By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council unanimously approved a proposal, at the Tuesday, Oct. 25 City Council meeting, to supply a $50 Million municipal bond for a new casino to be built.
• Seventeen individuals used their voices for up to three minutes each in the 30 minutes of time allowed. Most were against the City supplying the bond and several representatives from the Fox Valley Building Trades expressed support.
Most speakers favored the Casino to build the resort on Farnsworth Avenue near I-88, but didn’t want the City government to provide supplemental funding to PENN Entertainment, a company worth billions of dollars.
A couple of individuals were escorted by police from the meeting due to several outbursts after Richard Irvin, mayor, calmly gave a warning.
City government of Aurora documents show the approved proposal is for PENN Entertainment to relocate and expand its Hollywood Casino Aurora to move from its downtown facility on the Fox River, and build a casino resort closer to the I-88 expressway, across from Chicago Premium Outlets mall. The new casino campus would include a 200-room hotel and a 10,000 square-foot event center.
Plans call for the resort to be built on a City government-owned site, most recently occupied by two hotels and a car dealership on the west side of Farnsworth Avenue. As part of the deal, the City government would transfer ownership of the site to PENN in exchange for the Casino’s downtown property. The Casino would not only be responsible for demolishing the downtown structure and making the site development ready. The City would take ownership of the Casino’s parking garage.
PENN Entertainment would exercise its option to purchase land immediately west of the proposed Farnsworth site occupied by the C-Club and Gaslite Manor Banquets. Both businesses face Church Road.
The $360 million proposal includes the $50 million bond issuance by the City government, which would be repaid from increased property taxes received from the new site, not from general funds from taxpayers. As an added assurance, if property taxes aren’t enough to cover payment in any given year, PENN has agreed to make up the difference.
Construction is set to begin in late 2023, bringing nearly 1,000 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs.
The City Council unanimously approved the following agenda items:
• Approved was a Resolution appointing Oswego East High School student, Ava Parks, to the Aurora Youth Council. She is a resident of the 9th Ward.
• Approved was an Ordinance establishing a conditional use planned development and approving the Pacifica Riverview Plan Description for the property at 309 N. River Street and a portion of 201 N. River Street, being at the southeast corner of Vine Street and North River Street.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner is Windfall Aurora, LLC.
The property is owned by the City of Aurora and is being utilized as a public parking lot. In 2010, the City government of Aurora purchased this property and rezoned it to Downtown Fringe District (DF) with the intent that this property will be a future investment for redevelopment. At that time, the City constructed additional parking spaces as a temporary measure to help the overall parking situation in and near the downtown.
The City government has the goal to redevelop this property and move the parking lots away from the Fox River. In addition, the new pedestrian bridge across the Fox River is adjacent to this development which allows the residences to have access to amenities along the east side of the River such as the Aurora Train Station and RiverEdge Park.
The detail of the request includes the approval of a plan description with variations to the Aurora Zoning Ordinance. These Zoning Ordinance variations include a modification to allow residential and accessory uses on all floors within the DF district, a modification to allow studio units within the DF district, and a modification to the off-street parking and loading standards to reduce the parking requirement to 1.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit.
In addition, there is language in the plan description that establishes minimum floor area requirements for dwelling units, minimum electric vehicle charging stations requirement, and a parking management plan requirement.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan on 2.34 acres. The proposal includes the construction of a new riverfront, market rate multi-story residential building. The proposed building consists of seven stories with a total of 190 residential units.
The units will be a combination of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms including 10 rowhouse units facing the Fox River which will be two-story units with rooftop patios. These units will range from approximately 400 square feet to 1,550 square feet.
The first and second floor consists of the lobby, leasing office, amenity space for the residential, a 2,175 square foot retail space, a 2-story parking garage, and the rowhouse units. The third floor consists of residential units, amenity space including a fitness room, a party room and a rooftop terrace which overlooks the Fox River. The fourth through seventh floors consist solely of residential units.
A total of 314 parking spaces will be included with the parking garage, six parallel parking spaces on the southern private drive, and nine on-street parallel parking spaces along River Street. A minimum of one parking space within the garage will be reserved for each residential unit which will be included as part of the rent. In addition, one-fourth of the total parking spaces will be reserved for visitor parking.
The remaining spaces may be rented out to those tenants who have with more than one car. The parking garage entrance will be through the private drive on the south side of the building.
The Petitioner is also requesting approval of a Preliminary Plat for the Pacifica Riverview Subdivision. The Plat consists of subdividing 309 N. River Street and 201 N. River Street, being 7.511 acres into 4 lots. Lot 1 consists of the proposed residential building and northern half of the proposed private drive, Lot 2 consists of the southern half of the proposed private drive, Lot 3 consists of the proposed north fire lane and open space along the river, between the building and the Fox Valley Park District property and Lot 4 will remain a public parking lot until such time it is redeveloped. Lot 2, 3 and 4 will continue to be owned by the City of Aurora.
Aurora city staff members have reviewed the 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.
Aurora city staff members have been working collaboratively with the Petitioner on the building design, parking, infrastructure, and site layout to create a quality development project that meets both the City’s and Petitioner’s vision for this site. This will be the second new residential building built in downtown Aurora since 2006.
Aurora city staff members have 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 development will bring much needed residents to the area, improving the overall economics, and strengthen the social fabric of the downtown.
- 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 multi-family residential building will help promote the City’s position as a regional center and will have a positive impact on local businesses and service providers which will establish the desirable quality and general livability of the City.
- The development will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties for uses permitted in the district as the proposal fulfills the vision by enhancing the image and physical appearance of the City’s downtown.
- There is adequate water and sewer capacity to serve the project.
- The project does provide adequate ingress/egress. The development will be utilizing River Street and a private drive along the south side of the building which will be eventually shared with the property to the south when it redevelops. The proposed north drive will be utilized as a fire only lane. While not providing the typical two spaces per unit, staff members believe that that this is a prime example of a transit-oriented development site with the newly constructed pedestrian bridge over the Fox River and many of the residents will utilize the train as alternative transportation.
- The Conditional Use in all other respects conforms to the applicable regulations of the DF zoning district.
The staff members’ evaluation and recommendation 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
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.
33.1 (1) To plan for and promote the Downtown as a center for financial, institutional, governmental, office, general retail, specialized commercial, conference, hotel, residential, cultural, recreational and entertainment functions.
33.1 (5) To actively seek new office and high density residential uses to create a viable commercial market.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Ordinance Establishing a Conditional Use Planned Development and Approving the Pacifica Riverview Plan Description for the property at 309 N. River Street and a portion of 201 N. River Street, being at the southeast corner of Vine Street and N. River Street.
• Approved was an Ordinance annexing property at 652 Hartford Avenue to the City government of Aurora.
The Petitioner, Hope for Tomorrow, is requesting to annex the property at 652 Hartford Avenue to the R-1, One Family Dwelling District.
City government of Aurora documents show the property is in unincorporated Kane County. The property is approximately .6 acres. There is an existing, detached single-family structure on the property. The property is contiguous to incorporated Aurora on the eastern property line.
The Petitioner is requesting that the property be annexed to Aurora so that it may receive city water. The Petitioner, Hope for Tomorrow, is licensed by the State of Illinois to provide licensed home recovery services to men recovering from substance use and co-occurring disorders. Hope for Tomorrow is presently operating from the property in unincorporated Kane County. The property is to be automatically incorporated to the R-1, One Family Dwelling District. Upon incorporation, Hope for Tomorrow will continue to operate at this location as a Community Residence, Minor (1510) use, which is limited to a group of four to six unrelated individuals, along with support staff members.
Aurora city staff members have reviewed the annexation 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 staff members’ evaluation and recommendation are based on the following physical development policies:
22.1 (1): To achieve appropriate zoning protection for residential areas designated in the land use plan.
22.2 (2): To protect designated areas of existing conventional single-family development from inappropriate, highly intensive land uses.
22.1 (5): To recognize the unique characteristics of individual neighborhoods and promote their positive attributes.
Staff members would recommend approval of the ordinance annexing property at 652 Hartford Avenue to the city of Aurora.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the execution of a restatement and amendment of declaration of restrictive covenants between the city government of Aurora and the Support Companies, LLC, for the real property at 1 East Benton Street.
City government of Aurora documents show the owner, The Support Companies, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company is requesting to enter into a restatement and amendment of declaration of restrictive covenants for the former main library building at 1 East Benton Street.
In 2015, the City of Aurora Board of Library Trustees and the City of Aurora entered into an agreement with the Support Companies, LLC to sell the building at 1 E. Benton Street, which had previously served as the City’s main library. As part of the transaction, the City retained certain property rights over future uses of the property, independent of its governmental zoning and regulatory authority. Among the rights retained by the City was the right to approve all future uses as set forth in a declaration of restrictive covenants which was recorded against the property.
The Support Companies, LLC, is now requesting to amend the 2015 restrictions so that it can more effectively market the property to new tenants or purchasers without having to first obtain the permission of the City Council for each potential use.
The proposed amendment to the declaration is focused on the ability of the City to approve or deny future conveyances. Instead of the City retaining veto rights over all possible uses, the City will agree that its permission is not required for a series of uses, provided that such uses are undertaken for taxable purposes.
Unless sooner terminated by either party, the agreement shall remain in effect for a period of 10 years from the effective date, and this agreement shall be automatically extended for successive periods of ten 10 years thereafter, except with regard to the obligations of owner in Section 5 regarding reductions in assessed valuation of the property, which obligations in Section 5 have a term of five years from the effective date.
This agreement shall be recorded on title to the property with the Kane County Recorder at the cost of the owner.
Staff members would anticipate that this agreement and support of the use of the property will increase the City’s overall tax base by facilitating investment and development.
• Approved was a Resolution approving a Final Plan Revision for the property at 2000 Ogden Avenue for a salt facility and grounds building.
The Petitioner, Rush Copley Medical Center, is requesting a Final Plan Revision for the property at 2000 Ogden Avenue for a Salt Facility and Grounds Building.
City government of Aurora documents show the property is zoned PDD and is a part of the Fox Valley East Planned Development District. This property is part of the Copley Regional Medical Campus.
The Petitioner is requesting a Final Plan Revision for a Salt Facility and Grounds Building. There are two separate buildings proposed: a 5,339 square foot facility for grounds maintenance and a 1,024 square foot salt storage structure. These buildings are being constructed on an underutilized portion of the Rush Copley Campus to increase the quality of site maintenance on the campus. Existing landscaping and berming is remaining, with additional plantings along the foundations of the buildings.
Staff members have reviewed the Final Plan Resolution petition and have determined that it meets the applicable codes and ordinances.
The staff members’ evaluation and recommendation are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
11.0 To guide the growth of the City in an orderly and structured manner.
11.1 (5) To guide and promote development to areas where public utilities, public roads and municipal services are either available or planned.
Staff members would recommend approval of the Resolution Approving a Final Plan Revision for the property at 2000 Ogden Avenue for a salt facility and grounds building.
• Approved was a Resolution requesting approval to provide $100,000 in funding to continue providing internet access to remote community learning centers for low-income kids/residents throughout the City of Aurora as part of the No Child Left Offline (NCLO) campaign launched January 4, 2021. Total amount will not exceed $100,000 annually.
City government of Aurora documents show OnLight Aurora is seeking funding to provide internet access to eleven remote community learning centers for low-income kids/residents throughout the City of Aurora.
No Child Left Offline locations are: Hesed House, Simply Destinee, APS Training Institute, Warren F Cannon Community Outreach Center, Main Baptist Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Simard Hall), Grand Blvd Community Center, Randall West Community Center, Aurora Public Library, Indian Trail Apartments, and LaQuinta Kids Internet Cafe.
The City of Aurora, and OnLight Aurora launched the “No Child Left Offline” campaign – an initiative that identified community organizations that provide remote education spaces for low-income kids/residents, but that were also in need of technology upgrades. City officials worked with each organization to identify the existing connectivity issues and prioritize the best solution.
The partnership resulted in three-month-long plan to install upgrades. Legacy networks, modems, and hotspots were replaced with high-capacity networks and increased access points. With these new improvements, “No Child Left Offline” locations were not only much more capable of providing remote learning spaces for kids, but will benefit from a sustainable, long-term solution to their internet connectivity and bandwidth for years to come.
OnLight Aurora, 43 W. Galena Blvd, Aurora, provides internet access, as well as monitors and operates the core networks at all NCLO locations.
Funding for this program is not to exceed the budget amount of $100,000 annually for the entire 5-year term. Funds available in Other SC-Special Programs/ Grant/Youth Programs 287-1280-419.50-30
The $100,000 will allow OnLight Aurora to recover service costs expended establishing the NCLO program and allow us to continue providing internet access to identified community organizations that provide remote spaces for low-income kids/students throughout the City of Aurora and help further develop an urban innovation ecosystem as city of Aurora officials strive to be a premier technology destination.
It is recommended to approve the resolution to provide $100,000 in funding to continue providing internet access to identified community organizations that provide remote spaces for low-income students throughout the City of Aurora. Total amount will not exceed $100,000 annually.
• Approved was a Resolution approving the Fourth Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora, the City of Naperville, and the Naperville Township Road District to widen North Aurora Road in the vicinity of the CN Railway Crossing and to appropriate $290,000.00 of MFT Funds for the project.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain council approval for a resolution approving the Fourth Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Aurora, the City of Naperville, and the Naperville Township Road District to widen North Aurora Road in the vicinity of the CN Railway Crossing. To appropriate Motor Fuel Taxes (MFT) by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resolution for MFT Section No. 17-00321-00-BR.
The project is a joint multi-jurisdictional project with the City of Aurora, City of Naperville, and Naperville Township Road District to improve the regional transportation network. The City of Naperville is the lead on this project.
This is an ongoing project that began in 2006 with Phase 1 preliminary engineering. The original IGA was approved by City Council in 2006 (R06-168). Phase 1 was completed and accepted by IDOT in 2016. In 2015, Council approved the First Amendment to the IGA that covered the land acquisition for the project, which is being called “Phase II” of the project (R15-069). In 2017, Council approved the Second Amendment to the IGA that covered the design engineering and stormwater management fees, which is being called “Phase III” of the project (R17-067). In 2021, Council approved the Third Amendment to the IGA that covered additional costs needed to complete the “Phase II” and “Phase III” portions of the project (R21-163). The additional costs in 2021 included a design engineering supplement (including additional land acquisition services), utility relocation design engineering, and additional land acquisition costs.
The current boundary agreement between the City of Aurora and City of Naperville commits the City to completing the land acquisition and design engineering process, designated as “Phase II” and “Phase III” as described above.
By starting and/or completing these phases, the project was in a better position to apply for federal funding for construction when it became available. The project has been programmed for $12M in Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and $9.8 in Surface Transportation Project – Shared Fund (STP-SF) federal funds. The project team continues to look for additional funding opportunities for all aspects of the project.
The future Construction and Construction Engineering is called “Phase IV” of the project. If/when that phase moves forward, another IGA will need to come to the City Council for consideration. Per the boundary agreement, this phase will not move forward until the cities mutually agree in writing.
Since the passage of the Third Amendment to the IGA in 2021, it was discovered that additional costs are needed to complete the “Phase II” and “Phase III” portions of the project. This Fourth Amendment to the IGA will cover these costs, which include an engineering supplement (including additional land acquisition services), additional utility relocation design engineering, and revised land acquisition costs.
Per the IGA, the City’s estimated costs for this additional work is $264,508.19. This amount will be due in a single payment, due on 2/1/2023. Funds are partially available in the 2022 approved budget and additional funds will need to be included in the 2023 budget:
GB017 North Aurora Road Underpass 203-4460-431.76-66 $500,000.00
IDOT requires a Resolution to appropriate the MFT funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. This amount includes a small contingency for any potential underpayment to the City of Naperville.
• Approved was a Resolution requesting approval for Equipment Transfer Agreement with SprintCom, LLC, a Kansas limited liability company, for the communication shelter at 1325 W. Indian Trail Road.
SprintCom, LLC has made a request to surrender the premises in an “as-is” condition. SprintCom shall leave, convey, transfer, and assign all equipment, leasehold improvements, and related items installed on the property to the City of Aurora.
City government of Aurora documents show the city of Aurora government and SprintCom entered a Site Lease agreement dated June 24, 2015, Ordinance O15-030 to utilize certain portions of 1325 W Indian Trail, Aurora, IL 60506.
A notice of termination was sent to the City on November 30, 2021 stating that the lease was terminated effective April 30, 2022.
Title to all Transferred Property automatically passes to the City and City accepts the Transferred Property on an “as is” basis. Transferor shall remove all its equipment not specified and decommission the site within 90 days of the execution of this Agreement (“Transferor’s Surrender Work”).
The agreement will provide a telecom shelter which protects ground-based telecommunications equipment. The structure is built from precast concrete or lightweight steel for longevity, typically offering more than 50 years of service. They protect against water, high-speed winds generated by storms, fire damage, and unauthorized access.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the purchase of replacement vehicles for the City of Aurora Fleet from various vendors, through Sourcewell, in the amount of $1,676,567.00.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to ensure that City divisions have adequate vehicles to perform their missions safely and effectively.
The City’s Fleet Maintenance Division monitors the City of Aurora fleet to identify vehicles and equipment that have met replacement criteria, are no longer cost effective to continue operating, or are incapable of effectively performing their intended functions. Vehicles identified for replacement are either reassigned to lesser roles, traded, or sold.
Due to the global supply and labor shortages, increasing emissions standards, and electrification initiatives, automotive manufacturers are modifying future offerings and suspending or reducing production of current lines. Combined with high demand, prices are increasing, lead times are extended, and procurement opportunities are limited.
Ford Motor Company has announced that on a limited basis, it will soon resume production of its Super Duty truck line. These medium-duty trucks are used extensively in City operations and are the basis for specialized builds such as plow, dump, and utility trucks. Pre-build reservations will be accepted beginning October 17, 2022. Pricing and final order acceptance is scheduled to commence November 7, 2022. Given the limited production and forecasted high demand, the production slots are anticipated to fill quickly.
Heavy-duty equipment manufacturers and specialty build vendors, such as CAT, John Deere, Bobcat, Elgin Sweeper, Vermeer, and Altec have limited inventories and are accepting orders for construction, forestry, and aerial equipment.
Due to the limited opportunities, extended lead times, and to secure current pricing, I am requesting authority to place orders for vehicles that are approved and remaining to be ordered in the 2022, and anticipated to be approved in the upcoming 2023 City of Aurora budgets.
The City of Aurora participates in Sourcewell (formerly known as the National Joint Purchasing Cooperative) for the purchase of replacement and additional vehicles. This program bids vehicles for purchase, which allows the City to satisfy the City bidding process with less effort, and use a greater purchasing power to get lower prices.
All the listed vehicles are available from various vendors, through Sourcewell, and include the vehicles, equipment, and anticipated factory options. Vehicle graphics and some secondary equipment, such as emergency warning lights and add-on accessories will be procured and installed through the Fleet Maintenance Division. The total price of $1,676,567.00 includes the quoted prices of $1,093,067.00 plus the budgeted amount of $583,500.00 for the soon to be released Super Duty trucks.
Funding for the proposed vehicle purchases approved in the 2022 City of Aurora budget is allocated in the following accounts: 255-3033-422.66-10 ($43,500.00), 340-4460-431.75-10 ($75,000.00), 504-1810-433.66-10 ($45,000), and 510-4063-511.75-10 ($75,000.00).
Funding for the proposed vehicle purchases anticipated to be approved in the upcoming 2023 City of Aurora budget will be allocated in the following accounts: 340-4430-418.75-99 ($80,000.00), 340-4440-451.74-45 ($75,000.00), 340-4440-451.75-10 ($95,000.00), 340-4460-431.74-30 ($290,000.00), 340-4460-431.74-31 ($185,000.00), 340-4460-431.74-32 (147,000.00), 340-4460-431.74-99 ($95,000.00), 340-4460-431.75-10 ($215,000.00), 510-4063-511.66-10 ($100,000.00), 510-4063-511.74-29 ($165,000.00), and 510-4063-511.75-10 ($55,000.00).
Delaying vehicle orders will result in missed procurement opportunities, higher prices, and longer lead times.
• Approved was a Resolution Authorizing New Commercial Lease Agreements with Jolene Ryan, d/b/a Jumpin Java Coffee for Commercial Space at the ATC and Route 59 Train Stations.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to enter into two new Commercial Lease Agreements with Jumpin Java for the use of commercial space at the ATC and Route 59 Train Station.
The current leases for these locations at the Train Stations have expired, but due to changes in economic conditions and fluctuations in riders at the Train Stations, the City is seeking to maintain the cost of rent. These new leases have been updated as part of revising and standardizing commercial leases.
The rent on these updated leases is $425 a month ($225 for the coffee shop plus $200 for the vending machine area) at the ATC; and $330 a month at Route 59. This lease allows Jumpin Java to continue to operate at the City’s two train stations. These new leases will be for a period of 30 months, expiring April 30, 2025.
The approval of these commercial lease agreements will update the expired leases and allow Jumpin Java to continue to serve Aurora commuters at existing rent rates.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the execution of documents with the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley to establish a designated fund to be known as the Financial Empowerment Center Fund.
City government of Aurora documents show the City government wishes to partner with an established community foundation experienced in building and administering a fund to create opportunities for funding through charitable donations to support the City’s Financial Empowerment Center. The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (Foundation) is an established, independent, not-for-profit corporation with its own Board of Trustees, based in Aurora, Illinois, and organized exclusively for charitable purposes as provided for under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The City and the Foundation desire to collaborate and encourage the establishment of the Financial Empowerment Center Fund (Fund) with such Fund(s) not being supported by City tax dollars but rather through charitable contributions, both outright and deferred, from City residents and other individuals, corporations and entities seeking to benefit the community of Aurora, Illinois now and into the future.
Since January 15, 2020, the City has successfully partnered with The Neighbor Project, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, for its provision of financial counseling services at the City’s Financial Empowerment Center (“FEC”) at 712 S. River Street, Aurora.
The Neighbor Project provides one-on-one financial counseling and coaching, free of charge for participating residents of the greater Aurora region through the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center program at the FEC. The Neighbor Project also provides free program support to City residents and families as part of a new child savings and family financial literacy initiative through the FEC. The City contracted with The Neighbor Project to provide services through December 31, 2022, with renewals for up to two (2) one (1) year terms thereafter.
The City wishes to partner with the Foundation to establish a Designated Fund to be known as the Financial Empowerment Center Fund (Fund). The Financial Empowerment Center Fund will create opportunities for funding through charitable donations to support the City’s Financial Empowerment Center. Distributions from the Fund will be used only to provide support for activities related to the mission of the FEC, which is operated by the City of Aurora and staff members are provided by The Neighbor Project.
The Foundation shall facilitate, manage and administer the Fund and exclusively receive, deposit, manage, administer and provide acknowledgment for all charitable contributions made in support of it. The Foundation shall support the City and the FEC in identifying, qualifying, soliciting and facilitating charitable gifts for the Fund from current and prospective donors.
Creation of the Financial Empowerment Center Fund through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley will open additional funding sources to fund the financial counseling services at the City’s Financial Empowerment Center.
Recommend approval to authorize the execution of documents with the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley to establish a Designated Fund to be known as the Financial Empowerment Center Fund.
• Approved was a Resolution Authorizing a New Commercial Lease Agreement with Antonio Chavez, d/b/a Tony’s Hair Stop for Commercial Space at the Aurora Transportation Center.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to enter into a new commercial lease agreement with Tony’s Hair Stop for the use of commercial space at the Aurora Transportation Center.
The current lease for Tony’s Hair Stop at the Train Station has expired, but due to changes in economic conditions and fluctuations of riders at the Train Stations, the City is seeking to keep the rent the same as it has been for the past few years. This new lease has been updated as part of revising and standardizing the City’s commercial leases.
The rent on this updated lease is $600 a month. This lease allows Tony’s Hair Stop to continue to operate at the Aurora Transportation Center. The new lease will be for a period of thirty (30) months, expiring April 30, 2025.
The approval of this commercial lease agreement allows for Tony’s Hair Stop to continue to serve Aurora commuters at the same rent as the expired lease.
• Approved was a Resolution requesting approval to utilize existing Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) funds to purchase 40 Getac portable computers and associated accessories for use by Aurora Public Safety Departments from CDW-G Corporation of Vernon Hills in the amount of $150,785.60.
Resolution R20-180 authorized the purchase of 349 Getac portable computers (Models K120 and A140) for use by Public Safety. This request is for 40 additional K120 ruggedized laptops for the Aurora Police Department (APD), utilizing the pricing agreement from R20-180.
City government of Aurora documents show City staff members completed RFP 19-72R for ruggedized laptops for the Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Department.
These laptops were deployed from November 2020 through January 2021. They have performed well and the support from Getac has been excellent.
Throughout the installation lifetime of the Getac K120 devices, APD staff members and IT staff members have tightly managed the inventory of the K120s as well as managed any returns or repairs. Repairs and returns of these devices are inline with those of other devices utilized by the City.
Getac prices accepted under R20-180 re guaranteed for 3 years. However, the quoted price of $3,543.03 per unit is a 4% decrease in price from the 2020 pricing.
This additional purchase of computers will allow for use by additional officers as well as provide an adequate number of spare computers for repair and replacement.
Purchase will be made using existing ETSB funds and a budget amendment will be submitted for account # 211-1280-419.64-12.
Many functions of APD staff members – including being dispatched for emergencies- are performed using these ruggedized laptops and are, therefore, a necessary requirement for an officer.
• Approved was a Resolution Authorizing Well Maintenance Services for Well No. 26 for the Water Production Division in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00 to Layne Christensen Company, Aurora.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council authorization for Layne Christensen Company (Layne), 721 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora, to perform all necessary services to return Well No. 26 to full operational and functional status.
Well No. 26, at 2026 Nottingham Drive, is a deep well with the pump and motor setting at 759 feet below the surface and is normally capable of supplying approximately 800,000 gallons of water per day. The well’s pumping equipment experienced a failure on June 22, 2022. Preliminary testing from the surface by both Water Production Division (WPD) staff members and Layne indicated an apparent electrical problem with Flowserve-Byron Jackson 2400-volt, 250 horsepower, submersible well pump motor. In order to determine the exact cause of the motor failure the well pump/motor assembly must be removed from the well for inspection and further testing. Under an initial purchase order of $27,075.00, Layne has completed the removal of the pumping equipment and confirmed that an electrical short occurred within the motor stator making it inoperable.
The total estimated cost of all proposed and recently completed work by Layne to restore Well No. 26 to operational status is $65,435.00.
The city entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Layne in 2020 under Resolution No. R20-083, which provides a 5% discount on all labor and field services and a 10% discount on specialized services performed by Layne. Layne will perform all work on a time and material basis and will only be compensated for the actual work performed per the terms and conditions of the PSA. In addition, Layne is the sole regional factory authorized source for repair services of Flowserve-Byron Jackson pumps and motors utilized by the Water Production Division.
Funds are available in the 2022 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-38-31.
Unavailability of approximately 800,000 gallons/day of raw source groundwater if the repairs are not completed.
That a resolution authorizing well maintenance services for Well No. 26 by Layne Christensen Company per the existing PSA in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00 be approved by the Mayor and City Council. It is further recommended that this matter be submitted to the Infrastructure & Technology Committee for review and recommendation.
• Approved was a Resolution to Award a Contract to Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. for the Main Pump Station – Pump No. 4 Replacement project in the amount of $67,000.00 for the Water Production Division.
• Approved was an Ordinance amending Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the solicitation and acceptance of public or private donations by City officers and employees.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to adopt rules and procedures regulating the solicitation of public or private charitable donations by City officers and employees.
Illinois law and various ordinances adopted by the City from time to time provide for clear rules regarding the solicitation of gifts by public officers and employees from entities which do business with the City. The term “gift” as it’s generally understood in these regulations, includes anything of value which creates a personal benefit to the recipient. Similarly, Illinois law and city government ordinances provide regulations on the solicitation and acceptance of political campaign contributions. Gifts and political contributions are subject to specific limitations and to public disclosure.
Illinois law and city government ordinances, however, are silent as to what procedures or processes apply to when a City officer or employee solicits or accepts something of value with the intent of furthering a City project or other City purpose. Similarly, there is ambiguity as to what rules apply when a City officer or employees solicits or accepts anything of value on behalf of a bona fide charitable organization. Under both scenarios, it may not always be clear to the donor whether the solicitation is being made as part of the officer or employee’s official duties. In those instances where the solicitation has been made for a proper purpose, there is no existing mechanism for the City to properly account for the donation and its ultimate disposition.
The proposed amendment to Chapter 15, which is the City’s Ethics Ordinance, addresses this issue in two ways.
First, it defines a “public donation” as a donation of anything of value to the City in the furtherance of an official project or program of the City undertaken exclusively for public purposes. An officer or employee of the City who solicits or accepts a public donation must document his or her request using official City correspondence methods and provide the donor with a written acknowledgement of the donation. The proposed amendment further provides that the donation becomes the property of the City upon receipt and may be used exclusively for the purposes for which it was solicited. The department or officer accepting the gift must document its ultimate disposition and maintain records of the donation for at least two years thereafter. This rule applies to most public donations, but specifically exempts donations from sources which publicly offer competitive grants or sources from which the City Council has specifically authorized receipt. Donations from other governmental entities are also exempt.
Second, the proposed amendment addresses the solicitation of “private donations” by City officers and employees. Private donations generally include any donations which are not public donations. Public officers and employees are generally prohibited from soliciting private donations under circumstances where the donor may reasonably infer that the solicitation is being made as part of the person’s official duties with the City. This typically means in situations where an officer or employee is on compensated time, displaying the indicia of their office or employment, or indicated to the donor that an official act of the city would or would not result based on the donor’s response to the solicitation.
The proposed ordinance does provide exceptions for charitable solicitations sponsored by the City itself, a department, labor union, or other officially designated City entity. This exemption applies, for example, the City’s annual United Way charitable campaign or a “fill-the-boot” campaign involving uniformed firefighters.
Approval of this Ordinance provides guidance to the City officers and employees with respect to their solicitation of public and private donations, and with respect to public donations, provides for greater documentation of the receipt and ultimate disposition of those donations.