Aurora City Council seeks State funds for shelters

By Jason Crane

The Aurora City Council is considering two Resolutions approving applications for a total of $4 million in funding for Hesed House and Mutual Ground to expand service capability.

The Resolutions to apply for a total of $4 million from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Urban Shelter Program likely will be approved at the full City Council meeting, Tuesday, June 25.

The $2 million in funding would be used for the renovation of the facility at 659 S. River Street, Aurora, owned and operated by Hesed House, for the purpose of expanding capacity in their family shelter.

Another $2 million in funding would be used for the construction of a new shelter at 418 Oak Avenue, Aurora, owned and operated by Mutual Ground, for the purpose of expanding the capacity of the shelter for victims of domestic violence.

City government of Aurora documents show the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has issued a notice of funding opportunity to fund construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of property for Homeless Shelters (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dedicated to the provision of stable, safe, and adequate housing with a goal of increasing capacity to pre-COVID levels. Only units of local government in areas receiving direct entitlement CDBG funding from HUD are eligible to apply for the State of Illinois CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program.

Each year, more than 1,000 Aurorans need to get back into their own homes and become “unhomeless.” Before the pandemic, a newly homeless person showed up at Hesed House’s door every eight hours.

Hesed House is seeking funds to complete a renovation and expansion of its Family Shelter space. The Hesed House Family Shelter opened in 2018 and provides a variety of services, beyond 24/7/365 access to meals and shelter, to families staying in the Family Shelter. At this time, the Family Shelter has a legal capacity of 59 men, women, and children; unfortunately, family homelessness has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hesed House has been forced to utilize off-site hotels to supplement the Family Shelter in order to keep up with the rising demand of families experiencing homelessness.

In calendar year 2023, the Family Shelter averaged 93 men, women, and children per night, including 102 in Q4 of that year. Utilizing hotels costs Hesed House approximately $750,000 annually. This is not a sustainable model and the funding for said model is nearly exhausted. This shelter expansion project would fill a critical need for the City of Aurora by increasing the capacity of the Hesed House Family Shelter to over 100 men, women, and children. This will ensure that not only will families and children not be forced to try to survive on the streets and in the elements when experiencing homelessness, but also ensure they have access to safe, stable, shelter and the myriad of life-changing services provided at Hesed House. This shelter expansion is a critical step in the fight to end homelessness in the greater Aurora area.

This project will benefit the City of Aurora by improving the capacity of Hesed House to provide temporary housing and concurrent supportive services to homeless Aurora residents. The City will serve as a the grantee and Hesed House will be a subrecipient. The City will not incur any direct costs as a result of this grant application or the funded project, should the City receive a grant award.

This resolution will allow the City of Aurora to submit a grant application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program to fund the reconstruction of the Family Shelter at Hesed House.

The City will administer any awarded grant funds through the Community Development Division in the same manner as it administers CDBG entitlement funds.

• City government of Aurora documents show the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has issued a notice of funding opportunity to fund construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of property for Homeless Shelters (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including shelters for domestic violence victims, dedicated to the provision of stable, safe, and adequate housing with a goal of increasing capacity to pre-COVID levels. Only units of local government in areas receiving direct entitlement CDBG funding from HUD are eligible to apply for the CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program.

Mutual Ground has been providing critical services for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and substance use, for nearly 50 years in the City of Aurora. The need for domestic and sexual violence direct services has increased post-COVID. Clients are arriving at Mutual Ground with extremely complex situations which require additional counseling, advocacy and shelter. The emergency shelter is presently housed in an historic mansion built in 1853 that requires extensive updates, repairs and reconfigurations to be able to provide access shelter to more victims of domestic and sexual violence along with space to accommodate additional staff members. Upon completion of the proposed project at Mutual Ground, there will be an immediate benefit to those served, as capacity in the emergency shelter will increase to 45 beds providing 16,425 available nights of stay. Pre-COVID and during COVID (July 2019 – June 2020), Mutual Ground provided 9,468 nights of stay to 135 adults and 108 children. This past fiscal year (July 2023 – June 2024), Mutual Ground provided 8,604 nights of stay to 162 adults and 133 children.

This project will benefit the City of Aurora by improving the capacity of Mutual Ground to provide temporary shelter and concurrent supportive services to Aurora area victims of domestic violence. The City will serve as the grantee and Mutual Ground will be a subrecipient. The City will not incur any direct costs as a result of this grant application or the funded project, should the city receive a grant award.

This resolution will allow the City of Aurora to submit a grant application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program to fund the reconstruction of the Emergency Shelter at Mutual Ground.

The City will administer any awarded grant funds through the Community Development Division in the same manner as it administers CDBG entitlement funds.

•Several presentations at the June 18 Aurora City Council Committee of the Whole meeting can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 5 minute mark by clicking here.

The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items likely to be placed on the Tuesday, June 25 full City Council agenda:

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $1,000,000 over five years from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry grant with no matching funds required to improve Aurora’s urban forest in USDA approved areas.

The purpose is to obtain City Council approval of a grant to improve the City’s urban forest.

City government of Aurora documents show the USDA Forest Service offered a competitive funding opportunity to provide multiyear, programmatic grants for tree planting and related activities, including tree inventories, with a priority for projects working to support disadvantaged communities experiencing low tree canopy and environmental justice concerns to advance the mission of the federal Justice40 initiative.

This grant will provide $1,000,000 in federal funding over five years, provided on a reimbursement basis, to conduct a variety of activities designed to improve the City’s urban forest including, but not limited to: conducting a tree inventory, developing an urban forest management plan, planting new trees, educating residents and youth about trees, and garnering input from affected neighborhoods. As a result of this project, the City is expected to benefit from this project by achieving an increased tree canopy, improved tree health, and enhanced tree stewardship practices to safeguard the long-term health of Aurora’s urban forest. The city is not required to provide any matching funds for this project.

This resolution must be approved and signed to begin implementing the project and incurring costs.

This grant project will be implemented collaboratively by the Community Affairs Department, the GIS Division of the IT Department, the Youth Services Division of the Community Services Department, and the Street Maintenance and Downtown Services Divisions of the Public Works Department.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to purchase video conferencing hardware and services from Burwood Group, Inc., Chicago, for a total amount not to exceed $66,640.53.

City government of Aurora documents show as part of a larger implementation of video conference capabilities in city-owned buildings, City staff members seek to implement full-featured Microsoft Teams Room functionality in the Chief’s Conference Room at the Aurora Police Department and the Conference Room at the Water Production building.

After a competitive bid process and subsequent discovery project, resolution R23-006 awarded configuration and migration of Microsoft SharePoint services and Microsoft Teams environment remediation to Burwood Group (“Burwood”).

As part of the services included with R23-006 Burwood completed a thorough evaluation of the current SharePoint environments which included interviews with key members of every City department. This evaluation allowed Burwood to understand how SharePoint and Teams were being utilized throughout the City. Burwood then made recommendations for migrating data to the Microsoft SharePoint Online environment as well as modifying Microsoft Teams for better utilization by City staff members.

Burwood performed above expectations of City staff members while creating and remediating these foundational services. Due to the detailed knowledge of the city’s SharePoint and Teams services, City staff members believe Burwood is best suited to build upon the SharePoint and Teams foundations in place.

The APD Chief’s conference room, the primary room, used for communication with APD staff members as well as other city departments and outside agencies. As such, having a flexible, user-friendly interface to connect with outside agencies is paramount. The current solution has been built over time by several different vendors and is prone to configuration and compatibility issues that impact the performance of the room. The suggested Burwood solution will correct these issues.

At this time, the Water Production conference room does not have video conference or screen sharing capabilities. By adding these features, Water Production staff members can hold group meetings with other city departments and outside vendors without a need to travel to a meeting location.

Costs for the two rooms are listed below:

APD Chief’s Conf Room: Hardware, Cables, Shipping $27,439.81, Professional Services $18,316.00,

WPD Conf Room: Hardware, Cables, Shipping $9,884.72, Professional Services $11,000.00

The total not to exceed for the two rooms is $66,640.53.

A budget transfer to 101-1280-419.32-80 will be required to pay for these services.

Completion of these two Teams rooms will provide significant improvements for hosting meetings with in-room and remote attendees.

• Consent was given to a Resolution approving the purchase of bulk rock salt in the amount of $73.90 per ton from Morton Salt, Inc. for the Division of Street Maintenance under the DuPage County Joint Purchasing Agreement Bid for the 2024-2025 winter season.

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 $73.90 per ton from Morton Salt, Inc. for the Division of Street Maintenance under the DuPage County Joint Purchasing Agreement Bid for the 2024-2025 winter season.

The bulk rock salt is used to melt snow and ice from City streets, making them safe for vehicular traffic. City officials will be dividing the road salt purchase again this year between DuPage County Department of Transportation and the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement. By dividing the road salt orders between two government agencies soliciting bids, City officials hope to have two different suppliers. This will provide an alternate source of salt deliveries should one of the two providers be unable to make timely deliveries.

The City anticipates purchasing from Morton Salt, Inc. Approximately 7,500 tons (50% of the City’s annual order) of bulk rock salt for the 2024-2025 winter season.

Local preference does not apply since the City government is participating in a Joint Bid through DuPage County.

$650,000.00 has been budgeted for this expense in the 2024 using account 203-4060-431.65-32 (Motor Fuel Tax Fund/Supplies – Salt/Sand) and the department does not anticipate going over budget with this approval.

Road salt improves driving conditions for vehicular traffic.

• Consent was given to a Resolution Authorizing the Approval and Execution of a Lease Agreement Between the City of Aurora and the Aurora Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority for the lease of space at 5 E. Downer Pl., Suite G, Aurora, Illinois 60506.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this item is to execute a lease agreement between the City of Aurora and ACCA to facilitate the opening of the “Stolp Island Theatre” in downtown Aurora.

At this time, the Property is zoned DC: Downtown Core. The building is a modern parking garage with commercial space on the first floor. ACCA operates the Paramount Theatre and River Edge Park along with the Copley Theatre in Aurora in addition to overseeing a performing arts school and its well-regarded event space. These venues provide significant economic activity within the downtown and contribute measurably to the economic vibrancy and resurgence in the downtown that Aurora has experienced in recent years.

The City has been working with the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) for the creation of a new theatre in the first-floor space of the parking deck, which will open in July of 2024. The Aurora Civic Center Authority, in force of a license agreement approved at the end of 2021, has built out and converted the commercial space at the back of the building along the river into an interactive theatre space.

The term of this lease is for twenty years. Approval of this lease will allow the project to continue in a timely fashion.

Approval of this lease agreement will support the continued growth of live theatre downtown, supporting other area businesses and restaurants and solidifying Aurora as a destination for the arts.

• Consent was given to a Resolution Authorizing the approval of a Development Agreement between the City and C1 Chicago Aurora LLC providing reimbursement for public improvements that benefit the property at 2725 Bilter Road.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to (a) reimburse the City for funds expended for public improvements, and (b) provide for the payment of a public works development impact fee in connection with the CI development pending approval by the City Council.

In 2008, the city, working closely with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) agreed to contribute substantial funds to facilitate the development of a new interchange on I-88. The goal was to induce new economic development. The contemplated development activity did not take place. In the meantime, the I-88 corridor began to attract more technology-oriented businesses. C1 Chicago Aurora, LLC, an affiliate of Cyrus One, is seeking Council approval to build a state-of-the-art data center at this location.

The Agreement calls for C1 to reimburse the city for expenditures made in anticipation of the economic development which will not now take place, along with the time value of those expenditures.

Approving the RDA will facilitate the development of a long vacant site, reimburse the city for expended funds, create incremental real estate and utility taxes, and create new well-paying job opportunities.

• Consent was given to a Resolution establishing the maximum number of Class D: Downtown Core Entertainment District liquor licenses (unofficially related to the application from Aurora Metropolitan Expo. Center Authority – Paramount Theatre – 5 E Downer Pl, Ste G, Aurora). [Ward 2]

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to increase the number of Class D: Downtown Core Entertainment District liquor licenses.

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.

Aurora Metropolitan Expo. Center Authority is opening a new theater at 5 E Downer Pl, Ste G and has applied for a liquor license to offer alcohol for sale for on-site consumption during performances.

If approved, this resolution will increase the number of allowable liquor licenses to allow for the issuance of the license by the mayor who is the liquor commissioner. City staff members have been working with the business owner 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.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to execute a change order to the existing contract between the City and HR Green for Broadway Avenue.

City government of Aurora documents show the City received a three million dollar grant for the beautification of Broadway Avenue through downtown, which is also State Route 25. Therefore, the city’s efforts to complete the design for this project between New York Street and Benton Street needs to be permitted through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). For the last 18 months, HR Green has been developing concepts to get approval and move forward with permitting. Executing the change order will increase the amount of the contract to all HR Green to complete the remaining items now that the city and IDOT have come to an agreement on the geometrics, lane configurations and signal improvements.

This project includes vault filling, streetscape improvements, new signal equipment, roadway reconstruction and lastly the two-way conversion of the last remaining major one-way streets, Galena Boulevard and New York Street between Lake Street and Broadway Avenue. This project is slated for construction over the next two and a half construction seasons, including utility improvements and vault work in 2024, roadway and streetscape improvements in 2025 and final modifications for the two-way conversion in 2026. The existing contract with HR Green started in 2017 and has been modified via three change orders to date for a total cost to date of $709,528.79, not including the services to be added via this proposed change order.

The increase in contract cost will allow HR Green to be compensated moving forward for the remaining work items, as the original scope did not include multiple submittals to IDOT for agreement on concepts, it did not include multiple rounds of traffic modeling, nor did it include a detailed lighting analysis or sewer hydraulic design. Additionally, the traffic signal designs need to be modified to reflect the approved geometry. The funds required ($385,054.35) for this change order are available in account 340-1830-465.73-76 (CIP A055).

There will be little impact for the approval of additional phase 2 engineering funding. When construction commences on the various phases, there will be lane closures and disruption to pedestrian traffic.

• Consent was given to a Resolution to award the Broadway Avenue Sewer Separation project in Ward 2 to Berger Contractors Inc. in the bid amount of $1,094,089.25.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to install new storm sewers removing stormwater from the combined sewer system on Broadway Avenue (IL Rte 25) between Spring Street and E. Downer Place ahead of the streetscape project anticipated in early 2025. Storm sewer will also be extended on E. New York Street to pick up the stormwater structures at the LaSalle intersection.

New storm sewers will be installed to remove surface drainage flows from the combined sewer system. This project will help satisfy the requirements associated with the City’s Long Term Control Plan and the City’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Combined Sewer System Overflow. Minor water main and sanitary sewer repairs and modifications will also occur in the corridor.

The proposed improvements have been publicly advertised and bid in conformance with City procedures. Seven conforming bids were received, publicly opened and read aloud on May 29, 2024.

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

Portions of the project are accounted for within three 2024 budgets. $150,000 within account 510-4058-511-73-02 (IC072, $5,000,000.00 Water Main Replacement), $45,000 within account 510-4063-511-73-14 (IB018, $2,500,000.00 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation), and the remaining $899,089.25 within account 281-1856-512-73-09 (B031, $3,550,000.00 LTCP Improvements – Sewer Separation).

Traffic will be narrowed to one lane on Broadway Avenue for portions of the project. Detours to adjacent blocks may occur for work done on E. New York Street and Spring Street. Night or weekend work may occasionally occur when installing pipes across Broadway Avenue. Water and sanitary service interruptions will be kept to a minimum during construction of this project.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to modify the contract values previously awarded to Graybar Electric and Volunteer Supply Industries, Ltd to a combined amount not to exceed $225,000 for the purchase of lighting materials for various locations throughout the City.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to modify the contract values previously awarded to Graybar Electric, 1 Pierce Place, Suite 800, Itasca, IL 60143 and Volunteer Supply Industries, Ltd., 105 E Galena Blvd, Suite 806, Aurora, IL 60505 to a combined amount not to exceed $225,000, which includes an initial purchase of $114,259.20 and $93,375.00, respectively.

Annually, the City purchases and installs various light fixtures and associated components to upgrade or supplement existing fixtures throughout the City. To purchase this equipment, the City obtains competitively bid pricing from suppliers which are then installed by the City’s Electrical Division.

Based on an estimated quantity of materials needed, a request for sealed bids was published and four bids were read aloud on February 21, 2024. Of the bids received, Graybar Electric was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder for 6 of the 7 items and Volunteer Supply Industries, Ltd. was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder for the other item. As a result, agreements were approved via Resolution R24-083 in the amounts of $243,818.80 and $20,370.00 for Graybar and Volunteer, respectively. These agreements reflected pricing provided by Graybar for several product alternates, which were initially approved for inclusion. However, upon receiving further details on the alternates proposed for the LV Fixtures and StressCrete Poles, it has since been determined that these items are incompatible with the City’s existing inventory and will not meet the needs of the Electrical Division of Public Works.

As a result, the City is looking to revert to the originally requested LV Fixtures and Poles and award to the lowest bidder for these two specific products, which was Volunteer Supply Industries, LTD of Aurora (for both). An updated bid tabulation shows bid values and the updated initial purchase of $114,259.20 and $93,375.00 from Graybar Electric and Volunteer Supply Industries, LLC, respectively.

This contract will be paid using 340-4020-418.65-07, which has a current balance of $251,572.64.

This bid was subject to Local Preference, but it did not impact the original (or this updated) award..

Utilizing the proposed and previously approved product alternates would result in inconsistent lighting performance and aesthetics throughout the City.

• Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to process a change order to the agreement with Ratio Architects, LLC for the RiverEdge Park Phase II Expansion PSA in the amount of $440,200.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to authorize additional design services for the expansion of RiverEdge Park.

At this time, Ratio is under contract for the design of the RiverEdge Park Phase II Expansion. When the original agreement was executed, the final scope of the construction was not fully known. During concept development, the actual scope for each location was refined, resulting in an expansion of the backstage building based on artist needs, increasing the size of the structure from a 3,000 SF single story building, to a two-story building with approximately 10,000 SF of total space, also based on configuration of the backstage area, this was converted from an expansion of the CSO building to a new separate structure. The south gate was reconfigured and the beverage pavilion was increased in size threefold and modified to include a new VIP seating area.

The new agreement value of $1,435,850.00, is an increase of $440,200.00 over the initial agreement of 995,650.00 (R23-289). While the fees have increased, the actual design percentage has reduced from 10.6% to 8.7% and the structures have increased from a total square footage of 7,200 Square Feet to 24,372 Square Feet. The funds are available in account 355-4440-451.73-43 (A062). Based on the current schedule, work on the backstage building will commence this fall, with the remaining buildings and site work commencing in early 2025, with an anticipated completion of fall 2025. There are sufficient funds in the 2024 budget for the work to be completed this year, with additional funds scheduled for the 2025 budget cycle.

There will be minimal impact to the public during the construction of these improvements. There will be temporary lane closures on IL25 (Broadway Avenue) when making utility connections (gas, water, electric).

• Consent was given to a Resolution to award a three year contract, with two optional one year extensions, to Semper Fi Land Services, LLC in the amount of $98,644.00 per year for the Landscape Maintenance of Rain Gardens and Miscellaneous Storm BMPs project.

City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to maintain the rain gardens and other green infrastructure installed in 22 locations throughout the City in order to meet the requirements of the EPA mandated Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan. This also provides marginal relief from nuisance flooding and is incorporating maintenance of native landscaping for Phillips Park.

The City completed the EPA mandated Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan in 2010. The Plan involves sewer separation, storage and treatment of wet weather flows, and green infrastructure in order to reduce the frequency and duration of combined sewer overflows. Rain gardens were installed at 17 intersections on the East Side of Aurora in 2012 with a $1.4 million Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant from the IEPA. The maintenance of these rain gardens, as well as bio-swales, native landscaping and bio-filtration basins in five other locations, has been performed for the City by a landscaping contractor since 2016.

The Landscape Maintenance of Rain Gardens and Miscellaneous Storm BMPs project was publicly advertised for bids. The bids were received, opened, and read aloud on May 29th, 2024. The low bid from Semper Fi Land Services, Inc..

This project was subject to the Local Preference ordinance but did not impact the decision.

The bid from Semper Fi Land Services was the lowest responsible bid, they are a local company and are within 3% of the engineer’s estimate. The funds for this project shall utilize The Stormwater Management Facility Maintenance/Improvement account (Project B046 account 280-1852-512.81-90) and the Phillips Park location shall utilize account 101- 4440- 451.38- 34.

This contract has a three year term at $98,664.00 per year. Typical maintenance tasks include control of invasive vegetation, pruning and trimming vegetation, removal of trash and debris, and placement of mulch.

Landscape maintenance will cause temporary lane closures along the adjacent streets.

• Final approval for items on the Committee of the Whole consent agenda are set to be made at the June 25 Aurora City Council meeting.
• Placed on Unfinished Business is a Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) by July 1, 2024 fulfilling the obligation of the Notice of Intent to participate in the coalition led by Kane County, Illinois for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant signed by mayor Irvin March 29, 2024.

City government of Aurora documents show the Kane County coalition CPRG application seeks funding for projects that have potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the region.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant incentivizes applicants to apply as members of a coalition. The application guidelines require that an MOA between coalition partners be fully executed by July 1, 2024.

As a part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant for implementation makes available funds for projects that demonstrate significant greenhouse gas reductions, reducing pollution that contributes to climate change.

The Kane County, Illinois led coalition includes the counties of Will, DuPage, Kendall, and Lake, as well as the municipalities of Batavia, Elgin, Highland Park, Naperville, Waukegan, Downers Grove, Mokena, and Wheeling.

The MOA defines Kane County’s role and responsibilities as coalition lead and pass through entity. It also defines the City’s role and responsibilities as a subrecipient in compliance with federal guidelines under the applicable sections of 2 CFR 200.

Approval of this resolution and the MOA will formalize the City of Aurora’s inclusion in the coalition led by Kane County for the purposes of the CPRG application and ensure the City will benefit from any grant funds awarded to the Kane County coalition.

• Placed on Unfinished Business is an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit for a Telecommunication Facility (4211) Use on the Property at 1010 Lebanon Street.

The Petitioner, the Fox Valley Park District, is requesting approval of a Conditional Use for a Telecommunication Facility on the property at 1010 Lebanon Street, which includes the construction of a 125 foot tall monopole for improved wireless coverage and accessibility.

City government of Aurora documents show the Property is zoned P, Park and Recreation District, and is approximately nine and a half acres. The Fox Valley Park District owns and maintains the Property, which is otherwise known as Lebanon Park. The existing Lebanon Park contains 3 baseball fields, a basketball court, a picnic pavilion, and open space for other recreational activities. The Virgil L. Gilman Nature Trail runs through the southern portion of the Property. The Comprehensive Plan designates the Property as Conservation, Open Space, Recreation, and Drainage.

The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Conditional Use for a telecommunication facility. The details of the request include construction of 125 foot tall monopole, and which is also designed to integrate outfield lighting for the easternmost baseball field. The lighting fixtures are shown at a height of 35 feet, which allows for outfield lighting. In addition, the proposed monopole maintains a galvanized steel finish, which is consistent with the City’s requirements and the industry standard, and also allows for the structure to be carefully integrated into the surrounding environment.

The proposal also includes the construction of an approximately 900 square-foot accessory maintenance facility. The proposed telecommunication facility is to be built along the Property’s frontage on Lafayette St, and includes a new access point for use by the telecommunication facility’s maintenance staff members. The maintenance facility is screened along its perimeter with adequate landscaping, as well as a six foot tall, open, powder coated aluminum fence.

Based on the criteria listed below, the proposed Conditional Use for a telecommunication facility is required, or is found to satisfy certain standards, per the City of Aurora’s Code of Ordinances, Section 19, Chapter III:

1) The height of the monopole, which is 125 feet, exceeds the maximum permitted height of the structure allowed via an Administrative Review (Sec. 19-70(b)(2)), which is one hundred (100) feet.

2) The separation distance of the communications facility from residential structures, which is approximately one hundred, nine (109) feet, is less than the minimum separation requirement of five hundred (500) feet. (Sec. 19-68(p)(1).b)

3) The Petitioner has provided detailed drawings and visualizations indicating how the proposed monopole and accessory maintenance facility are designed to have the effect of reducing or eliminating visual obtrusiveness, as follows (Sec. 19-68(f)(1)-(3)):

• The Petitioner is proposing a galvanized steel finish, which is consistent with the industry standard.
• The Petitioner is proposing an accessory maintenance facility that is integrated to, and consistent with the existing park, and is also screened from the adjacent residential neighborhood.
• The antenna and supporting electrical and mechanical equipment are of a neutral color that is compatible with the supporting structure, which reduces the monopole’s unobtrusiveness as much as possible.

4) The Petitioner has provided a written affidavit indicating there is a limited availability of suitable existing towers, other structures, or alternative technology (Sec 19-68(n). The written affidavit indicates this limited availability is based on code requirements from the Village of Montgomery, as well as existing conditions, that result in limited availability of services to Aurora’s residents.

Public Hearing:

Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter. Staff members have received inquiries regarding the nature of the proposal, in addition to an inquiry questioning if this proposal is necessary.

Findings of Fact:

1) Will the establishment, maintenance or operation of the conditional use be unreasonably detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare?

Staff members feel that, because the Petitioner has provided the required documentation, in addition to undergoing review for compliance by the City of Aurora, the FAA, the FCC, as well as other third part review, the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the conditional use will not be unreasonably detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare.

2) Will the conditional use be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted or substantially diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood; factors including but not limited to lighting, signage and outdoor amplification, hours of operation, refuse disposal areas and architectural compatibility and building orientation?

Staff members feel the conditional use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted or substantially diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood. Staff members feel the proposal is adequately incorporated into the existing Lebanon Park by utilizing the baseball field’s lighting system, and will otherwise have no impact on the park or surrounding residential neighborhood.

3) Will the establishment of the conditional use impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in the district?

Staff members feel that establishment of the conditional use, which is being incorporated to part of Lebanon Park’s existing baseball field and surrounding park property, will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in the district.

4) Will the proposal provide for adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, and/or other necessary facilities as part of the conditional use?

Staff members feel the proposal, which includes the necessary utilities and a new access point on the Property’s Lafayette Street frontage, is adequate.

5) Does the proposal take adequate measures, or will they be taken to provide ingress and egress so designed to minimize traffic congestion in the public streets?

Staff members feel the proposal takes adequate measures to provide ingress and egress, which is evident in the access that is proposed to allow for maintenance of the telecommunication facility. Staff members do not feel the proposed access point will have any noticeable impact on traffic in the surrounding public streets.

6) Does the conditional use in all other respects conform to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located, except as such regulations may in each instance be modified by the city council pursuant to the recommendations of the commission?

Staff members feel the conditional use does, in all other respects, conform to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located, except as such regulations may in each instance be modified by the city council pursuant to the recommendations of the commission.