By Jason Crane
At the Aurora city government City Council meeting Tuesday, City Council members gave a standing ovation to retiring Police Chief Kristen Ziman.
She started her law enforcement career in 1991 as a cadet and in 1994 was sworn in as an officer and in 2003 as sergeant. She became the first female lieutenant and first chief in the history of the Aurora Police Department.
Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin said, “Kristen and the Aurora Police Department have received honors for their response to a mass shooting in Aurora on February 15, 2019, which showed the strength, professionalism, and preparedness of our Aurora Police Department and its leadership.”
Mayor Irvin proclaimed Ziman’s final public day of service to the Aurora Police Department, August 6, as Chief Kristen Ziman Day in Aurora.
A few more awards were given and stories were shared.
Chief Ziman said, “Thank you so much to all of you!
“It’s very surreal to be here. Thursday will be 30 years that I have been here. My 30th anniversary starting as a police cadet.
“If you would have asked me 30 years ago or told me I would be the chief of the Aurora Police Department, I would have laughed. But here I am and am now closing out my career. It is certainly bittersweet.
“The best part about it is that we’ve built a deep bench and I always have been of the opinion that leaders should be able to walk out that door and no one should even know they’re gone.
“I am so confident in our incoming chief, Keith Cross, and our deputy chief, Matt Thomas. I know that they’re going to take the helm.
“The first thing that I did when I became chief was to build a team. I was put in a very fortunate position to be able to build my entire command staff.
“Keefe Jackson is here and he was my deputy chief (retired April 24, 2020) and this team we built together is what actually catapulted the Aurora Police Department into the police department you see today!
“As a team, we were able to transform the Police Department starting with the culture where we allowed officers permission to ask for help if they need it. That was one of the most important things that I think we can do for our officers because hurt people, hurt people.
“We build this machismo workforce and we dress alike and look alike but we all have the same fears as everyone else, so giving our officers permission to be vulnerable was truly what I saw happen, especially on the day that Pratt (Henry Pratt Company warehouse shooting, February 12, 2019) occurred.
“I appreciate all of the accolades about Pratt, but those aren’t mine. I just got to stand at the microphone and tell the amazing story that those officers did that day when they ran towards gunfire when they saved more lives. One by one, they kept getting shot, and one by one they kept going in there. That was their story and I was able to tell it. I appreciate that but those accolades are not mine, that’s for them. That goes into, as I mentioned, the training.
“I really want to thank our City Council! Every time you vote for equipment, for resources for training for budget for this Police Department, you invest in the professionalism of this Police Department!”
The City Council unanimously approved the following agenda items:
• Approved was a resolution authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement (RDA) with DAC Developments, LLC.
This agreement is for the proposed $70 million development of 246 apartments on 1.93 acres of land south of RiverEdge Park at 100 North Broadway between the Aurora Township building and Jake’s Bagels on the east bank of the Fox River.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to codify the terms of an agreement for the development of the vacant land at 100 North Broadway, currently a parking lot owned and operated by the Dolan family.
The RDA includes an incentive plan from the city government of Aurora (COA) based on DAC fulfilling a series of obligations that culminates with the completion of a new riverfront market rate 263 unit rental living community.
• There were no speakers seeking to use their voices for up to three minutes.
• Approved was a resolution consenting to the assignment of an amended and restated ground lease of real estate at the Aurora Municipal Airport.
City government of Aurora documents show the acquisition of the assets of Lumanair, Inc. (“Lumanair”) by Carver Aero, LLC. (“Carver”).
The purpose is to grant the City’s consent of the assignment of Lumanair lease at the Aurora Municipal Airport to Carver.
Lumanair is a long-time tenant at Aurora Municipal Airport and one of its two fixed base operators (FBOs) providing fuel to customers.
In the Summer of 2020, the City and Lumanair amicably resolved years-long litigation arising from the City’s insistence that Lumanair replace its existing below-ground fuel farm with an above-ground fuel farm in compliance with regulations known as “Minimum Standards” adopted by the City Council. Lumanair, for its part, had argued that because the City adopted its Minimum Standards after Lumanair’s existing lease was already in effect, the City could not use these Minimum Standards to effectively and unilaterally modify its lease.
To resolve this issue, the City and Lumanair entered into an amended and restated ground lease in August 2020, which mirrors the provisions of the City’s lease with the other airport FBO and required Lumanair to replace its existing fuel farm by August 1, 2022 and comply with all other Minimum Standards in place at the airport. Lumanair was required to make a minimum of $1,200,000 in capital improvements at the airport during the first five-year term of the new lease, including $1,000,000 in the first year.
For the past year, Lumanair has been in negotiations to sell its assets (including its rights under the lease) to Carver, which operates as an FBO at four other airports in the Midwest. Those negotiations have concluded, and both parties would like to close the sale as soon as possible. Under the terms of Lumanair’s lease, the City’s approval of an assignment is required, but the City may not unreasonably withhold its consent.
As a condition of the City granting its consent to the assignment, Carver, must, within 90 days of the assignment, negotiate a new lease with the City and comply with all of the conditions set forth in the Minimum Standards. In the unlikely event a new lease cannot be negotiated, Carver will need to fully comply with all of the conditions of the existing lease it is assuming and be liable to the City for all of Lumanair’s existing duties and obligations under the lease by 2024. During the 90-day negotiation period, the City would not deem Carver to be in breach of the Lease’s capital expenditure requirement. This period could be extended at the City’s option for good cause and if necessary to finalize details of a new lease.
As of this date, both the City and Carver anticipate that a new lease will contemplate a substantial upgrade and modernization of the existing Lumanair facilities and that Carver will make a significant capital investment to accomplish these improvements.
• Approved was a resolution rejecting previous bids for the installation of approximately 1,800 linear feet of security fencing at the Aurora Municipal Airport and accept the proposal from F. H. Paschen under the Job Order Contracting Program in the not-to-exceed amount of $85,595.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to reject bids from two separate bid openings and accept a proposal from F.H. Paschen under the Job Order Contracting program (JOC) in a not-to-exceed amount of $85,595.
Security fencing is required by the FAA in order to minimize runway incursions by wildlife or pedestrians. A Decision Package was approved in 2019 for the installation of security fencing on the northeast side of the airport in the amount of $35,000 per year over a four-year period”.
The formal bid process was attempted twice, once in September 2020 and again in April 2021. The low bidder in 2020 was deemed ineligible as they did not supply the required Department of Labor certifications. The 2021 bid opening had only one bidder whose proposal was approximately $90,000 over the project’s estimated cost.
As a result of the previous bidding results F.H. Paschen was contacted through the City’s Job Order Contracting program (JOC) (R20-221) to provide a quote for this project.
City government of Aurora documents show approval of this request will allow the airport to comply with the FAA’s directive to work towards securing the northeast section of the airport by completing the gap in the security fencing in this area.
• Approved was a resolution to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between JH Real Estate Partners LLC & APS Tower Condominium Association and the City of Aurora regarding the use of the property at 105 E. Galena Blvd. for the use of a City of Aurora Public Art mural. Approval of this Memorandum of Understanding is needed prior to the August 1 commencement of the mural work.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this memorandum of understanding has been reviewed and edited by the City of Aurora Law Department, and clarifies the nature of the use of the second-story, east-facing facade wall of 105 E. Galena Blvd. for a City of Aurora Public Art mural. The mural, “Diversity in Technology,” was passed by the Building, Zoning, and Economic City Council Sub-Committee May 12, 2021.
City government of Aurora documents show Public Art is requesting the approval of this Memorandum of Understanding in order to move forward with the mural project at 105 E. Galena Blvd., scheduled for installation between August 1 and August 31, 2021.
This Memorandum of Understanding gives the City control over the East-facing, second story facade wall of the Property in order to place, at the City’s expense, directly or indirectly, the approved design for a Public Art mural entitled “Diversity in Technology.” The City shall provide all funding for the mural installation and its maintenance. The owner shall receive no compensation for the use of the wall and shall not be required to provide funding for the mural or its maintenance. The owner shall not alter or remove the mural for a minimum of five years.
• Approved was a resolution to approve Burlington Northern Right of Entry for a city of Aurora Public Art Mural on a viaduct wall along East New York Street, East of LaSalle Street.
The purpose of this request is to approve the Right of Entry document provided by Burlington Northern, to allow mural artists hired by the city of Aurora to paint on BNSF property.
City government of Aurora documents show this city of Aurora Public Art mural project was approved May 12 by the Building, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee. Burlington Northern provided a Right of Entry document for signature; Burlington Northern was unable to allow the city government of Aurora Law Department to make any changes to their standard Right of Entry form. Permission to paint on BNSF property has been provided. Signature of this Right of Entry document is required to commence installation of the mural on BNSF property.
• Approved was a request to obtain bids for the reconstruction of the staircase from New York Street to the Fox River Trail on the east shore of the Fox River.
City government of Aurora documents show in order to obtain competitive sealed bids for this project, approval from the Finance Committee is needed, because the project is currently not in the budget for 2021.
This staircase from New York Street to the Fox River Trail is in substantial disrepair. The proposed reconstruction consists of replacing the stringers, treads, and railing (railing to match existing) and installing new precast concrete, removable, open treads. The existing concrete support piers, which are decorative and in good condition, will be left in place to be reused. This design was approved by the FoxWalk Overlay District Design Review Committee on October 10, 2019.
To help fund this project, the City applied for and received a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Recreational Trails Program in Fall 2018. This grant will reimburse the City 80% of up to $175,000 in design and construction costs.
The design plans for this project have been finalized and City staff members are prepared to seek bids. With the Committee’s approval, we will advertise for bids and will return to the Committee with a recommendation for award to the lowest responsible bidder by no later than September.
Funding for this project was originally included in the 2018 fiscal year budget as part of a decision package titled “East New York St Bridge Replacement”, but was not carried forward to the current fiscal year. The account to be used to front fund (and be 80% reimbursed for) this project is 340-1830-465.73-76 (Capital Outlay-Improvement / FoxWalk).
This project will substantially improve safety for pedestrians using this staircase with minimal cost to the City and its taxpayers. The lone negative impact of this project will be a temporary closure of the stairs and subsequent pedestrian detour during construction, which should not last more than a week or two.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Marc Kresmery Construction LLC, 1725 Weld Road, Elgin, in the amount of $96,869.00 to furnish and install a new pump for the waterfall in Phillips Park.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to make the waterfall at Phillips Park once again operational by entering into an agreement with Marc Kresmery Construction LLC in the amount of $96,869.00 to replace the pump and associated piping.
Over the past decade, the City of Aurora has dedicated time and money to repairing the existing, outdated pump which operates the waterfall at Phillips Park. This was enough to keep the waterfall operational until recently, when the pump completely ceased operation.
Based on informal feedback from pump manufacturers and design professionals, it was determined that it was in the best interest of the City to design and formally request bids to furnish and install a new pump.
Following completion of the pump design, the City published the Request for Bids and received one response. Eight potential vendors viewed the documents from the City’s website along with multiple bid sites.
The cost presented in this bid aligns with the Engineer’s estimate of cost and is less than the project budget ($130,000) and informal design/build verbal estimates received previously.
The replacement of the pump and associated piping was budgeted as Capital Improvement Project F057 and will be funded from account 354-4440-451.73-43 (Capital Outlay-Improvement/Park Improvements), which has a current account balance of $469,850.
Local preference does apply, however there was not a local vendor that submitted a bid.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing the purchase of a deep well motor from Layne Christensen Company in an Amount not to Exceed $159,600.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council authorization for the Water Production Division (WPD) to purchase a 400 horsepower deep well motor from Layne Christensen Company (Layne), 721 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora in an amount not to exceed $159,600.00.
The City of Aurora Water Production Division utilizes both surface water and groundwater as sources for the City’s drinking water supply. Groundwater is regularly obtained from six shallow aquifer wells and 12 deep aquifer wells. Of these 12 deep aquifer wells, 10 utilize either a 350 or 400 horsepower (hp) well pump motor. The proposed 400 hp, 2300V, 17”, Type M Submersible motor will serve as a critical spare to allow for the timely return to service of a well if an existing 350 or 400 hp motor suffers a failure. Historically, the WPD has operated without such a spare, which then requires the damaged motor to be shipped out-of-state for repairs, normally requiring a 12-week turnaround time. Recently, the WPD was without three deep wells due to unexpected motor failures. Any number of unpredictable circumstances can negatively impact the quantity or quality of source water, such as deep wells being unavailable as described, or water quality conditions that impair the Fox River, which in turn requires the use of more raw well water via wells. As such, the WPD believes it is prudent to purchase a spare 400 hp motor for deployment in any of the ten applicable deep wells. This capability is most critical during the high water demand summer season.
Layne has proposed that the spare motor be stored at their Aurora facility (721 W. Illinois Ave.) for a couple of very important reasons. First, Layne has the appropriate knowledge and expertise to provide the recommended, necessary care and maintenance of the motor for indefinite storage or until needed, at no cost to the WPD. Secondly, with Layne storing and maintaining the motor, the motor manufacturer, Flowserve, provides an extended three-year warranty from purchase plus an additional 12 months from the date the motor is placed in service.
Layne has indicated in their quotation letter that the lead time for such a purchase is approximately 28 weeks (7 months). As such, the motor will be ordered upon City Council approval, (if approved, in August). However, it is expected that it will not be received until early 2022. Thus it would be paid for from the 2022 city budget. Funding has been proposed via a 2022 CIP request, project # I052. Approved funding for this type of purchase normally would be allocated to City Budget Account No. 510-4058-511-73-04.
Layne is the sole regional factory authorized source for sales and service of Flowserve-Byron Jackson pumps and motors utilized by the WPD. Accordingly, the WPD cites the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances, Exceptions to Competitive Bidding Requirement, Article 5, Sec 2-335 (a) (3), “…the product or service desired is provided by only one (1) person…”. This is a sole source provider purchase, therefore local preference does not apply.
The impact could be the unavailability of approximately 1.4 to 2 million gallons per day of deep well source water for up to three months without a spare deep well motor.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Standard Equipment Company for the purchase of one truck mounted pipeline inspection system for the Water and Sewer Maintenance Division.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose for this resolution is to facilitate the purchase of a truck mounted pipeline inspection system to replace an existing pipeline televising camera that is obsolete and constantly in need of repair.
The City of Aurora’s Water and Sewer Maintenance Division is responsible for maintaining over 1,200 miles of storm, sanitary, and combined sewers. In order to protect the health and property of Aurora’s Water and Sewer customers it is critical to have the ability to trouble shoot and pinpoint issues within the system in a timely manner. Furthermore, issues like sanitary sewage basement backups and untreated sanitary sewage leaking into waterways are considered a violation of the federal Clean Water Act.
On April 21st 2021, the City Clerk publicly opened three proposals for this purchase. Standard Equipment of Elmhurst is considered the low, responsive, responsible bidder in the amount of $312,000.00. R.N.O.W. Inc submitted a bid in the amount of $299,920.00. However the equipment proposed by R.N.O.W. does not meet the bidding specifications and has been considered non-responsive.
Local preference does apply to this bid process and Standard Equipment does have an Aurora presence, it was not the deciding factor in the selection.
The 2021 budget contains $340,000 within account 510-4063-511.74-99 within the Water and Sewer fund.
This purchase will help the Water and Sewer Maintenance Division diagnose issues with the City’s sewer system in a timely and efficient manner which will help reduce private property damage, violations of the federal clean water act, and protect the public’s health.
• Approved was a resolution with respect to the potential reimbursement of eligible costs in a possible tax increment finance district (TIF) and to induce development interest within the subject area known as the East Bank Development, at 100 North Broadway, and adjacent property on the Fox River in Downtown Aurora.
City government of Aurora documents show the adoption of a reimbursement resolution is the first step following the approval of the redevelopment agreement (RDA) with DAC Developers for a new multi-family residential development at 100 North Broadway on the east bank of the Fox River in Downtown Aurora. This resolution will allow initial expenses to be reimbursed by the TIF once formed later in 2021 or 2022.
Constructing a new multi-family residential development on the banks of the Fox River in Downtown Aurora, particularly near the Aurora Transportation Center, has been a consistent recommendation of numerous City long-range planning documents for decades. Combined with the recommendations of the Downtown Housing Study (2019), the growing demand for rental housing, the redevelopment of long vacant historic buildings in the Downtown, and the recent completion of the new Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, the time for implementing the City’s vision is here.
An RDA with DAC Developers to construct a new apartment building that includes a parking structure and various amenities will be presented to City Council at the same meeting as this resolution for review and approval. The development is planned for the property south of Jake’s Bagels, and north of the Aurora Township building, which is currently a parking lot DEC Developers plans to use a variety of sources to fund this redevelopment including grants, loans, tax credits and TIF revenues paid solely from the development.
The creation of the new TIF is critical to the redevelopment agreement and without it, the RDA is void. As such the City will be moving transparently, yet expeditiously to form the new TIF through the same process used in creating previous TIFs over the last number of years.
Adopting this resolution will allow for initial costs incurred during the setup of the new TIF to be reimbursed by TIF revenues at a later date.
• Approved was a resolution with respect to the potential reimbursement of eligible costs in a possible tax increment finance district and to induce development interest within 110 Cross Street and adjacent property.
City government of Aurora documents show the adoption of a reimbursement resolution is the first step following the approval of the redevelopment agreement (RDA) with J&H Real Estate Partners, LLC for a renovation of a long vacant building into a mixed-use project at 110 Cross Street. This resolution will allow initial expenses to be reimbursed by the TIF once formed later in 2021 or 2022.
Improving the building and parking lot at the long vacant 110 Cross Street parking will be an exciting project that will continue to expand and improve the Downtown. The developer plans to create fifteen new apartments above a new brewery/restaurant. The vision to add more residential units in our Downtown is supported by the recommendations of the Downtown Housing Study (2019), and the growing demand for rental housing that Aurora is experiencing.
An RDA with J&H Real Estate Partners, LLC to redevelop the long vacant building at 110 Cross Street into a mixed use development including 15 apartments on the upper floors with a new brewery/restaurant on the ground floor will be brought to Council at a future meeting for review and approval. J&H Developers plans to use a variety of sources to fund this redevelopment including TIF revenues.
The creation of the new TIF is critical to the potential future redevelopment agreement and without it, the RDA is void. As such the City will be moving transparently, yet expeditiously to form the new TIF through the same process used in creating previous TIFs over the last number of years.
Adopting this resolution will allow for initial costs incurred during the setup of the new TIF to be reimbursed by TIF revenues at a later date.
• Approved was a resolution establishing the maximum number of Class B: On-Site Consumption liquor licenses (unofficially related to the application from Hill Investment Group, LLC d/b/a Umai at 4416 E New York St., Aurora in Ward 10.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to increase the number of Class B: On-Site Consumption liquor licenses. A business that is new to the City of Aurora, Hill Investment Group, LLC d/b/a Umai, is opening at 4416 E New York St., Aurora and has submitted a liquor license application. Umai will offer a full food menu and alcoholic beverages.
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.
Hill Investment Group, LLC d/b/a Umai has submitted a liquor license application to offer alcohol for sale for on-site consumption in a full-service restaurant. If approved, this liquor license will allow the sale of alcohol during business hours.
If approved, this resolution will increase the number of allowable liquor licenses as indicated in the accompanying Exhibit A to allow for the issuance of the license by the Liquor Commissioner. City staff members has been working closely 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.
• Approved was a resolution establishing the maximum number of Class C: Specialty On-Site Consumption liquor licenses (unofficially related to the application from Planet Fun Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Galaxi Fun Zone at 301 S Rte 59, Aurora in Ward 10.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to increase the number of Class C: Specialty On-Site Consumption liquor licenses. Planet Fun Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Galaxi Fun Zone, is currently operating at 301 S Rte 59 in Aurora and has submitted a liquor license application.
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.
Planet Fun Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Galaxi Fun Zone, is an indoor entertainment park offering go karts, mini golf, arcade and many other activities. The applicant offers a variety of prepackaged food options for sale including nachos and pretzels with cheese, ice cream, chips and candy. Rosati’s Pizza also delivers pizza to the location. A liquor license application has been submitted requesting a license to offer alcohol for sale for on-site consumption in the recreational facility.
If approved, this resolution will increase the number of allowable liquor licenses as indicated in the accompanying Exhibit A to allow for the issuance of the license by the Liquor Commissioner. City City staff members has 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.
• Approved was a resolution establishing the maximum number of Class B: On-Site Consumption City of Aurora liquor licenses (unofficially related to application from: Aurora Athletic Club, d/b/a Aurora Athletic Club, 550 Clearwater Dr., Aurora.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to maintain the number of Class B: On-Site Consumption licenses at 106.
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.
The Aurora Athletic Club, d/b/a Aurora Athletic Club is located at 550 Clearwater Dr., Aurora. It is a long-standing establishment that recently underwent a change in percentage of ownership, requiring a new liquor license.
If approved, this resolution would maintain the number of allowable liquor licenses as indicated in the accompanying Exhibit A to allow for the issuance of the licenses by the Commissioner. City staff members has been working with the business representatives to ensure that all requirements for a liquor license, as set forth in Chapter 6 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, are met.
• Approved was an ordinance amending the following: Article 2-VI-2 of Chapter 2; Chapter 13.5; Section 220 of Chapter 15; Article II of Chapter 22; Sections 201-207 of Chapter 34; and Sections 21-24 of Chapter 37; all relating to Administrative Boards within the Code of Ordinances.
City government of Aurora documents show the new section will codify the purpose and authority of the following Administrative Boards: Block Grant Working Committee; Civilian Review Board; Civil Service Commission; Ethics Commission; Fox Walk Overlay District Design Review Committee; Human Relations Commission; Planning and Zoning Commission; Public Arts Commission; and Preservation Commission.
The City has numerous boards and commissions which have all been established over the years at different times, with different resolutions or ordinances. This new section seeks to establish and codify the administrative boards.
This next section of the revised ordinance codifies Aurora’s administrative boards. The other sections of boards and commission ordinances will be forthcoming.
This revised section will codify and update Aurora’s Administrative Boards.
• Approved was a resolution to purchase the Applications Payment module from Event Approvals, Inc., Vancouver, Canada in the amount of $5,500.
City government of Aurora documents show the purchase of the Application Payment module from Event Approvals will allow for direct online payment of fees required for Special Events.
Since 2019, the City has utilized eProval from Event Approvals to gather registration information online for all Special Events and Special Use Permits. The addition of the Applications Payment module will all the applicant to complete the payment process online in lieu of delivering a check or other payment to City Hall.
The eProval solution currently utilized by the City is priced at $22,000 annually. The purchase of the Applications Payment module will bring the annual fee above to $27,500, which requires Council approval.
While this additional module was not budgeted, funding is available in account 101-1380-419.45-02.
Online payment for City services is expected from residents. Without the ability to collect payments online, this process remains inefficient, causing delays for residents and city staff.
• Approved was a resolution Accepting the Dedication of Easements at 810 North Farnsworth Avenue (Mercy Lane, LLC).
The Engineering Department is requesting approval of a Plat of Easement for the property located at 810 North Farnsworth Avenue. This includes the dedication of a Cross Access Easement with the property to the south, a Stormwater Control Easement along the frontage and southern property line, a City Easement along the north property line that is between fifteen (15) feet wide, and a City Easement along the southern property line that is between seven and-a-half (7.5) feet and thirty-two (32) feet wide.
• Approved was a resolution authorizing an addendum to the amended and Restated Potable Water Service Agreement with Calgon Carbon Corporation for the continued lease of Granular Activated Carbon in filter groups 1 – 4, 5 – 8, and 9 – 12 for the Water Production Division.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval for an addendum to the subject agreement for pricing and installation of GAC for filters 1 – 4 in 2021, filters 5 – 8 in 2022, and filters 9 – 12 in 2023 at the City of Aurora Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
The water treatment plant (WTP) has 12 dual-media filters which contain sand and GAC which are used to remove solids prior to disinfection of the water. In addition, the GAC media serves to remove taste and odor compounds which are adsorbed on the GAC in the filter bed. Over time the GAC is expended (spent) and needs to be replaced/refreshed, typically between 36 – 42 months. This is done on a staggered basis for the three groups of filters listed above.
The Water Production Division (WPD) has standardized the use of specific GAC, Calgon F-300, as its primary filtration media due to its long-term (20+ years) successful and proven performance. F-300 can be considered a sole source product due to its attributes as a domestic, bituminous coal source and a specific manufacturing method referred to as reagglomeration which produces a high activity, durable, granular product capable of withstanding abrasion associated with repeated backwashing, hydraulic transport, and reactivation for reuse. Spent GAC is reactivated via a high-temperature heating process which volatilizes the adsorbed compounds thus returning the used GAC to additional productive service. Calgon’s program for the turnkey service of supplying reactivated GAC is the Custom Municipal Reactivation (CMR) program. The addendum shows pricing options for both CMR and virgin GAC. The WPD utilizes the lower cost CMR option at significant savings to the City, approximately 64%, without sacrificing substantial performance. The City of Aurora has utilized the CMR program since 2014.
Under the standard 36-month lease arrangement, equal monthly payments are made to compensate Calgon for supplying, removing, and reinstalling reactivated material when requested by the WPD. The City assumes no risk if the GAC must be replaced prematurely due to unforeseen circumstances, nor does the City need to make a lump sum purchase payment, as Calgon maintains ownership of the GAC media. Furthermore, this approach allows the City to save money for a period of time under the Extended Use provision. Beginning with the 37th month of use, lease payments are reduced 50% until which time the GAC is spent and is replaced with reactivated material.
The most recent lease price for CMR GAC was $33.49/cubic foot which applied to filters 5 – 8 and filters 9 – 12 in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Calgon has proposed an increase to $35.53/cubic foot, which is a 6.09% increase. The proposed new price will be held over the 2021 – 2023 period for the replacement of GAC in all three filter groups. The 36-month total lease costs respectively for filters 1 – 4, 5 – 8, and 9 – 12 are $343,930.40, $343,930.40, and $294,188.40. Filters 9 – 12 require less GAC, thus the lower cost.
Funding for leasing GAC is provided annually in the WPD Budget Account No. 510-4058-511-38-28 and has been requested in the 2022 city budget.
Negative impacts to the City of Aurora water quality are possible without the timely replacement of spent GAC with CMR GAC.