By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council honored the Weston Bridges Warriors basketball team Tuesday, March 25 at the City Council meeting. The Warriors Special Olympics basketball team clinched second place for Division 2 and the championship for Division 11.
Weston Bridges is an independent community for adult individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities with low support needs.
Weston Bridges in Aurora, is an independent community for adult individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities with low support needs. City of Aurora government photo
•The meeting with presentations and input from individuals can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 3-minute mark by clicking here.
The City Council approved the following items on the agenda:
•Approval was given to the appointment of three new members to the Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board: Darice Jados, Ward 10 resident; Javi Terrazas, Ward 3 resident; and Richard Mulligan, Ward 6 resident.
•Approval was given to a Resolution appointing thirteen inaugural members and one student representative to the “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advisory Board” (AANHPI).
The purpose of this item is to make an initial round of appointments to AANHPI.
City government of Aurora documents show the City Council approved the creation of the AANHPI Advisory Board in July of 2024. The Board was created to align with the City’s other established cultural/heritage advisory boards.
The announcement of the board was made in May, in conjunction with AANHPI Heritage Month. The calls for applications were made in July and August of 2024 through the Council Committee process. Advertisements were made as part of a campaign for the City’s three newest boards and commissions (AANHPI, Sister Cities, and Aging in Community).
Staff members conducted virtual interviews of candidates starting November of 2024, the nominations below represent the full thirteen-member board. In addition, this Board will be appointing a non-voting student representative, Rishima Mukherjee.
The candidates are: Abigail Kemph, Ward Two, owner of Leilani Asian Fusion; Anthony Ramos, nonresident, vice president, Talent and Culture, and chief Diversity officer at Waubonsee Community College; Christopher Loo, nonresident; Business Development manager, Windfall Group; Girish Kapur, Ward Nine resident; Jasmine Ni, nonresident, Property manager of Windfall Group; Judy Ni, nonresident, director of Real Estate of Windfall Group; Lynda White, Ward Three resident; Nadia Kanhai, Ward Four resident; Pawdoh Soe, Ward Five resident; Ralph Yamamoto, nonresident; Casino Services supervisor with the Hollywood Casino; Ram Tyagi, Ward One resident; Rita Moy, Ward Six resident; Tina Eggert, nonresident, owner of a Hawaiian dance school and one of the founding members of Aurora’s Ukulele Festival; Rishima Mukherjee, student representative, Illinois Math and Science Academy.
•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to execute the service agreement approving of third-party administrative services for the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Illinois to administer the 2025 Summer Programs in an amount not to exceed $180,000.00 for the Youth Services division.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this resolution is to request approval from the City Council for the City’s annual youth services summer programming.
Since 2010, the City has utilized a third-party administrator (TPA), Cities in Schools (CIS), for summer and youth development programs. CIS recently notified the City that they will no longer be providing TPA services, effective the 2025 summer season.
Given the urgency of the situation and the abbreviated timeline to secure a vendor and make all of the necessary arrangements required, the city contacted the Boys and Girls Club. The agreement with Boys and Girls Club needs to be approved as soon as possible to complete the planning process to be able to provide summer camps and programs by the start of summer break.
Since 2022, the Boys and Girls Club has proven to be able to provide the comprehensive services the City needs to run these camps, based on their services for West Aurora School District 129, and also based on the timeline to complete tasks prior to summer programming. Since 2022, the Boys and Girls Club has been working to establish strong partnerships with local school Districts, as well as many youth-based organizations. These relationships serve the Boys and Girls Club well with respect to managing these programs.
The cost of the proposed services is $180,000.00. The proposed agreement is similar to the 2024 summer programs. The 2025 proposal includes 4 educational summer camps, 1 theatre camp, all programming and staffing, and field trips for all summer camps. The locations of these sites have been determined in conjunction with the school districts. The Boys and Girls Club continues to provide quality service, conduct surveys with parents and stakeholders, and make necessary changes to their programs based on responses from the community and in consultation with the City. This agreement is for this summer only.
For additional enrichment programs, supplies/curriculum, trips, staff members, longer/full-day camps, and students, officials will continue to pursue more funding to provide for third-party contracts to sustain the summer programs. Site visits will be made to all program sites. Boys and Girls Club will provide a report at the end of the season.
This service was not formally bid; however, the $180,000 for 2025 is consistent with the costs for the 2024 program of $182,000. Consistent with prior years, the allocated costs include $25,000 in contingency funds. The agreement is for $154,516.57, there is a 15% contingency for additional expenses budgeted for an amount not to exceed $180,000.
The 2025 budget account number 101-1370-440.32-20 has $180,000 for these services.
•Approval was given to a Resolution and Ordinance approving a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Liberty and Eola Subdivision, at the southwest Corner of Liberty Street and N. Eola Road.
The Petitioner Eola Liberty LLC is requesting approval of a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Liberty and Eola Subdivision, at the southwest corner of Liberty Street and N. Eola Road, for a car wash, single bay use and a future commercial building which includes combining a previous buildable lot with the adjacent detention lot.
City government of Aurora documents show the Property is vacant with B-2(C) General Retail District with a Conditional Use and OS-1(C) Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District Zoning with a Conditional Use zoning, which is part of the Liberty and Eola Subdivision Conditional Use Planned Development.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Liberty and Eola Subdivision for a Car Wash, Single Bay (2832) Use and a future commercial building. The Preliminary Plan and Plat Revision is very similar to the original. The major change is the consolidation of the third buildable lot along Eola Road with the detention lot. The project still proposes an approximate 5,000 square foot car wash on a 69,518 square foot lot at the corner of Liberty Street and Eola Road. A second 72,565 square foot lot is being planned for future commercial development. The car wash is in the process of being developed and will subsequently come through with a Final Plan and Plat following entitlements. The other lot noted as future only shows a hypothetical layout that maximizes potential development opportunities. Final Plans for the future lots will be required once specific projects are proposed. The third lot now consists of 94,969 square feet for stormwater detention along with a drive aisle to access the entrance on Eola.
The access remains the same with a full access off Liberty Street that is setback as far from Eola Road as possible being around 350 feet from the intersection. The second access to the site was originally approved as a full access on Eola Road but has changed to a three-quarter entrance. A southbound right turn lane has also been added to Eola Road.
The car wash includes three queue lanes with one additional preparation lane to the side. These lanes will merge into a single lane to enter the single-bay car wash. Cars will exit out of the car wash onto the internal drive aisle and can either go east to the vacuum spots and to the entrance on Eola Road or west towards the entrance on Liberty Street. Twenty-six vacuum stalls are provided with three employee parking spaces.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting a Plan Description Revision to the Conditional Use Planned Development to change approximately 0.9 acres of the property from B-2(C) General Retail District with a Conditional Use to OS-1(C) Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District with a Conditional Use. The details of the request include changing the approved plan description from three lots zoned with underlying B-2 Business District – General Retail to two lots zoned with underlying B-2 Business District – General Retail. The previous third buildable lot will be consolidated with the stormwater detention facility and will be zoned underlying OS-1 Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District. Upon further review, the third parcel cannot feasibly be developed; therefore, it will be consolidated with the detention lot and expand the detention.
As a reminder, in 2023, the petitioner requested the creation of the Liberty and Eola Subdivision Conditional Use Planned Development to allow for the property to be rezoned to permit the development of a single-bay car wash, future commercial development, and stormwater management. The details of the request included a Plan Description that allows for modifications to the uses and bulk restrictions. The following aspects of the Plan Description will remain. This includes allowing one Car Wash, Single-Bay (2832) use on Lot 2 while prohibiting additional uses. The minimum interior side yard setback on the western property line of Lot 1 abutting residential, was increased from 20 feet to 50 feet. The Landscaping and Screening requirements were amended to require the installation of a three-to-five-foot berm and an 8’ privacy fence along the western property line of Lot 1 at the time of development of Lot 2, being the car wash, along with the installation of the required perimeter yard and buffer yard landscaping at the time of development of Lot 2, or Lot 1 being whichever occurs first.
Staff members have 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.
•Approval was given to a Resolution awarding Anthem Excavation & Demolition Inc Aurora, Ill. as the 2025 contractor with a possible two 1-year extension for Junk and Trash abatement services within the City of Aurora Ill.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval for Junk and Trash removal due to code enforcement citations.
Property Standards is responsible for the enforcement of the junk and trash ordinance on private property. Junk and Trash removal is an important part of the abatement process to maintain the neighborhood affected in a safe and sanitary condition.
A formal bid request was sent out for the Junk and Trash removal services for private properties after being cited and the abatement hasn’t been attained by the owner of the property within the City of Aurora Illinois. Responses were received from four vendors with Anthem Excavation & Demolition Inc. of Aurora, IL being the lowest, responsible bidder.
This bid was subject to the local preference ordinance; however, it did not impact the decision.
The contract will be for a one year term with two 1-year extensions based on mutual agreement between the contractor and the City of Aurora.
Funding for the services will be account 101-1827-424.36-20. The account has enough funds to cover expenses through 2025 and will continue to be funded in future years.
This resolution must be approved to provide Junk and trash abatement services through code enforcement citations within the city of Aurora Illinois limits.
•Approval was given to a Resolution awarding Tavarez and Sons Lawn Care LLC of Aurora, Ill. as the 2025 contractor with a possible two 1-year extensions for grass and weeds abatement services within the City of Aurora Ill.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval for grass and weeds maintenance services due to code enforcement citations.
Property Standards is responsible for the enforcement of the Grass and Weeds ordinance on private properties. Maintenance of grass and weeds is an important part of the abatement process to keep the neighborhood affected in a safe and sanitary condition.
A formal bid request was sent out for the Grass and Weeds maintenance services for private properties after being cited and the abatement hasn’t been attained by the owner of the property within the City of Aurora Illinois.
A response was received from four vendors with Tavarez and Sons Lawn Care of Aurora, Ill. being the lowest bidders.
The contract will be for one year with the option of two 1-year extensions upon mutual consent between the City of Aurora and the vendor.
Funding for the services will be account 101-1827-424.36-15, $35,000. The account has enough funds to cover expenses through 2025.
This resolution must be approved to provide grass and weed abatement services through code enforcement citations within the City of Aurora Illinois limits.
•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing well maintenance services for Well No. 29 for the Water Production Division in an amount not to exceed $358,000.00.
The purpose is to obtain City Council authorization for Layne Christensen Company (Layne), 721 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora, Ill., to perform all necessary services as described in Layne’s proposal letter to return Well No. 29 to full operational and functional status.
City government of Aurora documents show Well No. 29, at 1374 Deerpath Road, is a deep well with the pump and motor setting 858 feet below the surface and is normally capable of supplying approximately 1,700,000 gallons of water per day. The pumping equipment of the well experienced a failure January 7, 2025. Preliminary testing from the surface by both Water Production Division (WPD) staff members and Layne indicated an apparent electrical problem with the Flowserve-Byron Jackson 2400-volt, 400 horsepower, submersible well pump motor. In order to determine the exact cause of the motor failure, the well pump/motor assembly must be removed from the well for inspection and further testing. Under an initial purchase order of $42,750.00, Layne has completed the removal of the pumping equipment and diagnostic testing. The testing of the electrical system was acceptable; however, an actual mechanical failure of a thrust bearing was determined to be the root cause of the equipment failure.
The total estimated cost of all proposed and recently completed work by Layne to restore Well No. 29 to operational status is $357,317.00. A detailed breakdown of the estimated costs is presented in Layne’s proposal letter. The major project items include replacement of the motor, rehabilitation of the pump, repairs/replacement of the column piping, and well redevelopment. With the removal of the equipment, it is advantageous and convenient to perform redevelopment work of the underground, water-bearing geology utilizing the BoreBlast technique to improve the pumping water level in the well.
The city entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Layne in 2020 under Resolution No. R20-083, which provides a 5% discount on all labor and field services and a 10% discount on specialized services performed by Layne. Layne will perform all work on a time and material basis and will only be compensated for the actual work performed per the terms and conditions of the PSA. In addition, Layne is the sole regional factory authorized source for repair services of Flowserve-Byron Jackson pumps and motors utilized by the Water Production Division.
Funds are available in the 2025 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-38-31. A budget transfer of $20,000 is submitted to provide full funding for the estimated expense of this project.
The local vendor preference policy does not apply per section 2-409 as this is a noncompetitive situation.
The unavailability of approximately 1,700,000 gallons/day of raw source groundwater if the repairs are not completed.
•Approval was given to a Resolution to award a contract for site piping, vaults, and electrical improvements for the new Well 105 site in the amount of $963,175.00 for the Water Production Division.
The purpose is to obtain City Council approval to award a contract to H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc., Plano, Ill., for the Well 105 Site Piping, Vaults, & Electrical Improvements project, for the Water Production Division (WPD) in an amount of $963,175.00.
City government of Aurora documents show the new Well 105 is at 2390 W. Illinois Avenue, the site of fire station #10 in Ward 5. Drilling of the new well was completed during Phase I of this project. Phase II will complete all infrastructure related improvements to the site including connection of underground piping from the well to the raw water collector main, underground vaults for metering equipment, valves, and electrical. A wellhouse or shelter will be provided for ancillary control equipment, including SCADA, communications, and electrical.
The WPD previously hired Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) to perform the necessary professional services for design, construction observation, and project administration as the engineer of record.
The project to perform the subject work was publicly advertised on January 26, 2025 (Bid No. 25-009) and bids were opened on February 19, 2025. Three bids were received.
The lowest bid is $963,175 submitted by H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc. Additional bids of $988,788 and $1,200,993 were also submitted. CMT provided an engineer’s estimate of $948,250 for this project. A letter of recommendation from CMT to award this project to H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc. was submitted and the WPD concurs with the recommendation.
CIP #I047 provided original budgetary funding. The project associated with that CIP was completed substantially under budget, allowing funding to be reallocated for the purpose of completing Well 105, which replaces Well 103. The funding is available in the 2025 budget in account 510-4058-511-73-04.
The Local Preference Ordinance did apply to this bid but did not impact the final bid results.
•Approval was given to a Resolution awarding Property First, Hazel Crest, Ill. as the 2025 contractor for Downtown mowing and landscape maintenance with the option for two 1-year extensions.
The purpose is to obtain City Council approval for mowing and landscape maintenance in the downtown.
City government of Aurora documents show the Downtown Services division is responsible for mowing and landscape maintenance of the downtown area. Mowing and maintenance includes 17,600 square yards of area adjacent to parking lots, and 22,800 square yards of green open space and right-of-way.
A formal bid request was sent out for the mowing and landscape maintenance of the downtown for the 2025 season and included the option for two 1-year extensions. Responses were received from 11 vendors. Property First from Hazel Crest, Ill., was the lowest responsible bidder who submitted bids for all tasks proposed. The bid did not allow for splitting the services among multiple vendors. References listed on Property First bid were called and the reviews were positive. The contracted vendor will provide mowing services, edging, and spreading of City supplied mulch as needed. The mowing season typically runs from April to the end of October.
The City’s Local Preference Ordinance did apply but the only local bid was outside the percentage to match.
Funding for the services will be from accounts 520-4030-418.36-15 ($12,201.38) and 101-4030-418.36-15 ($13,996.60). Both mowing accounts have enough funds to cover the year 2025 expenses.
•Approval was given to a Resolution to award a contract to RJN Group, Inc. in the amount of $271,500 for the 2025 and 2026 Overlay Manhole Inspections throughout the City of Aurora.
The purpose is to execute a contract to allow RJN Group, Inc. to provide engineering services for inspecting and providing repair recommendations for approximately 2,500 sanitary and storm manholes that are within the limits of the City’s Overlay Program for 2025 and 2026. The project manager from RJN Group, Inc, has successfully provided similar services to the City in past.
City government of Aurora documents show request for qualifications are not subject to the local preference policy.
The City published a request for qualifications that was advertised on January 17, 2025, and five firms submitted statements of qualifications. RJN Group, Inc. was selected as the most qualified firm by a three-person review panel. After being notified of their selection, RJN Group, Inc. prepared a proposal which includes a baseline scope of services with a not-to-exceed fee of $271,500. Account 510-4063-511-73-14 (IB018) has a current 2025 balance of $2,500,000.
The Local Preference Ordinance does not apply to Request for Qualification selection.
There may be lane closures during the duration of the contract where manhole inspections are being performed.
•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties for the Farnsworth Bilter Church Roadway Expansion Project, in the amount of $290,000.00
The purpose is to authorize the purchase of right-of-way and temporary easements for the Farnsworth Bilter Church Roadway Expansion Project.
City government of Aurora documents show this project has been planned for many years as the ultimate build-out of Farnsworth Ave and Bilter Road for the sections covered in this contract. The project is on Farnsworth Avenue from I-88 interchange to the lane drop approximately 700 feet south of Butterfield Rd, Bilter Rd from Church Road intersection to the west leg of Premium Outlets Blvd and Church Rd from approximately 220 feet north of the Bilter Rd intersection to approximately 800 feet south of the Bilter Intersection in the City of Aurora, Kane County. The gross and net length is 9,134 ft (1.73 miles).
The work consists of roadway widening and resurfacing of approximately 1.73 miles. Farnsworth Ave is widening from a 4-lane section to a 6-lane section consistent with the cross section found north of Butterfield Road. Bilter Road is generally widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 4-lane cross section and Church Road is widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 3-lane cross section. The work will generally include the removal and replacement of existing pavement, installation of new watermain, storm sewer, sidewalk, ADA ramps, bike path, lighting and traffic signals along with work including signing, intersection radii widening, pavement marking, landscaping, and all other collateral work necessary to complete the project in accordance with the plans.
This resolution will provide authorization to proceed with the acquisition of temporary easement and Right of Way. The Corporation counsel, City engineer and respective designees shall represent the City in the acquisition of these parcels. The City has received acceptances from 6 of the 15 owners previously, this batch includes an additional 4 parcels. Bringing the total to 10 parcels who have accepted the offers made by the City and Contracts to Purchase said properties have been executed or are in the process of being executed by said owners. The 5 Parcels are numbers 004, 0010, 0012, and 0018. The prices range from $12,000.00 to $160,000.00 depending on the size and scope of the acquisition. The total amount of those settlements is $290,000.00.
•Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing Department to execute a contract with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Aurora, IL, in the amount of $200,000 for water main flushing.
The purpose is to maintain water main quality throughout the water distribution system.
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 low, 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, Inc. (CMT) was selected to update and maintain a computer model of the City’s distribution system. The model 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 this professional service as well as direction to city employees during the flushing operation.
This contract will provide for the services of one staff member full-time and a second person part time 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 four months that the flushing is ongoing, approximately 20% of the system will be flushed.
A separate $14,500 task has been identified within this contract for modifying the water model relating to the flushing program and to update the water model on an annual basis for any new improvements. These updating efforts will help keep the City’s water model current and accurate.
The water main flushing ($200,000) will be funded with account 510-4063-511-38-68 which has a 2025 budget amount of $240,000.
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.