By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council viewed a presentation on the Aurora STEAM Academy at the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, Tuesday, April 4.
The presentation shared with the Council and community was on the Aurora STEAM Academy (ASA) public-private partnership (P3) to deliver science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics (STEAM) services to 2,000 of Aurora’s underserved youth. The Resolution and the amount not exceed $500,000.00 is likely to be approved at the April City Council meeting would provide the funds for APS Training Academy, in Aurora, Ill., and TinkRworks LLC, in Elmhurst, Ill..
City government of Aurora documents show APS Training Academy is a non-for-profit training provider that empowers vulnerable communities in Aurora by providing free and low-cost education and vocational opportunities in STEAM; and promotes economic equality so the community will not simply survive, but thrive through the cultivation of a diverse tech-based workforce.
The presentation shared includes the following information:
After a successful 2021 STEAM program, city of Aurora government, TinkRworks, and APS Training Academy (APS) joined forces again in 2022 to provide hands-on STEAM programming for underserved K – 8th grade children within the City.
The program, known as the Aurora STEAM Academy, had an overall goal to spark an interest in children to explore STEAM opportunities in the future and instill within them the confidence to pursue STEAM-related opportunities they might not otherwise choose to do.
Relative to 2021 when only two STEAM projects were chosen for delivery to participants, 2022 saw a year where nine STEAM projects were chosen for delivery to children. All of these projects immersed children in project-based learning (PBL) environments and provided them a holistic STEAM experience, weaving together elements of design, building, electronics integration, and computer programming.
These projects were delivered using STEAM projects and curriculum from TinkRworks, facilitation and implementation from APS, and access to students, infrastructure, and funding from city government of Aurora. In total, 2,029 students participated in the 2022 program, a huge step up in participation compared with the 2021 program which saw 625 participants. High levels of diversity were exhibited within the participant base:
-Of the total participants, 63% were either Hispanic/Latinx or Black/African American.
-52% of participants were male; 46% were female.
-24% of participants self-identified as females who were either Hispanic/Latinx or Black/African American—an historically critically-important segment that remains highly underserved for STEAM exposure.
-72% of participant households fell within the 0 –50 AMI segment.
To measure the overall enjoyment and enrichment gained through the effort, surveys were distributed to participants both before taking their classes and upon completion to understand student attitudes and growth in confidence linked to both building/creating as well as to computer programming. The survey data was collated, analyzed, and synthesized to yield overall outcomes.
Outcomes were objectively derived using a formalized methodology. These outcomes are presented in detail as part of this document; key takeaways of the analysis include the following:
Diverse population targets achieved: Overall targets for ethnic and gender diversity achieved as well as AMI targets.
Children have strong desires around creating/building items and computer-programming: Going into the program, children overwhelmingly indicated they have a very strong desire to create/build something and use computer programming to bring their creation to life.
Enjoyment exceeded expectations around creation and programming:
Results showcased that enjoyment of children in the specific areas of creating/building exceeded their ingoing expectations and desires.
Those initially hesitant were transformed into enthusiasts: Students who initially were not looking forward to STEAM programming responded with “I loved it” when asked about their enjoyment level upon completion of their participation.
Confidence levels grew significant: Participants who initially were uncertain or thought they outright lacked skills needed to succeed at building/creating and/or computer programming exhibited strong growth around their confidence to perform these activities following the completion of their STEAM projects.
Children seek more STEAM Academy opportunities: Participants overwhelmingly expressed an interest in taking additional STEAM Academy programming opportunities.
Outcomes highlight that the ingoing goal of sparking interest in STEM activities as well as growing their confidence to pursue key STEAM-related activities in the future. Additionally, enjoyment by all participants was clearly evident as was a very strong desire to take additional Aurora STEAM Academy programs.
There was one speaker who used his voice for up to three minutes at the podium:
Aurora resident, Adam Pauley, candidate for Regional Board of school trustees said, “Good evening everybody, I’d like to wish you all a happy election day. My hope for today is not for victory, but for peace and acceptance of the results. The sun’s going to come up tomorrow and we’re still all going to be here. I’m going to be asleep. I am projected to be the first LGBT person elected to Kane County office tonight in a very historical event.
“I’m truly humbled to be the one to break that glass ceiling here in Kane County, and I look forward to working to break similar glass ceilings that exist here in Aurora, including the ones that exist within this very chamber.
“I hope that we can do that within my lifetime,” he added. His comments can be viewed after the 8 minute mark on the city government of Aurora’s Facebook page by clicking here.
The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items likely to be placed on the Tuesday, Apr. 11 full City Council agenda:
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the reappointment of Kader Sakkaria to the Innovation and Technology Advisory Commission.
City government of Aurora documents show in January 2022, the City Council approved the establishment of Innovation and Technology Advisory Board to investigate, research, and gather information in relation to significant emerging technologies that may benefit and/or have an impact on the City.
- Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the reappointment of Rene Craig to the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Advisory Board.
City government of Aurora documents show the nomination brought forth represents one veteran candidate, Rene Craig, a Ward 4 resident of Aurora, if approved, will be serving a third term.
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the reappointments of Adam Marshall and Mike Kluber to the Electrical Commission.
City government of Aurora documents show the nomination brought forth represents two veteran candidates: Adam Marshall, if approved, to serve a fifth term. Mike Kluber, if approved, to serve a fourteenth term.
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the reappointment of Steve Vervive and Mike Kluber to the Building Code Board of Appeals; as well as the reappointment of Lori Chandler, Kelly Schomer, and Terry Bohr to the Fire Code Board of Appeals.
City government of Aurora documents show the nominations brought forth represent veteran candidates. Members of the Building Code Board of Appeals and the Fire Code of Appeals are automatically selected to be appointed to the Permanent Building and Fire Code Committee.
Building Code Board of Appeals and Permanent Building and Fire Code Committee; Steve Vervive is a Ward 5 resident and will be serving his third term, if approved.
Mike Kluber will be serving his sixth term, if approved.
Fire Code Board of Appeals and Permanent Building and Fire Code Committee; Lori Chandler will be serving her second term, if approved.
Kelly Schomer will be serving her third term if approved.
Terry Bohr is a Ward 5 resident serving his seventh term, if approved.
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the reappointment of Timothy Oelker to the Civil Service Commission.
City government of Aurora documents show the nomination brought forth represents a veteran candidate. Timothy Oelker is a Ward 4 resident, serving a sixth term, if approved.
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the re-appointment of Darrin Johnson to the Aurora Education Commission.
City government of Aurora documents show Darrin Johnson is the regional vice president of Centers at Family Focus and will be serving a second term, if approved.
- Consent was given to an Ordinance establishing a conditional use planned development, approving the Aurora Metal Recycling plan description and amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by Modifying the Zoning Map to an Underlying Zoning of M-1, Manufacturing District – Limited, for the Property West of Highland Avenue, and South of West New York Street.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner, Aurora Metal Recycling, is proposing the rezoning and establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development for the .15 acre lot, west of North Highland Avenue and south of West New York Street, to allow for off-site employee parking.
The Property is zoned R-2, One Family Dwelling District. The lot’s width is approximately 40 feet, and has an area of approximately 6,400 square feet. The lot is not buildable per the R-2 zoning district’s standards: the minimum lot width requirement is 60 feet, and the minimum lot area requirement is 8,000 square feet. The Property is an Interior Lot, which is adjacent to a single-family home on the west, and the active BNSF railroad line to the west. The Comprehensive Plan designates the Property as utilities. The Property is .15 acres and is vacant, with the exception of a ten foot tall, solid corrugated metal fence around the entire property’s perimeter that was constructed by the Petitioner without a permit.
May 6, 2022, the City of Aurora’s Property Standards Division entered the presently active zoning violation for construction of the fence without a permit. The Petitioner met with the City’s Development Services Team two times to discuss the review processes, standards, and requirements: the first meeting was held on June 1, 2022, and the second meeting was held on February 16, 2023. Aurora Metal Recycling’s principal site is at 601 Spruce Street.
The Petitioner, Aurora Metal Recycling, is requesting to rezone the Property from R-2, One Family Dwelling District to M-1, Manufacturing District – Limited, and to establish a Conditional Use Planned Development, all to allow for the property to be used for employee parking. The Petitioner has provided a Qualifying Statement and site plan that outlines the scope of the proposal.
The Plan Description that City government staff members have prepared includes provisions that details the zoning code requirements for the property’s development. The details of the request include provisions in the Plan Description that allows for the Property to be utilized as a Parking Facilities, Non-Residential (4170) use, which the Zoning Ordinance allows only as an accessory use in the M-1 zoning district. The Plan Description also includes provisions that allow for the fence, to be constructed at a maximum permitted height of eight feet, and to also allow for the fence material to be solid, corrugated steel, with a padlocked, chain-link gate.
The Plan Description also enforces a minimum 25 foot Front Yard setback, and reduces the Interior Side Yard setback, where adjacent to residential zoned properties, from 25 feet to zero feet, and reduces the Interior Side Yard setback and Interior Rear Yard setback, where adjacent to industrially zoned properties, from 15 feet to zero feet. Also included is a provision to extend the maximum distance allowed for an off-street parking facility to be set from the Petitioner’s principal property at 601 Spruce Street, which is 400 feet, to City government officials calculation of 460 feet.
City government staff members have reviewed the Rezoning and Conditional Use Planned Development petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The Petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents, and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances, with the exceptions of the following items which are also reflected in the conditions listed in the Recommendation below.
Aurora government staff members have worked with the Petitioner to assemble a proposal that adequately reflects the scope of the Rezoning and Conditional Use Planned Development request. Below is a further presentation of the proposal.
The Zoning Division is requiring that, pending the outcome of the entitlements process, that the Petitioner comply with the zoning code requirements. Zoning Department staff members acknowledge that the surrounding area includes non-conforming industrial uses and structures, but always takes great effort to enforce Zoning code compliance, particularly in the case of new industrial development where it is contiguous to, and has an impact on, residential zoned properties. This is the case with the residential zoned properties that are west of the Property on West New York Street. In addition, the Zoning Ordinance is clear that the manufacturing zoning district standards are intended to protect established residential areas, and the health of families living therein, by restricting those nearby manufacturing activities which may create offensive noise, vibrations, smoke, dust, odors, heat, glare, fire hazards and other objectionable influences, to those areas which are appropriate therefore. Aurora government staff members have provided photographs of the existing fence to provide a sense of existing conditions, but also to indicate potential sight line issues that exist due to the fence’s current location, opacity, material, and height in relation to the residential property to the east, and the BNSF rail line to the west of the Property.
As a result of the Petitioner’s proposed improvements, the City of Aurora’s Engineering Department has provided review comments to the Petitioner. Due to the increase in new impervious, paved area, which is less than twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet, the Petitioner is required to provide stormwater mitigation / Best Management Practices on the Property to address stormwater run off. Based on the Engineering Department’s review of the current proposal, it is anticipated that stormwater run off will naturally flow towards the southwest, potentially pooling up in the rear yards of the adjacent residential properties, or remain on the Property, further damaging the fence and pavement. A stormwater permit application is required to be submitted for review, as well as a site plan that identifies the Best Management Practices. The Engineering Department is also requesting that Petitioner request an address be assigned to the Property.
In addition, the City of Aurora’s Building and Permits Division requires that, for emergency purposes, that the Petitioner comply with the applicable building code requirements, which requires review of any lock boxes / padlocks on the gate, as well as the construction of an additional man gate for emergency egress.
Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter. Aurora government staff members have received public inquiries regarding this petition. Residents near the property have voiced concerns regarding near traffic accidents that have occurred with passing pedestrians due to visibility issues caused by the fence in its current location, visibility issues with the trains passing on the active rail line, and potential criminals hiding inside the fence. Other concerns have included questions about why the fence was built without a permit and potential impacts on the property values of the surrounding properties. There has also been support for the proposal, with support for the fence being setback twenty-five (25) feet.
Findings of fact:
Aurora government staff members defer to the Qualifying Statement for a response to the Findings of Fact, which has been prepared by the Petitioner.
Policies and guidelines:
The Petitioner’s evaluation is based on the following Physical Development Policies:
11.1(4): To encourage appropriate development on and maintenance according to code of vacant lands within the corporate limits of the City.
12.0: To plan and provide for the growth of the City through the integration of land use patterns and functions that promote complementary interactions between different land use components.
14.0: To plan and provide for the growth of the City while protecting, conserving and enhancing its social, cultural and aesthetic environment and economic resources.
14.1(1): To foster future growth in the City that does not contribute to deterioration in either existing developments of a reduction in the City’s ability to provide adequate services.
20.0: To insure the provision of decent housing and a quality living environment for every resident of Aurora.
30.0: To develop and maintain an adequate supply of properly zoned areas for commercial facilities to serve existing and future population needs.
32.0: To enhance the positive and minimize the negative impacts and relationships that the location, design and appearance of commercial activities have on traffic patterns and on the stability and vitality of surrounding neighborhoods, other commercial centers, and the City as a whole.
50.0: To promote sound, diversified and organized industrial, office and commercial growth within the City to widen employment opportunities and strengthen the economic base.
51.1(6): To promote the location and expansion of commercial activities within the City consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
93.0: To enhance the visual and aesthetic environment throughout the City.
Recommendations:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended conditional approval with the following conditions:
1) As a means to help beautify the neighborhood and screen the property from the adjacent residential properties, that the Petitioner install landscaping in the front yard setback to meet the minimum two canopy tree equivalents for perimeter yard plantings, in the form of four deciduous shrubs and four evergreen shrubs that should be at least three feet tall and three wide at full maturity.
2) That, prior to any future construction on the property, that the Petitioner provide the necessary permits to the City of Aurora’s Building and Permits Division for review, approval, and issuance.
3) That the enclosed parking lot be improved with a gravel compacted macadam base, not less than four inches thick, and surfaced with asphalt or asphaltic concrete.
4) That, due to the increase in new impervious and paved area, which is less than twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet, that the Petitioner comply with the Engineering Department’s requirements for stormwater mitigation/best management practices, as a means to address stormwater runoff.
5) That the Petitioner provide a formal request to the Engineering Department so that an address can be assigned to the Property.
6) That, per the Building and Permits Division, the Petitioner comply with any and all applicable building code requirements for gated access to the Property for emergency purposes, including review of any lock boxes / padlocks.
7) That, per the Building and Permits Division, the Petitioner comply with and all applicable building code requirements for the construction of a man gate for emergency egress.
- Consent was given to a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with SiteMed for Providing On-Site Firefighter Medical Examinations and Other Services through December 31, 2024.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain approval for payment to SiteMed for services rendered in 2023-2024 for on-site Firefighter medical examinations.
SiteMed is a physician owned company that specializes in administering on-site NFPA 1582 firefighter medical exams including health screenings and one-on-one personalized medical counseling. Their services comprise of clearance letters along with departmental summary reports including averages, ranges, and annual comparison statistics. SiteMed is owned and supervised by experienced Fire Department Doctors who have performed over 50,000 firefighter, police, EMS, HAZMAT, and fire brigade exams.
In accordance with the collective bargaining agreements for sworn Fire personnel, Local 99 and AFOA, the City has agreed to providing an on-site vendor for the primary purpose of performing annual physical examinations. Parties have agreed to utilize SiteMed as the chosen provider.
- Consent was given to an Ordinance authorizing an intergovernmental agreement for participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.
City government of Aurora documents show this resolution affirms the City of Aurora supports the Aurora Fire Department’s participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS),
The MABAS master agreement hasn’t been updated in more than two decades. The revised agreement explains the ability of departments to recuperate costs, especially over state lines.
MABAS is a system that provides predetermined mutual aid responses for incidents a local department cannot handle on their own due to size or scope. While MABAS started in the Chicago suburbs, it now covers parts or all of Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Michigan. The new MABAS master agreement covers the logistics of those situations, including incidents involving agencies responding over state lines.
The Aurora Fire Department is already covered by the current MABAS master agreement. This agreement would supersede the current agreement they are under. There is no a cost for this agreement, other than the current MABAS dues already paid.
The agreement will help ensure that the AFD can count on mutual aid and MABAS assets for incidents beyond what they are able to mitigate alone, or when multiple incidents tax Department resources.
- Consent was given to a Resolution awarding Total Property Management of Monee, Ill. as the 2023 contractor with a possible two 1-year extensions for grass and weeds abatement services within the City of Aurora Illinois.
City government of Aurora documents show this is a resolution to accept Total Property Management of Monee, Ill. for citywide grass and weeds cut services due to code enforcement citations.
The purpose is to obtain City Council approval for grass and weeds maintenance services due to code enforcement citations.
The Property Standards Department is responsible for the enforcement of the grass and weeds ordinance on private properties. Grass and Weeds maintenance 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 Grass and Weeds maintenance services for private properties after being cited and abatement hasn’t been attained by the owner of the property within the City of Aurora Illinois.
The process and requirements expected of the bidders as described in Appendix A, Page 1 section 2.0.0 on the invitation to BID 23-11, are very involved and time consuming. Bidders are required to submit before and after photos with every cut order. The number of properties in violation can fluctuate and the bidder is not guaranteed a set payment amount per season. The payments made to the selected contractor, are solely based on properties ordered to be abated during the season.
A response was received from three vendors with Total Property Management of Monee, IL being the lowest bidder.
This bid is subject to the local preference ordinance; however, it did not impact the decision.
The contract will be for one year with the option for two 1-year extensions upon mutual consent between the city of Aurora government and the vendor.
Funding for the services will be; account 101-1827-424.36-15 $45,000. The account has enough funds to cover expenses through 2023.
This resolution must be approved in order to provide grass and weeds abatement services through code enforcement citations within the City of Aurora Ill. limits.
- Consent was given to a Resolution Authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to purchase four Club Car Carryall 502 Gasoline Utility Vehicles for the amount of $51,280 from Nadler Golf Car Sales through Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative for Phillips Park Golf Course.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to replace four Club Car Carryall II turf utility vehicles that are 20+ years old with new 2023 Club Car 502 turf utility vehicles. These turf utility vehicles are used in providing playing conditions on the golf course in addition to transporting golf course staff members around to complete daily tasks.
Turf utility vehicles are instrumental in providing golf course playing conditions for customers in addition to transporting golf course staff members safely around the golf course to perform daily tasks. The turf utility vehicles that are 2001-2003 models are in need of replacement.
Plans include replacing existing Club Car Carryall II vehicles with the newer Carryall 502 model. The Club Car Carryall vehicle has proven to be a great fit for needs on the golf course with exceptional local service. This purchase of the 4 Club Car Carryall 502 Utility Vehicles would be made from Nadler Golf Car Sales through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program Contract #122220-CCR. Nadler Golf Car Sales has been in business for 59 years and in the City of Aurora. The cost to replace 4 turf utility vehicles is $51,280 and funds are budgeted in account 550-4442-451-63.51.
With the turf utility vehicles being 20 years old, they have become unreliable in the operation in providing golf course conditions expected by customers. In addition, they are starting to not provide a safe mode of transportation around the golf course for golf course staff members while performing their daily tasks.
- Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to execute a change order to the agreement with Kluber, Inc., 41 W Benton Street, Aurora, Ill. in an amount not to exceed $115,000 for additional design services related to the new Public Works Combined Maintenance Facility.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to authorize the director of the Purchasing Department to execute a change order to the agreement with Kluber, Inc., 41 W Benton Street, Aurora, Ill. in an amount not to exceed for additional design services related to the new Public Works Combined Maintenance Facility.
In 2019, the Engineering Division utilized a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process to select a design team led by Kluber, Inc. to provide Structural and Architectural design services for the new Public Works Combined Maintenance Facility building. The value of this contract was $1,825,000 and was approved via Resolution R19-402. The building design was completed in 2022 and the project is being bid for construction to begin this year. In addition, a request to award trade-specific Bid Package #2 procured by RC Wegman Construction Company is on the agenda.
Among the items not included in this scope of work was “Technology Systems Design”, for which Kluber had provided an additional cost estimate of $178,000. In an effort to maximize existing City resources and reduce cost, the City elected to decline inclusion of this fee in the original $1,825,000 contract. As the design progressed to the point where these systems needed to be added to the final building plans for bidding, the Engineering Division met with both Kluber and the City’s Information and Technology group to identify the minimum scope needed from Kluber which would allow IT to provide the remainder of the design needed. The cost of these services from Kluber was determined to be $39,925 (this will be identified as “item 1” in the summary discussion below) and since this was less than the $50,000 threshold which requires Council pre-approval, these services were approved, performed, and the necessary design completed and incorporated in the final building plans.
The next additional service was related to the design of a 2,700 SF brine making building to be built near the salt dome onsite. While inclusion of this building in the scope of the project was not predetermined, it became evident following the award of construction Bid Package #1 and during the final preparations to publish Bid Package #2 in February 2023 that there was an opportunity to recognize considerable cost savings by including the construction of the brine building in the bid packages for the main building. To accomplish this, the City enlisted Kluber to begin and advance the design of this building to a minimum percentage of completion necessary to provide preliminary design elements to bidders and request pricing. The final design of this building, which will commence upon approval of this change order, will be provided at a total additional cost of $34,800 (“item 2”).
“Item 3” is the addition of $15,000 in “Reimbursable Expenses” to Kluber’s contract. This item, which was errantly left off of the original contract amount, covers the cost of such direct (no markup) expenses as interim plan set reproduction (for review), renderings used in Public Presentations, etc. The amount requested for this item is being rounded up to $15,275.
Lastly, in an effort to reduce overall project costs, the City’s Engineering Division was responsible for the design and bid documents for the site work, which included mass grading, onsite utilities, lighting, fencing, the majority of pavement, mulch and excavation spoils storage pads, and a salt storage dome with conveyor. Bids were requested and Berger Excavating Contractors was selected as the low bidder (via R22-288) and is onsite beginning site grading. Upon discussing the site electrical plans prepared by the City’s Civil Engineering Division with Berger, Kluber, and the City’s Permitting Department, it was determined that additional design and consulting services from a Professional Electrical Engineer are necessary to satisfy permitting requirements and ensure proper functionality. To address this ahead of commencement of site electrical construction, the City is asking Kluber to provide as needed design and consulting services at a total cost not to exceed $25,000 (“item 4”) based on the unit prices provided in the original contract.
The four additional service items which are the subject of this request and are described in detail above are summarized as:
Item 1 (Technology systems design) – $39,925
Item 2 (Brine building design) – $34,800
Item 3 (Reimbursable expenses) – $15,275
Item 4 (Site Electrical consulting) – $25,000 Total Amount – $115,000
This change order to Kluber’s contract will be paid using account numbers 510-4063-511.72-01 (Capital Outlay-Bldg Purch/Cost of Building/Water and Sewer Fund), and 354-4411-417.72-01 (Capital Outlay-Bldg Purch/Cost of Building/GO Bonds) (C114), which have remaining 2023 budgets of $1,457,616.90 and $4,153,421.45, respectively.
These additional design services will ensure the proper systems and buildings are responsibly included in this project and will allow for timely and cost-effective inclusion of the items in the bidding and construction processes.
- Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to increase the purchase order for RC Wegman Construction Company, 750 Morton Avenue, Aurora, Ill. in the amount of $17,714,867.00 for fourteen individually bid construction trade packages as part of the Public Works Combined Maintenance Facility Project.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain approval to increase the construction Purchase Order for the Public Works Combined Maintenance Facility Project at an initial total value of $17,714,867.00 for fourteen individually bid construction trade packages.
On September 27, 2022, City government staff members utilized a qualifications-based selection to award RC Wegman Construction Company a contract to provide construction manager “as constructor” (CMc) services for the new Public Works Combined Maintenance Facility via R22-276.
Following the completion of the Structural and Architectural design of the main building, RC Wegman published the first bid package (BP1). BP1 included structural steel and precast concrete in the amount of $8,274,777 and was awarded on December 13, 2022 via R22-366.
The second bid package (BP2), which is the subject of this Resolution, included fifteen additional, separate trade packages. The timing and scope of BP2 was based on the current construction schedule and material lead times. These trades, combined with BP1, make up ~95% of the main building with only select interior components which will not be required until 2024 remaining for inclusion in BP3 to be published later this year.
BP2 also includes pricing for the respective components on the recently proposed 2,700 square foot Brine Building, which will be built onsite near the salt storage dome.
Requests for bid on each of the trade packages included in BP2 were published by RC Wegman and a total of 74 eligible bids were received for fourteen trade packages on February 15, 2023. The lone bid received for the fifteenth trade package (repair bay cranes) did not meet the City’s procurement requirements, was therefore rejected, and will be rebid as part of BP3. The City’s Local Bidder Ordinance applied to these bid packages but was not a factor in any of the selections.
Based on the High Low Bid Summary and updated cost estimate (known as Guaranteed Maximum Price or GMP) provided on March 20, 2023, the total for these fourteen trade packages ($17,714,867) was considerably less than the low end of the estimated cost range of $21,984,440 to $25,704,629.
The total amount of this award ($17,714,867) includes the subtotal for these fourteen trade packages ($16,480,097), plus an allowance of $311,350 for precast concrete at the brine building (the brine building was not included in the BP1 precast scope), an allowance of $79,855 for canopies on the building (originally intended for inclusion in BP3 but now required as part of BP2 to accommodate precast fabrication), and a 5% construction contingency.
It should be noted that this cost does not include Wegman’s Construction Management fees, which will be invoiced separately to the City and paid using the previously approved purchase order for Construction Management services.
Funding will be provided from accounts 510-4063-511.72-01 and 354-4411-417.72-01, which have respective remaining 2023 budgets of $1,457,616.90 and $4,153,421.45,(C114) respectively. Budget amendments will be submitted as necessary to make money allocated in these accounts for this project in 2024 available in 2023.
Impact statement:
The new facility will improve the working conditions and performance of the various City maintenance divisions to be relocated there. It will also streamline city vehicle fueling (including police), salting, and mulch operations, all of which will improve resident safety and convenience. Further, a central fleet and equipment housing facility such as this will result in saved time (and thereby cost) inherent to traveling back and forth between multiple facilities throughout the City.
Final approval for items on the consent agenda above are set to be made at the April 11 Aurora City Council meeting.
- Placed on unfinished business was a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to sign the agreement with A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc. (Epstein) for updating the city of Aurora government’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
City government of Aurora documents show the government’s bicycle and pedestrian plan was adopted back in 2009 and needs an update with current design standards, goals, objectives, recommendations, and upgrade mapping system.
City of Aurora’s Bicycle and Pedestrian plan needs revisiting and updating the plan to current industry standards, identifying existing and future pedestrian-bicycle facilities within City, updating GIS maps, public input, input on capital improvement program, define goals and objectives and other pertinent work.
City of Aurora is recognized as a bicycle friendly community at the bronze level and this Plan will be modeled after objectives that’ll enable City to seek recognition by League of American Bicyclists at either the Silver or Gold Level.
Epstein are one of the experts in the pedestrian and bicycle related industry and are working with Kane County in updating the County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which aligns with City government plans for Aurora. In addition, Epstein is working with various other communities to help update their bicycle and pedestrian plan and will be a right fit to carry the work for the City government.
Code Sec. 2-336 allows for professional services to be selected without formal bidding.
City’s 2023 budget provides funds through the following account:
GB119 Bike and Ped Enhancements 340-4060-431-73-91 $49,900.00
Bicycle and Pedestrian plan update will be beneficial for the City and its residents.
- Placed on unfinished business was a Resolution requesting approval to utilize funds for APS Training Academy, 105 E Galena Blvd Fourth Floor, Aurora, Ill., and TinkRworks LLC, 501 W Lake St Suite 106, Elmhurst, Ill., as part of the Aurora STEAM Academy (ASA) public-private partnership (P3) to deliver Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) services to 2,000 of Aurora’s underserved youth in the amount not to exceed $500,000.00.
City government of Aurora documents show APS Training Academy is a non-for-profit training provider that empowers vulnerable communities in Aurora by providing free and low-cost education and vocational opportunities in STEAM; and promotes economic equality so the community will not simply survive but thrive through the cultivation of a diverse tech-based workforce.
TinkRworks is a provider of K-8 STEAM project kits designed to allow students to foster a love of creating, enhance problem-solving skills, reinforce, and expand on concepts and ideas taught in schools, inspire curiosity, and encourage self-expression.
The intent is to continue upon the current public-private partnership between APS Training Academy, TinkRworks and city of Aurora government that has delivered a top-tier STEAM curriculum to the disenfranchised youth of the City.
This unique P3 will provide a platform for future leaders to develop and hone core skillsets while also bringing to life foundational elements of the City’s mission of being committed to the highest standards of academic excellence, providing a high-quality education while developing the knowledge, values, and attitudes essential for the unique challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
Following a highly successful 2021 STEAM program, City of Aurora, TinkRworks, and APS Training Academy (APS) joined forces again in 2022 to provide hands-on STEAM programming for underserved K – 8th grade children within the City. The program, known as the Aurora STEAM Academy, had an overall goal to spark an interest in children to explore STEAM opportunities in the future and also instill within them the confidence to pursue STEAM-related opportunities they might not otherwise choose to do.
Relative to 2021 when only two STEAM projects were chosen for delivery to participants, 2022 saw a year where nine different STEAM projects were chosen for delivery to children. All of these projects immersed children in project-based learning (PBL) environments and provided them a holistic STEAM experience, weaving together elements of design, building, electronics integration, and computer programming.
These projects were delivered using STEAM projects and curriculum from TinkRworks, facilitation and implementation from APS, and access to students, infrastructure, and funding from City of Aurora. In total, 2,029 students participated in the 2022 program-a huge step-up in participation compared with the 2021 program which saw 625 participants. High levels of diversity were exhibited within the participant base:
1) Of the total participants, 63% were either Hispanic/Latinx or Black/African American.
2) 52% of participants were male; 46% were female.
3) 24% of participants self-identified as females who were either Hispanic/Latinx or Black/African American-a historically critically-important segment that remains highly underserved for STEAM exposure.
4) 72% of participant households fell within the 0 – 50 AMI segment
City of Aurora, APS and TinkRworks will continue working in concert to provide technological learning and enrichment opportunities to City youth. In doing so, each party has key responsibilities, as outlined below:
The City will provide marketing efforts for the STEAM Program, infrastructure (e.g., Wi-Fi, chrome books), and safe venues (e.g., No Child Left Offline learning centers with high-speed internet) where children current receive STEAM programming. In addition the City provides funding for various aspects of the program as detailed below.
TinkRworks supplies all STEAM kits, implementation packs including classroom supplies and materials needed for the trainers to deliver the curriculum, and professional development training to all APS trainers as required. The City funds the purchase of the Project Kits at a cost of $150.00 ea. x 2,000 students = $300,000.
APS provides facilitation of the program to City youth with logistical and administrative support for the program. APS also provides safe venues where City youth will go to receive STEAM programming. The City and APS share the costs of this aspect of the program. The total logistical and administrative costs of the program are $206 per student with the City’s allocation per student totaling $100 per student * 2,000 students served for a City cost of $200,000.
The City’s total cost for the ASA STEAM Program for 2023 = $500,000 as detailed above.
Funding for the program will be provided from the City’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Funds have been set aside in the 2023 City ARPA Budget for the purchase of the kits for the program in the amount of $335,000. To fund the remainder of the City’s total $500,000 program year 2023 allocation, City government officials will process a budget amendment in the amount of $165,000 to account number 287-1280-419.50-30 (also in the ARPA budget). The budget amendment is for the logistical and support portion of the expenses to serve 2,000 students.
Outcomes empirically highlight that the ongoing goal of sparking student interest in STEAM activities was both met and exceeded by participants.