By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council honored volunteers of Aurora’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the Aurora City Council meeting as part of September’s National Preparedness Month.
The event each September was created to raise awareness of the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.
The city of Aurora EMA develops the comprehensive and integrated framework to coordinate actions and available resources to effectively and efficiently support the management of emergencies, disasters, or crises and aids in whole community resilience to reduce life, property, and environmental vulnerabilities.
• Three individuals used their voices for up to three minutes each. Their comments to the Aurora City Council can be seen at the 38 minute mark on the city government of Aurora’s Facebook page video here.
The City Council approved the following agenda items:
• Approved was a Resolution appointing Anu Krishnamurthy, Srivani Vokkarane, Ghousiak Wajid, and Nitin Fuldeore, to the Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board.
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 represents four new candidates. Anu Krishnamurthy is a resident of the 10th Ward who is a freelance artist and art teacher. Srivani Vokkarane is a resident of the 10th Ward and is an application development manager for CVS Health Company. Ghousiak Wajid is a resident of the 8th Ward and is a senior project management consultant for BMO Financial Group. Nitin Fildeore is known in the Aurora community for his efforts to promote and preserve Indian Heritage.
• Approved was a Resolution re-appointing Dr. Timothy Brown and Lily Rocha to the Civilian Review Board.
City government of Aurora documents show Dr. Timothy Brown is a resident of the 8th Ward and Lily Rocha is a 6th Ward resident. Both have been with the Board since its inception in March 2021.
• Approved was a Resolution appointing Alicia Mathew to the Aurora Youth Council.
City government of Aurora documents show Alicia Mathew is a student at Metea Valley High School and a resident of the 10th Ward.
• Approved was a Resolution appointing Spiro Koliopoulos to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission (GAR).
City government of Aurora documents show Spiro Koliopoulos is a non-resident of Aurora, and a member of the Aurora Historical Society.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing support and permission for inclusion of the Aurora West Access Site in the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail.
City government of Aurora documents show several stakeholders, along the Fox River in Wisconsin (WI) and Illinois (IL), are partners with the National Park Service (NPS), and are working to develop the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail, a water trail on the more than 200-mile Fox River.
The WI-IL Fox River Water Trail Core Development Team (CDT) has been working since 2015 to establish a water trail encompassing both states to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, while encouraging education, maintenance, planning, protection, and sustainable stewardship of the Fox River system. Key CDT members include: National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Kane County, IL, Visit McHenry County, IL, Real Racine, WI, Village of Waterford, WI, Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, Rock River Trail Initiative, and Southeast Fox River Partnership.
Studies have shown the health, recreation and economic development benefits water trails bring to communities and residents. So much so, that the National Park Service (NPS) created the National Water Trails System, a distinctive national network of exemplary water trails that are cooperatively supported and sustained with the goal to increase non-motorized recreation on water bodies in the United States.
Since 2015 the CDT has secured three years of technical assistance from the National Park Service and a surface water resources grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to establish a logo, conduct an access site inventory, produce a brochure, and create a web portal tool of the entire Fox River Network among both states of Wisconsin and Illinois; attracted the assistance of dozens of volunteers to visit and collect data on 80 access sites; received dozens of letters of support and/or resolutions from local governments, organizations, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and elected officials; and many requests for information and presentations.
The products are evident on the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail website and the brochure on file for review, 40,000 copies of which have been distributed to more than 380 hotels, attractions, and transportation hubs in the Milwaukee and Chicago regions. The website provides maps, safety information, and itineraries for anyone interested in planning an adventure on the Fox River! Links to cultural, historical and food-related opportunities are included.
Kane County anticipates submitting an application to the NPS by November 1.
In order to do so it must meet the criteria set forth by the NPS, which are: Obtaining a letter of approval from the landowners of each of the 80 access sites identified on the maps and website as being part of the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail and identify a plan for installing signage at the Aurora’s access site.
Staff members have reviewed the letter of support, researched the initiative, and have determined that it meets the applicable long-range plans. Providing support and permission for the Aurora West access site to be included in the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail (FF!WT), with the ultimate goal of designation in the National Park Service’s National Water Trail System, will increase public access, further stimulate and support the local economy, help protect and restore the waters, shorelines, and natural areas along these waterways. Moreover, it will not have any impact with Public Works other than potentially installing a few signs in the future.
• Approved 10-1 with alderman-at-large Sherman Jenkins voting against was a Resolution authorizing the execution of a sales tax revenue sharing agreement with Napleton Aurora Imports, Inc. for a new Genesis car dealership at 4170 Ogden Avenue.
City government of Aurora documents show Napleton, and City staff members acknowledge that Napleton requires economic assistance from the City in order to complete the Project, given the Total Investment Cost, and that the Project would not be economically feasible without economic assistance from the City.
Napleton has purchased the real estate necessary to construct a new automobile dealership at 4170 Ogden Avenue, Aurora, and intends on constructing and then operating a full-service Genesis luxury automobile dealership at that location. The project is estimated to be approximately $7,950,000. Currently the Genesis dealership is housed in conjunction with Napleton’s Hyundai dealership at 4333 Ogden Road.
The parties anticipate that the project will enhance the City’s real estate and sales tax bases, and create additional employment opportunities in the City, by creating additional automobile sales, which will require the need for additional employees. The agreement proposes to rebate to Napleton up to $5,200,000 over a 15-year period, in Napleton sales taxes, (as defined in Section 3.0(A)(4), generated by the Dealership (the “Maximum Reimbursement Amount”), subject to the other terms and conditions of this agreement.
The agreement specifies that annual sales tax revenues generated by the new dealership would split on a 50%/50% basis.
The City deems it to be of significant importance to encourage development and redevelopment within the City, so as to maintain a viable real estate tax and sales tax base and employment opportunities.
• Approved 10-1 with alderman-at-large Sherman Jenkins voting against was a Resolution to execute a sales tax revenue sharing agreement with Napleton Aurora Imports, Inc. to update their Hyundai dealership.
City government of Aurora documents show Napleton seeks economic assistance from the City in order to complete a significant renovation of their current Hyundai dealership, given the total investment cost, and that the project would not be economically feasible without economic assistance from the City. Hyundai is requiring all of their dealers to participate in a re-branding effort necessitating the renovations to the dealership. In addition, Napleton plans to expand service capabilities at the dealership as part of the renovation.
In 2013, Napleton purchased the real estate, franchise, furniture, fixtures, and equipment relative to the automobile dealership at 4333 Ogden Avenue in Aurora for in excess of $12 million and is operating a full-service Hyundai automobile dealership at that location. The location also includes a Genesis dealership.
By moving the existing Genesis sales out of the current location to a new location across the street, Napleton Aurora Imports, Inc. intends to improve the existing dealership. The cost of the renovation is estimated to be $6.5 million bringing their total investment in the current property to $18.5 million.
The parties anticipate that the project will enhance the City’s real estate and sales tax bases, and create additional employment opportunities in the City, by creating additional automobile sales, which will require the need for additional employees. The agreement proposes to rebate to Napleton up to $5,000,000 over a 15 year period, in Napleton Sales Taxes, (as defined in Section 3.0(A)(4), generated by the Dealership (the “Maximum Reimbursement Amount”), subject to the other terms and conditions of this agreement.
Highlights of the agreement: The City would retain the first $500,000 of sales taxes generated by the Hyundai dealership annually; sales tax revenue above the $500,000 base will be divided based on a 65% (Hyundai)/35% (City) basis up to the $5 million cap or the expiration of the 15-year term; the dealership must remain in business for 15 years or a portion of the sales tax reimbursements must be returned to the City.
The City government deems it to be of significant importance to encourage development and redevelopment within the City, so as to maintain a viable real estate tax and sales tax base and employment opportunities.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the execution of an encroachment and maintenance agreement with DAC 100 Broadway, LLC related to the DAC Conditional Use Planned Development
The purpose is to obtain City Council approval for the encroachment and maintenance agreement which will set forth the rights and respective obligations with DAC 100 Broadway, LLC for the use of a portion of the City Property which abuts the proposed building.
City government of Aurora documents show in May of this year, DAC Developments received Final Plan approval for the construction of a new 5-story 246-unit residential apartment building on the east side of the Fox River. To maximize their development, the proposed building is at the property line. Therefore, the developer is seeking an easement to use the adjacent city property along the Fox River as some of the developer’s improvement encroaches onto the city property.
The execution of this agreement allows for the City to grant and convey a non-exclusive perpetual easement to DAC and acknowledges the terms of DAC’s right to access and use a portion of the City Property for the construction, installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, inspection, removal and use of the developer improvements being; (1) exterior balconies constructed as part of the Developer Building that face west and extend over City Property, (2) doorways, sidewalks, steps, and stoops, some of which are points of ingress and egress to the Developer Building from the City Property, (3) underground private sanitary and storm sewer lines, and (4) landscaping to be installed in accordance with the approved landscaping plan.
This agreement will help facilitate this development and it is anticipated to increase the City’s overall tax base and viability by facilitating investment and development right outside the downtown.
• Approved was a Resolution establishing OAP and Value HSA(HDHP) health insurance plans and rates effective January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
The purpose is to affirm the 2023 OAP and Value HSA(HDHP) schedule of benefits and establish the 2023 insurance premium rates of the City’s OAP and Value HSA(HDHP) medical insurance.
City government of Aurora documents show there are two self-funded plans for active employees through CIGNA. CIGNA’s offerings include a traditional plan and a high deductible health plan.
The 2022 OAP premium rates were increased 7.5% from the previous year.
The City government evaluated Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and CIGNA in the Spring and Summer of 2022 for the 2023 plan year. The City government evaluated Aetna and United Healthcare in 2021 and both companies were not a fit for the City government’s benefit programs, thus they were not included in the 2023 process.
The City government recommends renewing the OAP and HDHP with CIGNA for 2023 with a no rate increase for the HDHP and a 2.5% rate increase for the OAP for 2023, as the OAP has continued to see a rise in claim cost. The City has maintained a fiscally responsible position regarding the benefits budget.
The City government recommends approving the rates for the OAP and Value HSA health plan for 2023.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the execution of a license agreement with Lazaro Rs Corp., Inc., for the use of 40 Fox Valley Trail for a staircase, grease line, grease trap, awnings, and sidewalk to support improvements at 36 East New York Street.
The Petitioner, Lazaro Rs Corp., Inc., an Illinois corporation, is requesting to enter into a License Agreement which would allow the petitioner to construct and maintain future planned improvements on and over the City’s property.
City government of Aurora documents show Claudia Urrutia and Jesus Sanchez are the owners of LaQuinta de los Reyes, a long-established restaurant in Aurora’s downtown. The owners are proposing to make a significant capital investment in their building including: A new retractable/partially enclosed patio, new awnings, a new exterior staircase along the northern façade of the building over City government owned property, leading from the second floor to ground level. A new grease line and grease trap system; and a new sidewalk from the proposed staircase to the existing sidewalk on Broadway Avenue.
The staircase leading to the second floor is required per City Code. It is worth noting that the proposed design of the staircase was supported by the DRC at their August 17, 2022 meeting.
The building immediately abuts the city owned property that is zoned and used as open space. Because there is no land available on their property, the petitioner needs to enter a license to use the City’s property for the construction of the staircase.
The property consists of a grassed area, a sidewalk connecting the patio with the city parking lot, and a bike trail connection. In the opinion of City government staff members, the area where the stairway, awnings, and sidewalk will be added and not in the way of any future development. The new grease line will also be stubbed in the end cap building addressed 20 N Broadway to facilitate the development of future restaurant uses.
The license agreement will be in force from the effective date of this agreement for a period of 20 years. The Petitioner will construct and maintain future planned improvements that will benefit their restaurant building at 36 E. New York Street.
City government staff members anticipate this project will increase the City’s overall tax base by facilitating investment and development.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 2 design engineering agreement with Stanley Consultants, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $392,257.00, and the appropriation of $400,000.00 of REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds for the Indian Trail Signal – Edgelawn to Highland Project.
This is a Resolution to approve the above referenced Engineering Services agreement and to appropriate REBUILD Illinois Bond funds by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resolution.
City government of Aurora documents show the City applied for federal funding in the March 2020 Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) Call for Projects and secured funding for 11 different projects. This project was selected to be in KKCOM’s 5-year program.
The project will include modernizing the five traffic signals on Indian Trail from Edgelawn Drive to Highland Avenue. The corridor will also be resurfaced with intersection radii improvements as needed and ADA ramp replacement. The funding ratio for these projects is 75/25 (75% federal / 25% local) for Construction and Construction Engineering, up to a maximum amount of $2,500,000. Resurfacing projects like this help reduce the burden of funding the City’s yearly resurfacing program with local and MFT funding sources. Much of the traffic signal equipment is old and outdated, and this project will replace all that equipment in the corridor using federal funds.
The Phase 1 study has been in process since mid-2021 and should be completed this fall. Additional information on the study and project scope can be found at the following website: https://www.aurora-il.org/2365/Indian-Trail-from-Edgelawn-Dr-to-Highlan;. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024 subject to design engineering and land acquisition. The City will continue to apply for additional federal funds above the $2.5M from KKCOM.
The City published a qualifications based selection (QBS) for the Phase 1 engineering services on April 1, 2021, with the option to utilize the same firm for Phase 2 engineering. Fifteen firms submitted their qualifications and experiences. Staff members have reviewed the qualifications and determined that Stanley Consultants, Inc. of Chicago was the most qualified with the top 3 firm’s scores. Stanley Consultants have been outstanding in all aspects of the Phase 1 study and City officials are recommending that they move forward with the Phase 2 design.
This followed the request for qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy. The funding source, REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds, is not subject to the local preference policy.
The REBUILD Illinois Bond Fund is a grant program using proceeds from general obligation (transportation, series A) bonds authorized in the REBUILD Illinois capital program to provide local agencies with the funds for transportation improvement projects. The City government is estimated to receive $13,042,322.82 in total over a 3-year period, and 5 of the 6 payments have been received to date. The funds can only be used on bridge and major highway projects that provide an average useful life of greater than or equal to 13 years.
The total cost of the local public agency engineering services agreement is an amount not to exceed $392,257.00. The engineering agreement includes all tasks to design the project for IDOT’s letting, and also includes land acquisition.
IDOT requires a resolution to appropriate the REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. The Resolution for Improvement – BLR 09110 appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds is in the amount of $400,000.00. This amount includes a small contingency for other expenses that may be incurred and for the City to purchase title commitments using REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds (outside of the Stanley engineering agreement).
The 2022 City government budget provides $468,000 for this item in Account 202-4020-418.76-39 (GC083, Indian Trail Signal – Edgelawn to Highland). A portion of this 2022 amount is being used for Phase 1 engineering and a portion will be used to start the Phase 2 engineering. As this is a multi-year project, any additional funds will be budgeted in 2023 and beyond to complete the project.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the execution of a joint funding agreement with the State of Illinois, the execution of a Phase 1 preliminary engineering agreement with Alfred Benesch & Company in the not to exceed amount of $570,513.00, and the appropriation of $600,000.00 of REBUILD Illinois Bond funds for the New York Street bridge project.
The purpose is to execute the joint funding agreement PE/ROW for State-led construction projects, there by reserving sufficient funds to cover the local agency share of the project cost by resolution, to approve the Phase 1 local public agency engineering services agreement with Alfred Benesch & Company (Benesch) and to appropriate REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) resolution.
City government of Aurora documents show the existing New York Street bridge over the Fox River is a historic nine span open spandrel concrete arch bridge with two approach spans. The bridge was originally constructed circa 1931 and rehabilitated in the early 1990s. The bridge is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, with a Sufficiency Rating of 47.5. The Sufficiency Rating and current Superstructure rating (4) are low enough where the project is eligible for STP-Bridge (STP-Br) federal funds. This federal funding source has been used numerous times by the City and all engineering phases of the project and construction are eligible for federal funding at an 80/20 split (80% Federal, 20% Local).
The Phase 1 study of this project will include preliminary engineering services associated with development of a preferred alternative for bridge rehabilitation and/or replacement. The project study area will include the bridge and approach roadway from the River Street to Broadway Street (intersections excluded).
The City published a qualification-based selection (QBS) for Phase 1 and 2 engineering services on May 10, 2022. Seven firms submitted their qualifications and experiences. Staff members have reviewed the qualifications submitted and determined that Alfred Benesch & Company (Benesch), 35 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 3300, Chicago was the most qualified with the top 3 firm’s scores. Benesch has previous work experiences with the City that includes designing multiple bridges on Farnsworth Avenue and is also responsible for inspecting all 33 City bridges.
The agreement being presented is only for Phase 1 Engineering. The QBS included a provision that the City can utilize the same firm for the Phase 2 design engineering as phase 1 engineering. Provided Benesch’s work is satisfactory, a separate resolution for the phase 2 engineering will be prepared at a later time for Council’s approval.
The Phase 1 preliminary engineering agreement from Alfred Benesch & Company in the amount of $570,513.00 will provide Phase 1 preliminary engineering services. Phase 1 Engineering is expected to take 18-24 months. The long-term schedule is expecting a construction letting near the end of 2025 with construction primarily starting in 2026.
This followed the request for qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy. The funding source, federal and REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds, are not subject to the local preference policy.
The City has secured Federal Highway Authority funds to cover 80% of the engineering costs. The joint funding agreement PE/ROW for State-led construction projects will need to be executed to utilize those funds. The City will front fund engineering costs and will be reimbursed 80% of the costs. The City’s final share of the Phase 1 Engineering costs is anticipated to be under $120,000 (currently $114,102.60 based on the not to exceed of this agreement).
Due to the extensive agreement processing time by IDOT, staff members have opted to go for a Section 1440 processing to start the project as soon as possible. A traditional agreement approval process by IDOT takes 6 months to over a year to get the notice to proceed to kick start Phase 1 or 2 engineering services. Section 1440 allows the local agency to get started with preliminary engineering services prior to Federal/State authorization of the Phase 1 engineering funds. However, the City needs to wait to ask for reimbursement until the agreements are reviewed & executed by IDOT. Two drafts are under review by IDOT. Since the city of Aurora government has opted for Section 1440 processing, these exhibits will need to be executed by the City to start the Phase 1 engineering services. If the forms are amended by IDOT or CBLRS (Central Office), the mayor and City clerk will execute the most current forms.
IDOT requires a Resolution to appropriate the REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. The Resolution for Improvement – BLR 09110 appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds is in the amount of $600,000.00. The resolution amount is higher than the anticipated City’s share in order to cover front funding the Preliminary Engineering cost. This amount also includes a contingency for other expenses that may be incurred.
The project was budgeted to use Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds in 2022 and a budget amendment will be required switching the funding source on this project from MFT to the REBUILD Illinois Bond Fund in 2022. The City has had a number of projects slated to use the bond fund come in under budget and/or receive additional other funding sources. Therefore, City officials need to find additional projects to use this money. The REBUILD Illinois Bond Fund is a grant program using proceeds from general obligation (transportation, series A) bonds authorized in the REBUILD Illinois capital program to provide Local Agencies with the funds for transportation improvement projects. The City is estimated to receive $13,042,322.82 in total over a 3-year period, and 5 of the 6 payments have been received to date. The funds can only be used on bridge and major highway projects that provide an average useful life of greater than or equal to 13 years.
A 2022 budget amendment will need to be processed to utilize this new funding source to provide $300,000.00 in account 202-4460-431.76-53 (G021, New York Street Bridge). As this is a multi-year project, any additional funds will be budgeted in 2023 and beyond to complete the project.
• Approved was a Resolution to authorize the renovation of existing office space at the Aurora Police Department in the Special Operations Group (SOG) for an amount not to exceed $104,395.09 including contingencies, and for the purchase and installation of the equipment necessary to accommodate the Critical Incident Intelligence Center.
The Aurora Police Department’s Special Operations Group is housed within the Aurora Police Department headquarters building that opened in 2010. It was determined that the SOG briefing room needed to be modernized and expanded to allow the approximately 30 full-time employees who work out of it to more effectively collaborate when conducting high-risk briefings. Specifically, there is a need for more tables and seating, along with the addition of smart technologies for the SOG offices to meet these needs.
City government of Aurora documents show the Aurora Police Department’s Special Operations Group (SOG) is responsible for gang, narcotics, and vice enforcement. SOG also oversees APD officers assigned to various state and local task forces. The SOG Unit regularly executes search warrants and other high-risk operations that require thorough briefing and coordination with state and federal partners ahead of time. The police department has found that the existing space, which consisted of a conference table, six chairs and one outdated 50-inch television monitor does not provide the means to conduct these briefings properly and efficiently. This has resulted in personnel having to stand around the crowded room and adjacent hallway with little ability to view the information that is being briefed on the monitor. This improvement will provide greater safety to the community and the officers.
The operations that the Special Operations Group conducts often are high-risk for both officers and the public. The preparation and briefings for those operations are imperative to the Police Department and the City as a whole.
By adding tables and chairs the personnel who work at APD, along with law enforcement personnel from state and federal partners will have the space to sit and to collaborate with each other more effectively.
The addition of large television monitors will allow those personnel to see all the details of the operation and have direct interconnection with the department’s Critical Incident Intelligence Center (CIIC). Additionally, by connecting to the Cinemassive system they will have access to split up what is being displayed on the monitors, allowing each monitor to display multiple sources. Those sources would include the briefing plans, booking photos, maps, city cameras, open-source internet sources, news feeds, police calls for service, officer body cameras, and countless other forms of media at one time. Each of those items can be re-sized and re-positioned by a simple point and click as a situation or briefing is developing and changing.
The project would involve the following components:
1) Network cable pulling: Cabling will be run from an adjacent data closet to connect to the main Cinemassive system and to provide additional network options within the briefing room. This will involve pulling of the cabling. To be completed by CTS (Cipher Technology Solutions), who has experience running cable within the Police building. Note that the cabling itself will be provided by Constant Technologies (see component #3), who will also handle the terminations.
CTS provided a quote in the amount $1,051.12 which includes labor/pulling of the cabling. City officials are requesting to include a 40% contingency buffer.
IT has worked extensively with CTS in the past (i.e., DSC, APD, City Hall, FS7, etc.) and has been very satisfied with past services rendered. For background, CTS has completed over 90% of the low voltage cabling throughout the City with the best price. Additionally, CTS completed the cabling for the initial Cinemassive System that was installed at APD.
2) Furniture. Based on the new design and to ensure the optimal use of the space, additional tables and seating will be required. This includes eight tables and 16 chairs to function with the tables, and eight floor mounted chairs to provide additional seating during larger briefings. These will be in addition to an existing conference table and six chairs, that will be re-purposed for the room, giving us a total seating capacity of 30 people.
Group Management was selected as the vendor. Group Management has done business with the City in the past and they are a GSA (General Services Administration) vendor.
Group Management provided a GSA based price quote in the amount of $29,718, which includes the furniture, delivery, and installation.
3) Cinemassive Video Wall integration and cabling. To collaborate in the sharing of information within the department and to standardize technologies, the SOG Briefing Room will be connected through network cabling to the Cinemassive Video Wall system that was installed in APD’s Critical Incident Intelligence Center in 2021. Additionally, the Briefing Room will be able to connect to the Cinemassive Video Wall system that was approved this year for the 911 Center Remodel.
APD has used Constant Technologies as the vendor who installed the proprietary Cinemassive system in the Critical Incident Intelligence Center in 2021 and they have been contracted to handle the 911 Center Remodel.
Constant Technologies was chosen as a single source as the SOG Briefing Room will be connected to the Cinemassive Video Wall system in the Critical Incident Intelligence Center, which was purchased from and installed by Constant Technologies. Additionally, there is an existing five-year service agreement (which has four years remaining) for the Critical Incident Intelligence Center which will also cover yearly maintenance and repair of the components and materials purchased for the SOG Briefing Room at no additional cost.
Constant Technologies provided a quote of $61,757.28.
4) Television monitors. To view various video sources including feeds from the Critical Incident Intelligence Center and to display presentations, television monitors will be needed. This will consist of two (2) LG 65” Nanocell 75 Series 4K monitors and two (2) LG 86” Nanocell 75 Series 4k monitors.
Amazon was chosen as the vendor based on an informal bid.
The total cost quoted by Amazon including delivery is $5,083.86.
The money for this project is being drawn from the Department of Treasury Assets Forfeiture Account. They are authorized purchases as outlined in the July 2018 Guide to Equitable Sharing for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies.
This will allow the Aurora Police Department Special Operations Group to more effectively brief and coordinate high-risk search warrant and under-cover narcotics operations. It will allow for greater coordination with state and federal partners. This technology will enhance police work efficiency, increase officer safety, and will make the city safer for all citizens.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing agreement for administrative services with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Cigna) for PPO and Value HSA(HDHP) Group Health, prescription benefits management (PBM), flexible spending, dental, vision, C.O.B.R.A. and stop loss plan administration for period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
The purpose is to authorize an agreement for third-party administrative services (TPA) with Cigna for the City’s PPO and Value HSA(HDHP) health insurance plan, dental insurance, vision coverage, prescription benefits management (PBM), flexible spending, C.O.B.R.A. and stop loss insurance coverage.
City government of Aurora documents show Cigna has been the City’s third-party administrator for the City’s PPO, Value HSA(HDHP), dental, vision, PBM, flexible spending, One Guide, C.O.B.R.A. and stop loss coverage for participating employees, retirees, and their dependents since January 2016. The PEPM (per employee per month) fee for 2022 was $42.14.
CIGNA’s administration fee for medical/dental/vision is increasing $.83 per employee per month or 1.9%. Claims year to date have been running under projections for the pre-65 retirees. The active OAP population claims are running slightly below medical inflation of 7.5%. However, the Value HSA claims are trending higher than projections for the first time in several years. Additionally, Individual Stop Loss insurance renewal is increasing $14.98 Per Employee Per Month or 16.99%.
Rx net cost (with Rebates) are improving approximately $80,000 and the wellness fund is remaining at $40,000.
Human Resources is seeking approval to enter into a one-year agreement with Cigna.
• Approved was a Resolution establishing C.O.B.R.A. insurance monthly rates effective January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
The purpose is to establish the 2023 C.O.B.R.A. rates for the city of Aurora government’s OAP Access and Value HSA(HDHP) comprehensive medical plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Advantage HMO and dental plan. The City is obligated by law to offer C.O.B.R.A. to employees and their covered dependents when they separate from employment for up to 18 months at 102% for the current premium rate.
City government of Aurora documents show each year the C.O.B.R.A. rates are adjusted to reflect an additional 2% administrative fee to the current health and dental premiums.
• Approved was a Resolution establishing Blue Cross Blue Shield Advantage HMO (BCBS) for Group Health Care Services for the period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
The purpose is to establish the 2023 rates for BCBS Blue Advantage HMO medical insurance.
City government of Aurora documents show the City of Aurora provides a fully insured HMO for active employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
The HMO offerings have remained stable since January 1, 2016.
The City government evaluated Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and CIGNA in the Spring and Summer of 2022 for the 2023 plan year. The government evaluated Aetna and United Healthcare in 2021 and both companies were not a fit for the government’s benefit programs, thus they were not included in the 2023 process. CIGNA’s HMO product continues to grow in Illinois with pricing favorable versus BCBSIL. The Human Resources team is intrigued by CIGNA’s HMO network and pricing; however, Assured Partners was able to negotiate on behalf of the City to achieve the following results: BCBSIL initial HMO renewal increase was 16.2%. Final renewal is 7% rate increase resulting. The City government recommends renewing the HMO with BCBSIL.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing Sun Life Insurance to provide life insurance services for January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
The purpose is to obtain authorization to continue an agreement between Sun Life Insurance and the City of Aurora.
City government of Aurora documents show this is a three-year agreement and will save the City $60,000 having moved from the former vendor. Sun Life has also provided $64,000 in additional benefit administration credits. Sun Life provides additional plans for accident and critical illness that employees can purchase for additional coverage. The 2022 Basic/AD&D life rate is .05/.02.
The Basic /AD&D life rate is increasing to .076/.02 based on experience. The original renewal rate was proposed at .086/.02. Over the past two years, Sun Life has paid out over $1.2 million in base life/voluntary life claims which provides a combined loss ratio of 142%. The rate was reduced with the contingency on adding a hospital indemnity plan for 1/1/2023. This is a voluntary product and is no cost to the city.)
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Humana to administer a Medicare Advantage Plan for Medicare eligible retirees for the Period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
The purpose is to authorize an agreement with Humana to administer a Medicare Advantage Plan for Medicare eligible retirees.
City government of Aurora documents show January 1, 2022 the City government moved the post-65 Medicare retirees from the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan over to Humana’s Medicare Advantage Plan. Under the Humana Medicare Advantage Plan the City government saved 43.3%, or approximately $835,730. The following is the rate history since 2019: 2020: $343.35 per retiree per month; 2021: $314.84 per retiree per month; 2022: $178.55 per retiree per month.
Humana offered the City a two-year contract with the 2023 rate guarantee at $199.98 per retiree per month which is 36.5% below the 2021 rates.
Humana Plan Highlights: Silver Sneakers – Fitness Program included (Enhancement over Aetna); Home Delivery Meal Program – 14 days after in-patient stay; Go 365 Wellness Program included; post-discharge personal home care.
The City government recommends accepting the Humana renewal for the post-65 retiree health plan on January 1, 2023 per the original two-year strategy presented in 2021.
• Approved was a Resolution to accept the bid from Enterprise Leasing of Chicago, 1050 N. Lombard Road in Lombard for a three-year vehicle rental agreement for the Aurora Police Department.
The purpose is to secure the service of Enterprise Leasing of Chicago to provide rental vehicles to the Aurora Police Department. These vehicles would be essential for use in undercover investigations and not having them would prevent effective gang and drug related operations.
City government of Aurora documents show the Aurora Police Department has the responsibility to respond to a number of criminal offenses; some of which include Gang Activity, Illegal Narcotics Sales, Prostitution and Burglaries, to name a few. One proactive measure is to conduct operations utilizing undercover and unmarked vehicles in an attempted to catch criminals engaged in these types of criminal activities. Using rental vehicles in this capacity gives the Aurora Police Department Personnel the advantage of operating within the location of potential, crime ridden neighborhoods without being easily detected. Historically the Aurora Police Department has used rental vehicles for these reasons.
The current contract, also with Enterprise Leasing of Chicago, was a three-year extension of an agreed contract signed in July of 2019 and is set to expire at the end of July 2022.
In 2022, the City published an Invitation to Bid, wherein City officials received a singular bid from Enterprise Leasing of Chicago. The local preference ordinance did apply, however no area vendors responded.
The use of undercover / unmarked police vehicles is an essential part of policing crime ridden locations and neighborhoods within the City of Aurora.
The funds for these rental vehicles are drawn out of account 217-3536-421.39-03 (Asset Forfeitures – Rental/Leases) where the 2022 budget was approved at $32,000 and has enough funds to cover the expense required to pay for rental cars. Costs associated with these rentals will increase in 2023, and it is anticipated that these costs will increase however, there are sufficient funds in the State Asset Forfeiture account to accommodate these increasing costs, and a budget adjustment will be sought to properly account for same.
The impact of having these rental vehicles is a more effective and efficient ability to police the City of Aurora and help prevent criminal activity through undercover operations and investigations. At this time there are no increased costs to the Aurora Police Department or the City, with the exception of fuel as the contract would cover maintenance costs of the vehicles.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC, 217 W. John Street, Plano, in the amount of $473,775.00 for the 2 S. Broadway Vault Infill project.
The purpose is to enter into an agreement with Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC to infill the vaults under the sidewalk at 2 S. Broadway.
City government of Aurora documents show the City maintains an annual vault filling program (Capital Project A007) which is intended to address individual vaults within the public right of way underneath sidewalks in the downtown area. Each year’s vault project is typically selected based on safety concerns identified by the City or residents related to either aging infrastructure (typically structural steel) within the vault which provides support for the public sidewalk above or disproportionate water infiltration to the adjacent basement.
The program typically allows the City to complete one vault location each year at an annual budget of $100,000. This location however, which includes very large vaults under the sidewalks on both Broadway and Galena Blvd, has been in the planning stage for several years but was postponed due to scope and subsequent estimated cost far exceeding the City’s typical annual budget for this program. In anticipation of getting this location infilled in 2022, the budget for this year’s program was increased to $650,000.
The City enlisted the services of a structural engineer to design the interior wall, and these plans and specifications were used to create the invitation to bid supplied to the contractors.
The invitation to bid was published and four bids were read aloud on August 15, 2022. Of the four bids received, Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $473.775.00. Note that the City has elected to award the base bid and neither of the bid alternates since the base bid incorporates the infill material preferred by the City and the Structural Engineer (Controlled Low Strength Material and not CA-7) and is under budget.
The agreement for vault infill (CIP A007) will be funded using account 231-1830-465.38-18 (remaining account balance of $508,630.82).
This bid was subject to local preference, but the lone bid received from a local vendor was not within the allowable threshold for consideration.
The sidewalk will be closed to pedestrian traffic during construction. Detours will be clearly marked at the nearest intersections on both sides of the project site.
• Approved was a Resolution accepting results of the Availability and Disparity Study performed by Griffin and Strong, P.C. as well the recommendations contained therein for the consideration of policy and implementation changes.
City government of Aurora documents show by accepting the study and recommendations, staff members can review and consider the recommendations for consideration of implementation and policy changes to increase minority, women and disabled business participation in City projects.
The process was started in response to the City’s desire to create a Minority, Women and Disabled Business Enterprise (MWDBE) program.
In January of 2020, the City Council unanimously approved R20-010 “A Resolution Approving the Release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Availability and Disparity Study on behalf of the City of Aurora”. This RFP was created in response to Aurora’s desire to create a Minority, Women and Disabled Business Enterprise (MWDBE) program as well as be prepared for pending State legislation mandating such a program. Due to the pandemic and financial concerns, the project was paused until December 2020, when the City Council approved resolution R20-313 to move forward with the award of the Availability and Disparity Study to Griffin and Strong, P.C
Acceptance of the study from Griffin and Strong, P.C. and accepting the recommendations to be reviewed for consideration of policy and implementation, allows staff members to move forward with review of the recommendations and of current policies and procedures to see what can be added/changed to improve participation by MWDBE firms.
Ordinance and policy changes will be brought to committee for consideration and review. This program intends to increase participation of minority, women, disabled businesses in city projects.
• Removed from the agenda and held for 2 weeks due to the need to republish the public hearing notice was a Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and Kane County; the participation in the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program and the use of the City of Aurora’s portion toward the Aurora Police Department toward the implementation of a citizen online reporting portal.
The purpose is to obtain the City Council’s approval of a proposed resolution that would authorize the following: The execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and Kane County. The participation in the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and the use of the city of Aurora’s portion toward the Aurora Police Department’s implementation of a citizen online reporting portal.
City government of Aurora documents show the FY 2022 Edward Byrne memorial Local JAG program has a due date of August 8, 2022. This year’s award, as determined by a Department of Justice allocation formula includes a total award of $67,621 and is intended to be shared between the city of Aurora, the city of Elgin, and Kane County. Specifically, $46,859 was allocated to the city of Aurora and $20,762 to the city of Elgin. Kane County was categorized as an agency that did not submit the level of violent crime data sufficient to qualify for a direct award and as a result is listed as a disparate agency. Historically, Aurora and Elgin have both shared their portions of this award with Kane County.
Each year, Aurora and Elgin share 30% of their award with Kane County. Using this formula, the 2022 JAG grant would indicate that Aurora will ultimately receive a total of $32,801, Elgin will receive a total of $14,533, and Kane County will receive a total of $20,286.
In order to comply with the requirements of this grant, the City of Aurora will not make payments to Kane County or the City of Elgin prior to receiving proof that those agencies spent funds in accordance with the grant requirements. The City of Aurora will reimburse those agencies and in turn will be reimbursed by the Department of Justice in accordance with the JAG grant guidelines.
The city of Aurora Police Department intends to use the award to fund an online citizen reporting portal, which will allow Aurora residents to file non-emergency, non-violent matters to the police. Citizens may only report incidents to the police in person by either coming to the police station or waiting for an officer to be dispatched to their location for a face-to-face interaction. Continued pandemic-related concerns, mobility issues, and the inefficient nature of in-person reporting can often discourage residents from reporting incidents and having a computer-based or mobile-based platform for this reporting is a way for the Aurora Police to continue to demonstrate care and service to the community.
The Aurora Police believe providing an online police reporting portal to residents will greatly enhance the ability to serve the community in the following ways: First, to be able to provide an efficient manner for the reporting of non-violent, non-emergency police reports, as well as an equally efficient method for obtaining copies of police reports. Second, by providing an online platform, social distancing is created for those unable or unwilling to put themselves in close contact with those who may be at higher risk of airborne infection; this helps both citizens and first responders. Finally, the Aurora Police believe this program will free up police officers from many so-called “routine” police reports which can be mitigated by an online reporting program, allowing resources to be reallocated to areas and calls for service which require rapid and in-person attendance; namely in-progress and high-risk calls.