By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council members listened to success stories and a request of funds for Aurora Crime Stoppers, at the Tuesday, Oct. 11 City Council meeting.
Board president of Aurora Area Crime Stoppers, Vernon LaVia, and Board member, Mike Funkey, reminded the City Council the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization will pay a reward for anonymous tips on felony crimes that lead to arrests.
LaVia shared some history of the organization including the maximum reward amount being increased from $1,000 to $5,000. As a result, there were 63 calls that came in the second quarter of 2022, one of the highest numbers of tips in a quarter.
He said, “Over time we have been responsible for seizing an estimated $3 Million in drugs and $750,000 in property.
“Not too long ago, the shooter in the Wendy’s restaurant incident was found in less than an hour, thanks to a tip that came in through Crime Stoppers.”
LaVia spoke about another case solved with a tip from Crime Stoppers was a mentally-ill man, off of his medication, was released from prison, and attacked two ladies over the age of 70.
LaVia asked the City Council to consider making donations from their ward funds. He asked if Crime Stoppers could be considered in the Budget for $15,000.
He added there are eighty nine Crime Stoppers signs throughout the city of Aurora.
Board member Funkey said the organization is required to spend $3,360 per year for the technology to receive the tips. The money goes to two web-based software companies, P3 Tip Management and Crime Scene Information.
Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin asked deputy mayor, Guillermo Trujillo, to see if Aurora Area Crime Stoppers is eligible for the City government’s Quiet Life grant.
The City Council approved the following agenda items:
• Approved was a Resolution to revise a template lease for the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center, formerly known as Thrive Collaborative Center, for current and future program tenants.
City government of Aurora documents show the Division of Innovation and Strategy will utilize a new template tenant lease reflecting the name change of the new Aurora Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), formerly the Thrive Collaborative Center, at 712 S. River Street, Aurora.
The original membership agreement with the Thrive Collaborative Center was established permitting local non-profits to lease space and operate in a co-working environment at 712 S. River Street.
In April 2022, The Aurora Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) received the distinction of Expert City by the Cities for Financial Empowerment upon successful completion of their pilot program. The FEC is the model program to strategically support immediate community needs and services, offering more efficient use of the facility, strengthened collaborative partnerships with non-profit tenants, servicing organizations and expanded services to Aurora residents.
A revised template lease allows the center to welcome new tenants and maintain occupancy of existing non-profits who operate within the facility offering wrap around services aligned to FEC clients. The revised template lease specifically outlines general shared use of the commercial facility, including private offices, common areas, meeting rooms, parking, event management and resources.
The Aurora FEC is committed to social equity for Aurora’s most vulnerable residents and will continue to offer free financial counseling at 712 S. River Street and introduce new program partner services. There will be no negative impact on the public related to this change. This amendment will require support of Finance Department/Billing and Collections membership account updates.
• Approved was a Resolution appointing Robert Leible to serve as the superintendent of the Division of Water Production for the city of Aurora Public Works Department.
City government of Aurora documents show the city of Aurora’s Public Works Department has selected Leible to serve as the superintendent of the Division of Water Production for the City. Leible has been employed with the city of Aurora Water Production Division for 17 years, serving as the assistant superintendent of the Water Production Department for more than 15 years.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with M/M Peters Construction, Inc., 178 S. Western Avenue, Aurora, in the amount of $70,313.00 for the Iowa Avenue Pocket Park project.
City government of Aurora documents show approximately a decade ago, alderman Michael Saville and the Ward 6 Committee received approval to acquire two small parcels of land for the construction of two new neighborhood parks. In 2015, the park at Grand Avenue and Plum Street was constructed, but due to costs for that park exceeding the overall budget for both, the park at Iowa Avenue, south of Illinois Avenue was not constructed at that time.
This year, alderman Saville enlisted the City’s Engineering Division to create a simplified, more cost-effective, new design, to allow for construction of the park at Iowa Avenue to move forward with Ward 6 funds.
An invitation to bid was published and five bids were read aloud on September 21, 2022. Of the five bids received, M/M Peters Construction, Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $81,800.00 (includes base bid and a bid alternate for a new park sign). After discussing with the alderman, it was determined that the bag/cornhole boxes (as well as the 320 SF of concrete sidewalk/slab upon which the boxes would have been installed) will be excluded from the final scope of services to be awarded. After modifying these two items, the revised contract amount is $70,313.00.
This agreement will be funded using account 316-4440-451.73-43 (balance of $85,000.00).
This bid was subject to Local Preference but was not a factor as the low bidder is local.
There may be short term lane closures on Iowa Avenue during construction. This new park will provide a local place for neighborhood residents to recreate and enjoy.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing a limited operator agreement with Executive Flight Management, Inc., at the Aurora Municipal Airport for a period of one year.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval of a limited operator agreement between the City of Aurora and Executive Flight Management.
Executive Flight Management has operated at the Aurora Municipal Airport since 2001. They offer aircraft management. Their most recent agreement has expired, and they are looking for a new one-year agreement.
This operator agreement is for a term of one year and allows for four successive one-year extensions under the same terms. The agreement guarantees a minimum rent amount of $500 a month or $6,000 a year.
• Approved was a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with M/M Peters Construction in the amount of $249,525.00 for the vault infill project at 35 N. Broadway Ave. in Ward 2.
City government of Aurora documents show the City actively looks for willing participants to take part in the annual vault filling program. This resolution will allow the City to enter into a contract to address the vault issues at 35 N. Broadway.
The building on 35 N. Broadway is on the southeast corner of North Broadway Avenue and East New York Street. Both sides of the building were previously vaulted but have been filled at some point in time. Based on the assumed methods of filling, it appears that the Broadway side of the building was filled more recently and is in good condition. The East New York Street side, however, appears to have been filled quite some time ago and the method used to fill that vault is unknown. What appears to be pea gravel backfill is migrating from the vault into the basement. This leads to the assumption that the vault was backfilled entirely with pea gravel, which is an outdated specification; this material exerts lateral pressure on the vault wall and also leads to potential water infiltration issues. Both of these issues appear to be present and therefore the Engineering Division recommends removing the existing vault fill material and replacing it with a much more stable material called Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) or “flowable fill”. This is a low strength concrete that has proven to be a superior material for vault filling projects, specifically when the ability of the existing foundation to resist lateral loading is unknown.
Due to the condition of the vault wall and the anticipated commencement of remodeling at this location, staff members elected to solicit quotes directly from contractors rather than publicly bid the improvements. Moving forward in this manner will allow for the vault to be constructed this year prior to the improvements to the building. If the City were to publicly bid the project, there would likely not be time to construct the project prior to poor weather conditions.
Three vendors were invited to provide pricing for this project, who were awarded the three most recent vault fill projects; staff members believe that this provides a competitive environment, and will result in receiving accurate, economical bids. The lowest bid was from M/M Peters Construction in the amount of $249,525.00. To complete this project, funds from 231-1830-465.38-18 will be utilized and a transfer from other 231 accounts will also be required.
During construction, lane closures will be needed on East New York Street, which will be reduced to just one lane in each direction east of Broadway. There will also be disruption to pedestrian traffic in this area until the project is completed.
• Approved was a Resolution to award the 2022 and 2023 Sanitary Sewer CIPP Lining project throughout the City to National Power Rodding Corp., 2500 W. Arthington St., Chicago, in the bid amount of two million one hundred seven thousand one hundred fifty-eight dollars and zero cents ($2,107,158.00).
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to rehabilitate the existing sanitary sewer main throughout the City by cured in place pipe lining.
Closures of entrances to the businesses and residences will be kept to a minimum during construction.
Five bids were received, opened, and read aloud on September 19, 2022. The lowest responsible bid in the amount of ($2,107,158.00) was submitted by National Power Rodding Corp. $2,042,883.00 will be funded with account 510-4063-511-73-14 (IB018) which has a 2022 budget amount of $6,858,400.00 and a requested 2023 budget amount of $2,500,000.00. $64,275.00 will be funded with account 280-1852-512-81-23 (B037).
This project was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.
Impact to traffic and residents will be kept to a minimum.
• Approved was an Ordinance amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning to rezone the property at 529 4th Avenue from R4 Two-Family Dwelling District to R2 One-Family Dwelling District in Ward 3.
The Petitioner, Guillermo Vazquez, is requesting to downzone the property at 529 4th Avenue from R4 Two-Family Dwelling District to R2 One-Family Dwelling District.
City government of Aurora documents show the Property is a two unit dwelling with R-4 Two Family Dwelling District Zoning. The Petitioner has submitted for permits for the conversion to a one-unit dwelling. The proposed downzoning is consistent with the City’s long standing density reduction policy. In addition, the proposed R-2 zoning designation is consistent with the use of the Property and with the zoning of the surrounding neighborhood.
Staff members have reviewed the Downzoning Ordinance petition and have determined that it meets the applicable codes and ordinances.
Public Input: Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter.
The staff members evaluation and recommendation are based on the following physical development policies:
10.0 To provide for the orderly, balanced and efficient growth and redevelopment of the City through the positive integration of land use patterns, functions, and circulation systems. To protect and enhance those assets and values that establishes the desirable quality and general livability of the City. To promote the City’s position as a regional center.
11.0 To guide the growth of the City in an orderly and structured manner
In addition, staff members would like to discuss the Findings of Fact that are required for Rezoning petitions:
1.) The proposal is in accordance with all applicable official physical development policies and other related official plans and policies of the City of Aurora.
2.) The proposal does represent the logical establishment and consistent extension of the requested classification in consideration of the existing land uses, existing zoning classifications, and essential character of the general area of the property in question
3.) The proposal is consistent with a desirable trend of development in the general area of the property in question.
4.) The rezoning will allow uses which are more suitable than uses permitted under the existing zoning classification.
5.) The rezoning is a consistent extension of the existing land uses, existing zoning classifications, and essential character of the general area.
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Ordinance amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying the zoning map to rezone the property at 529 4th Avenue from R4 Two-Family Dwelling District to R2 One-Family Dwelling District.