2022.

F.H. Paschen’s Lease of the Second Floor of the Elmslie Building.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to authorize a proposed extension of lease agreement for the space at 1 S. Broadway, 2nd floor, Aurora, Illinois, to be leased to F.H. Paschen for an additional one year term through September 30, 2022

F.H. Paschen is currently the tenant of City-owned space at 1 S. Broadway, 2nd floor. The existing lease term expired on September 30, 2021, but F.H. Paschen has continued to occupy the space under the terms of the existing lease. This extension of lease agreement brings the lease current, by extending it for an additional year through September 30, 2022. The extension agreement also includes language providing for automatic one-year renewal periods unless either party elects to terminate the lease. The extension agreement also clarifies that F.H. Paschen will be responsible for any property taxes assessed for the space.

Operating under a current lease benefits both parties and solidifies F.H. Paschen’s lease of the space through September 30, 2022 with options for renewal. In addition to being responsible for the payment of any applicable property taxes, F.H. Paschen will continue to pay $2,450 per month ($29,000 annually) in rent to the City.

Approval of this lease extension agreement brings the City’s lease with F.H. Paschen current, instead of continuing the landlord-tenant relationship based on an expired document.

• Approved was a Resolution approving ratification of payment and expenses to Onin Staffing in excess of $50,000, and not to exceed 60,000 for 2021.

City government of Aurora documents show Onin Staffing has provided temporary staffing services in 2021. Due to lack of availability of seasonal staff members, and overall staff member shortages, the City had to use higher levels of temporary staffing than in years past, total cost exceeded earlier expectations.

Onin staffing, in Aurora at 3 N. Smith Street Suite 3b, has provided temporary staffing services to the City for years. Temp. services are used to augment staff members during busy seasons for the Parks dept. such as spring, summer and fall. Temporary staff members are used for various projects ranging from Tulip planting, Sunken Garden planting, greenhouse operations etc..

In 2020, the City went out to bid for staffing services, and was able to successfully reach agreements with four staffing agencies to use beginning in 2021

Due to lack of availability of hiring seasonal staffing as well industry wide staffing shortages due to the pandemic, the four approved staffing agencies were unable to provide any temporary staffing during 2021.

However, Onin was able to provide staffing services throughout various points in 2021. With reduced seasonal staffing levels as well as shortages to full time staffing levels, temporary staffing was used to augment other maintenance related activities such as tree maintenance, baseball field prep and maintenance, mowing, park cleanup and garbage operations.

Yearly expenditures in temporary staffing have previously ranged from as high as $17,000 to as low as $3,900. Funds from the seasonal staffing account #101-4440-451.10-07 were used to cover the increased expenditures in temporary staffing account #101-4440-451.32-50

The vendor has no outstanding debt with the City.

Approval of ratification will allow payment for the remainder of services rendered.

• Approved was a Resolution superseding all previous resolutions pertaining to and amending salary and benefit plans for employees in the Executive Pay Plan.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval to amend the salary and benefit plan for employees in the Executive Pay Plan for 2022.

The salary and benefit plan for employees in the City’s Executive Service is submitted for approval annually after passage of the City budget.

Several new positions were added to the budget mid-year through a budget amendment. The pay plan has been updated accordingly.

Executive employees may have the opportunity to participate in a Sec. 115 trust fund program for health care cost at no cost to the city. The pay plan reflects the city’s intention to implement the program.

The pay plan also reflects a 2.5% cost of living adjustment to all pay grades.

• Approved was a Resolution Superseding All Previous Resolutions Pertaining To and Amending Salary and Benefit Plans for Employees In The Non-Exempt Pay Plan.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval to amend the salary and benefit plan for employees in the Non-Exempt Pay Plan for 2022.

The salary and benefit plan for employees in the City’s Non-Exempt Service is submitted for approval annually after passage of the City budget.

The pay plan reflects a 2.5% cost of living adjustment to all pay grades.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing execution of a second amendment to agreement with Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) for the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) to extend the grant term end date from January 31, 2022 to April 30, 2022.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to ensure the successful delivery of the Aurora FEC for the original grant term and recognizing the impact of the launch date due to Covid-19, CFE has offered an amendment to extend their original contract agreement end date with City of Aurora FEC from January 31, 2022 to April 30, 2022.

On December 17, 2019, City Council approved a resolution to accept a two-year matching grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) to create a Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) in the city of Aurora (ref. R19-412; Legistar 19-1079). The initial agreement with CFE was dated November 1, 2019, and the first amendment, adding a third financial counselor and funding, was dated July 15, 2020 (ref. R20-186; Legistar 20-0491). In the original agreement with CFE, the term date was set to expire January 31, 2022. Due to Covid-19 impact on the successful launching of services, CFE has issued a second grant amendment and CFE Fund is providing a no-cost extension to City of Aurora ending no later than April 30, 2022.

The Aurora FEC counselors have successfully outperformed other cities despite their increasing caseloads, providing over 800 residents with essential professional counseling services and referral activity to partner agency services. The CFE, recognizing the increase in request for counseling services being experienced by FEC’s countrywide, has granted an extension their original agreements with Aurora FEC to alleviate breaks in services into the new fiscal year. Therefore, the Aurora FEC will continue to successfully operate from the Thrive Collaborative Center with a contractual partner under the CFE program model through April 30, 2022. A carry-over $142,958 was successfully executed in November 2021 to secure funds into the new fiscal year to continue services with current partners. No additional bid will be required. A contract extension will be requested and prepared to secure the City government’s current servicing partner through this new term.

The FEC service program was originally set to expire December 31, 2021. This new Second Amendment to the Agreement with Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) will eliminate breaks in service to eligible residents, the City’s service partner, and allow FEC staff members to continue to operate at full capacity and strategize for funding and expansion of services throughout the City of Aurora.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing an extension of the contractual agreement with The Neighbor Project to provide services to the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center through April 30, 2022 and providing for the disbursement of $100,485 of budgeted funds for such purpose.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to alleviate a break in services of financial counseling at the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center, CoA recognizes the value of a successful partnership with TNP and requests to continue to work together to serve the community and fulfill the term of the recently extended grant agreement with the Cities for Financial Empowerment through April 30, 2022.

On December 17, 2019, City Council approved a resolution to accept a two-year matching grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) to create a Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) in the city of Aurora (ref. R19-412; Legistar 19-1079). The Neighbor Project was hired as the servicing contractors for the grant agreement with CFE which was executed in January 2020. The original term for this contractual agreement was set to expire on December 31, 2021. CFE has issued a second grant amendment to Aurora FEC and CFE Fund is providing a no-cost extension to City of Aurora ending the program grant no later than April 30, 2022. The City of Aurora, recognizing the value of the partnership with TNP and in order to alleviate a break in services, has prepared a contractual extension with TNP to match the new CFE term through April 30, 2022.

The Aurora FEC counselors have successfully outperformed other cities despite their increasing caseloads, providing over 800 residents with essential professional counseling services and referral activity to partner agency services. The CFE, recognizing the increase in request for counseling services being experienced by FEC’s countrywide, has granted an extension their original agreements with Aurora FEC to alleviate breaks in services into the new fiscal year. Therefore, the Aurora FEC will continue to successfully operate from the Thrive Collaborative Center with a contractual partner under the CFE program model through April 30, 2022. A carry-over $142,958 was successfully executed in November 2021 to secure funds into the new fiscal year to continue services with current partners. From this amount $100,485 has been earmarked to support this request for extension to reduce break in service with TNP counselors. This amount is estimated to cover project costs through April 30, 2022.

FEC service program was originally set to expire December 31, 2021. A contract extension with TNP will eliminate breaks in service to eligible residents, reduce impact to service partners and allow FEC staff members to continue to operate at full capacity and strategize for funding and expansion of services and partnership throughout the City of Aurora.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing a grant agreement with APS Training Institute, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 for a STEAM Training Program.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to authorize the execution of a grant agreement with APS Training Institute, Inc. consistent with the allocation of CDBG-CV funds per R21-229 for such purpose.

On August 24, 2021, the City Council approved Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 which allocated a $50,000 CDBG-CV grant award to the APS Training Academy for its STEAM Program.

As part of its grant review process, the City requires its local and HUD funded applicants to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. At the time of application, prospective grantees are required disclose whether funds will be used to award a subcontract to any individual(s) or business affiliate(s) who currently is or has/have been within one year of the date of the application a City employee or consultant, or a member of the City Council, a City Advisory Board and/or a City Commission. Additionally, applicants are required to disclose whether any member(s) of the applicant’s staff member or member(s) of the applicant’s Board of Directors or other governing body who are business partners or family member of a City employee, consultant, a member of the City Council, a City Advisory Board and/or a City Commission.

After the City Council’s approval of the CDBG-CV funds for the APS Steam Training Program (Project # CDBG-CV-2020-13) via Resolution 21-229, staff members learned that two City officers are uncompensated members of APS’s board.

Though neither officer participated in the decision to award the grant to APS, staff members recognized the appearance of a conflict of interest, and for that reason request that the City Council specifically authorize the award of grant funds consistent with the allocation approved by R21-229

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing a one-year extension of an agreement with Vision M.A.I., LLC for the governmental affairs consulting services of Bukola Bello for Lobbying Services on behalf of the City of Aurora.

The City of Aurora has been represented by Dan Shomon, Inc. (DSI), and has been since 2006. A request to extend Dan’s contract is also up for consideration for the Finance Committee as well.

City government of Aurora documents show in early 2020, the city began to explore the idea of adding a member to the City’s lobby team. After interviewing several candidates, Bukola Bello of Vision M.A.I. was selected. Her contract was initially to be considered by the committee in March but was put on hold due to the pandemic until August of 2020 and was renewed for the full 2021 year. City staff members would like to extend her agreement for the 2022 year.

The initial goal of adding a member to the lobby team was to modify the legislative approach and increase Aurora’s presence in Springfield. The plan was to divide issues between Dan and Bukola to ensure the City government had appropriate coverage and representation and were able to respond to the changing needs and demands of Springfield.

The evolving demands presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic changed the City government’s initial plans, but the addition of Bukola to the city’s lobby team proved to be invaluable. The 2021 year saw Bukola focusing heavily on the police reform legislation, which remains a significant focus going in to 2022 as well. Bukola also continues to work to move Aurora initiatives forward, arranging meetings in Springfield with Speaker Welch and other key legislators. She also coordinated a Legislative Reception on behalf of Aurora, providing staff members the opportunity to network in person and focus on relationship building for Aurora.

There are no significant changes to the 2022 agreement. Funds have been budgeted at a rate of $3,000 per month.

• Approved was a Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Property/Boiler Machinery, Fine Arts, Cyber and Excess Cyber Liability, Crime, Special Events Liability, Drone Liability, General Liability/Law Enforcement/Auto Liability, Excess Liability, Excess Workers Compensation, and Liquor Liability insurance policies for the period of December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2022.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain approval of the proposal from broker Hub International Midwest Limited for Property/Boiler Machinery insurance from Chubb Insurance Company, Fine Arts Insurance from Hanover Insurance Company, Cyber Liability Insurance from AIG, Excess Cyber from Coalition, Crime Insurance from Travelers, Special Events Liability from Cincinnati Specialty, E Drone Liability from American Alternative Insurance Company, Excess General Liability/Law Enforcement/Auto Liability Insurance from Safety National, Allied, HDI, Hallmark Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company, Excess Workers Compensation insurance from Safety National Casualty Insurance, Liquor Liability insurance from Lloyds of London for the period of December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2022.

The City has historically maintained these types of insurance coverages as part of its overall insurance and risk management program including self-insured retention levels. 2020-21 total program cost including broker service fee was $1,152,655.00.

The City’s authorized broker Hub International reviewed the existing program and solicited additional market bids beyond renewal of the existing program. Despite extensive efforts by Hub, certain market conditions in the General and Excess General Liability and Cyber/Excess Cyber have yielded significantly higher premium cost renewals. It is imperative the city maintain all of its present coverages despite these results.

Hub is recommending a renewal of the casualty lines for excess general liability coverages which would insert Safety National in lieu of Allied for the first $5M layer and then Allied and HDI participating in the next $15M. All excess layers above $20M will remain with incumbent carriers. Approval of this five-layer coverage structure will maintain the desired excess liability coverage of $35M above the City’s $2M self-insured retention. The public entity/municipality sector continues to experience severe capacity issues with a shrinking pool of what was already a very short list of variable markets. The increase in premiums reflects the market driven lack of capacity.

Cyber/Excess Cyber- The cyber market is in complete turmoil due to exponential increases in ransomware claims country-wide and overall poor loss results. The cyber market for municipalities is now almost non-existent which again drives shrinking capacity and increasing rates. Hub is recommending a renewal with AIG on the first $5M and inserting Coalition (in lieu of Swiss Re) on the $5M excess layer. AIG is currently the only viable alternative for the lead cyber policy, and they did agree to maintain full policy limits for ransomware which they have not otherwise been agreeable to during all of 2021. The only renewal caveat is that AIG did increate their minimum policy deductible to $250,000 in lieu of $100,000 expiring.

Property – Hub is recommending a renewal with Chubb as they continue to offer a very comprehensive coverage platform with certain coverage items that are not available with competing markets. Additionally, Chubb will require a 15% rate hike which is attributable to market conditions as well as adverse city claim losses over the past 3 years including a 2021 water damage claim that will settle out at nearly $1.5M.

The bottom-line premium for all lines of coverage has increased by approximately $620,000 over expiring, and when compared to an adjusted baseline to account for any exposure changes year over year, the renewal represents a bottom-line rate increase of 53%. This increase is indicative of current insurance market conditions in the public entity space where lack of capacity and a lack of viable market alternatives are driving exponential price increases in the excess casualty lines.

Overall, based on the increased renewal premium costs and increased coverage limits for General/Excess General Liability and Cyber/Excess Cyber coverages, the total cost including broker service fee for 2021-22 is $1,790,307.00 as compared to $1,152,655.00 for 2020-21. Funds for these insurance policies are budgeted for in the Property and Casualty Fund budget.

• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the purchase of One (1) 2022 Wheeled Coach Ford F-550 4×4 gas type 1 ambulance from Fire Service Inc., St. John, Indiana in the amount of $314,253.00 for the Aurora Fire Department after trade in.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to purchase one 2022 Wheeled Coach Ford F-550 4×4 gas Type I ambulance, from Fire Service Inc. to replace a 2016 ambulance that has 58,643 miles and reached the end of its service life as a front-line vehicle as recommended by Equipment Services

The Aurora Fire Department routinely replaces vehicles that are nearing or have exceeded their service life for a frontline ambulance as recommended by Equipment Services. Medic 7 is a 2016 ambulance that has met the criteria for replacement. The fire department desires to make Medic 7 a reserve medic unit at Central Station. The reserve at Central Station will be traded in which is a 2010 ambulance.

Fire Service Inc. is the area dealer for the Wheeled Coach brand ambulance. The City of Aurora last purchased a Wheeled Coach ambulance from Fire Service Inc. in January of 2021. The Fire Service, Inc. contract with the City of Aurora contains language that allows the right to add additional units to that contract, with a guaranteed maximum mark-up (tag-on language)

After further discussion with Derrick Winston from Fleet services the Fire Department changed to an F-550 4×4 chassis in 2020 because the F-450 chassis was overloaded with all the equipment carried and the Power load cot. There would be a savings of approximately $2,500.00 annually for tire replacement and alignments due to over loading of the chassis.

$20,000.00 has been budgeted in account 255-3033-422.3889 for the set up of the vehicle for a total price $335,000.00.

The price of the new ambulance is 319,403.00. Fire Service, Inc., has offered $5,000.00 as the trade-in value of the reserve ambulance at Central Station, RM2 bringing the price down to 314,253.00.

• Approved was an Ordinance authorizing the provision of a water service to 2000 Plain Ave, Aurora, Illinois (DuKane Precast, Inc., parcel 15-24-276-028) for non-industrial use.

City government of Aurora documents show as part of the easement acquisition for the water main extension on Sartor Lane, the City agreed to install a domestic 2” water service for the property owner at 2000 Plain Avenue. This property is outside of the City of Aurora limits so a standard water service agreement would need to executed to project water service to this property.

Several years ago, the City of Aurora Water Production division expressed a desire to extend 12” water main from the intersection of Plain Avenue and Sartor Lane south to Liberty Street, west 360’ along Liberty Street to connect to an existing water main and east 1,700’ along Liberty Street to connect to existing water main at County Line Road. The purpose of this water main extension was to provide redundancy and reliability to the high pressure water system in the northeast section of the City. The majority of the project limits were outside of the City limits, so water main easements were required to construct the improvements. DuKane Precast owns the parcels along the east side of Sartor Lane with their property line near the east Sartor Lane edge of pavement. The City approached DuKane Precast during the initial planning phase of the project in order to obtain easements to construct water main on their property. In lieu of monetary compensation for the water main easements, the City agreed to install a 2” domestic water service for future connection to their office facility at 2000 Plain Avenue (Parcel 15-24-276-028).

The easements were executed, approved by City Council on December 22, 2020 (R20-316) and recorded by the Kane County Recorder on January 13, 2021.

In the spring of 2021, the engineering division publicly bid the water main extension project and just prior to the start of construction an engineering coordinator with the City met with a representative of DuKane Precast on-site to discuss the project. Following that meeting, the engineering coordinator discovered that a water service agreement would be required to provide water to the parcel outside of city limits which includes the provision that the owner agrees that their property may be annexed by the City of Aurora at their sole discretion (Section 48-4 of the Code). The property owner expressed that they were unaware of this provision and would have not provided the easement if they had known about the provision. The construction of the water main was completed between June and August 2021.

The property at 2000 Plain Avenue currently has a well that supplies their water. Their plumber estimated that a 2” domestic service would be the appropriate size for the building on that property. It is estimated that the current office use would result in a water bill of approximately $100-$120 every two months.

The area of easements provided by DuKane Precast was 32,845 square feet and the estimated easement acquisition costs could range between $33,000 to $66,000. The cost of the 2” water service installation was $6,774.72.

The property owner has requested that the City authorize the provision of water service to 2000 Plain Avenue notwithstanding Sec. 48-4 of the Code. While that provision generally requires subsequent annexation as a condition of any extraterritorial water service, the Council does not need to be bound by its own ordinances if the interests of the City otherwise require.

In most situations involving the provision of water services outside of the City’s corporate limits, the owner of the property approaches the City to request water service, often out of necessity. In consideration for providing water service, the City is able to voluntarily annex property that it could not annex involuntarily. These are the circumstances contemplated by Sec. 48-4.

In this case, the City approached DuKane to acquire easements along its property, and DuKane, in return, asked for limited water service for drinking, rather than industrial use. For DuKane, switching to City drinking water service is desirable, but not necessary — and the benefits of doing so do not outweigh the economics of remaining unincorporated. Since DuKane does not actually require City water service and would not accept it if it was required to annex, the City loses nothing by adopting this ordinance, but gains an ongoing source of revenue from DuKane’s consumption and significantly reduces the cost of easement acquisition.

This water main extension project was completed to provide water system redundancy and reliability to the water main in the northeast section of the City and this water main could not be constructed without first obtaining water main easements.