By Jason Crane
The Aurora city government City Council meeting Tuesday, through the Zoom video conference platform, lasted only a little more than 25 minutes but was packed with anticipation for several events this weekend.
Communications director Clayton Muhammad presented information about Activate Aurora, grand re-opening weekend with three ribbon-cutting ceremonies:
• The RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge ribbon cutting will be Friday, June 11 at 11 a.m..
• The Aurora Farmers Market 109th season will be Saturday, June 12, opening at 9 a.m..
• Phillips Park Zoo will be Sunday, June 13 at 11 a.m. at the new Elk Deck.
A proclamation was presented to Gwyn Ciesla, leader of Aurora, Illinois Pride group for LGBTQ Pride Month. Aurora Pride was founded in 2019 to promote LGBTQ+ acceptance in Aurora.
The 2021 Aurora Pride Drive will be Sunday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. More information including the parade route can be found at aurorapride.org.
On a more serious note, a proclamation for National Gun Violence Awareness Day was presented to Launda Dockery who lost her son Andrew to gun violence. Many individuals wear orange on the first Friday of June each year to increase awareness. (See thevoice.us/wear-orange-day-celebrated-in-aurora).
• There were no speakers seeking to use their voices for up to three minutes.
The City Council unanimously approved the following agenda items:
• Approved was a resolution authorizing execution of a rollover agreement between the city of Aurora government and management/supervisory personnel of the Aurora Police Department June 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain authorization to execute a rollover agreement between the city of Aurora and management/supervisory personnel of the Aurora Police Department collective bargaining agreement from June 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
The management/supervisory personnel of the Aurora Police Department collective bargaining agreement expired May 31, 2020.
The parties agreed to a one-year and seven months rollover which was ratified by the Union May 11, 2021. Notable terms include a 2.5% wage increase for 2020, a 2.0% wage increase for 2021, an employee insurance contribution increase to 16.5% and a $250 increase to the high deductible health plan employer contribution.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing the extension of the master power agreement with Eligo Energy, IL, LLC. to provide electrical aggregation services.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain the City Council’s approval to authorize the chief financial officer to execute a contract extension agreement with Eligo Energy IL, LLC for an electrical aggregation program.
At the June 1 Committee of the Whole meeting, Aurora city government chief financial officer, Marty Lyons, said, “Residents will not pay more than the ComEd rate. They may not pay less, but they will not pay more than the ComEd rate.
“The City will end up with a grant as noted in the file and we will have purchased all green energy for everyone that is enrolled in the program at no additional cost to them.”
The Illinois Power Agency Act, Chapter 20, Illinois Compiled Statutes, Act 3855, added section 1-92 entitled Aggregation of Electrical Load by Municipalities and Counties, codified at 20ILCS3855/1-92.
In 2012, a referendum was held and approved concerning the establishment of a municipal electricity aggregation program pursuant to Public Act 96-0176. In April 2012, the City Council approved a plan of operation and governance for the program by adoption of Ordinance 12-029. The City solicited bids through the consultant to provide electricity supply aggregation to residents and small commercial businesses of Aurora in May 2012. The City aggregated once again in 2014 using the same process. However ComEd’s rates decreased during this time and the City was able to terminate the agreement with the supplier.
In October 2019, the City entered into an agreement with Eligo Energy IL, LLC to provide electrical aggregation for an initial term of 18 months.
The specifics of 100% Renewable Aggregation program: Guarantees the participating residents will never pay more than ComEd, residents, will not pay early termination if they choose to leave the program, continue to receive one invoice from ComEd, energy supplier will purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs), qualifies the city of Aurora for the EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program, and the energy supplier will coordinate EPA application process for the city of Aurora.
Progressive Energy Group (PEG) has provided research not only into the use of 100% renewable energy for City residents, but the continuation of a grant program that the City may use for either future energy related projects or for any purposes approved by the City Council. In 2019, the grant program was an option from two energy providers. At this time, for an extension or renewal of a contract, the other option of provider is not binding.
The table below shows the ComEd rates over the next year. Aurora residents will pay the same rate as ComEd.
Electric supply options are:
Current ComEd price to compare $0.07069 per kWh.
ComEd price June – September 2021 $0.06636 per kWh.
ComEd price October 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022 $0.07159 per kWh.
The benefits are: The City will receive a civic grant of $712,000 over 18 months, 100% green power, which translates into:
Equivalent of 1,079,999,952 Pounds of CO2 prevented from entering atmosphere.
105,835 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
1,215,582,476 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle.
539,780,264 Pounds of coal burned.
Approval of this resolution will provide renewable energy sources to the residents and businesses of Aurora at no additional cost over non-renewable sources, and will provide grant funding of up to $712,000.00.
• Approved was a resolution establishing the maximum number of Class D: Fox Valley Entertainment District (Auditorium/Theatrical) liquor licenses (unofficially related to the application from Bit Theater, Inc. D/B/A Bit Theater at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora) in Ward 10.
City government of Aurora documents show a new business, Bit Theater, Inc., D/B/A Bit Theater, is opening at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora, and have submitted a liquor license application. They intend to offer improvisational comedy performances and classes, team coaching, live music and theater performances, along with other theater activities. Bit Theater, Inc. will offer a full bar along with prepackaged snack food for sale during their hours of operation and they plan to collaborate with local restaurants to provide a variety of carry-in/delivery food options for their patrons.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen LLC to renovate the cooling tower at the Aurora Police Department headquarters using the City of Aurora Job Order Contracting Program for $110,119.16.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to ensure the continual proper function of the Aurora Police headquarters HVAC system.
Air-conditioning at the Aurora Police headquarters, 1200 E. Indian Trail, is achieved through the use of a water-cooled air-chiller system. Air-chillers are typically utilized in large commercial applications due to greater operating efficiency compared to other methods.
Cooling towers are a critical component of air-chiller systems that perform the task of ejecting extracted heat to the exterior of the building. The internal hot water basin and distribution box in the existing roof-mounted cooling tower is badly corroded and could soon fail, resulting in the air-chiller system not functioning correctly. This in turn would cause intolerably-high interior air temperatures.
In order to ensure the continued function of the air-chiller system, the cooling tower requires renovation including replacement of the corroded hot water basin and distribution box assembly. Unlike the existing assembly, the replacement will be constructed of stainless steel which is stronger and naturally averse to corrosion.
• Approved was a resolution to award a three-year contract with a three-year option to Scientel Solutions LLC., 2021 N. Eola Road, Aurora, for preventive maintenance and support of City-wide security/closed-circuit television (CCTV)cameras for a total amount not to exceed $1,395,828.95.
City government of Aurora documents show the City has more than 560 existing, or planned security/CCTV cameras spread across City-owned and managed locations. Currently preventive maintenance and support is not performed uniformly across all locations ranging from four hours to five business days.
At the June 1 COW meeting, Aurora city government chief financial officer Marty Lyons said, “There’ll be finger-pointing when you have third parties, they say it’s somebody else’s fault. Scientel will be responsible for all activities.”
Council Resolution R19-336 provided for installation of cameras and access controls at several City-owned locations and included a $425,000 fee for maintenance on City cameras for one year. The installation of the cameras and access controls purchased under R19-336 is more than 80% complete and will need to be covered in a maintenance contract going forward. After reviewing the marketplace for camera maintenance programs, City staff members determined that it was more cost-effective to find a partner to provide maintenance and support (both reactive and preventative) to the City’s security/CCTV cameras for a period longer than just one year. Accordingly, City staff members engaged Marketplace.com to begin the request for proposal (RFP) process.
Seven vendor responses were submitted.
Five vendors were determined qualified and invited to demonstrate their devices.
Qualification was based on experience, capabilities, support, pricing.
City stakeholders conducted vendor meetings with five vendors.
Stakeholders reduced list to two qualified vendors based on capabilities, approach, and experience.
Final proposal sent to two vendors on 11/2/2020: Johnson Controls and Scientel Solutions.
Final vendor meetings were 12/14/2020.
Final selection was made 12/21/2020.
Staff members from Police, Fire, Public Works and Information Technology (IT) participated as stakeholders throughout the selection process.
City government of Aurora documents show City stakeholders selected Scientel Solutions as vendor for security camera/CCTV preventive maintenance and support. Scientel Solutions offered an efficient, cost-effective, and time-saving approach for the City. Scientel’s local presence, assets and staff members combined with best-in-class support practices will deliver high-quality service utilizing the latest technology to the City.
With a three-year commitment of $668,153.05, the Scientel proposal averages $222,717.83 annually which is well under the one-year award from R19-336 of $425,000. The full six-year commitment of $1,395,828.95 averages $232,638.16. The City may discontinue services for the optional years four to six without cause.
Scientel’s new global headquarters, based in Aurora, is home to a 24x7x365 Network Operations Center (NOC) with a world-class dispatch process. Scientel can integrate all City cameras into Scientel’s 24×7 NOC for monitoring to ensure that all cameras are operating at peak performance.
The purchase will be made using existing funds in Account Number # 101-1383-419.38-07 Professional Services. Budgeted amounts are $425K in 2021 and $450K in 2022.
• Approved was a resolution to award a three-year contract with a two-year option to Scientel Solutions LLC., 2021 N Eola Road, Aurora, for network infrastructure managed services of city-wide network infrastructure for a total amount not to exceed $1,858,197.53.
The city government of Aurora’s network infrastructure is managed by the IT Division and consists primarily of city-owned hardware and a maintenance contract through Cisco SmartNet. The SmartNet maintenance contracts ended in Feb/Mar 2021, and various devices have reached end of support and are targeted for obsolescence and or replacement.
City government of Aurora documents show the City sought a strategic and trusted partner to help support the network technology infrastructure. The selected partnership would include support, maintenance and monitoring of existing infrastructure as well as professional services to develop and implement a network life cycle management plan, create effective and secure services, and evolve with the City’s changing infrastructure needs.
Publication Date: 10/21/2020.
Publication Information: Aurora Beacon News, Demand Star and the City’s website.
Marketplace.city Clear Box Review.
Nine vendor responses were submitted: 11/6/2020.
Four vendors were determined qualified and invited to demonstrate their devices.
Qualification was based on capabilities, approach, and experience.
City stakeholders conducted vendor meetings with all four vendors.
RFP conducted among four vendors determined to be qualified: 1/12/2021-1/26/2021.
Fujitsu Network Communications, Peters & Associates, Scientel Solutions, Sentinel Technologies.
Sentinel Technologies withdrew after determining they could not provide competitive pricing.
Final vendor scoring: 2/1/2021 – 2/16/2021
Final selection made 2/18/2021.
In 2016, the IT Division received Council approval to enter into a five-year SmartNet maintenance agreement with Cisco that totaled $2,159,885. Since 2016, the IT Division has received Council approval for purchase of new and replacement Cisco equipment totaling $1,034,753. This five-year total spend of $3,194,638, equates to a $638,928 average annual spend on equipment, services and support.
By selecting a network infrastructure managed services partner, the city government of Aurora reduces the risk of running network equipment beyond end of life as well as reduces annual expenditures to an average annual spend on equipment, services and support. If all five years of this agreement were to be executed, the average annual spent would be $371,640. This would result an annual average savings of $267,288 and a five-year savings of $1,336,440 if the current contract was extended at the rate of increase shown in the previous four years.
City government of Aurora IT staff members maintain accountability and control of the network traffic and is responsible for overall network performance. With this agreement, City IT will have a co-partner to help manage physical components and develop network enhancements as the requirements of the City’s network continue to expand over time.
City IT staff members selected Scientel Solutions the network infrastructure managed services partner. Scientel Solutions offered an efficient, cost-effective, and risk-reducing approach for the City.
Scientel’s new global headquarters based locally in Aurora, is home to a 24x7x365 Network Operations Center (NOC) with a world-class dispatch process. Scientel can integrate all City networking equipment into Scientel’s 24×7 NOC for monitoring to ensure that all networking equipment is operating effectively.
• Approved was a resolution to authorize the director of Purchasing to execute a contract with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Aurora, in the amount of $90,400 for water main flushing.
City government of Aurora documents show regular maintenance of the water distribution system is necessary to keep the system working well. One component of the maintenance program is water main flushing.
The velocity of the water flowing through most water mains is usually slow, therefore as time passes any solids in the water tend to settle at the bottom of the pipe. Though harmless, these solids can be stirred up when there is an increase in flow velocity from events such as main breaks or hydrant use.
Crawford Murphy and Tilly (CMT) previously developed a computer model of the City’s distribution system that is utilized for various purposes including identification of the necessary valve closures to produce the flow rates required to remove sediment from the mains. Due to their knowledge of the computer model, CMT is uniquely qualified to provide direction to city employees during the flushing operation.
This contract will provide for the services of one staff member from CMT to direct the program. The remaining 4-6 team members required each day will come from the Water and Sewer Maintenance and Engineering Divisions. It is estimated that during the three months that the flushing is ongoing, approximately 20% of the system will be flushed.
No flushing was completed in 2020 and only $25,000 was budgeted requested for 2021 to reduce the water maintenance operational budget. Due to some COVID-19 relief of fees for other programs that would normally be due this year, funds are available and will be transferred into the flushing account.
Generally, the impact is minimal, however users may notice a slight discoloration of water during and for a short time after the flushing procedures. Motorists may be stopped intermittently while the crews are working, and some lane closures are to be anticipated. The City will use localized signs alerting residents to the fact that flushing is ongoing and will use the City’s social media outlets to alert the general public. Any users that could be more adversely impacted are given specific notice to allow them time to modify any processes that may be affected due to the temporary change in the water.
• Approved was a resolution to award the Liberty Street and Sartor Lane Water Main Extension project located in Ward 7 to Brandt Excavating, Inc., 385 E. Hoover Street, Morris, in the bid amount of $726,213.00.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to extend water main providing an additional loop in the high pressure zone of the water distribution system which will improve redundancy and reliability.
The City’s high-pressure zone in the water distribution system has limited connections between the north and south sections due to the east-west railroad that bisects the system. When one of these connections breaks such as the break that occurred on the 16” at Old Eola Road in early 2021, it is very difficult to maintain the typical pressure and balance within the high pressure zone. This 12” water main extension in conjunction with a possible future 12” water main extension east of Eola Road would provide the equivalent flow of the 16” water main at Old Eola Road. The majority of this project is located outside of City limits.
Easements have been obtained from DuKane Precast and the neighboring property owners in order to place the water main along the roadway ditches on their properties. Coordination with Aurora Township has commenced because the sections of Liberty Street and Sartor Lane within the project limits are under their jurisdiction.
Nine bids were received, opened, and read aloud on May 12, 2021. The lowest responsible bid in the amount of $726,213.00 was submitted by Brandt Excavating, Inc..
The water main improvements ($726,213.00) will be funded with account 510-4058-511-73-01 (IC078) which has a 2021 budget amount of $1,370,000.00. Also included is the ad for bid and Brandt Excavating, Inc.’s submitted bid attached as Exhibits C & D. Brandt Excavating, Inc. has satisfactorily performed similar water main replacement projects within the City.
This project was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.
There will be lane closures of Liberty Street and Sartor Lane during the duration of the project. Water shutdowns during the project will be planned and coordinated with the local businesses and residences to minimize impact. Impacts to traffic and local residents will be kept to a minimum.
• Approved was an ordinance amending provisions of the Aurora Liquor Control Ordinance pertaining to procedural requirements involved in the liquor licensing process.
City government of Aurora documents show sections of Chapter 6 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances were modified in 2020 and staff has been reviewing Chapter 6 to determine if additional modifications are needed in addition to the 2020 changes. Based upon this review, staff members are proposing the following amendments to several of the procedural sections of Chapter 6 so as to clarify the process for applicants and subsequent license holders.
The Aurora Liquor Control Ordinance contains many specific procedural steps that must be followed by business owners during the application and renewal processes as well as in the event a business chooses to change their business structure, ownership, or management. The current version of the ordinance contains the information that businesses need to guide their actions; however, the information is difficult to locate and, at times, difficult to interpret. The City Clerk’s Office frequently receives inquiries from business owners who are either unable to locate the necessary information in the ordinance or have difficulty interpreting the requirements as currently articulated in the ordinance. The proposed changes are intended to make the ordinance easier for the business owners to navigate and interpret.
The proposed changes will provide clarity for liquor license applicants and current license holders as to the application and renewal application requirements. The changes also clarify processes required after the issuance of a license in the event there are changes in the business structure, ownership, or management. These amendments will result in increased ease of use by city of Aurora business owners.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing a two-year grant in the amount of $27,500 per year in partnership with Rebuilding Together Aurora (RTA) and The Neighbor Project to assist qualified residents with projects in the Third Ward.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of the program is to supplement costs outside the existing services available within the community through RTA and The Neighbor Project. The funds are intended to supplement, not duplicate, services that are not covered by the current RTA and/or The Neighbor Project programs. This program will be aimed towards helping residents of the Third Ward to correct code violations, provide accessibility modifications, and improve safety of their homes.
Eligible homeowners include Aurora’s Third Ward residents who live in their homes, who are over the age of 60, military veterans, persons living with a disability, or single parents with a child under 18 years of age, and who meet the established program criteria of RTA and The Neighbor Project. Homes in an historic district are not eligible for this grant program.
The program will be independently administered by RTA and The Neighbor Project in partnership with the City of Aurora, local non-profits, service providers, and community volunteers. The applications are attached and are available in English and Spanish.
In response to requests of residents in the Third Ward, the alderman met with representatives of RTA and The Neighbor Project to investigate the possibility of aiding homeowners who qualify under their programs.
Rebuilding Together Aurora fees will be 9% of total project cost or $250 per project, whichever is less. The Neighbor Project will provide a billable invoice for time including benefits where projects are over and above what the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project covers to bridge projects not eligible under the deferred or forgivable loan programs.
Descriptions of services include an array of accessibility modifications, both proactive and preventative, based upon need and are administered by RTA and The Neighbor Project to make sure people are not discouraged from applying for other services they may be eligible for through other RTA programs, The Neighbor Project programs, or programs offered by other agencies.
Program criteria are in line with existing RTA and The Neighbor Project processes and protocols to streamline applicants and to collect information in the event a referral for other income-based services is needed. It is expected that five to seven homes will be serviced on a first-come, first-served, case-by-case basis under this grant program, including administrative fees, with a maximum Third Ward Grant up to $5,000 per address. Funds remaining on December 31, 2022 will be returned to the Ward 3 Fund Balance.
Approval of this program will help residents of Aurora’s Third Ward correct code violations, provide accessibility modifications, and improve the safety of their homes based upon individual’s needs.
• Approved was an ordinance granting a conditional use permit for a restaurant with a drive-through facility use on the property at 1504 Mesa Lane.
City government of Aurora documents show the property is zoned B2(C) being Business District – General Retail with a conditional use, which is part of the Dominicks Conditional Use Planned Development.
The petitioner requesting approval of an ordinance granting a conditional use permit for a restaurant with a drive-through facility use. Shamrock Co. owns several other Taco Bells in Aurora and is developing half of this site for the construction of a new facility.
Concurrently with this proposal, the petitioner is requesting approval of a final plat for the vacant land located at the Northeast corner of Kirk Road and Mesa Lane. The lot is 1.34-acre property and is going to be split into two parcels, one being 31,888 square feet and the other being 27,162 square feet. The smaller of the lots will have an ingress/egress easement allowing for more than one way to access the developments. The current drainage, utility, and sidewalk easement will be dedicated as right-of-way.
The petitioner is also a requesting approval of a final plan for a restaurant with a drive-through facility use. A 2,080 square foot, 40 seat Taco Bell with a drive through is being proposed. The building will be in the style of the modern Taco Bell with updated interior and exterior fixtures. An outdoor patio area is being constructed on the southern part of the site as well. 22 parking spaces are being proposed, with the drive through allowing vehicle stacking of 9 cars.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing a modification to the deferred preservation loan with James P. Doherty, owner, and Glenn and Alissa Doherty, contract purchaser, for the property at 247 West Park Avenue in Ward 6.
City government of Aurora documents show on September 28, 2010, City Council approved R10-321 authorizing financial assistance under the Deferred Preservation Loan Program for the property located at 247 West Park Avenue. The resolution included an agreement outlining financial assistance in the amount of $20,000 at 0% interest with no need for repayment until such time the property transfer ownership, including the removal of names from the deed. The agreement was between the City and James P. Doherty, owner, and Glenn and Alissa Doherty, contract purchaser. As a security for the deferred loans, a mortgage (or lien) was recorded against the property signed by all three parties. James P. Doherty and Glenn and Alissa Doherty filed with the city of Aurora a request to modify and amend the loan documents to remove James P. Doherty from the loan documents and release James P. Doherty from any liability under the loan documents, as James P. Doherty is no longer an owner of the property.
City staff members have reviewed the request and believes it is reasonable as the intent of the original agreement was for Glenn and Alissa Doherty to purchase the property as seen through a lease to purchase home agreement attached to the resolution.
• Information was given to a resolution approving a final plan revision for the property located at 986 N. State Route 59 for a standalone restaurant with a bar by petitioner, Greenberg Farrow.
City government of Aurora documents show the property is currently zoned B2(C) Business District – General District with a conditional use for a planned development and is a part of the Meridian Business Campus. This property is the former Sweet Tomatoes restaurant and has been vacant for several years.
Texas Roadhouse is at 2856 Patriot’s Lane in Naperville (roughly .38 miles away) and is proposing to shut down that site and move into Aurora. The proposed plan is not drastically changing the existing layout, but the building will be torn down and replaced with a roughly 8,000 sq. ft. restaurant. 96 parking spaces are currently proposed.
• Approved was an ordinance authorizing the sale of approximately the northernly 67 feet of City real estate lot 4 (except the approximate south 50 feet thereof) commonly known as 530 Linda Ct., to Marywood Housing L.L.C, who owns the property directly north of the area to be sold (560 Linda Ct.) Under the terms of the proposed sale, Marywood Housing L.L.C. will pay the City $10 and consolidate the land with their current parcel. The City will retain the southern portion of the parcel (street) for roadway purposes.
City government of Aurora documents show in June 2001 the City government of Aurora purchased the property at 530 Linda Ct., Aurora. The property contains a small “tot-lot” neighborhood park. The property is exempt from real estate taxes. The City has made this type of arrangement before with adjacent owners in order to dispose of vacant City-owned lots and surplus property and will no longer have to maintain the parcel.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing payment to Stanard and Associates as the provider for services of pre-employment psychological assessments through December 31, 2021.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain approval for payment to Stanard and Associates for services rendered in 2021 for pre-employment psychological assessments.
Stanard and Associates is a company specializing in psychological assessment for public safety employees. All public safety employees, including police and fire personnel, are required to pass a psychological assessment to move forward in the hiring process. The City has utilized Stanard and Associates to administer pre-employment psychological assessments for public safety employees for more than sixteen years.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing payment to Trotsky Investigative Polygraph, Inc. as the provider for services of pre-employment polygraph assessments through December 31, 2021.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain approval for payment to Trotsky Investigative Polygraph, Inc. for services rendered in 2021 for pre-employment polygraph assessments.
Trotsky Polygraph is a company specializing in polygraph assessments. All public safety employees, including police and fire personnel, are required to pass a polygraph assessment to move forward in the hiring process. As one of the only providers in the area, the City has utilized Trotsky Polygraph to administer pre-employment polygraph assessments for public safety employees since 2014.