By Jason Crane
The owners of 10 Aurora properties received the 2022 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Historic Restoration at the Aurora City Council meeting Tuesday, May 10.
May is National Historic Preservation Month.
The 10 properties are: 106 Le Grande Boulevard; 112 S. Fourth Street; 324 West Park Avenue; 325 Sunset Avenue; 420 W. New York Street; 424 W. New York Street; 435 W. New York Street; 517 S. Fourth Street; 741 Wilder Street; and 30 S. Stolp A.K.A. The Keystone Building in downtown Aurora.
Mayor Richard Irvin wasn’t at the meeting and Fifth Ward alderman Carl Franco was mayor-pro tem and handed out the awards.
• There were four individuals who expressed disappointment about the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center not opening for the 2022 season due to a lifeguard shortage.
Aurora resident Jennifer Fearday was critical about the lack of notification about the shortage of lifeguards.
She said, “There was no inclusion of the community. We have community groups throughout the City. We would have helped! We would have found a solution!
“Quitting on us isn’t an option and we’re asking to give us that opportunity, that we have that right to help for a solution. If lifeguard is what you need, we will help you find them!
“I was at East Aurora (High School) today helping to register student voters. Had a great conversation. Nobody knew about the situation and nobody even knew about the closure. Its going to be a hard reality come May 31.
“I’m urging you guys, especially members of the Aquatic Board, to reconsider closing the Aquatic Center.”
April 20, the Fox Valley Park District made a post on their Facebook page offering starting pay of $15 per hour. One week later, April 27, the Park District made a post that stated: Due to a severe staffing shortage, Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center will not open during the 2022 season. Splash Country Water Park will open as planned, with updated season dates and hours of operation.
The Fox Valley Park District and the city of Aurora are co-owners of Splash Country Water Park and Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center through an intergovernmental agreement established in 1989. The five member Aquatic Administrative Board oversees the policies, annual initiatives, and budget.
The City Council approved the following agenda items:
• Approved was an Ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the welfare of animals, establishing fees and fines, and making other confirming changes to the Code.
City government of Aurora documents show Chapter 9 has been revised to reflect current State law and the needs of the population of Aurora by including a more comprehensive barking ordinance. Chapter 9 has not been amended since 2000.
The city of Aurora dynamics have changed over the past 22 years. The significant revisions include, but not limited to: Section 9-2: Increases the maximum number of cats and dogs by one from four to five, not to exceed three of any one species.
• Approved was a Resolution for an updated lease with the Fox Valley Music Foundation for property at 19-21 South Broadway.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this request is to authorize a new lease with the Fox Valley Music Foundation (FVMF) for the property at 19-21 South Broadway, commonly known as The Venue. The new lease extends through March 31, 2027 and provides an option to renew the lease for one, five-year term, subject to written consent of both Parties. In addition, after the initial five-year term, the lease enables the City to terminate the lease with a one-year notice period should the City determine a higher and better use for the property. Finally, the lease reduces the annual obligation to pay the “fee in lieu” taxes from $7,860 to an amount equal only to the school portion, presently valued at $1,185; and the SSA payment obligation, presently valued at $175.
The Fox Valley Music Foundation (FVMF) is a State of Illinois nonprofit corporation whose mission is to preserve, promote, and protect the music of the Fox Valley area of Illinois while providing music education for people of all ages and from all walks of life.
The Venue opened to the public June 1, 2019. Thanks to countless hours invested by volunteers in construction and day-to-day operations, The Venue is regarded as a high quality, state-of-the art performance space. Since opening, it has drawn thousands of patrons desiring to see live music, participate in workshops, and hear musical history presentations by renowned experts. Local, regional, and national artists who have performed at The Venue have marveled at the acoustics, admired the enthusiastic crowds, and spoken words of appreciation for what The Venue has meant to each of them.
The Venue is an anchor and has set the tone for the redevelopment of Broadway. The Venue opens onto Mundy Park for outdoor concerts. Just to the north, the reimagination of the “Skinny Park” is nearing completion with the goal of one day connecting it to a food and beverage facility in the adjacent building to the south. North of Skinny Park is another major space: the arts studio of Gary Brown.
The City and the many volunteers who first envisioned and then worked to create this memorable space are proud of this ongoing collaboration. The full impact of the Venue is yet to be felt given the challenges caused by the pandemic soon after its opening and was first gaining traction. Government officials anticipate many years of quality programing and experiences for audiences of all ages. FVMF continues to seek avenues to reach wider audiences reflective of the City’s rich diversity, including artistic and board representation.
This property was extensively renovated through tax increment financing (TIF) funds and substantial investment by the Music Foundation. The TIF has a surplus and will not be negatively impacted by not receiving ongoing payments of $5,661 in annual taxes. TIF #1 is set to close on December 31, 2022. This property’s proximity to Mundy Park provides an ideal location for the Fox Valley Music Foundation to continue to draw talented artists to downtown Aurora. Both the FVMF and the City will benefit by the execution of this Lease Agreement.
This lease allows the Fox Valley Music Foundation to continue its beneficial impact on the community as a whole and downtown Aurora in particular; and to be an example of the City’s ability to implement the long term City’s Master Plan for Downtown emphasizing growth in the variety of available cultural and entertainment attractions.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing an agreement with the Seize the Future Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (d/b/a Invest Aurora) for the provision of economic development activities and services.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to define a new era in the City’s relationship with Invest Aurora that builds on previous successes and further defines Invest Aurora’s roles, responsibilities, and measurements for success. The agreement defines the term of the agreement, funding commitment of the City and outlines in detail the economic development activities that Invest Aurora will perform on the City’s behalf.
In 2013, the City modified the services of Invest Aurora to include certain functions previously performed by the Aurora Economic Development Commission (AEDC). In 2016 the City renewed and modified that agreement. Since that latest agreement in June of 2021, there have been a series of short-term extensions to that agreement as the City and Invest Aurora worked on a new agreement, the subject of the resolution is under consideration.
The magnitude and velocity of economic development (ED) has increased throughout the City in recent years. Over the last two years alone the City had over $1Billion in construction including about 2300 new residential units completed or under construction and about 4.5 million square feet of new or improved other projects including commercial, industrial and office. This has increased workloads and called for increased efficiencies, definition, and collaboration.
ED is “a process of creating and utilizing physical, human, financial and social assets to generate improved and broadly shared economic wellbeing… (MIT professor Karl Seidman). At best it brings together resources from within and outside the community to promote economic growth in a systematic and organized manner. The City is stepping up its research as to its own economic strengths and is continuing to organize itself to promote economic growth and implement a collective and finely tuned overall strategy. The new Invest Aurora agreement is providing an opportunity for the City to enhance these efforts.
The tentacles that ED touches are far-reaching. They include business retention and expansion sustainable growth, job growth, increasing tax base, encouraging new business, preserving cultural heritage, creating vocational opportunities, creating affordable housing across market segments, mobilizing civic, banking and business leaders, improving business climate, increasing private investment, reducing poverty, and adapting to fast changing national and international market conditions challenges (Covid being a recent unwanted example).
Creation of MOED:
The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (MOED) was created in 2018 to fast-track redevelopment and merge economic development and strategic planning under one roof Under the direction of the mayor, MOED shapes and implements well planned and inclusive economic growth throughout the City working in tandem with other city departments and closely with key community and other groups that foster economic prosperity. MOED assimilates well-defined and forward-thinking goals of the administration then strategically plans and executes them in ways that benefit all Aurorans.
Partnerships and connections:
The Mayor’s Office in tandem with MOED and the City’s Chief management Officer not only works closely with Invest Aurora but virtually all departments within the City from Zoning and Planning, Finance, Law, Engineering, Community Services, Innovation, Building and Permits, Property Standards, Public Safety, Technology, Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, Public Arts, as well as “outside organizations” such as Aurora Downtown, the chambers, all school districts, colleges and universities, ACCA, the Fox Valley Park District, transportation agencies such as Metra, Pace, KDOT, DuDOT and IDOT, utility agencies, townships, counties, neighboring communities, neighborhood organizations and nonprofits such as the Neighbor Project and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. MOED works with business owners, developer and investors both in the downtown and throughout the city. The City’s goal is to continue to increase the coordination among these groups to reinforce Aurora as an excellent place to do business that values the quality of life for each of its residents.
Invest Aurora agreement highlights:
Responsibilities:
City Wide Data Collection: including an accessible, searchable and professional database focusing on vacancies and available spaces and other critical data
City Wide Business Retention and Expansion: proactively connecting with existing business to understand and respond to their needs
Business Attraction: Using tools including critical objective metrics to tell the compelling and unique story to drive business to Aurora
City Wide Marketing: Working with the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs and MOED to implement City Wide Marketing and branding programs
Industrial Projects: Lead execution effort to bring industry to Aurora including industrial broker tours
Special Projects: work with city on specifically requested projects subject to time availability
Term of Agreement:
The agreement is for 3 years with two one-year extensions. Either party can cancel the agreement with one-year written notice.
City Financial Commitments:
Aside from providing office space, during the remainder of 2022 the City will fund $148,701.57 quarterly subject to an agreed upon budget. Subject to City Council approval and appropriation, the amount that the City funds to Invest Aurora will increase by one-half of the increase in CPI or 3%, whichever is lower, on an annual basis.
Impact statement:
The City’s recent successes in economic development demand a more data focused strategy of which Invest Aurora plays a crucial part. The responsibilities of Invest Aurora form the cornerstone of a cogent economic development strategy including data collection, business retention and business attraction. Invest Aurora has worked successfully with key state agencies who often generate leads that must be effectively followed and coordinated. Invest Aurora is uniquely qualified to convert these efforts to tangible results that will have a long-lasting impact on the economic wellbeing of the City.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the remodeling of the city of Aurora government Council Chambers, Conference Rooms 5A and 5B and the addition of a press room and communications control center using the City of Aurora Job Order Contracting Program to FH Paschen, S.N. Nielsen and Associates for $1,768,035.78, plus a contingency amount of $176,803.00.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to enhance Council Chambers and improve transparency for City residents by providing better methods of producing video recordings of public meetings and audio-visual communication.
To improve the use of the 5th floor conference rooms and to establish a dedicated area for holding press conferences and other Aurora Community Television (ACTV) programming.
The City Hall for Aurora is at 44 E Downer Place, Aurora. The building is a five-floor structure that contains office space for numerous City of Aurora divisions as well as a Council chambers on the 2nd floor. The 5th floor is divided into a partitionable conference room (5A & 5B) and unused office space.
To date, City Council meetings have been video recorded using a stationary camera and streamed to Facebook and other social media sites. Audio from City Council meetings and Council Committee meetings have been made available via the City website. These methods did not provide the degree of transparency expected by City staff members, or City residents.
Upgrades to City Council Chambers will allow for better use of the room, increased safety measures within the Chambers as well as create increased transparency for city residents by providing better methods of producing video recordings of public meetings. The improvements on the 5th floor will allow for more effective use of conference rooms 5A & 5B as well as create a dedicated space for holding press conferences and other Aurora Community Television programming.
City staff members hired Kluber, Inc. to assist with drawings for this project and F.H. Paschen, S.N. & Nielsen LLC, the City of Aurora’s Job Order Contracting program vendor (R20-221), has proposed to remodel Council Chambers, the 5th floor conference rooms 5A & 5B, and establish a press room and media control center for $1,768,035.78. Construction and audio-visual upgrades and improvements are summarized per area as follows:
City Hall Council Chambers
Construction upgrades:
Removal and replacement of all lighting, flooring, ceiling grid and acoustical tile, public seating, dais seating,
Extension of the existing dais to allow for City Clerk and Corporation table to be removed from lower platform,
Architectural cladding of the dais, existing columns,
Installation of two new lecterns.
AV upgrades:
New microphones for all aldermen and alderwomen. New microphones and wireless microphones for presentations.
Monitors between each aldermen and alderwomen seats.
New touchscreen control panels and software to control what is displayed on the screens for the public and council members.
-Six pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras will provide high-quality video recording of all meetings in the room. The cameras will be positioned to capture video from all angles of the room. This will provide better views for the public watching the meetings online.
New in-ceiling speakers will be installed throughout council chambers.
Television monitors will be relocated from their current position to the sidewalls and one mounted to the face of the dias. There will be a total of six television monitors throughout the council chambers.
All of the video and audio feeds will be routed up to the 5th floor control room for live public broadcast onto ACTV, the City’s website and social media simultaneously.
City Hall 5th Floor Conference Rooms A & B:
No reconstruction will occur in these rooms.
AV upgrades:
Four new monitors will allow for improved sightlines for committee members and those in the audience.
-Six pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras will provide high-quality video recording of all meetings in the room.
The room will consist of an all-wireless microphone setup so the room can be more flexible when there are no meetings taking place.
All of the video and audio feeds will be routed up to the 5th floor control room for live public broadcast onto ACTV, website and social media simultaneously.
The conference room monitor will be able to display all video and audio feeds from council chambers in the event the room is used as an overflow room for community events.
New in-ceiling speakers will be installed throughout the room.
City Hall Press Room and Studio
Construction upgrades:
Removal of the existing divider wall between Conference 5C and the adjoining offices,
Construction of an elevated platform with a lectern,
Installation of new flooring, ceiling grid, and lighting,
AV upgrades:
Powered green screen for TV productions,
Three studio cameras will provide high-quality video for recording of press conferences, interviews and other events.
Projector and projector screens for video presentations.
Audio connections for press cameras during press conferences.
Podium and raised platform for press conferences and TV programming.
All of the video and audio feeds will be routed up to the 5th floor control room for live public broadcast onto ACTV, website and social media simultaneously.
5th Floor Control Room
Construction upgrades:
Construction of the Control room wall with new door and window,
Installation of new ceiling grid, lighting, and flooring
AV upgrades:
This control room will allow City staff members to control content and produce high-quality video recording and streaming of public meetings and press conferences whether they occur in Council Chambers, Conference Rooms 5 A & B or the new Press Room/ TV production studio.
Video and audio outputs will be controlled by the New-Tek Tri-Caster which will allow City staff members to control the audio and video from each room and to broadcast the finished product via ACTV, website and social media.
A 10% contingency of $176,803.00 is requested for this project.
Funding for this project will be available in the accounts below. A budget amendment will be necessary to move funding into the Capital Improvements Fund and to bring forward budget funds from 2021 for the project.
$1,166,041.00
This funding will come from the City’s ARPA allocation.
$602,045.20 This funding is provided through cable television franchise fee revenue.
The completion of this project will enhance the physical and virtual accessibility of City Council and committee meetings. This will also enable the City to efficiently broadcast public meetings live on its social media, website, and public access channel simultaneously to increase transparency and civic engagement.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the consent of the city government of Aurora to the mortgage of the leasehold interest of Suburban Properties, Inc. at the Aurora Municipal Airport.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to allow the City to consent to Suburban’s proposed refinancing of its leasehold mortgages with another lender.
In 2007, the city government of Aurora entered into a lease with Suburban to allow it to occupy space at the airport. This lease was recently revised and extended in 2021. Suburban operates as a hangar rental business at the Airport. Suburban has previously mortgaged its leasehold, and it desires to refinance its current mortgages to more favorable financing terms.
The City’s lease with Suburban allows it to mortgage its leasehold, which is common for tenants at the airport. Though the City may not unreasonably withhold its consent to these mortgages, its consent should not be granted without careful review and consideration of the terms of the mortgages to ensure that the City’s rights under the lease are not adversely affected. Outside counsel for the City from Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, LTD has prepared the agreement with Suburban and has determined that the City’s rights under the lease are not adversely affected by the proposed mortgages. The Finance Department is also reviewing the underlying mortgage documents, to further support this position.
Approval of this resolution will allow Suburban to refinance its current leasehold mortgages to a more favorable monthly payment, and will allow Suburban to continue its business operations at the Airport.
• Approved was an Ordinance establishing a conditional use planned development, approving the Atlantic Residential Plan Description and amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map to an underlying zoning of R-5A Midrise Multiple-Family Dwelling District for the property on the north side Fox Valley Mall, south of New York Street and west of Route 59.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner, Atlantic Residential, is requesting the Establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development, and to change the underlying zoning district from PDD Planned Development District to R-5A Multiple-Family Dwelling District on the property on the north side of the Fox Valley Mall, south of New York Street and west of Route 59 to allow for construction of a multi-family residential development.
The property consists of 9.121 acres on the north side of the Fox Valley Mall. The property is comprised of a portion of the ring road and surface parking, part of which serves the Fox Valley Mall, part of which served the now closed Carson Pirie Scott building and part of which serves the retail outlot. The property is zoned PDD Planned Development District, which is part of the Fox Valley East Planned Development District.
The owner, Centennial Real Estate Company (“Centennial”), purchased the Fox Valley Mall in 2015. Then in 2018, a partnership controlled by Centennial purchased the Sears’ and Carson’s Site after falling into bankruptcy. Since then, Centennial has been making substantial investments essential to the Mall’s revitalization including the remodeling of the mall center. In early 2021, they demolished the Sears building to make way for a future retail and residential development. In 2021, Lumen at Fox Valley, a multi-family residential development was approved by City Council along the east side of the mall and is now under construction. Early this year, a Rezoning and Preliminary Plan for a luxury senior housing development was approved at the northeast corner of the mall.
Centennial has teamed up with again with Atlantic Residential to redevelop the property for a 4-story multi-family residential development.
The Petitioner is requesting the Establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development, and to change the underlying zoning district from PDD Planned Development District to R-5A Multiple-Family Dwelling District. The details of the request include the approval of a Plan Description that outlines specific requirements and allows for modifications including certain rules, bulk standards, bulk restrictions, parking requirements and building code amendments to allow for the construction of a 4-story multi-family residential development.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan. The proposal consists of a 4-story, 319-unit multi-family residential building, private amenities, and associated parking. The proposed multi-family building is oriented with a glass entrance at the southwest corner of the building facing the mall. The residential building consists of 34 studios, 145 one-bedrooms, and 140 two-bedrooms ranging in size from 550 square feet to 1,550 square feet. The building features amenities including balconies or patios for each unit, an entertainment area and fitness room. A private courtyard is being constructed in the center of the building including an outdoor pool, a pavilion with grills and an event lawn. The building will also wrap around a multi-story parking garage having direct access into the building.
Situated just west of the building will be a linear park containing a gaming area, seating areas, and a dog park. A triangle park for passive recreation is situated on the east side of the building at the southwest corner of Entrance #6. As part of the proposal, the Petitioner will be rerouting the ring road, Private Road A and Private Road C, to loop along the south and west side of the proposed development and will be reconfiguring the existing parking lots. These Private Roads will have parallel parking spaces along them. The ring road will still extend to the west of Entrance #6 to allow for access to the existing restaurant and access to the parking garage and surface parking lot for this proposed development. A total of 493 parking spaces are being provided with 327 spaces within the parking garage, 140 spaces within the surface parking lot, and 26 on-street parking spaces exceeding the 1.5 parking ratio requirement. Sidewalks are being constructed throughout the development with wider sidewalks along the private road.
Stormwater management from the original Mall has already been accounted for in Spring Lake, west of Commons Drive along McCoy Drive. As a positive, the development will decrease the impervious area reducing the amount of stormwater runoff.
Building elevations that are in the packet are conceptual. The building elevations and landscaping will be fully reviewed and approved at the time of Final Plan.
Over the past year, city government staff members have been working collaboratively with the Petitioner on the building design, building orientation, amenities, streetscape and parking. The Plan Description modifications reflects the urban feel of the development that are recommended in the City of Aurora’s Route 59 Corridor Plan. That Plan stresses the importance of the Mall on the Corridor and the larger region. The mall is a large and unique development in the heart of the Route 59 Corridor and its success strengthens the City’s image and identity as well as the positive ancillary benefits to its outlots and other businesses.
The layout and building design are intended to be urban in nature, with reduced building setbacks along the private streets, residential units on all floors, urban streetscape design including wider sidewalks, well-defined crosswalks and pedestrian scaled lighting to create a friendly and safe environment that promotes walkability within the development and to the nearby existing and proposed shopping and dining opportunities. Centennial, the Petitioner and staff members continue to work with Pace to try to relocate the Mall’s existing bus stop (by the southwest entrance to the Mall) to an area closer to the residential to create a transit-oriented development life-style.
The proposed development is consistent with the recently approved Route 59 Corridor Plan for the Fox Valley Mall Sub-Area. The Sub-Area plan recommends the modernization of the mall from a traditional commercial center into a mixed-use development that includes a variety of land uses including multi-family housing. Throughout the Comprehensive Plan process, one concern that was brought up by Indian Prairie School District #204 was the potential for new school-aged children in an area that has been historically planned for only commercial uses. In an effort to help reduce the number of school-aged children living in this development, city staff members worked with the Petitioner and the developer to design the residential developments in such a way as to help discourage high student counts. For example, the development is being designed with more studios and one-bedroom units (no three bedrooms) and higher price points and amenities that will help attract millennial’s, singles, and seniors.
City government staff members had the following comments regarding the Finding of Facts:
Conditional Use:
The project will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare as the development will bring a mixture of residents to the area, improving the overall economics, and strengthen the social fabric of the Fox Valley Mall.
The conditional use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity or diminish or impair property values as the development will help modernize the mall from a traditional commercial center into a mixed-use development that will help promote the Mall as a regional center and will have a positive impact on local businesses and service providers.
The development will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties as it should complement the retail and restaurants and help strength and support the existing businesses and other residential businesses.
The proposed subdivision has adequate water and sewer capacity to serve the project.The project does provide adequate ingress/egress. The development will have access to the existing entrances and will be rerouting the existing Fox Valley Center Drive which will be closer to the mall.
The Conditional Use in all other respects conforms to the applicable regulations of the R-4A zoning district.Rezoning:
City staff members have noted below the physical development policies that the proposal meets.
The proposal does represent the logical establishment of the requested classification in considering the existing area as it allows for the residential development.
The proposal is consistent with a desirable trend of development in the area as a more walkable mixed-use development where residents can utilize the local businesses, service providers and entertainment services in the area.
The rezoning will allow uses that are more suitable than the existing PPD zoning classification as it is the City’s vison to create a regional center that continues to attract residents, visitors, and businesses.
The rezoning is consistent with the existing area as it will not only complement the residential development to the east but also help achieve the mall’s full potential as a thriving destination to shop and eat but also a sustainable place to live, work and play.
Public Input: Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter.
Policies and guidelines:
City staff member’s evaluation and recommendations are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
10.0 To provide for the orderly, balanced and efficient growth and redevelopment of the City through the positive integration of land use patterns, functions, and circulation systems. To protect and enhance those assets and values that establishes the desirable quality and general livability of the City. To promote the City’s position as a regional center.
11.1(3) To encourage new development contiguous to existing development.
11.1(5) To guide and promote development to areas where public utilities, public roads and municipal services are either available or planned.
12.1(3) To encourage residential development in close proximity to places of work, shopping and recreation.
13.1(4) To provide for the location of high density residential, commercial, and industrial centers close to or along transportation routes designed to accommodate the movement of people and goods to and from such centers.
13.1(7) To promote mass transit stations and intensive land uses, including high-density residential complexes, to locate in relative proximity to one another so as to stimulate transit use.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the purchase of one 2024 E-One Cyclone Custom Pumper Apparatus from Fire Service Inc., St John, Indiana in the amount of $798,008.00 as well as vehicle setup and fire equipment for a total of $883,008.00 for the Aurora Fire Department.
City government of Aurora documents show this purchase would be for the new Engine 13, for station 13 which is projected to open in 2024.
Aurora Fire Department has $7,100,000 budgeted over the next three years for the design and construction of station 13. In-order for Engine 13 to be up and running when station 13 opens in 2024, it needs to be ordered this year. In addition, purchase date to delivery date for some of the equipment that will go on the engine is running close to a year, so that equipment also needs to be ordered now, in order to ensure it is here when the engine is put in service.
Fire Service Inc. is the area dealer for the Aurora Fire Departments vehicles. The City of Aurora last purchased an engine from Fire Service Inc. in January of 2019. The vehicle pricing is secured through the Houston-Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program (H-GAC), allowing the Aurora Fire Department to purchase the engine at a group rate.
The station location study that was done in 2022 showed the need for a new fire station on the North side of I-88. The City of Aurora has property on the corner of Nan and Bilter. This property is slated to house Station 13 for the Aurora Fire Department. Station 13 will house an Engine, Ladder Truck and Ambulance.
The Aurora Fire Department station/vehicle project shows Station 13 opening in 2024.
The exact date is not known, but it could be sooner than the chart shows.
With the timetable that Fire Service Inc. has given us of 20-24 month after confirmation, Engine 13 needs to be ordered this year.
Fire Service Inc. can only hold the price for 60 days from the date of the proposal letter due to supply chain delays and the fluctuations in material costs.
Funds to pay for this engine will be provided for in future City budgets. The exact method of financing the purchase will be determined based on the most advantageous method when the appropriate year’s budget is prepared.
Payment of the engine will not be due until delivery of the unit and a decision package will be submitted for 2023 in account 255-3033-422.75-10. In addition, $20,000 will need to be budgeted in account 255-3033-422.3889 for the setup of the vehicle for a total price of $818,000. Expenses for the needed equipment for the engine are approximately $65,000 (255-3033-422.61-52). This makes the total package cost $883,008.00
As the Aurora Fire Department expands to 10 stations in the near future, engine 13 needs to be ordered due to the 20-24 month build time after confirmation. By ordering engine 13 in advance the Fire Department should be able to stay in line with the construction and station opening.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the purchase of one 2024 E-One Cyclone Custom HR100 Aerial Apparatus from Fire Service Inc., St John, Indiana in the amount of $1,300,265.00 as well as vehicle setup and fire equipment for a total of $1,420,265.00 for the Aurora Fire Department.
City government of Aurora documents show this purchase would be the new Truck 14, for station 13 which is projected to open in 2024.
Aurora Fire Department has $7,100,000 budgeted over the next three years for the design and construction of station 13. In-order for Truck 14 to be up and running when station 13 opens in 2024, it needs to be ordered this year. In addition, purchase date to delivery date for some equipment is running close to a year, so that equipment also needs to be ordered now, in order to ensure it is here when the truck is put in service.
Fire Service Inc. is the area dealer for the Aurora Fire Departments vehicles. The City of Aurora last purchased a truck from Fire Service Inc. in June of 2020. The vehicle pricing is secured through the Houston-Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program (H-GAC), allowing the Aurora Fire Department to purchase the truck at a group rate.
The station location study that was done in 2022 showed the need for a new fire station on the North side of I-88. The City of Aurora has property on the corner of Nan and Bilter. This property is slated to house Station 13 for the Aurora Fire Department. Station 13 will house an Engine, Ladder Truck and Ambulance.
The Aurora Fire Department station/vehicle project shows Station 13 opening in 2024.
The exact date is not known, but it could be sooner than the chart shows.
With the timetable that Fire Service Inc. has given us of 20-24 month after confirmation Truck 14 needs to be ordered this year.
Fire Service Inc. can only hold the price until May 15th, 2022 due to supply chain delays and the fluctuations in material costs.
Funds to pay for this truck will be provided for in future City budgets. The exact method of financing the purchase will be determined based on the most advantageous method when the appropriate year’s budget is prepared.
Payment of the truck will not be due until delivery of the unit and a decision package will be submitted for 2023 in account 255-3033-422.75-10. In addition, $20,000 will need to be budgeted in account 255-3033-422.3889 for the setup of the vehicle for a total price of $1,320,265.00. Expenses for the needed equipment for the truck are approximately $100,000 (255-3033-422.61-52). This makes the total package cost $1,420,265.00
As the Aurora Fire Department expands to 10 stations in the near future, Truck 14 needs to be ordered due to the 20-24 month build time after confirmation. By ordering Truck 14 in advance the Fire Department should be able to stay in line with the construction and station opening.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Peerless Fence & Supply, Saint Charles, Ill. in the amount of $174,470.00 for the installation of fencing at Wilder Park in Ward 6.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to install fencing around Wilder Park to allow for a wider array of possible outdoor festivals. The fencing will be open most of the time but will provide opportunities to control access to the park for certain events.
Wilder Park was recently updated during the summer of 2021. Various improvements were constructed as a part of that project, including new playground equipment, a pavilion with upper and lower seating areas, new lighting and a large brick paver promenade. The space will provide a gathering area year-round but will also be used for festivals throughout the year.
To fully maximize the opportunities at the Park, it was determined that adding fencing around the park would allow for a wider variety of events. While most events will be free to the public, the installation of the fencing will allow for paid events including stand-alone concerts or events that are intended to supplement activities are RiverEdge Park.
This project was designed internally through a combined effort of the Mayor’s Office, Engineering, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. The project was bid publicly with bids received, opened and read aloud on April 13, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Only one qualifying bid was received from Peerless Fence in the amount of $159,470.00. In addition to that low bid, City staff members recommend awarding in the amount of $174,470.00, which includes a contingency of approximately 10%. Funding will be provided for in accounts 235-4440-451-73-43 and 235-1830-465-73-99; however, a budget amendment will be required to fully fund the improvements.
There is a lead time of approximately 8 weeks to obtain materials after the project is awarded. The goal would be to have the fence installed by the end of the summer. During construction, there will be minimal interference with activities at the park.
• Approved was an Ordinance amending Chapter 6 Sec. 6-13 and Chapter 8 Sec. 8-131 of the Code of Ordinances.
City government of Aurora documents show if approved, the proposed amendments to Chapter 6 Sec. 6-13 and Chapter 8 Sec. 8-131 will require applicants applying for a reduction in the distance requirements for liquor licenses and video gaming terminal licenses to pay the associated court reporter fees, in addition to the hearing officer fees, for their hearing. The additional modification to Chapter 6 Sec. 6-13(d) will clarify how to measure the distance between a liquor licensed business and a church.
Applicants for a liquor license must be more than 500 feet from a residential property and 100 feet from a church, grade school, middle school, alternative school or high school, hospital, or home for indigent persons. Applicants for a video gaming license must be over 2,640 feet from another video gaming licensed establishment. Chapter 6 and Chapter 8 both contain a provision that allows applicants to request a reduction in those distance requirements. The applicant is allowed a hearing before an administrative hearing officer with a court reporter. Both chapters require applicants to pay the hearing officer’s fees, however, there is no provision for payment of the court reporter’s fees.
Hearings to reduce the distance requirement(s) allow businesses to present their argument as to why a reduction in the distance requirements would not detrimentally affect a residential area, a church, grade school, middle school, alternative school or high school, hospital or home for indigent persons or detrimentally impact the existing video gaming licensee or surrounding community within 2,640 feet. These hearings are an optional, voluntary choice available to applicants and, as such, applicants should be responsible for the costs associated with these hearings. There is no fee associated with submitting the hearing application to the city, and the city does not recoup application processing costs. It is appropriate for the applicants to be responsible for the payment of the associated court reporter fees for these voluntary hearings.
The impact of these amendments is that the city will be able to recoup additional costs associated with voluntary hearings elected by business owners.
• Approved was a motion authorizing and directing the chief officer of the city government of Aurora Human Resources Department to execute a settlement agreement on behalf of the City in Workers Compensation Claim #189138979-001.
• Approved was a motion authorizing and directing the chief officer of the city government of Aurora Human Resources Department to execute two settlement agreements on behalf of the City in Workers Compensation Claim #188632417 and #188920483.
• Approved was an Ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the welfare of animals, establishing fees and fines, and making other confirming changes to the Code.
City government of Aurora documents show Chapter 9 has been revised to reflect current state law and the needs of the current population of Aurora.
Chapter 9 has not been amended since 2000.
The City of Aurora has changed greatly over the past 22 years. The significant revisions include, but not limited to:
Section 9-2: Increases the maximum number of cats and dogs by 1 from 4 to 5, not to exceed 3 of any one species.
Section 9-4: Requires that all pet shop operators, dog dealers, kennels, animal welfare organizations, etc. comply with the City’s Business Registration Ordinance; and prohibits the sale of dogs or cats unless they are obtained from an animal control facility or animal shelter, in accordance with the new state law.
Section 9-11: Includes language on “Animals as a Public Nuisance,” requiring owners to exercise proper care and control of his or her animals to prevent them from becoming a nuisance; also makes it unlawful to allow an animal to make excessive noise which is defined as more than 15 consecutive minutes during the day, and more than 10 consecutive minutes overnight; includes complaint requirements that must be met for a violation of this Section to be prosecuted. (Changes reflect similar ordinances in neighboring communities.)
Section 9-13(b): Adds language on “potentially dangerous dogs” which are defined as a dog found running at large and unsupervised with three or more other dogs…must be microchipped within 14 days at the cost of the owner, designation lasts for 12 months. (This mirrors state law.)
Section 9-19: Provides more detail and clarity for providing humane care to animals including food, water, tethering, shelter, and veterinary care. (This language is from state law and other communities similar to Aurora.)
Section 9-20: Adds language for cruelty to animals that is prohibited. (The sections added mirrors state law.)
Section 9-26: Changes process for disposition of unclaimed animals so that when cats or dogs are apprehended and impounded, they must be scanned for microchip or other identification; examined; efforts made to contact the owner. If the dog or cat is not redeemed within five business days (formerly 4 days), animal control can determine placement. (Similar to language in state law.)
Section 9-31: Provides that violations of Chapter 9 may be prosecuted through the City’s administrative adjudication system in Chapter 3.
Updates fees and fines, creates a new chart as Exhibit B, and can be updated separately by resolution. (Revised fines and fees in line with other shelters in the area.)
The ordinance revision provides language in line with state law as well as similar communities. These ordinances will better address the current needs of the people and animals in Aurora.
The impact on the public will be up to date and clear ordinances related to animals. This allows for better understanding and expectations for the general public as well as provide better enforcement for animal control officers to ensure compliance. Collectively this allows for the City of Aurora to be community where animals are cared for and treated humanely. That is the type of community where people want to live.
• Approved was an Ordinance amending Sec. 2-80(b) of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to remote meeting attendance amending City Council rules pertaining to remote participation of members during times of illness or personal or family emergencies.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to adjust the City’s existing policy with respect to the remote participation of City Council members for meetings of the City Council and its committees.
In 2019, the City Council added Sec. 2-80(b) to the Code of Ordinances to allow members of the City Council to attend meetings by video or audio teleconference in two limited situations: during times of extended illnesses or to tend to a personal or family emergency reasonably expected to last longer than 14 days. The City Council’s action followed the Illinois General Assembly’s amendment of the Open Meetings Act, which, for the first time permitted public officials to attend public meetings by remote means. This was a significant, but limited, departure from the traditional rule requiring officials to be physically present during meetings. To that end, the City Council took a conservative approach in making this option available to its members and did not permit remote participation to the fullest extent allowed by the Open Meetings Act.
The COVID-19 Pandemic began several months after the City Council adopted these limited rules. During the Pandemic, public bodies like the City Council, gained the ability (first by executive order and later by statutory amendment) to conduct fully remote meetings during times of emergency when it was not practical or prudent to meet in person. Due to the Pandemic, the City Council did not meet in person for more than a year.
As the Pandemic subsided and fully remote meetings became unnecessary, members of the Council have been occasionally required to quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 or chosen to avoid physical participation in meetings due to more minor, but nevertheless contagious illnesses, in order to protect the health of their colleagues. While their participation under these circumstances has been authorized by a more relaxed interpretation of Sec. 2-80(b) in the exercise of the mayor’s powers during the Pandemic, the language of the Code should be revised to permanently authorize remote attendance in these reasonable circumstances. Similarly, the existing personal or family emergency exception was intended to be limited to significant and ongoing emergencies extending at least 14 days that would otherwise require a member of the Council to miss multiple consecutive meetings. The proposed revision further provides that a qualifying family or other emergency requires the ongoing and personal participation of the absent member of the Council.
At its April 19 meeting, the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee considered the proposed amendment and recommended its approval by the full City Council. The Committee also recommended a further amendment to reduce the number of days required to trigger the personal and family emergency exception from 14 to 8 in recognition of the number of committee or council meetings that typically occur within a 14-day period in which an alderman would have no opportunity to participate.
The proposed changes reflect the reality of post-Pandemic life while still adhering to the Council’s original intention that remote attendance not be used for “one-off” situations, but rather reserved to avoid unavoidable and prolonged absences by its elected officials.
Adoption of this Ordinance will expressly authorize remote attendance for members of the City Council and its committees in situations where the member has contracted or been exposed to a contagious disease and chooses or is required to quarantine.
• Approved was an Ordinance amending Chapter 44, Section 113 relating to the Food and Beverage Tax.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this amendment is to update the food and beverage tax ordinance to be consistent with state tax laws.
The State and City collect a food and beverage tax on foods and beverages that are prepared at food establishments for immediate consumption. The current ordinance mirrors state law and excludes baked goods which are packaged and sealed for off-site consumption but does not exclude fresh locally grown produce.
The City is host to a successful farmer’s market every year which attracts various vendors including an array of hot food vendors, bakeries, and fresh locally grown produce. Baked goods which are sealed, and fresh locally grown produce should both be excluded from the collection of a food and beverage tax as they are not prepared for on-site consumption.
This amendment will update the tax ordinance so that is clear that the food and beverage tax is not to be collected on fresh locally grown produce sold at a City sanctioned Farmer’s Market. It will encourage the continued growth and success of the City’s annual Farmer’s Market.
• Approved was an Ordinance establishing a Conditional Use Planned Development, approving the Liberty Meadows Plan Description and amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map to an underlying zoning of R-4A Two-Family Dwelling District and OS-1 Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District for the property at the southern end of Wolverine Drive.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner PT Land, LLC is requesting the Establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development, and to change the zoning district from ORI (C) Office, Research, and Light Industrial District with a Conditional Use to R-4A (C) Two-Family Dwelling District with a Conditional Use and OS-1 (C) Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District with a Conditional Use District on the property at the southern end of Wolverine Drive which includes a plan description to allow for the development of 91 townhome units and associated stormwater facility.
The property is vacant land with ORI (C) Office, Research, and Light Industrial District zoning.
The Petitioner is requesting the Establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development, and to change the zoning district from ORI (C) Office, Research, and Light Industrial District with a Conditional Use to R-4A (C) Two-Family Dwelling District and OS-1 (C) Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District with a Conditional Use Planned Development. The details of the request include a Plan Description that outlines specific requirements and allows modifications for the R-4A parcel, including setbacks, separations, density, and cul-de-sac length to allow for the development of 91 townhomes. The second parcel will have an underlying zoning of OS-1 for the stormwater detention facility. The developer will be responsible for reimbursing the city for work done to Wolverine Drive and to extend a sidewalk on the west side of Wolverine Drive to Liberty Street.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan and Plat Revision for Lot 2 of Liberty Street Business Park Subdivision and establishing Lots 1-21 of Liberty Meadows Subdivision for a row dwelling (party wall) use. Wolverine Drive will be extended from its current dead-end south and east onto the site and ends with a circular turnaround. A westbound left turn lane will be added on Liberty Street at Wolverine Drive. The details of the request include the development of 18 buildings with rear-loaded garages containing a total of 91 units on 15.66 acres. The units range in size from 1,760 square feet to 2,080 square feet and contain three bedrooms. The buildings are 2 ½ stories in height in the front and 3 stories in the rear. Each unit has a two-car garage and two-car driveway with visitor parking available on the street. The homes sit perpendicular to the extended Wolverine Drive with private drive aisles extending from the road to the rear loaded garages. A sidewalk will be added on both sides of the road within the development. To the north of the townhomes will be the stormwater detention for the site.
The Plat includes the creation of Lots 1-21 of Liberty Meadows Subdivision with associated easements.
City staff members have reviewed the rezoning and conditional use planned development 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.
The property abuts a warehouse to the north, open space/detention to the east, townhomes and sport fields to the west and a mixture of townhomes and vehicle repair, minor to the south. The Elevations will be approved at Final Plan but are provided for draft review to present the varied materials and elements being proposed to present an appealing façade.
City staff members made the following comments regarding the Findings of Facts:
Conditional use:
The project will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare as the proposed use is similar to the majority of the surrounding uses and it will improve a parcel that has sat vacant and neglected for decades.
The conditional use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity or diminish or impair property values as the use is similar surrounding uses. The project is also mindful of not impacting the conservation easement.
The development will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties as it is a similar use, there is adequate parking, and the traffic study shows it will not impact traffic.
The proposal will provide adequate utilities, drainage, etc. as the proposed development will integrate well into the existing infrastructure, filling in the remaining holes.
The project does provide adequate ingress/egress. The proposed development will utilize the existing Wolverine Drive dead-end. The street will allow Liberty Meadows to access Liberty Street, a major collector. The design will continue the trend of not burdening existing residential neighborhoods with pass-through traffic.
A westbound left turn lane is provided on Liberty Street to prevent any westbound back-up on the major collector. The Traffic Study provided stated that the roads and intersections will operate at acceptable levels of service.
The conditional use in all other respects conforms to the applicable regulations of the R-4A zoning district.
Rezoning:
City staff members have noted below the physical development policies that the proposal meets.
The proposal does represent the logical establishment of the requested classification in considering the existing area as the existing area has similar townhome uses and continues a trend of growing residential neighborhoods.
The proposal is consistent with a desirable trend of development in the area as it provides additional housing options in the area, it provides new development near existing residential, and encourages quality design.
The rezoning will allow for more suitable uses as it is similar to the majority of the surrounding uses.
The rezoning is consistent with the existing area as it brings additional residential housing options.
Policies and guidelines:
The City staff members evaluation and recommendation are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
12.1(9) To guide development and redevelopment into energy efficient land use patterns;
11.1(3) To encourage new development contiguous to existing development;
21.1(2) To promote a wide variety of housing type; and
23.1(3) To encourage quality design and practicable innovations in both housing structures and site development.
• Approved was a Resolution allowing a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Lot 2 of Liberty Street Business Park Subdivision, at the southern end of Wolverine Drive, and establishing Lots 1-21 of Liberty Meadows Subdivision.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner PT Land, LLC is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan and Plat Revision for Lot 2 of Liberty Street Business Park Subdivision, at the southern end of Wolverine Drive, and establishing Lots 1-21 of Liberty Meadows Subdivision for a Row Dwelling (Party Wall) (1130) Use which includes the development of 91 townhome units and associated stormwater facility.
The property is vacant land with ORI (C) Office, Research, and Light Industrial District zoning.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan and Plat Revision for Lot 2 of Liberty Street Business Park Subdivision and establishing Lots 1-21 of Liberty Meadows Subdivision for a Row Dwelling (Party Wall) (1130) Use. The details of the request include developing 91 townhomes and associated detention. Wolverine Drive will be extended from its current dead-end south and east onto the site and ends with a circular turnaround. A westbound left turn lane will be added on Liberty Street at Wolverine Drive. The details of the request include the development of 18 buildings with rear-loaded garages containing a total of 91 units on 15.66 acres. The units range in size from 1,760 square feet to 2,080 square feet and contain three bedrooms. The buildings are 2 ½ stories in height in the front and 3 stories in the rear. Each unit has a two-car garage and two-car driveway with visitor parking available on the street. The homes sit perpendicular to the extended Wolverine Drive with private drive aisles extending from the road to the rear loaded garages. A sidewalk will be added on both sides of the road within the development. To the north of the townhomes will be the stormwater detention for the site. The plans includes connecting their watermain along the west property line to offsite watermain within a city easement on Legacy Fields.
The Plat includes the creation of Lots 1-21 of Liberty Meadows Subdivision with associated easements.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting the Establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development, and to change the zoning district from ORI (C) Office, Research, and Light Industrial District with a Conditional Use to R-4A (C) Two-Family Dwelling District and OS-1 (C) Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District with a Conditional Use Planned Development. The details of the request include a Plan Description that outlines specific requirements and allows modifications for the R-4A parcel, including setbacks, separations, density, and cul-de-sac length to allow for the development of 91 townhomes. The second parcel will have an underlying zoning of OS-1 for the stormwater detention facility. The developer will be responsible for reimbursing the city for work done to Wolverine Drive and to extend a sidewalk on the west side of Wolverine Drive to Liberty Street.
City staff members have reviewed the Preliminary Plan and Plat Resolution 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, with the exception of the items reflected in the conditions listed in the City staff members recommendation below.
Policies and guidelines:
The City staff members evaluation and recommendations are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
12.1(9) To guide development and redevelopment into energy efficient land use patterns;
11.1(3) To encourage new development contiguous to existing development;
21.1(2) To promote a wide variety of housing type; and
23.1(3) To encourage quality design and practicable innovations in both housing structures and site development.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended conditional approval of the Resolution approving a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Lot 2 of Liberty Street Business Park Subdivision, at the southern end of Wolverine Drive, and establishing Lots 1-21 of Liberty Meadows Subdivision, with the following conditions:
That the documents be revised to incorporate the Engineering staff members comments prior to petitioning for Final Plan and Plat approval.
That any encroachment into the City Drainage & Conservation Easement must be coordinated with the City Certified Wetland Review Specialist and possibly the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine any potential buffer requirements and easement limits.
That the Final Plan include Liberty Street being restriped for left turn lane and median per the requirement of the Engineering Division.