By Jason Crane
At the Aurora city government City Council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 23 mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin honored the representatives of DAC Development with a ceremonious resolution signing after the City Council unanimously approved a preliminary plan and plat for a proposed subdivision along the Fox River.
The plan was presented to the City Council meeting in July. Click here to see the renderings.
The City government plans to honor developers of large new developments in the future.
DAC Development plans to build a subdivision on the property at 100 N. Broadway on 1.93 acres along the Fox River for the construction of a new market-rate five-story, 246-unit residential building.
The property is a parking lot owned and operated by the Dolan family with M-1(C) General Manufacturing, District with a Conditional Use zoning.
Mayor Irvin said, “This is the first round of development seen in our downtown corridor in over a decade and-a-half.
“To take the chance and invest in Aurora and believe in us the way we believe in you, we just appreciate what you’re willing to bring to the table to the City.
“This is going to be an absolutely beautiful development that will be right on our riverfront to capitalize on the beautiful Fox River that runs through the heart of our City.
“This development will not just attract to that particular area, but I believe create a sense of synergy throughout the whole downtown that will bring other developments.
“Hopefully you guys come back and do more!” Irvin said to the representatives of DAC Development.
The units will be a combination of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms ranging from 405 square feet to 1,200 square foot.
A total of 310 parking spaces will be in the parking garage and four surface parking spaces will be near the main entrance for short-term and long-term loading.
One parking space will be reserved for each residential unit and the remaining 0.26 parking spaces will be reserved for guest parking.
In addition, the Petitioner is proposing to have private amenities, including but not limited to, an outdoor pool with a patio area, bike storage and shop, coffee shop, dog lounge, meeting space, fitness room, and a private roof top deck. In addition, the Petitioner will be constructing a sidewalk to the existing bike path along the Fox River.
• Temple B’nai Israel Rabbi Edward Friedman shared some information on the history of Hanukkah which means “dedication” in Hebrew begins this year the evening of Sunday, Nov. 28 through December 6.
• There weren’t any individuals seeking to use their voices for up to three minutes each.
The City Council unanimously approved the following agenda items:
• Approved was a resolution approving mayor Richard Irvin’s appointment of Jennifer Stallings, City clerk, as an assistant corporation counsel pursuant to Sec. 2-285(d)(5) of the Code of Ordinances to help with legal matters.
Clerk Stallings has an active law license and earlier this year, the City Council reorganized the Law Department and City Clerk’s office to combine them into one for more efficiency.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#3 to modify Project (Community Development Block Grant) CDBG-2018-02 – Mutual Ground Shelter Exterior Rehabilitation Project and to allocate Home Investment Partnerships – American Rescue Plan (Home-ARP) Administration and Planning Funding.
City government of Aurora documents show City staff members are requesting authorization of Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#3 to modify Project CDBG-2018-02 – Mutual Ground Shelter Exterior Rehabilitation Project to increase funding by $112,000 for the purpose of restoring the historic portico at 418 Oak Avenue, Aurora (Mutual Ground).
Additionally, the city government received $2,726,703 in Home-ARP funds approved by Congress March 11, as part of the American Rescue Plan. The purpose of allocating Home-ARP funds is to gain access to administration and planning funds to complete a required needs assessment before actual activities can be recommended for approval.
The 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2021 Annual Action Plan were approved by City Council February 9, 2021, R21-022. Two substantial amendments to the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan were approved by City Council August 10, R21-216 and August 24, R21-229. This Substantial Amendment-#3 was required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to a change in the use of federal funds from one eligible activity to another in excess of 25% of a single activity budget and the creation of a new activity.
In order to comply with HUD requirements, a public comment period was scheduled for 10/20/2021 to 11/19/2021 and a public hearing scheduled for 11/3/2021.
Mutual Ground Capital Improvement Project:
The Aurora City Council previously approved $245,000 in CDBG funding for this project February 9, R21-022. Due to a delay in receipt in HUD funding, bidding could not take place until September 8. During this time, the market conditions including the cost of labor and construction materials increased significantly. Sealed bids were opened September 23, with the lowest most responsible bidder submitting a bid of $379,500. When factoring in the estimated costs for architectural services, the total cost of the project now stands at $407,000. Due to the increase in costs, Mutual Ground has pledged $50,000 in reserve funds along with their request to the city for $112,000 in CDBG funds to complete this project.
Home Investment Partnerships Program – American Rescue Plan (Home-ARP):
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated $5 billion to provide housing, services, and shelter to individuals experiencing homeless and other vulnerable populations, to be allocated by formula to jurisdictions that qualified for Home Investment Partnerships Program allocations in Fiscal Year 2021. As a participating jurisdiction, the city government of Aurora received $2,726,723 in Home-ARP funds. As a first step to access this funding, the City can access up to 5% ($136,336) of the total award for administration and planning costs. To gain access the remaining Home-ARP funds, HUD requires the City to consult with agencies and service providers whose clientele include the Home-ARP qualifying populations to identify unmet needs and gaps in the City’s housing and/or service delivery systems. Following the close of the City’s consultation and public participation process, a funding allocation plan based upon the Home-ARP priority needs via a Substantial Amendment will be submitted for City Council review and approval. Once the Home-ARP Allocation Plan is approved by City Council and HUD, the remaining award will be made available and any future projects will be presented to City Council for approval. All funds must be expended by September 30, 2030.
• Approved was a resolution approving the appointment of René Craig to the Bicycle, Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Board.
City government of Aurora documents show in June 2021, the City Council approved changes to Chapter 2, which included a sunset provision for all board/commission members. The sunset was included to bring the board/commission terms into compliance with the new dates provided in the ordinance, as well as survey members if they wished to continue to serve, or step down.
The nomination brought forth represents a veteran candidate, René Craig, a Ward 4 resident of Aurora.
• Approved was a resolution approving the appointments of members to the Aurora Youth Council. The nomination brought forth represents four veteran candidates and three new members.
They are: Gabriel Bradford from East Aurora High School representing Ward 3; Gauri Venkatramar from Waubonsie Valley High School representing Ward 8; Katie McDonnell from Aurora Central Catholic High School representing Ward 1; Ian Ortega from Marmion Academy representing Ward 10; Sarah Ramos from Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) representing Ward 1; Pranet Swain from IMSA representing Ward 8; Pravallika Padyala from Metea Valley High School representing Ward 10.
After the appintments were unanimously approved, mayor Irvin posed for a photo of the members of the Aurora Youth Council attending the meeting.
• Approved was an ordinance amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, to rezone Property at 2120 Sullivan Road from O(C) Office District with a Conditional Use to ORI Office, Research, Light Industrial.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner, Panattoni Development Company, is requesting approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map to rezone Property at 2120 Sullivan Road from Office with a conditional use to ORI.
The property is currently zoned O(C) or Office with a Conditional Use for a planned development, which is part of the Sullivan Land Venture Conditional Use Planned Development.
The Petitioner, Panattoni Development Company, is requesting to rezone the property from O(C) District to ORI District. In 2001 the property was first annexed into the City of Aurora and was placed into the ORI district and was planned for a warehouse similar to what is currently proposed. In 2005, an office park was platted and planned for, which triggered to a rezoning of the property to O(C). This would put the property back into the zone it was originally planned for.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plat. The plan approved in 2005 for an office park created a series of smaller lots for the individual buildings as along with the retention basins and the parking lot. This plat process would be removing the individual lots and vacating the easements that were put in place by the 2005 Plat of Subdivision.
Finally, the petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plan for a Warehouse, Distribution and Storage Services (3300) Use. The petitioner is proposing the creation of an approximately 357,000 sq. ft. speculative warehouse. There is no tenant proposed at this time. Two access points are proposed for the development, one tying into the existing access for 2380 Sullivan Road and the other creating a new curb cut along Sullivan Road. The development will not be tying into the existing curb cut along Sullivan Road that is used to access Aurora Christian Schools due to the desire to keep both passenger vehicle and truck traffic away from the residential subdivision. As a part of this project, the developer will be closing off the access point that was originally planned to tie into Sullivan Road.
The trailer/truck parking is proposed to be taking place in the Southeastern portion of the site, being separated from the neighboring properties by a combination of a retention pond and heavy landscaping. 138 trailer spaces are proposed. The passenger vehicle parking is taking place on the Western, Northern, and Eastern portions of the building and is being screen from the streets and residential properties with landscaping. 290 passenger parking spaces are proposed. 34 exterior truck docks are proposed at this time with 32 truck docks being possible for future tenants.
Staff members reviewed the Rezoning petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances, with the exception of the items reflected in the conditions listed in the staff member recommendation below.
Staff members share the findings of facts for Rezoning Petitions:
1.) Staff members believe the proposal is in accordance with all applicable official physical development policies and other related official plans and policies of the City of Aurora.
2.) Staff members believe the proposal represents the logical establishment and consistent extension of the requested classification in consideration of the existing land uses, existing zoning classifications, and essential character of the general area of the property in question. The surrounding area consists of several other ORI zones/uses and the subject development sufficiently buffers the neighboring residential uses.
3.) Staff members believe the proposal is consistent with a desirable trend of development in the general area of the property in question, occurring since the property in question was placed in its present zoning classification.
4.) Staff members believe the rezoning will allow uses which are more suitable than uses that are permitted under the existing zoning verification. The property has sat vacant for some time under its existing classification.
5.) Staff members believe the rezoning is a consistent extension of the existing land uses, existing zoning classifications, and essential character of the general area.
Public Input: Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter. Recently, staff members have received two public inquiries requesting additional information on this petition as well as raising concerns regarding the potential for increased traffic and noise.
The staff members evaluation and recommendation are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
11.1 (5) To guide and promote development to areas where public utilities, public roads and municipal services are either available or planned.
11.1 (3) To encourage new development contiguous to existing development.
14.1 (4) To encourage quality site design throughout the City.
• Approved was a resolution amending resolution R21-079 to allow additional time to submit reimbursement request, which was outlined in Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with John Karm for 14 S. May Street granted on April 13, 2020.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this resolution is to move the deadline for contractors to complete work and homeowners to submit the reimbursement requests from December 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.
The City of Aurora approved R21-079, for a $17,500.00 grant on April 13, 2021.
Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreements contained Section 7.1 (b) being an owners obligation section requiring the project to be completed in a timely manner in order to allow for the submittal of all reimbursement requests prior to December 1, 2021. After further research, staff members and owners decided to change the scope for the porch restoration from installing standard columns and balusters to replicating a unique design found on a rear porch. This design required special order, which special orders of wood products are behind in ordering. Painting can also not be completed in colder weather. Due to labor shortages and supply chain issues, grantee is requesting a deadline extension to May 31, 2022 to allow for finalizing installation and painting..
Due to COVID-19, many contractors have faced labor shortages and supply chain issues. Historic Preservation projects typically require specialized contractors providing homeowners a greatly reduced pool of contractors. This seems to be sufficient cause to obtain modification of deadline to finalize the project to ensure the projects are done in a high-quality manner.
The staff members evaluation and recommendation are based on the City of Aurora Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines
• Approved was a resolution amending resolution R21-082 to allow additional time to submit reimbursement request, which was outlined in Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with Chad McDaniel for 448 Wilder Street granted on April 13, 2021.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this resolution is to move the deadline for contractors to complete work and homeowner to submit the reimbursement requests from December 1, 2021 to December 1, 2022.
The City of Aurora approved R21-082, for a $16,625.00 grant on April 13, 2021
Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreements contained Section 7.1 (b) being an owners obligation section requiring the project to be completed in a timely manner in order to allow for the submittal of all reimbursement requests prior to December 1, 2021. Due to labor shortages and supply chain issues, the original contractor the homeowner was going to have complete the work could not guarantee when they would get to the project. Window restoration is a highly specialized field with only a few contractors that service the Aurora area. The homeowner reached out to the few others and could only find one contractor that would guarantee a timeline of this year with completion in Spring. However, the contractor is also the only contractor that was able to do a window restoration project for the Neighborhood Project for a property that is also in the historic district. The deadline for the Neighborhood Project grant is May 2022. A December 2022 deadline would allow both this property and another property in the historic district have a complete window restoration project.
While a longer extension than typically requested, this extension is unique in the difficulty of supply chain for windows and the specialized field of window restoration. It would also leverage additional funding for preservation projects through the Neighborhood Project and foster collaboration with another organization. This seems to be sufficient cause to obtain modification of deadline to finalize the project to ensure the projects are done in a high-quality manner.
The staff members evaluation and recommendation are based on the City of Aurora Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines.
• Approved was a resolution amending resolution R21-084 to allow additional time to submit reimbursement request, which was outlined in Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with Guadalupe Zavala for 517 S. 4th Street granted on April 13, 2021.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this resolution is to move the deadline for contractors to complete work and homeowners to submit the reimbursement requests from December 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.
The City of Aurora approved R21-084, for a $16,500.00 grant on April 13, 2021.
Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreements contained Section 7.1 (b) being an owners obligation section requiring the project to be completed in a timely manner in order to allow for the submittal of all reimbursement requests prior to December 1, 2021. After additional inspection, additional repairs were required to the inlaid copper gutter. The gutter repair and soffit and fascia repair should be completed by the end of the year but painting may have to wait depending on weather. Due to labor shortages and supply chain issues, grantee is requesting a deadline extension to May 31, 2022 to allow for finalizing installation and painting.
Due to COVID-19, many contractors have faced labor shortages and supply chain issues. Historic Preservation projects typically require specialized contractors providing homeowners a greatly reduced pool of contractors. This seems to be sufficient cause to obtain modification of deadline to finalize the project to ensure the projects are done in a high-quality manner.
Staff members recommend approval of a resolution amending resolution R21-084 to allow additional time to submit reimbursement request, which was outlined in Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with Guadalupe Zavala for 517 S. 4th Street granted on April 13, 2021.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing the purchase of bulk rock salt in the amount of $48.93 per ton from Compass Minerals America Inc. Overland Park, Kansas for the Division of Street Maintenance under the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval for the purchase of bulk rock salt in the amount of $48.93 per ton from Compass Minerals America Inc. for the Division of Street Maintenance under the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement bid for the 2021-2022 winter season.
The bulk salt is used to melt snow and ice from Aurora streets, making them safer for vehicular traffic. The city of Aurora government has been dividing salt purchases between DuPage County Department of Transportation and the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement. By dividing road salt orders between two government agencies soliciting bids, the City government hopes to have two different suppliers. Historically this has provided us an alternate source should one provider be unable to make timely deliveries.
The City anticipates purchasing 7,500 tons (50% of the City’s annual order) of bulk rock salt at a price of $48.93 per ton for the 2021-2022 winter season from Compass Minerals America Inc.
$1,300,000 has been budgeted for this expense in 2021 using account 203-4460-431.65-32 and the department does not anticipate going over budget with this approval.
• Approved was a resolution establishing the maximum number of Class C: Specialty On-Site Consumption liquor licenses (unofficially related to the application from Foreign Exchange Brewing, Inc. at 110 Cross St, Aurora). [Ward 4]
City government of Aurora documents show Foreign Exchange Brewing, Inc. is opening a new brewery/taproom at 110 Cross Street in Aurora and has submitted a liquor license application to manufacture beer and sell their beer for consumption on-site or off-site.
This request is presented in accordance with the 2011 amendment to the City’s Liquor Ordinance, specifically Section 6-9(a), which charges the City Council with the authority to determine the number of licenses available in each classification.
Foreign Exchange Brewing Company plans to offer a full menu of small and large plates in conjunction with Gillerson’s Grubbery, a local restaurant.
If approved, this resolution will increase the number of allowable liquor licenses to allow for the issuance of the license by the Liquor Commissioner. City staff members have been working with the business owners to ensure that all requirements for a liquor license, as set forth in Chapter 6 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, are met.
The proposed resolution presents an opportunity to further the City of Aurora’s economic development and to bring additional business and people to the City of Aurora.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing the continued services of civilian fingerprint analysts Julie Smith and Gina Minetti as contractual consultants for the purpose of fingerprint analysis and identification for the Aurora Police Department.
The purpose is to request authorization from the Aurora City Council to re-hire certified fingerprint analysts Julie Smith and Gina Minetti for the purpose of conducting fingerprint analysis and identification as part of the Department’s continuing program to maintain a complete in-house fingerprint capability for the Aurora Police Department.
City government of Aurora documents show formerly, for all crimes occurring in Aurora (DuPage County excluded), the Aurora Police Department had submitted fingerprint evidence to the Illinois State Police’s Joliet Crime Lab (JCL) for analysis and identification. Due to overstretched resources and heavy caseloads at the JCL, it was taking several months for them to process and return fingerprint evidence from crime scenes submitted for Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) comparison.
When the Aurora Police Department waited for AFIS submissions to come back, the citizens of Aurora suffered needless victimization at the hands of criminals, often times felons, who remained unidentified and free to continue their criminal pursuits while fingerprint evidence that could link them to previous crimes was waiting processing by the JCL. This continued victimization has monetary costs as well as psychological costs that negatively impact the quality of Aurora citizenry.
Fingerprint evidence is still amongst the strongest of all types of evidence, it is possible to get charges authorized against an offender on the basis of fingerprint evidence alone. In order to better serve the public by combatting crime and removing criminals from the streets of Aurora at the earliest possible opportunity, the Department developed its own complete in-house fingerprint capability to include lifting fingerprints, submitting them through AFIS, making identifications, and being able to testify in court to those identifications. Being able to make these quick identifications has resulted in career criminals being identified and removed from the streets before they have the opportunity to victimize citizens over and over again.
Research into what was needed in order to establish an in-house AFIS capability showed that two analysts were needed, as in order to establish absolute reliability in identifications, one certified analyst must verify the identification of another. Misidentifications would serve to undermine the credibility of programs before the courts and could also incur liability for the City. After analyzing various options to obtain the services of two analysts, the Police Department determined that hiring already trained and certified people to perform fingerprint analysis and identification on a contractual basis was the quickest and most cost-effective way to establish an in-house AFIS capability. Other options that were ruled out were hiring full or part-time analysts or committing Police Department personnel to the lengthy training and certification process that would be needed to perform this task.
On 12/22/2009, the City Council approved the purchase of AFIS equipment from the NEC Corporation of America for this purpose and updated the equipment in February 2018. On 03/23/2010, the City Council adopted resolution R10-109 authorizing the hiring of two certified fingerprint analysts as contractual consultants to conduct fingerprint analysis and identification. Fingerprint analysts, Julie Smith and Gina Minetti, were contracted and cleared to perform this work for the department beginning 11/30/2010.
Smith and Minetti began performing fingerprint analysis for the Department in December of 2010 and have continued their analysis since that time. They have been assigned approximately 1748 cases, examined approximately 6180 fingerprint lifts and were able to make over 1700 identifications of people. They have proved themselves to be highly competent and dependable workers. They have met all of the requirements of their job descriptions and expectations of the Department. In some cases, they had an identification within hours, instead of the months it may have taken the crime lab to make an identification.
Based on the proven work performance and success rates already established by Julie Smith and Gina Minetti, the Department would like to have their contracts renewed for the calendar year 2022 and 2023. Those contracts have been structured based on the volume of work the Police Department has for them and the rate at which they were able to process it during the time they worked. That analysis showed that they will need to work at least 6 hours a piece each week, up to 10 hours a piece a week. Their rate of pay will be $100.00 per hour, subject to an annual maximum of $60,000.00 each. They are only contacted when there is work for them to do, so the City will not incur any costs if there is none.
If this is not approved, the Aurora Police Department will have a significant time lag in the potential identification of offenders. Fingerprint lifts would have to be sent to the State Police Crime lab and sit stagnate for up to 1 month or more while they await processing with many other requests from other law enforcement agencies.
This allows the Department to continue the established processing of all fingerprint evidence in-house.
• Approved was a resolution to approve the contract from JCM Uniforms Inc. for the purchase of clothing and uniforms for the Fire Department 2022.
City government of Aurora documents show the current clothing and uniform contracts are held by JCM Uniforms, Inc. and Ray O’Herron Co, Inc, and both expire on December 31, 2021. A new contract is needed to continue to provide contractually mandated items to the fire department members at the beginning of 2022.
Prior to the expiration dates of the current contract, the fire department solicits bids for department clothing and uniforms to replace worn and damaged items for current firefighters and provide clothing and uniforms to new hires in accordance with the collective bargaining agreements. When the Police Department solicited bids in 2018 for the year 2019, there were four Groups; however, for this year’s bid solicitation process, items were arranged to form three Groups. Currently, Ray O’Herron supplies polo shirts and sweatshirts, and JCM supplies all of Group 1 and 2 items and the All-Season Duty Jacket.
Both Ray O’Herron Co. Inc. and JCM Uniforms Inc. were first-time bidders during the last clothing and uniform bid solicitation process. To properly evaluate their overall performance, timely delivery of products, and customer care, both businesses were awarded contracts for the items previously specified. As a result, JCM Uniforms Inc. overall provided better service.
As a result of soliciting bids, three submissions were received for department clothing and uniforms for the following three groups.
The bidders were:
JCM Uniforms Inc., Joliet.
Ray O’Herron Co. Inc., Danville.
Municipal Emergency Services (MES), Inc., Deer Creek.
The contract shall be for one year with provisions for two, one-year extensions based upon mutual agreements.
This will require the Purchasing Department to create open purchase orders for the vendors due to the number of times that orders will be placed throughout the 2022 fiscal year.
This bid was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance. The Ordinance will not apply due to no local bidders submitting.
The request to have the Public Health, Safety, and Transportation Committee approve the bid from JCM Uniforms Inc. for clothing and uniforms for the year 2022 as they provided excellent service and are the overall lowest bidder.
• Approved was a resolution adopting unit price bids for the purchase of various water and sewer repair materials for the 2022 calendar year.
City government of Aurora documents show this resolution is needed to provide an efficient process for the economic purchase of various materials needed to repair water and sewer infrastructure.
The City’s Water and Sewer Maintenance Division responsibilities include making repairs to Aurora’s water and sewer system. These repairs require various materials such as piping, fittings, valves, hydrants, and the like. On October 27, 2021 quotes from six material suppliers were opened by the director of Purchasing. The subject bids provide unit prices from several suppliers for the majority of materials needed for typical repairs to the City’s water and sewer infrastructure. The prices submitted will be valid through December 31, 2022. The total 2022 materials expense is estimated to be $387,750. This contract is subject to the local vendor preference ordinance O20-029 and the only local qualifying bidder has agreed to match the applicable unit prices.
The proposed 2022 budget provides funding for these purchases within the Water and Sewer Fund in the following accounts:
510-4063-511-65-60 (Water Lines) – FY 2022 Proposed Budget – $375,000
510-4063-511-65-65 (Sewer Lines/Sanitary) – FY 2022 Proposed Budget $12,750.
By providing an efficient way to purchase needed water and sewer materials, this resolution will help the City provide a higher level of service to its constituents.
• Approved was a resolution accepting plumbing service bids for the Water and Sewer Maintenance Division.
City government of Aurora documents show in accordance with Municipal Code Section 48-26 (Utility: Responsibility for Installation and Maintenance) the city of Aurora government provides plumbing services to make repairs to private water services within the public right-of-way or a City easement. All repairs are performed by licensed plumbers.
Plumbing Service bids are solicited annually. On October 27, 2021, the City Clerk opened proposals from two area plumbing contractors. This contract is subject to the local vendor preference ordinance.
The proposed 2022 Budget includes $55,000 funding for this work in the Water and Sewer Fund within account no. 510-4063-511-38-45.
Plumbers are typically dispatched within one hour after Water and Sewer Maintenance receives notification of a leaking water service line within the Public Right of Way.
• Approved was a resolution to accept the proposals received for the 2022 Water and Sewer Division Emergency Repair Program.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this resolution is to establish a contractors’ availability list with set per item costs to enable the City to complete emergency repairs which can’t be performed in-house as the need arises based on competitive bidding and timely response to the need. The submission of a bid shall not bind the contractor to the performance of work under this resolution. The contractor(s) deemed to be in the best interests of the City, for whatever specific project the City may be considering, shall be given an opportunity to accept or decline projects on a case by case basis. If that contractor declines the project, the next contractor deemed to be in the best interests of the City shall be given the opportunity.
The city of Aurora government periodically has emergency sewer and water repair needs that cannot be performed by in-house staff members. This could be due to complexity of the repair or availability of staff members to perform the work in a timely fashion. This resolution saves time and money by pre-qualifying contractors with established unit prices to perform the emergency repairs quickly and efficiently. By responding contractors are confirming their willingness to provide emergency sewer and water repairs per the pricing provided.
The proposals were opened on October 27, 2021. R.P.H. Hauling, 41 Windwood Dr., Sugar Grove; Stokes Excavating, Inc. of 903 Daisyfield Rd., Rockford; Brandt Excavating, Inc., 385 E. Hoover Street, Morris; IHC Construction Companies, LLC, 385 Airport Rd., Suite 100, Elgin; and ML&L Excavating, Inc., 751 Duncan Drive, Aurora, were the five qualified bidders who submitted complete proposals. Foster Reliable Plumbing submitted an incomplete bid. Public Works and the Water and Sewer Maintenance Division have the ability to choose the contractor with the most advantageous unit prices and response times for the type of work to be completed.
This contract is subject to the local vendor preference ordinance but the ML&L Excavating Inc. bid was not within 5% of the low bidder.
Funding for this work is typically budgeted within account # 510-4063-511-38-30. Funds are requested in the amount of $76,500 in the 2022 budget, currently under review, for this work.
This process reduces staff members time by developing a list of contractors to perform emergency work at fixed unit prices. This avoids the time and effort to prepare purchase orders, review bids, and select contractors for repair projects.
Staff members recommend acceptance of the contractors’ bid proposals, and to allow the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with the bidding contractors.
• Approved was a resolution Awarding the 2022 Sanitary & Storm Sewer Televising contract to National Power Rodding Corporation, 2500 W. Arthington St., Chicago, Illinois, 60612 in the amount of four hundred thirty thousand, seven hundred and seventy-seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($430,777.75).
City government of Aurora documents show the City of Aurora annually hires a contractor to televise specific sanitary sewers to detect any needed repairs prior to a roadway being resurfaced. In addition to the televising, a light cleaning of the sewers is done. This contract will be throughout the City of Aurora but will primarily be utilized on the older clay sanitary sewers.
Televising the City sewers is the first part of the annual sewer maintenance program conducted by the City. Each year, sewers are cleaned and televised if they are known to have potential issues or are under roadways that will be rehabilitated in the near future. This televising provides useful information to the Engineering and Water and Sewer Divisions that cannot be seen when inspecting sewers from within manholes or other entry points. While reviewing the televising results, issues are identified and the proper solution is designed and implemented. Solutions such as sewer lining projects, sewer replacement or spot repairs are performed depending on the issues that are found during the televising. Depending on the scope of the work, these repairs are completed by the Water and Sewer Division or are completed by contractors hired using the City’s procurement process. This contract will also be utilized to televise and final inspect the storm sewer installed last year.
This proposed contract will televise the sewers under both the 2022 and 2023 preliminary roadway overlay lists. By doubling the length of sewer to be televised, the typical cost of this annual contract has also more than doubled. The City’s pavement condition ratings were updated in 2021 and the City now has a preliminary resurfacing plan for the next several years. This will allow the televising of the sewers in the roads anticipated to be resurfaced in 2023 with the intention of performing any sanitary sewer spot repairs in 2022.
National Power Rodding Corporation’s bid of four hundred thirty thousand, seven hundred and seventy-seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($430,777.75) was the lowest responsible bid of three bids received. The low bidder, National Power Rodding Corporation, has successfully completed similar projects for the City in the past.
This contract is subject to the local vendor preference ordinance. However, none of the contractors submitting bids were eligible according to the requirements listed in the ordinance.
The 2022 proposed Budget includes funding for sewer evaluation and rehabilitation within account No.510-4063-511-73-14 (IB018) with a starting balance of $2,500,000.00 including an anticipated carryover amount.
The televising and cleaning of the sewers will have minimal traffic impacts on the citizens of Aurora.
• Approved was a resolution to award a contract to HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $381,850.00 for design engineering services for improvements to Bilter Road between Premium Outlets Boulevard and the Illinois Prairie Path.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to increase traffic capacity along Bilter Road.
Bilter Road is classified as a major collector between Farnsworth Avenue and Eola Road, but the four lane road narrows to two lanes between Premium Outlets Boulevard and the Illinois Prairie Path. The future improvements to this section of Bilter Road include widening, as well as adding curb and gutter, street lighting, a bike path, and a sidewalk.
Portions of these road improvements may be constructed as part of future development projects along the Bilter Road corridor, but the City would benefit by completing preliminary engineering in advance. This approach ensures the phased project will be cohesive and it informs developers about the City’s expectations. The preliminary engineering analysis will identify locations for future access points, right-of-way needs, turn lane channelization, and traffic signal warrants.
The proposed improvements are included in the City’s Capital Improvements Plan as Project Number GB039.
The City issued a Request for Qualifications on August 13, 2021 to over 300 vendors in the Professional Services category. Statements of qualifications were received from 13 firms September 3, 2021. This was a qualifications-based selection process for professional services. Since it was qualifications-based, the Local Vendor Preference Ordinance does not apply.
HR Green, Inc. was selected as the most qualified firm by a three person panel from the Engineering Division. After being notified of their selection, HR Green, Inc. prepared the proposal. Account 238-4460-431.79-58 has a balance of $950,000.
• Approved was an ordinance establishing a Conditional Use Planned Development, Approving the DAC Developments Plan Description and amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map to an underlying zoning of DF Downtown Fringe District for the property at 100 N. Broadway.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner, DAC Developments, is requesting the Establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development, and to change the underlying zoning district to DF Downtown Fringe District on 1.93 acres on property at 100 N. Broadway to allow for the construction of a new market rate 246-unit multi-story residential building.
The property is parking lot owned and operated by the Dolan family with M-1(C) General Manufacturing, District with a Conditional Use zoning. This area has long been envisioned for new high-quality residential housing. The Seize the Future Master Plan branded this area the “Roundhouse Neighborhood” and identified this area along the Fox River as being a neighborhood that residents enjoy easy access to a first-class commuter facility and the exciting live performances at the new festival park (aka RiverEdge Park). In July of this year, the City Council approved a Redevelopment Agreement with DAC Developments for the construction of a new market rate 246-unit multi-story residential building.
The details of the request include the approval of a Plan Description with variations to the Zoning Ordinance and Building Code. These zoning ordinance variations include a modification to allow residential and accessory uses on all floors within the DF Downtown Fringe District, modifications to Building, Dwelling and Structure Standards to reduce the number of individually accessible balcony, deck, and/or patio to a minimum of 45% of dwelling units and to reduce the amount of brick required for the parking facility, and a modification to the Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards to reduce the parking requirement to 1.26 spaces per dwelling unit. The Building Code variations include a modification to reduce the isolation requirements and to reduce the percentage of masonry on the exterior building façade to 43%. There is also language in the plan description that establishes minimum floor area requirements for dwelling units, minimum setbacks, and requires a parking management plan.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plat and Plan. The Preliminary Plat request combines the three parcels, being 1.93 acres, into one parcel to allow for construction of the proposed building.
The Preliminary Plan proposal includes the construction of a new riverfront market rate multi-story residential building. The proposed building consists of 5 stories with a total of 246 units. The units will be a combination of studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, and 3-bedrooms ranging from 405 sq. ft. to 1200 sq. ft. A total of 310 parking spaces will be in the parking garage and 4 surface parking spaces will be near the main entrance for short-term and long-term loading. One parking space will be reserved for each residential unit and the remaining 0.26 parking spaces will be reserved for guest parking.
The Petitioner is also proposing to have private amenities, including but not limited to, an outdoor pool with a patio area, bike storage and shop, coffee shop, dog lounge, meeting space, fitness room, and a private roof top deck. In addition, the Petitioner will be constructing a sidewalk to the existing bike path along the Fox River.
City of Aurora government staff members have reviewed the Rezoning and Conditional Use Planned Development petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances, except for the items reflected in the conditions listed in the staff member recommendation below.
Over the last year, 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 and Petitioner’s vision for this site as this will be the first new residential building built in downtown Aurora since 2006.
Staff members had the following comments regarding the Findings of Facts:
The staff member 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.
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance establishing a Conditional Use Planned Development, approving the DAC Developments Plan Description and amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map to an underlying zoning of DF Downtown Fringe District for the property at 100 N. Broadway.