Aurora City Council honors high school State champions

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By Jason Crane

The Aurora City Council honored the Marmion Academy wrestling team Tuesday, March 11 at the City Council meeting. Marmion won the Class 3A State championship Saturday, March 1. It was the School’s first State championship. In addition, Chase Maier, member of the Oswego East swim team was honored for two State championships. Maier won both the 200 yard and 500 yard freestyle.

•The meeting with presentations and input from individuals can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 5-minute mark by clicking here.

**Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, right, honors Chase Maier, member of the Oswego East swim team for two State championships in both the 200 yard and 500 yard freestyle.** City of Aurora government Facebook video screenshot

The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items:

•Approval was given to the appointment of Brad Banks to the “Sister Cities Commission” (SCC).

City government of Aurora documents show the City announced its intention to establish a “Sister Cities” program in April 2024. One of the recommendations in the process is to establish an advisory board to support the ongoing relationships when the program is up and running. The creation of a commission was approved by the City Council in June 2024.

Brad Banks is a Ward 10 resident.

•Approval was given to the appointment of Gretchen Timm to the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Board (AACVB).

City government of Aurora documents show the city of Aurora has one municipal representative and 10 at-large appointments on the board.

**Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, center, honors the Marmion Academy wrestling team for winning the Class 3A State championships Saturday, March 1.** City of Aurora government Facebook video screenshot

•Approval was given to a Resolution approving the execution of an agreement with the Kane County Health Department for a opioid overdose reversal agent vending machine at the Aurora Transit Center (ATC).

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this item is to install a machine that will dispense free opioid overdose reversal agent at the ATC.

The Kane County Health Department has a registered overdose education and naloxone distribution program that is committed to reducing opioid overdose deaths in Kane County. Naloxone vending machines will allow broader access to opioid reversal nasal spray at no cost to the end user.

As a result of the opioid epidemic, the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued the Illinois Naloxone Standing Order. The program authorizes Naloxone entities to obtain and/or distribute Naloxone, and other harm reduction supplies to those who may assist an individual suffering opioid-related overdose.

Naloxone entities may include pharmacies, pharmacists, or Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Programs.

The Kane County Health Department has established an Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program, which is registered with the Illinois Department of Human Service Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery’s Drug Overdose Prevention Program. As a part of the Kane County Health Department Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program, the Parties desire to work collaboratively to reduce overdose deaths in Kane County by allowing the Kane County Health Department to provide access to Naloxone in accordance with the Naloxone Standardized Procedure through the provision of a no cost vending machine inside the City’s facility.

This is a no cost program for the City that can assist in providing an opioid overdose reversal agent in the hopes of preventing overdose deaths.

•Approval was given to a Resolution approving of the 2025 Quality of Life Grants in the amount of $910,773.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to approve the 2025 Quality of Life Grants by resolution. This approval is necessary in order to award and process 2025 grants.

The Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened on August 29, 2024 and closed on October 4, 2024. For 2025, the total Quality of Life funding available is $1,137,000. City staff member outreach efforts included notifications to prior and current QOL recipients and prospective first-time applicants.

Under each email notification, an estimated 535 representatives from non-profit agencies, elected officials, advisory boards, interested businesses, and residents of the City were provided with information regarding the City’s Quality of Life and Community Development Block Grant opportunities. In addition, the City contacted other area grant providers via email to share the City’s grant opportunities and published an advertisement and press release in The Beacon News. The Quality of Life grant opportunity was also advertised utilizing the city of Aurora’s social media accounts. The non-mandatory pre-application virtual workshop was attended by an estimated 109 representatives. The workshop was recorded and posted on the City’s website together with the workshop’s presentation slides.

The 2025 Quality of Life funding round closed on October 4, 2024, with 64 applicants requesting $2.25 million dollars, an increase of 15 applicants and $500,000 in funds from the City’s 2024 Quality of Life funding.

Community Services Department staff members reviewed and scored each application to focus on the following criteria:

-Completeness and quality of the application.

-Budget including sources and uses.

-Grant management experience.

-Past performance.

-Ability to operate or carry on project with a reduced amount of funds.

-Performance metrics.

-Duplication of services.

-Ability to serve Aurora residents.

In addition, City staff members completed good standing checks with the City’s Division of Revenue and Collections, State of Illinois, Internal Revenue Service, and federal debarment registry to confirm each applicant’s funding eligibility. Numerous site visits and pre-application meetings were completed, and additional research was conducted to confirm the accuracy of the applicants’ described service areas and outcomes.

After a review of each application, City staff members organized projects by the requested amount, funding availability, and funding proposal quality. For 2025, the Quality of Life (QOL) grant program saw an increase in recommended applications, with 50 now being proposed compared to 39 in 2024. Fourteen applications are recommended for denial, an increase from 9 applications in 2024. Additional information including an agency description and detailed project proposal have also been included. All awarded agencies, except those recommended for sponsorships, will be required to sign a contract and submit quarterly reports to receive payments. Failure to submit quarterly reports or to demonstrate direct service to Aurora clients will result in a reduction or denial of payment requests.

Similar to prior years, the 2025 QOL Grant program will continue to evolve. City staff members anticipate releasing a new automated reporting system in the 1st quarter of 2025. In addition to performance outcome metrics, the submittal of success stories will remain a priority and will be required as part of the QOL grantee’s 202 4th quarter progress report. The reports will further enhance accountability and transparency in funding utilization, helping the City to assess accomplishments and unmet needs while guiding future funding priorities.

In 2025, on-site project set up meetings for new QOL recipients will remain a priority to complete basic monitoring and when feasible, a tour of the funded program sites and facilities. Also new for 2025 is the establishment of 4 virtual quarterly meetings for all recipients of QOL to attend to discuss progress, share ideas, and further collaborate. Failure to attend at least 1 of these quarterly meetings will result in a loss of 25% of a QOL award. The results of set-up meetings, as well as quarterly progress reports will be further utilized to increase partnerships, reduce duplication of services, and increase further collaboration between the City and its partners.

Impact statement:

The 2025 QOL Grants will support 50 activities. These funds will support a wide variety of agencies and fund programs such as youth services, senior services, job training, literacy services, museums, persons with special needs care, and other programs benefitting the residents of Aurora.

•Approval was given to a resolution authorizing approval of a loan agreement between the city of Aurora and Jamie Gilmore, and a third amendment agreement between the city of Aurora and Urban Equity Properties (UEP). The purpose is for the redevelopment of the vacant commercial space on the ground level at 2 N. Broadway, known as the Terminal building in downtown Aurora.

City government of Aurora documents show the agreements will facilitate Jamie Gilmore to open “Lizzy J Café” a sophisticated diner with affordable prices. The agreement codifies the commitments from Jamie Gilmore that triggers City incentives that will be repaid to the City as described below.

Proliferation of new and long-standing downtown restaurants, especially those unique to Aurora is a long-sought goal of the City government. Restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses in general, support a population living, working, or visiting a city that in turn adds to an environment that encourages more of the same. Based on informal surveys from the Paramount Theater, attendees often comment that they would like to have more dining opportunities in walking proximity to the theater for a “one stop” entertainment and dining experience. With a rising tide of a robust dining alternatives, bars and lounges, all hospitality businesses prosper. Jamie owns and operates a popular breakfast and brunch cafe in Chicago, one of them in the prominent Fulton Market.

The Lizzy J Diner will be at the same location as the former popular Broadway Diner in the Terminal building, also known as Lofts on Broadway.

Similar to the Hobbs Development at Galena and River Street, the costs associated with the renovation of the residential portion of the project far exceeded the original estimates due to the unprecedented inflation that took place after COVID. As detailed in the Amendment to the Hobbs/JH Redevelopment agreement, the City agreed to provide food and beverage/sales tax sharing as a means to fund the buildout of the first-floor restaurant space. In the case of the Hobbs amendment the City provided $1.2 million in loans to be paid back directly by JH from their own resources and $1.5 million in loans to be paid back from sales/food and beverage taxes for three restaurant spaces in total, two of which are open and exceeding sales projections, which in turn accelerates the payback to the City of the second set of loans.

Jamie’s background is well rounded in business with 25 years of project manager experience. She successfully began her journey in the restaurant business, and is now ready to open her own establishment in her hometown Aurora.

In 2019, to promote the continued revitalization of the downtown, the Economic Development Division recommended the approval of the RDA between the city of Aurora and Urban Equity Properties (UEP). UEP planned and delivered to redevelop the property with loft type market rate apartments, fully rented, and a restaurant space on the ground floor.

Extensive renovation took place to restore to long vacant and neglected ground floor commercial space. Between then and now, COVID, and skyrocketing interest rates have slowed the process of finding a user to customize the finishes around.

UEP, COA, and Jamie Gilmore are partnering to bring this one-of-a-kind diner to the downtown.

The capital breakdown is:

Jamie Gilmore’s contribution: up to $50,000;

Lizzy J/Finish Line Grant: $50,000;

UEP’s equity: $350,000;

COA’s loan to UEP: up to $200,000 (at 5.5% interest);

City loan to Lizzy J Cafe: $250,000;

The project cost: $900,000.

Fundamental to all incentives going forward is that the City will be paid back.

The loan to Lizzy J Café will be amortized over nine years and paid back through sales/food and beverage taxes levied by the City.

The sources of funds will be from the newly created Transformation Fund. The loan is 100% guaranteed by the owner of Lizzy J Cafe, Jamie Gilmore. The loan to UEP will be paid back over 10 years and is guaranteed by UEP, Justin Fern (owner). If for some reason the total amount is not repaid from sales tax revenues, Jamie Gilmore has guaranteed the difference. The City’s funding will be pari passu (dollar for dollar) with cash from UEP and Jamie Gilmore. The Finish Line Grant is subject to the approval from the board of directors of Aurora Regional Economic Alliance (formerly Invest Aurora)

In summary, the incentives being offered as a part of this Agreement are:

•A Loan of $250,000 to Lizzy J Café (Paid through sales/food and beverage taxes and personally guaranteed)

•A Loan of $200,000 to Urban Equity Properties (UEP) to be repaid according to the repayment schedule in the Loan Agreement.

•A Finish Line Grant to Lizzy J Café for $50,000

Design and working drawings will begin immediately after approval and is anticipated to be completed in 2025, with opening immediately thereafter.

All funding will be made through the title company.

The restaurant hours will be a minimum of 6 days a week.

Impact statement:

Lizzy J Cafe will expand dining and entertaining choices in the downtown and help service existing and new residents and visitors. There will be a positive spillover for the emerging development on Galena and Broadway corridors. The Paramount, the Venue and other locales will be able to cross market with new choices and the locally owned restaurants will add to the City’s growing reputation for “boutique” bars, restaurants and lounges.

•Approval was given to a Resolution and two Ordinances for approving a Preliminary Plan and Plat for Lots 1-51 of Abbey Meadows Subdivision, on vacant land on the east side of Raddant Road at Mesa Lane extended.

City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner CalAtlantic Group LLC (DBA Lennar) is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan and Plat for Abbey Meadows Subdivision, on the east side of Raddant Road at Mesa Lane extended, for a ROW Dwelling (Party Wall) (1130) Use which includes the development of 220 townhomes and associated stormwater facility.

The Property is vacant with R-1 (C) One-Family Dwelling District with a Conditional Use zoning, which is part of the Marmion Academy Conditional Use Planned Development.

The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan and Plat for Abbey Meadows Subdivision, on the east side of Raddant Road at Mesa Lane extended, for a ROW Dwelling (Party Wall) (1130) Use. The details of the request include a plan to develop the property with 43 buildings containing 220 townhomes in a mixture of two-story traditional style homes with front loaded, two-car garages and a three-story urban style home with rear entry two-car garages. The units range in size from 1,717 square feet to 1,894 square feet. Each unit has a two-car garage and two-car driveway with an additional 40 off-street parking spaces scattered throughout the subdivision.

Mesa Lane will be extended from its current stub to Raddant Road. Mesa Lane curves slightly to align with Marmion Academy Drive and widens to a larger right-of-way as it nears Raddant Road to allow for a right turn lane and a straight/left turn lane. The Plan Description prohibits parking on both sides of Mesa Lane. Raddant Road will be improved to include a northbound left turn lane into Marmion Academy and a southbound left turn lane into Mesa Lane.

Two circular roads extend off Mesa Lane, one to the north and one to the south. The traditional townhome product fronts along these roads. Private drive aisles extend off the circular roads leading to the rear of the urban townhome products The site features two small park areas for the residents. Sidewalks and private walkways circulate throughout the subdivision along with a sidewalk along Raddant Road.

The site features three detention ponds that span almost the entire length of the eastern property line providing a buffer to the neighboring subdivisions. A three-foot undulating berm spans the western and southern property lines buffering Abbey Meadows from Raddant Road and the future commercial development to the south.

The Landscape Plan and Elevations are not approved until Final, but the developers have provided drafts. The Landscape Plan is a concept and has not been updated to reflect the final layout of the site.

Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting the Establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development, and to change the zoning district from R-1 (C) One-Family Dwelling District with a Conditional Use District to R-4A(C) Two-Family Dwelling District with a Conditional Use and OS-1 (C) Conservation, Open Space And Drainage with a Conditional Use District. The details of the request include a Plan Description that outlines specific requirements that are consistent with Aurora’s standard bulk restrictions for townhomes. The second parcel will have an underlying zoning of OS-1 for the stormwater detention facility.

The Petitioner is also requesting to rezone approximately 0.01 acres of the property on the east side of Raddant Road at Mesa Lane extended from R-1 (C) One-Family Dwelling District with a Conditional Use to R-1 One Family Dwelling District to remove the property from the Marmion Academy Plan Description. At this time, there is a fence near the eastern property line between Marmion’s property and the Kirkland Farm subdivision; however, this fence is approximately 15 feet west of the actual property line. This rezoning is to remove the property to the east of the fence from the Marmion Academy Plan Description and not include it with the Abbey Meadows Plan Description so that the property can be individually conveyed through the Plat Act to the five abutting single-family property owners.

Staff members reviewed the Preliminary Plan and Plat Resolution petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances.

The developers worked with staff members to ensure the development was sensitive to the surrounding land uses. Mesa Lane was curved slightly so that there was not a straight road from Raddant Road to Kirk Road. The road was also widen at the intersection to provide a median and turn lanes. Mesa Lane will also be restricted from parking. The urban townhome product allows more parking along the roadways than standard townhomes, and there are additional off-street parking areas throughout. The concept Landscape Plan shows a row of evergreen and a row of canopy trees broken by decorative shrub beds along Raddant Road and to the south to provide additional buffering.

•Approval was given to an Ordinance vacating a city easement on the property at 4173 Ogden Avenue, in DuPage County, Aurora, Ill.

City government of Aurora documents show the Engineering Division is requesting the vacation of a City easement for Valley Honda. A previously approved Final Plan showed several additions to the existing building. One of the additions is for a car wash that will cover part of the existing City easement. This process will vacate 982 square feet of the City easement and then move the City easement slightly south. This will be done with separate Plat of Easement.

•Approval was given to a Resolution initiating a public hearing to consider the revisions to Aurora’s Comprehensive Plan for obvious changes throughout the city of Aurora.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to consider revisions to the Aurora’s Comprehensive Plan for obvious changes throughout the city of Aurora.

The city of Aurora’s Comprehensive Plan establishes goals, objectives and policies for the future of the community as well as long-range recommendations for land use, transportation and community facilities.

The Comprehensive Plan is an important tool which sets the foundation for future decision-making regarding land use and development. It is intended to be used as a policy guide and to be flexible and adaptive over time. Nevertheless, the Comprehensive Plan is not a static document and may require amendments to ensure that it addresses the changing needs and goals of the community.

Revisions to the Comprehensive Plan are common and at times necessary to ensure that such a guided document is current and in keeping with economic, social and physical trends or overtime changes.

The need to revise the Aurora’s Comprehensive Plan for obvious changes typically occurs because the original classification was issued in error (a mature and stable residential neighborhood was classified as commercial) or because the current classification is not consistent with the current or anticipated land use and/or zoning.

By approving the resolution initiating a public hearing to consider the revisions to Aurora’s Comprehensive Plan for obvious changes throughout the city of Aurora, staff members will be enabled to investigate areas of interest, hence provide a detailed report and recommendations to be vetted at a future public hearing before Planning Commission..

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to enter into an agreement with Upland Design LTD of Plainfield, IL in an amount not to exceed $160,000 to design renovations to Garfield Park.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain approval to initiate the design of renovations to Garfield Park

Garfield Park is the City’s second largest legacy park and has served the City’s northeast side since 1921. The park was last renovated in 1995 and is badly in need of updates and improvements. To address this need, the City applied for an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). This grant, which was awarded to the City in 2024, will provide $600,000 in matching funds for the project.

The proposed scope of the renovations was developed through a series of public meetings and an online survey made available through the City’s website in both English and Spanish and was estimated to cost approximately $1,283,000 (as of 2023). This scope will likely include an improved layout to serve the needs of contemporary families along with new amenities, including a competition-sized volleyball court, a street soccer pitch, a new playground, a new splash pad, a new half-court basketball court, and new walking paths. The existing picnic shelter and bathrooms, originally constructed in 1975, will be refurbished and/or replaced. Stormwater management improvements, including bioswales with native plantings and interpretative signage, will also be included. A new parking lot will be installed along the Sheffer Road frontage, creating a buffer between the busy street and play areas, and new open space will be created in the southern section of the park, allowing residents a place to better enjoy nature and engage in informal recreational activities.

After the City was notified of the OSLAD grant award, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to provide park planning and landscape architectural design services was published and seven responses were received on September 17, 2024. A panel of three City-staff members independently reviewed the responses and unanimously selected Upland Design Ltd. as the highest scoring respondent.

Following a kickoff meeting with Upland, the final cost proposal was provided to the City. Note that the proposed total fee for the professional design services described is $129,420. However, this fee is based on the 2-year-old preliminary construction cost estimate of $1,283,000 and as stated in their proposal under Professional Fees (page 26), Upland reserves the right to increase their fees by 8% of any increase to the construction cost estimate in excess of 5%. Although City officials are hopeful that any increase to the construction costs will be minimal, City officials are requesting permission to increase Upland’s Purchase Order up to an amount not to exceed $160,000 to address any additional design fees which could be incurred. To clarify, $160,000 would cover design fees for construction costing up to $1,665,250, which would be a construction cost increase of $382,250 (8% of which is $30,580, which added to $129,420 equals $160,000).

This project (CIP F070) was not budgeted in 2025, but funding for these design services has been identified in account 340-4440-451.73-43 (Capital Outlay-Improvement/Park Improvements) and funding for construction will be budgeted in 2026.

These renovations to Garfield Park will provide substantially improved recreational opportunities to the residents of and visitors to Aurora’s northeast side.

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of a Redevelopment Agreement Between the city of Aurora and North Island Apartments LP to Provide a Loan in the Amount of $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds for a Roof Replacement of Affordable Senior Housing Development Building at 2 N. Stolp Avenue.

City government of Aurora documents show funding the roof replacement of 2 North Stolp Avenue with CDBG funds will address the building’s rehabilitation needs and preserve affordable rental housing for the property’s 56 low- and moderate-income senior citizen households. The proposed $400,000 loan will be structured to reflect the terms of a 0% Interest loan with partial forgiveness; $200,000 will be repaid when the property is sold, transferred, or no longer designated as affordable. The remaining $200,000 will be forgiven 5 years from the rehabilitation completion date.

North Island Apartments LP is a for-profit entity with an existing independent senior living apartment building in the former Aurora Hotel building at 2 North Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora. The building was originally built in 1913 and was redeveloped by the current ownership team in 1998. This property has been providing housing to approximately 56 Aurora low- to moderate-income senior citizen households for 27 years.

The current affordable senior housing requires certain rehabilitation to maintain the condition of the building that cannot be completely sourced from operating revenue.

City staff members conducted an underwriting review that included multiple walkthroughs, financial underwriting, and the completion of a 3rd party capital needs assessment. During this review, the property owner completed a lengthy refinancing due to the property boundary discrepancies requiring assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers to review and provide guidance.

Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the property experienced a very high delinquency and vacancy rate that has now been corrected with the building routinely at or near full occupancy. Later, the property experienced an elevator outage which was repaired for a cost of approximately $125,000, which decreased funds to be used for other capital needs.

The North Island Apartments LP roof replacement project at 2 North Stolp Avenue will help provide long-term availability of decent and safe apartments to low- and moderate-income senior households. To preserve this property that provides affordable housing for low- and moderate-income senior households, the roof must be replaced.

The federal CDBG Program supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities. To support community development, activities must meet the priority needs identified in the city of Aurora’s Consolidated Plan. One of the City’s priorities is the preservation and expansion of affordable housing. The roof rehabilitation project will provide an opportunity for the City to assist in preserving affordable senior housing.

North Island Apartments LP plans to use CDBG funding in the amount of $400,000 for the roof replacement to ensure safe, adequate and decent housing for low- and moderate-income senior households. Seniors living in this property are mainly those that are living at 50% – 60% of the Medium Family Income (MFI). The $400,000 of CDBG funding will be structured as a 0% interest loan with partial to reflect the repayment of $200,000 and the forgiveness of $200,000 after 5 years from the rehabilitation completion date.

Loan terms:

Term #1 – Based on a square footage calculation of the commercial space of the first floor, at least 3.6% of the total cost of the roof replacement will need to be paid for by the property owner and the City’s share will not exceed $400,000.

Term #2 – the City recognizes the long-term commitment made by North Island Apartments LP to the City and the many hardships, including financial losses and lasting impact from the pandemic. In recognition of this, the City has proposed the following formula to determine the payback terms if the property is sold or transferred or is no longer affordable senior housing or housing primarily for low- and moderate-income households:

Funding will be split into two categories with the first $200,000 being provided in the form of a 5-year forgivable loan from the project’s completion date. The remaining $200,000 will be provided in the form of a forgivable 0% deferred loan, subject to the payment conditions as outlined below if the property is sold, transferred or is no longer affordable senior housing or housing primarily for low- and moderate-income households.

1 – All recorded debt related to the property is paid in full.

2 – Outstanding fees owed to the City including utilities, permit fees, and fines are paid in full.

3 – Deferred development fees are paid in full.

4 – Return of any advances documented by the property owner needed due to the impact of the 2020 pandemic.

5 – Any net proceeds from the sale will be divided between the City receiving a 50% share up to $200,000 and the remaining 50% to Realty and Mortgage; any amount not repaid to the City at that time will be forgiven.

Impact statement:

The roof rehabilitation will ensure the preservation of 56 affordable housing units for senior citizens living primarily at 50%-60% of the MFI. This project will assist the in achieving the City’s goal to preserve affordable housing in Aurora. The preservation of this affordable housing project will help the City to fulfill its Consolidated Plan housing goals and objectives.

Recommendations:

Staff members recommend the approval of the resolution authorizing the execution of the redevelopment agreement that allows for the 2 North Stolp Avenue roof rehabilitation and sets forth other conditions and terms regarding the project’s loan agreement utilizing $400,000. In addition, staff members request authorization for the City’s mayor, chief Community Services officer, director of Community Services, Community Development manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with Project CDBG-2025-01 including but not limited to HUD’s program administration requirements.

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of a modification to a Redevelopment Agreement Between the city of Aurora and Community Housing Advocacy and Development (CHAD) to Modify Loan Terms for Project HOME-2010-01.

City government of Aurora documents show the city of Aurora receives approximately $500,000 annually in Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to create, preserve, and further affordable housing opportunities throughout the City. Since the City received HOME funding, nine projects have been completed that all require numerous legal documents to be executed and, in some cases, recorded against the properties assisted.

As part of a re-examination of these legal documents, Community Development staff members are recommending modifications to update the language to meet HOME regulations and to match the HUD required completion dates in each legal document.

Even though projects will not complete their affordability periods for many years, it is important to make these changes now so that a correct unit inspection schedule can be implemented and all of the legal document dates will match. As noted above, some of the projects will also require a modification to the agreement, regulatory land use restriction agreement (RLURA), mortgage, and notes to correctly state the number or type of HOME units along with the correct affordability period dates.

Project: HOME-2010-01; Developer: Community Housing Advocacy and Development (CHAD); Project: 1658 Blackwell Lane, 2517 Wild Dunes, and 2958 Partridge; Expiration Date of HUD Affordability Period: 10/22/2028.

Project: HOME-2011-01; Developer: Community Housing Advocacy and Development (CHAD); Project: 532 Ryegrass and 2926 Coastal; Expiration Date of HUD Affordability Period: 10/23/2028.

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of a modification to a Redevelopment Agreement Between the city of Aurora and Association for Individual Development (AID) to Modify Loan Terms for Project HOME-2012-01.

City government of Aurora documents show the city of Aurora receives approximately $500,000 annually in Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to create, preserve, and further affordable housing opportunities throughout the City. Since the City received HOME funding, nine projects have been completed that all require numerous legal documents to be executed and in some cases recorded against the properties assisted.

As part of a re-examination of these legal documents, Community Development staff members are recommending modifications to update the language to meet HOME regulations, match the HUD required completion dates in each legal document, and reduce the number of HOME units from 5 to 4 to match the actual number of units created in 2012. The additional space is utilized as 24/7 services required under Medicaid and Medicare support services through the Department of Mental Health.

Even though the projects will not complete their affordability periods for many years, it is important to make these changes now so that a correct unit inspection schedule can be implemented and all of the legal document dates will match. As noted above, some of the projects will also require a modification to the agreement, regulatory land use restriction agreement (RLURA), mortgage, and notes to correctly state the number or type of HOME units along with the correct affordability period dates..

Project: HOME-2012-01; Developer: AID Community Housing; Project: 523-531 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora, Ill; Expiration Date of HUD Affordability Period: 10/26/2030; Number of HOME Units: Reduce from 5 to 4 HOME units.

City government of Aurora documents show the city of Aurora receives approximately $500,000 annually in Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to create, preserve, and further affordable housing opportunities throughout the City. Since the City received HOME funding, nine projects have been completed, all of which required numerous legal documents to be executed and, in some cases, recorded against the properties assisted.

City of Aurora Agreement HOME-2013-02 was adopted by Resolution R14-316 on December 9, 2014, in the amount of $67,378 for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 843-845 Bowditch Aurora, Ill..

In many properties invested with HOME funds, affordability periods longer than the HUD requirement were placed on projects. This creates additional long term monitoring requirements as well as additional risk to the City if these developments underperform or fail to meet the requirements of the HOME program.

In an effort to reduce the risk and additional monitoring burden by Aurora, Community Development staff members are actively reviewing the affordability periods of the City’s portfolio while still maintaining and preserving affordable housing. This can be accomplished in a number of ways depending on the partner agency, types of other funds invested, and revised language of the agreement, mortgage, note, and land use restriction agreement. For this project, staff members are proposing to adjust the affordability period to a minimum of 10 years, which is the HUD-required minimum, down from the current 15-year period. This will reduce HUD’s ability to recapture funds should the project underperform or fail to meet the requirements of the HOME program. While this change reduces HUD’s ability to recapture funds if the project underperforms or fails to meet HOME program requirements, staff members recommend implementing an additional protective measure by placing an extended use requirement on the property for an additional 5 years beyond the 10-year affordability period. An extended use period will preserve the units of the project as affordable and allow the City to complete a reduced review of the project on an annual basis. This has been common practice for other local recipients of HOME funds including DuPage and Kane County.

As noted below, this project will also require a modification to the Agreement, Mortgage, Note, and Regulatory Land Use Restriction Agreement (RLURA) to correctly state the revised HOME affordability period and City extended use period.

Project: HOME-2013-01; Developer: AID Community Housing; Project: 2 Units; Regulatory Land Use Restriction Agreement (RLURA). RLURA Drafted to expire 9/28/2026.

•Approval was given to a Resolution approving a service agreement between the City and the County of Kendall for the provision of Demand-Response Transportation through 2027.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this resolution is to gain City Council approval of a service agreement between the city of Aurora and Kendall County, specifically Kendall Area Transit, known as “KAT”.

In August of 2024, a representative of the Mayor’s Office attended a Kendall County Mayors and Managers meeting. One of the items on the agenda was KAT funding. Kendall County staff members provided a presentation on the services provided to Kendall County residents as well as the current financial status of the program. Part of the presentation included an “ask” of all communities with residents in Kendall County for financial support to sustain the program. All funds from communities make the program eligible for a match through the “Downstate Operators Assistance Program” (DOAP). Data was provided on the number of Aurora residents in Kendall County who utilize the service, along with the information that Aurora does not support the program financially.

Following the meeting, Aurora staff members reached out to facilitate additional conversations with Kendall County. The item represents staff members’ findings and recommendations.

KAT is a demand-response transportation program to Kendall County residents. Kendall County is not part of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), therefore there is no transportation system outside of KAT. In 2023 the program cost approximately $1.6M, funded heavily through grants and the DOAP. Total trips from the start of 2024 to the August meeting were 20,326.

The information provided by the county reported that according to the 2020 Census, the city of Aurora represents 4.51% of Kendall County’s population, the 8th largest. Of the fourteen municipalities in Kendall County, eleven contribute to KAT. The demand for transit continues to grow, which prompted the request from the County to communities that benefit.

The City’s support of KAT would be in addition to the program run through Senior and Disability Services, City of Aurora Ride Solution (C.A.R.S.). The C.A.R.S. program did not support any riders from Kendall County, presumably due to the long-standing reliability of KAT. For example, the C.A.R.S. program had a ridership of 6,544 from the start of the program in 2023 through September of 2024, just from Kane and DuPage County’s. KAT had a total of 5,515 rides from July — December of 2024 just in the Aurora portion of Kendall County alone, with a typical annual ridership of over 9,000.

Eighteen of the twenty-three buses used for KAT meet the age for disposition and there are not enough buses or drivers to meet the demand. The program also must turn away approximately 130 requests per month, the current lack of funding does not support expansion.

The request from Kendall County was based on ridership, they provided a graduated funding model over the course of three years. The 2025 contribution would be $4,457, 2026 at $8,913 and 2027 at $13,370. The formula was based on the annual operational contribution of $2.25 per capita. After meeting with the Kendall County team and reviewing the information, City staff members opted to request the full $13,370 to support the County with their DOAP allocation. Funds for this program will be charged to account 101-1372-440.50-80.

Approval of this funding allocation will have a positive impact on Aurora residents in Kendall County’s ability to access low-cost, reliable transportation. Disapproval of this request could lead to reduced transit options and at some point, the elimination of KAT altogether.

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing approval of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area Amendment, 2025 Annual Action Plan, and Substantial Amendment 2025-#1

City government of Aurora documents show on behalf of the Block Grant Working Committee (BGWC), Staff members request approval of its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and proposed funding recommendations for federal funding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and HOME Investment Partnerships Program – American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Consolidated Plan is designed to help states and local jurisdictions to assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions. In addition, staff members request approval for the 5 -year renewal/update of the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area, and Substantial Amendment 2025-#1.

Planning for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan during summer 2024 with the selection of TDA Consulting, Inc. to assist in the development of the plan. TDA is a current consultant for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and has completed numerous Consolidated Plans for communities across the country.

City staff members conducted comprehensive stakeholder engagement activities to inform the goals and objectives of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. These activities included five individual stakeholder interviews and six focus groups, with representation from at least one of 65 organizations, covering topics such as housing affordability, homelessness, disabilities, seniors, youth, education, community improvements, and economic development. The lack of affordable housing emerged as the primary concern across all meetings.

Additionally, three open house meetings were held, featuring priority ranking activities on various topics. Homelessness prevention, services for individuals with mental disabilities, and community centers were identified as top priorities. The engagement process also highlighted needs for transportation improvements, affordable childcare, infrastructure repairs, digital literacy programs, shelters, transitional housing, and expanded language services to assist Limited English (LEP) residents with navigation and connecting to resources.

The 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan stresses the following objectives:

Expand and Maintain the Affordable Housing Stock.

Ensure the Housing Stock is Safe, Healthy, and Accessible for all Residents.

Public Service Assistance.

Enhance and Improve Access to Amenities

Program Administration (CDBG and HOME)

In addition to the above goals and objectives, staff members seek approval for an update to the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA), a special provision under the Community Development Block Grant Program aimed at revitalizing distressed community areas. Originally approved in 1999 and amended in 2011 and 2020, the NRSA selection process is based on a comprehensive assessment of economic conditions, development opportunities, and potential challenges. The proposed update includes a minor boundary adjustment, determined through analysis of HUD income data and recent affordable housing strategy. While largely consistent with prior boundaries, slight modifications reflect changes in census block group outlines and shifts in low- to moderate-income populations, with the NRSA continuing to focus on the Fox River, downtown Aurora, and adjacent neighborhoods.

Per HUD requirements, an NRSA must be primarily residential and contain a percentage of low- and moderate-income residents that is either 70% or equal to the community’s “upper quartile percentage”. The proposed NRSA amendment meets and exceeds these criteria, with approximately 74.2% of the population earning less than 80% of the area median income-surpassing both Aurora’s upper quartile percentage (73.8%) and HUD’s baseline of 70%.

Lastly, in addition to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, the City also completed or is the process of finalizing multiple planning documents to supplement the Consolidated Plan.

In each of these planning documents, research, analysis, and best practice reviews from across the country were incorporated into the planning with significant opportunities for stakeholder engagement to assist in drafting these planning documents.

Annually, the city of Aurora (“City”) receives approximately $1.2 million dollars in CDBG and $522,000 in HOME funds that are used to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing and provide services and projects to low-to-moderate income persons (defined as earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, or approximately $89,700 for a family of four in 2024). Residents that meet HUD’s definition of extremely low-income (defined as earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income, or approximately $33,650 for a family of four in 2024) will also primarily benefit from the findings of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan.

Under Substantial Amendment 2025-#1, staff members request approval of the BGWC’s proposed funding recommendations utilizing prior year CDBG funds as well as the City’s HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funding. As a one-time supplemental grant received through the American Rescue Plan, the City received $2,726,703 million dollars in HOME-ARP funds to be utilized to create affordable housing and provide supportive services for those who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, survivors of gender-based and sexual-based crimes, and families requiring services and/or housing assistance to prevent homelessness or families that are experiencing a high level of housing insecurity.

Additionally, the City must also modify its 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Annual Action Plans identified as Substantial Amendment 2025-#1 to reallocate CDBG and HOME-ARP funding to new and/or existing projects.

During 2024, the City released multiple calls to solicit applications for 2025 CDBG, HOME, and HOME-ARP proposals with applications opening up on August 29, 2024 and ultimately closing on October 4, 2024. The outreach efforts of City staff members included notifications to prior and current recipients of funding and prospective first-time applicants.

Under each email notification, an estimated 535 representatives from non-profit agencies, elected officials, advisory boards, interested businesses, and residents of the City were provided with information regarding the City’s grant opportunities. In addition, the City contacted other area grant providers via email to share the City’s grant opportunities and published an advertisement and press release in The Beacon News. The non-mandatory pre-application virtual workshop was attended by an estimated 109 representatives. The workshop was recorded and posted on the City’s website together with the workshop’s presentation slides.

The 2025 CDBG, HOME, and HOME-ARP rounds closed on October 4, 2024 with nineteen (19) applications requesting $8,946,994 million dollars.

Community Services Department staff members reviewed and scored each application to focus on the following criteria:

-Completeness and quality of the application

-Budget including sources and uses

-Grant management experience

-Past performance

-Ability to operate or carry on project with a reduced amount of funds

-Performance metrics

-Duplication of services

-Ability to serve Aurora residents

In addition, City staff members completed good standing checks with the City’s Division of Revenue and Collections, State of Illinois, Internal Revenue Service, and federal debarment registry to confirm each applicant’s funding eligibility. Numerous site visits and pre-application meetings were completed and additional research was conducted to confirm the accuracy of the applicants’ described service areas and outcomes.

The results of staff member analysis of the applications and their ability to meet the goals and objectives established by the City’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan (which incorporates the City’s HOME-ARP Needs Assessment) and proposed 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan formed the recommendations for the City’s 2025 Annual Action Plan and Substantial Amendment 2025-#1. In addition, City staff members considered alternative funding such as the City’s 2025 Quality of Life (QOL) and Home Investment Partnerships Program funding if the applicant applied for CDBG and/or QOL opportunities or if a proposed activity was a better fit for one of the other funding programs.

2025 Funding Recommendations

CDBG:

CDBG recommendations reflect an estimate of funding levels for CDBG and HOME based on prior year allocations ($1,196,194.00 and $522,114.95) and anticipated prior year resources from program income as well as projects that came in under budget or were cancelled. Future Congressional action could result in changes to anticipated funding levels. Any additional CDBG funding received through program income, an increase in the City’s funding, or completed 2024 and prior year projects that end up under budget will be placed in the Community Amenities’ Activity. HOME-ARP recommendations reflect a special one-time allocation in the amount of $2,726,703.

Of note, funds are programmed as “administration” as well as “public service” activities are based upon HUD’s regulatory caps. The CDBG cap is 20%, HOME cap is 10%, and HOME-ARP cap is 15%. Administration funds are used for staff member salaries, overhead, training opportunities, planning, and fair housing activities. Administration funds that are not used can be reprogrammed for additional eligible activities by future amendments.

The City received a total of 14 applications for CDBG funding, with 10 projects recommended for CDBG funding and one (1) project recommended for 2025 Quality of Life funding. Three (3) projects were not recommended for CDBG or QoL funding.

CDBG Public Facilities and Infrastructure Improvements:

Four applications were recommended for CDBG funding in the total amount of $482,633. Funding will assist the City’s Engineering Department in the amount of $250,000 as part of the annual scattered site street resurfacing program in CDBG eligible areas (via Substantial Amendment 2025-#1). Funding will not replace, but instead, will increase the budget for street resurfacing in low and moderate income areas. $70,000 will be allocated to The Neighbor Project for accessibility improvements, $60,800 to Sunnymere for masonry rehabilitation, and $101,833 to Hesed House for parking lot replacement.

CDBG Public Services:

The CDBG public services cap is 15% and cannot exceed $179,249. Public service funds are used to support an agency’s direct service delivery costs (staff member time, materials, etc.) specific to a particular CDBG program. In general, CDBG public service activity funds must be expended during the City’s program year and cannot be carried over into another year.

CDBG funding awards in the amount of $179,249 have been recommended for the following four agencies: CASA Kane County ($34,249), Hesed House ($50,000), Mutual Ground ($50,000), Senior Services Associates ($45,000). Services include activities related to child advocacy case management, homelessness prevention, domestic violence prevention, and senior services. Should actual funding be less than anticipated, these projects would take an across the board percentage reduction based on the amount of public service funds actually available.

CDBG Housing:

Two housing activities have been recommended for CDBG funding in the amount of $345,000. The Neighbor Project and Rebuilding Together Aurora provide assistance to income-eligible homeowners for emergency repairs and upgrades to provide ADA improvements such as ramps and accessible bathrooms.

HOME Funds and Establishment of Aurora O.N.E Affordable Housing Fund:

As has been past practice by the City, CDD staff members recommend that the City’s 2025 HOME funds be allocated as per HUD’s regulatory caps as follows: program administration is 10% ($52,211), direct project activities is 75% ($522,115) and 15% allocated to agencies that qualify as Community Housing Development Organizations ($78,317). Once the CDD receives direct project and CHDO activity proposals, CDD staff members will provide specific recommendations to the Block Grant Working Committee and then City Council at a later date. Projects will then move through the City’s substantial amendment process for HOME funding approval.

In 2025, as part of the O.N.E. Aurora 2025-2030 Affordable Housing Plan, one of the recommendations outlined in the plan is to establish a dedicated city fund to expand and preserve affordable housing. As part of this fund, in 2025, $500,000 has been allocated to the fund. City staff members are in the process of drafting an allocation plan which will include policies, procedures, and eligibility criteria which will be presented to the Block Grant Working Committee and City Council in Spring 2025.

HOME-ARP Funding:

The City received a total of three applications for HOME-ARP funding, with two projects recommended for a combined total of $150,00 in HOME-ARP funding to the following agencies: Hope Fair Housing ($50,000) and Loaves and Fishes ($100,000). One project was not recommended for funding.

Projects include fair housing services and emergency rental assistance. If approved, a reserve balance in the amount of $970,000 remains and all funding must be expended by September 30, 2030.

2025 Annual Action Plan and Substantial Amendment 2025-#1 Schedule:

Staff members are preparing the 2025 Action Plan and Substantial Amendment 2025-#1 to its 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Action Plans for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD has advised that the City should not submit its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan until actual amounts are formally announced by HUD. At this time, a continuing resolution has been passed by Congress and more details on 2025 funding should be outlined by the end of February 2025. The City will finalize its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and move forward with the City’s funding recommendations once the City is notified by HUD as to its actual allocations. Unlike the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, the City may move forward in committing its 2025-#1 Substantial Amendment funds following City Council approval.

In accordance with the city of Aurora’s Citizen Participation Plan and the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Department, the 30-day notices for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Substantial Amendment (2025-#1) were posted in the Beacon News on January 13, 2025. Each document was also made available on the City’s website and at the City’s three library branches. A public hearing will be conducted on January 24, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area Amendment, 2025 Annual Action Plan, and Substantial Amendment 2025-#1.

Impact statement:

Since its inception in 1974, the CDBG program has invested over $55 million dollars in the city of Aurora. These funds have supported streets and infrastructure, housing development, job training, youth development, homeless services, historic preservation, and senior services among others. Since becoming an entitlement community under the HOME program 14 years ago, the City has allocated approximately $8 million in HOME funds to rehabilitate its aging housing stock, create affordable rental housing units, and explore additional uses of HOME funds to further expand affordable housing throughout the City. HOME-ARP funds in the amount of $2,726,703 will support investments in providing affordable housing opportunities and supportive service activities for residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Recommendations:

Staff members recommend approval of the request authorizing approval of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Substantial Amendment (2025-#1). In addition, staff members requested authorization for the City’s mayor, chief Community Services officer, director of Community Services, Community Development manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, NRSA Amendment, and Substantial Amendment (2025-#1) including but not limited to HUD’s program administration requirements.

•Approval was given to a resolution establishing the maximum number of licenses in the city of Aurora in accordance with Chapter 25, Article XI “Tattoo and Body Art Establishments”.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to update the number of available licenses for tattoo and body art establishments.

In 2023 the City Council approved changes to Chapter 25, Article XI “Tattoo and Body Art Establishments”. The changes included the ability for new businesses to open using the 1/2 mile distance buffer between any new tattoo establishments consistent with the City code. The City uses this same set back with alternative financial institutions, tobacco/alternative nicotine and cannabis dispensaries.

At the time of the Council amendment to Chapter 25, it afforded itself the discretion to adjust the number of available licenses by separate resolution. As is the case with other forms of licenses, the City Council authorizes a number of licenses equal to the number of establishments holding them and then adjusts that number following the submittal of a complete application.

R24-311 created five licenses for tattoo and body art establishments in 2024. The owner of that business decided to expand by moving to a new location. His license expired 12/31/24 as he awaited approval for the new location; effectively reducing the number of licenses back down to four. In 2025, he was approved for a new license under R25-041 which created five (5) licenses once again for tattoo and body art establishments.

Revenue and Collections has another complete application for a new establishment to be in Ward 8. This resolution seeks to increase the number of available licenses from five to six.

This change will allow a new Tattoo and Body Art establishment to open in Aurora.

•Approval was given to a Resolution awarding the 2025 Sanitary Sewer CIPP Lining to National Power Rodding Corp. of Chicago, in the amount of $894.315.00.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to rehabilitate the existing sanitary sewer main throughout the City by cured in place pipe lining. Lining the sewers would prevent future pipe failures which would result in much costlier dig repairs.

Closures of entrances to the businesses and residences will be kept to a minimum during construction.

Four bids were received, opened, and read aloud on February 12, 2025. The low bid in the amount of ($894,315.00) was submitted by National Power Rodding Corp. $894,315.00 will be funded with account 510-4063-511-73-14 (IB018) which has a requested 2025 budget amount of $2,500,000.00.

This project was subject to the local preference ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.

Impacts to traffic and residents will be kept to a minimum.

•Approval was given to a resolution to award the N. Kingsway Dr. and Kenilworth Pl. Water Main Replacement project, in Ward 5, to Gerardi Sewer & Water Co., in the bid amount of one million forty-eight thousand four hundred sixty-five dollars and zero cents ($1,048,465.00).

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to replace the existing water main in the area which has a history of frequent breaks.

There are a total of 30 water services off of the existing water main that will be replaced and switched over to the new main, most of which are lead service lines.

A total of ten bids were received, opened, and read aloud on February 12, 2025. The lowest responsible bid received was in the amount of $1,048,465.00 by Gerardi Sewer & Water Co. The water main improvements will be funded with account 510-4058-511-73-01 (IC012) which has a 2025 budget amount of $850,000.00, and $198,465.00 from account 510-4058-511-73-01 (IC080) which has a total budgeted amount of $4,000,000.00.

This project was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.

There will be no major lane closures during the duration of the project. The project location is in a quiet, residential area. Impacts to traffic and residents will be kept to a minimum with lifted parking restrictions as required. Water shutdowns during the project will be planned and coordinated with the residents affected.

•Approval was given to a Resolution to award the S. Broadway Ave Sewer Separation – Hazel Ave to North Ave project in Ward 4 to Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC in the bid amount of $3,338,777.00.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to install new storm sewers removing stormwater from the combined sewer system on Broadway Avenue (IL Rte 25) between Hazel Avenue and North Avenue ahead of the street overlay of Broadway Avenue anticipated by IDOT’s contractor in late 2025. Approximately 98 lead water services within this section of S. Broadway Avenue will also be replaced to eliminate the future possibility of disturbing the freshly overlayed pavement.

New storm sewers will be installed to remove surface drainage flows from the combined sewer system. There will be a future phase II extending this storm sewer in the adjacent east-west streets. This project will help satisfy the requirements associated with the City’s long term control plan and the City’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency combined sewer system overflow. The trunk storm sewers are already installed at Hazel Avenue, Evans Avenue and Bluff Street.

The proposed improvements have been publicly advertised and bid in conformance with City procedures. Four conforming bids were received, publicly opened and read aloud on February 12, 2025.

This project was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.

Portions of the project are accounted for within two 2025 budgets. $975,000 within account 510-4058-511-73-01 (IC080, $4,000,000.00 Lead Water Service Replacement) and the remaining $2,363,777.00 within account 281-1856-512-73-09 (B031, $3,050,000.00 LTCP Improvements – Sewer Separation) as well as account 280-1852-512-81-23 (B037, $1,000,000 Storm Sewer Extensions) .

Parking along the west side of Broadway Avenue in the project limits will likely not be allowed during the duration of the project. Traffic lanes will be narrowed and potentially shifted at times. There also may be time when traffic is reduced to one direction with the use of flaggers. Detours to adjacent blocks may occur during working hours if allowed by IDOT. Water and sanitary service interruptions will be kept to a minimum during construction of this project.

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to purchase a one-year renewal of a DocuSign Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) subscription from Carahsoft Technology Corporation of Reston, Virginia for an amount not to exceed $94,720.80.

City government of Aurora documents show the City is seeking to expand and continue its relationship with DocuSign for a cloud-based eSignature solution to be used internally and externally with the potential to scale to a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system for certain departments. The initial use of this solution was approved by resolution R20-115 and this request is for expanded staff member training and expanded use of the solution.

The City has utilized DocuSign CLM since 2020 and has seen good success. This one-year renewal seeks to add substantial staff member training to promote the continued expansion of the solution throughout the City as well as provide for the increased number of documents processed through DocuSign.

DocuSign CLM accelerates agreements, eliminates manual tasks, and makes it easy to connect with the tools and systems already in use. The DocuSign Agreement Cloud for Public Sector, allows customers to extend these benefits to other stages of the agreement process, such as preparing, acting on, and managing agreements

Since 2023, City staff members have sent 19,885 documents through the DocuSign CLM for signature. This included approximately 7% to residents and external customers. City staff members have continued to expanded this usage and in 2024 completed a governance and security DocuSign Center of Excellence (CoE) that will provide the proper framework for expansion of the program to integrate with the upcoming City website and other core applications.

Pricing / Contracting: The final quote was $94,720.80 for one year.

DocuSign CLM will be paid using available funds from the Information Technology account number 101-1280-419.38-11.

This purchase will be made through the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Contract AR2472.

Impact on Departments/ Divisions procedures: Quickly and securely make every agreement and approval digital. This will make existing processes in Legal, Finance, HR, IT, Mayor’s Office etc. more efficient.

Impact on Technology: The DocuSign Agreement Cloud for Government has over 350 pre-built integrations with popular applications, which minimizing deployment time across City applications and implementation risk. The DocuSign software as a service solution (SaaS) can be integrated into other technologies (minimal impacts on process change). This will reduce impact on IT time for both implementation and ongoing maintenance.

Impact on the public: Departments can use DocuSign CLM to send digital documents to residents and businesses, minimizing the time needed to physically complete paperwork / agreements.

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing memorandum of understanding with the Fox Valley Music Foundation for The Venue’s use of Mundy Park for the calendar year of 2024.

City government of Aurora documents show as in past years, the City and the Foundation would like to enter into a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the use of Mundy Park for their events.

The Fox Valley Music Foundation leases City property at 19-21 S. Broadway, also known as The Venue. This building was previously slated for demolition, but thanks to the efforts of the Foundation the building was transformed into an educational and event space. The renovation of that building inspired the Mundy Family to transform the park space to complement the performance aspect, but the park remains available for public use. This MOU memorializes the procedure for the Venue’s use of the park.

Staff members are seeking a revised agreement for the 2025 event season, it mirrors the 2024 agreement which worked well. As in the past, this MOU outlines the obligations of both the Fox Valley Music Foundation and the City. This agreement will allow for another season of outdoor music events hosted by The Venue which will further complement and enhance downtown arts and entertainment.

This agreement will continue to encourage outdoor music and entertainment events downtown and encourage the utilization of Mundy Park for the benefit of the public.

•Approval was given to an Ordinance amending Sec. 2-185 of the Code of Ordinances with respect to the obligations of members of the City’s Boards and Commissions.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this amendment is to address an operational issue created by the 2023 amendment to this section of the code.

In 2023, the City Council approved amendments to Sec. 2-185 “Disclosure of Economic Interests and Campaign Finances”. The change in 2023 was intended to reduce the burden on the local City Clerk’s Office and to avoid duplication by substantially reducing the City’s local disclosure requirements. Because the State of Illinois had recently begun requiring more detailed economic interest disclosures of public officials, and because reporting obligations related to campaign finance had evolved significantly in the 40 years since Aurora began requiring local disclosure, the additional transparency afforded by the local disclosures, relative to state requirements was significantly reduced.

Moreover, the manual form required by the City created a substantial amount of work for the City clerk. The revised process adopted by the City Council created a streamlined quarterly economic disclosure and publishes those results to the website for the public to review. This process is now done entirely online.

The 2023 amendment also provided that the members of a select number of the City’s boards and commissions would also be required to complete the Aurora disclosures. This amendment aims to address the issues created by this change specific to the boards and commissions. There are no proposed changes for City employees or elected officials, however adapting the new process to the needs of the volunteer members of the boards and commissions has proven difficult.

To honor the intention of the revised ordinance for staff members and elected officials, the City clerk worked with the City’s GIS division to create an entirely online process that is communicated via City email addresses. The chart below illustrates the commissions required by law to complete disclosure forms, the number of members as well as if they had a City email address. The City issues e-mail addresses to the membership of all but two of the commissions, primarily to allow those members to access documents related to their commission duties through a designated SharePoint site. Staff member liaisons were able to contact the members when the survey was issued to their email address, but there were consistent issues with members’ abilities to successfully log in and complete the survey.

Staff members made numerous attempts to resolve the issues, but the process of resolution caused significant frustration on the part of members, causing some to express their intention to resign due to this point. Evaluation by the Mayor’s Office and Law Department determined that the quarterly surveys are not serving the intent of the ordinance as amended by the City Council. Because members of these commissions are already required to disclose their economic interests annually, eliminating the local disclosure requirement does not substantially reduce transparency. Moreover, the nature of the local disclosures, which are now confined to whether a covered person has outside employment, and the nature of that employment and whether the covered person has a campaign committee, is far more relevant for the City’s elected officials and employees than it is for volunteers.

Lastly, it can be a challenge to identify qualified and capable members to serve in these capacities, particularly the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Civil Service Commission, both of which meet twice a month. Requiring this extra work, on a quarterly basis, and with the prospect of financial penalties for a failure to timely comply, may deter the public for applying for these positions or continuing to serve once appointed.

Approval of this amendment should benefit Aurora’s valuable commission members while still providing transparency through established processes at the county level. Keeping this additional quarterly requirement could cause the City to lose valuable members who do not have time to navigate the technology challenges that accompany non-employees when logging into their City email.

•Approval was given to a motion authorizing and directing the chief Human Resources officer to execute a settlement agreement on behalf of the City in worker’s compensation claims; #22Q05I558960 + 23Q05I562255 and 20Q05I559206.

•Approval was given to the recommended changes to the Aldermen’s Office Mileage Reimbursement Policy.

City government of Aurora documents show the proposed draft mileage policy-office of the aldermen.

•Each Alderman will be allotted a maximum of $500 for calendar year for mileage reimbursement out of the office budget

o Mileage will only be paid for travel outside the city of Aurora limits.

•Per IRS guidelines, mileage reimbursement is set at $0.70 per mile for 2025

o If attending the same event or training, Aldermen are expected to carpool. If you decide not to, mileage reimbursement will be half of the amount set by the IRS.

•Mileage expense forms must be submitted either monthly or quarterly

o If submitted monthly, the expense form must be submitted no later than 2 weeks after the end of the month

o If submitted quarterly, the expense form must be submitted no later than 2 weeks after the end of the quarter.

o For 4th quarter reimbursements or /December monthly reimbursements, the expense form must be submitted no later than 1 week after the end of the quarter/month.

•All reimbursement requests will be carefully reviewed to ensure lesser distance location is used.

Alderman Ed Bugg’s proposed allowance for mileage:

*2025 Alderperson allowance for Mileage

$500 a year, $42 a month – 59. 5 miles a month, less than 2 miles a day.

*Federal mileage reimbursement is 70 cents a mile

*Proposal to increase mileage to $100 a month for each Alderman, about 4 1/2 miles per day.

*Resolution Back dated to effective date of 1/1/24.

Mayor vehicle allowance $6408 a year; $534 a month

•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing approval of a Short-Term Loan Agreement between the city of Aurora and Delicia Bowling for the purpose of facilitating the opening of The Soul Spot, a soul food restaurant, in Unit E4 at the Fox Valley Mall at 195 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, Ill.

City government of Aurora documents show the loan agreement will help to facilitate Delicia Bowling to open “The Soul Spot”, a soul restaurant. The agreement codifies the commitments from Delicia Bowling that triggers City incentives that will be repaid to the City as described below.

The subject commercial space, formerly occupied by Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery who left in 2017, to which another eatery temporarily occupied the space in 2021. Despite its prime location, the space has remained vacant not generating any sales tax revenue during this time, an opportunity loss for the City, and its taxpayers estimated at over $160,000 over four years (2021-2025).

Delicia owned and operated Mandy’s Soul Food in Bolingbrook for seven years until making the decision to bring her successful and established business to Aurora.

Delicia has recently signed a lease agreement with Centennial Real Estate Management, LLC to improve and occupy the 6,251 square feet restaurant space.

Delicia has invested more than $350,000 in kitchen equipment that she is bringing to this space. This together with the landlord’s commitment to invest $110,000 to ensure that all equipment is in working order has limited some, but not all, of the costs to open the restaurant. Certain equipment will have to be replaced as this kitchen is smaller and has a layout that is different than her previous space. In addition, there are requirements for new signage, retrofitting, and working capital in addition to the funds that has already been expended. The City will require a final drawing(s) as a part of the permitting process, and no loan disbursement will happen prior to this time.

The Fox Valley Mall has undergone significant redevelopment beginning in 2019 following the City’s adoption of Route 59 Corridor Plan. At that time the new owners of the mall, Centennial, were faced with an aging traditional mall that had just lost Sears, Carson’s, and neighboring Toys R Us. Over the last several years Centennial has invested millions of dollars in renovating the mall into a mixed-use development. The primary focus has been to demolish the vacant anchors and construct new market-rate apartments. The First phase was Lumen, a 304-unit apartment complex that is doing extremely well. The second phase of the redevelopment is underway, which includes the construction of a 323-unit luxury apartment community. The next phase will be a 212-unit senior housing development called Sophia.

While the focus has been on creating new residential, Centennial has always been focused on supporting and attracting new retail. While the inside of the mall has been doing very well, trying to attract stand-alone retail and restaurants outside the mall has been challenging. One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of visibility from Route 59 which is a key requirement for most retailers and restaurants.

Competition in this area continues to increase especially with the new Block 59 development just to the east in Naperville. It’s worth noting that even Naperville approved incentives to help with the Block 59 project. Naperville provided a 1% sales tax incentive for the Block 59 development. This tax is applied to retail and restaurant sales within the business district, which includes the Westridge Court and Heritage Square shopping centers. The revenue generated from this tax is intended to fund the estimated $13.4 million in infrastructure improvements needed for the project. It is important to note that the majority of the West bridge/Heritage tenants are national brands with significant corporate capital as compared to the three minority owned businesses that are and will occupy these close proximate spaces next to Macys.

While this redevelopment is in the Fox Valley TIF District, the City is not planning to use tax increment funding for incentives in this project.

Centennial and the City are both excited about attracting a new restaurant destination into the Fox Valley Mall – and it’s “front-facing” unit – will continue to strengthen the mall as a walkable, mixed-use development.

The City joined forces with the SBA funded “Small Business Entrepreneurial Center” at Waubonsee to assure the comprehensiveness of the projections. Aside from guiding financial operations the projections estimate revenues which in turn will generate new incremental Sales/Food and Beverage Taxes.

Financial Overview:

Contributed Capital – $350,000.00 (Equipment)

The Soul Spot Equity – $30,000

Total Owner Contribution = $380,000

Landlord equity – $110,000.00

City Short Term Loan – $75,000.00

Fundamental to all restaurants that require incentives is that the City will be paid back.

The incentives being offered as a part of this Agreement are:

A City loan of $75,000 (Paid through sales/ food and beverage taxes over a three year period and personally guaranteed)

•$20,000 for kitchen equipment

•$8,000 for FF&E

•$10,000 for Fire Suppression

•$2,200 for gas line

•$1,000 for electrical

•$2,000 for plateware, silverware, and drinkware

•$6,700 for signage

•$1,500 for miscellaneous contract work

•$23,600 working capital

Restaurant will be open seven days a week with the following hours:

Monday-Friday 10am-8pm

Thursday-Friday 10am-8pm

Sunday 10am-8pm

Total annual sales are estimated at a minimum of $1,000,000 which would produce $37,500 in sales/food and beverage annually.

The Soul Spot will expand the dining choices in an area that continues to offer a multitude of diversity and cultural experiences to residents and visitors.