By Jason Crane
Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, was joined by Aurora area Muslim leaders to mark the holy month of Ramadan at the City Council meeting, Tuesday, March 12.
Muslims gathered the third night of the Holy Month of Ramadan to receive the City’s proclamation before breaking their nightly fast.
Aurora has two Muslim mosques; the Fox Valley Masjid and the Islamic Center of Aurora; and another is expected to open this year to serve the growing Muslim community in the State’s second-most populous city.
Mayor Irvin convened Muslims from the Islamic Center of Aurora and the Fox Valley Mall Muslim Community Center, both on Aurora’s West Side, and the Islamic Center of Naperville, which serves Muslims in the greater Aurora area.
“It is my honor to read this proclamation surrounded by so many friends,” said Irvin, flanked by more than a dozen Muslims from the community.
“We thank mayor Irvin and the City for giving this great opportunity for the Muslim community to be united and share this good moment of our happiness,” said Asif Mohiuddin, board member of the Islamic Center of Aurora.
The presentation concluded in time for the Muslim guests to return to their respective mosques and homes to break their fast and pray at sunset.
Several presentations including honors presented to Girl Scouts for National Girl Scouts Day can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 14 minute mark by clicking here.
The City Council approved the following agenda items:
•Approved was a Resolution authorizing the appointment of Ashley Goeken to the Innovation and Technology Advisory Commission.
City government of Aurora documents show in January 2022, the City Council approved the establishment of the 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.
Ashley Goeken is a non-resident co-founder of Opalus and ambassador of United Nations Association Chicago Chapter.
•Approved was a Resolution approving the appointment of Mark Taghap as chief information security officer.
•Approved was a Resolution to approve $100,000 to Scientel Solutions, LLC, for any necessary repairs or replacement of City-owned Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras for 2024.
City government of Aurora documents show Resolution R21-135 awarded a contract for Preventive Maintenance and support of City-owned CCTV cameras to Scientel Solutions, LLC (“Scientel”) through a competitive bidding process. This resolution requests $100,000 for any necessary repairs and replacement of CCTV cameras to avoid later ratification of these expenditures.
City government documents state Scientel has performed admirably since 2021, in maintaining the City’s CCTV network and ensuring that equipment is connected, aligned, and operating to the needs of all City departments.
In prior years, when CCTV repairs or replacements were needed, these were either done using existing funds within the IT Department budget or during the annual contract true-up presented to Council.
Staff members believe that this process will be much more effective for repairs and replacements – as this is what is followed for several other providers including those for fiber and low-voltage cabling.
In addition, this should streamline the annual contract true-up process as that will only be needed for increased support costs due to increases in CCTV devices utilized by the City.
As has been done in previous years, City staff members will bring larger deployments and projects to Council individually for approval. Examples of this are the deployments at River Edge Park and 1226 Grand Boulevard.
Approval of this resolution will allow City IT staff members to work quickly to repair and remediate issues with existing City CCTV cameras.
•Approved was a Resolution authorizing an amount of up to $100,000 to Scientel Solutions, LLC, for any necessary repairs or replacement of City-owned computer network infrastructure for 2024.
City government of Aurora documents show Resolution R21-136 awarded a contract for Network Infrastructure Managed Services of city-wide network infrastructure to Scientel Solutions, LLC (“Scientel”) through a competitive bidding process. This resolution requests $100,000 for any necessary repairs and replacement of computer network infrastructure to avoid later ratification of these expenditures.
City government documents state Scientel has performed admirably since 2021, in maintaining the City’s network infrastructure and ensuring that equipment is connected, securely patched to the latest levels, and operating to the needs of all City departments. Additionally, Scientel has become a trusted partner in the overall design of the large City network that includes all City-owned buildings, Philips Park, the Airport, Water Production and other key functions.
In prior years, when computer network repairs were needed, these were either done using existing funds within the IT Department budget or during the annual contract true-up presented to Council.
Staff members believe that this process will be much more effective for repairs and replacements – as this is what is followed for several other providers including those for fiber and low-voltage cabling.
In addition, this will streamline the annual contract true-up process as that will only be needed for increased support costs due to increases in computer network devices utilized by the City.
As has been done in previous years, City staff members will bring larger deployments and projects to Council individually for approval. Examples of this are the deployments at River Edge Park and 1226 Grand Boulevard.
Funds in account 101-1280-419.38-26 will be utilized for these purposes.
•Approved was an Ordinance vacating an easement on the Property near the south of New York Street and west of Route 59 in DuPage County, Aurora.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner, Centennial Real Estate Company, is requesting the vacation of an easement for the property near the south of New York Street and west of Route 59.
As part of the redevelopment of the new apartment building on the north side of the Fox Valley Mall, the Petitioner is requesting a plat of vacation of certain easements as these utilities are being relocated. Concurrently with this Plat, a Plat of Easement being processed for the relocated utilities.
•Approved was an Ordinance establishing a conditional use planned development and approving the Christ Pentecostal International Church Plan Description for the Property at 2020 Church Road.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner, Christ Pentecostal International Church, is requesting approval of a conditional use planned development for the property at 2020 Church Road, which includes establishing a Religious Institution use, along with specific accessory uses, which will establish the zoning standards for the church’s future development.
The Property, which is an approximately six-acre vacant lot, that is zoned R-1, One Family Dwelling District. The Property is an interior lot that is on Old Church Road. The Comprehensive Plan designates the Property as office / research / light industrial, and designates this block of Old Church Road as a local street. The Property was annexed per O04-156, and was subject to an Annexation Agreement, O04-155. The intended use was for a similar Religious Institution use, which was reflected in the approved Preliminary Plat and Plan per R04-509, as well as the approved Final Plat and Plan per PDFNL05.17. In addition to the previous Zoning entitlements, the Property’s zoning was never changed from the current R-1 zoning district.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a conditional use planned development, to allow for the establishment of a religious institution use at 2020 Church Road. With approval of this conditional use planned development, the Petitioner is intending to continue developing the Property as it was intended with its initial entitlements. In addition to the standards of the religious institution use category, the plan description outlines a list of proposed accessory uses the Petitioner is requesting to accompany the church’s future development. The Petitioner is not requesting any changes to the R-1 zoning standards beyond the religious institution use and accompanying accessory uses. The accessory uses, which include a parsonage in the existing residential structure on the north side of the property, allow for the church to include space for standard religious activities, like worship services, bible studies, weddings, and funerals, as well as other activities, such as community events, and a day care. The previous zoning entitlements included provisions that allowed, in addition to the religious institution use, many of the same accessory uses.
The intent of the requested conditional use planned development is to establish the zoning standards that will guide the physical planning of the Property once development is ready to occur. In addition to complying with the applicable zoning code requirements when it is to be planned for development, it is otherwise required to comply with the applicable engineering, building code, and fire code requirements.
The previously approved Preliminary Plan is intended to serve as a conceptual plan that summarizes the extent of the proposal. At this time, the Petitioner is requesting approval of the conditional use planned development. Any future plans for the physical development of the property, which will be guided by the Zoning entitlements granted with this conditional use planned development, will be submitted by the Petitioner for review at a later time.
Staff members have reviewed the conditional use planned development petition and have sent comments back to the Petitioner based on those submittals. The Petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they new meet the applicable codes and ordinances.
Public hearing:
Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter. As of the date of this memo, staff members received two calls from property owners requesting more information regarding the nature of the petition. In addition, staff members received a call from a property owner voicing concerns about the impacts of the property being developed, based on an increase in traffic and suitability of Old Church Road for the size of the development.
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 do not believe the establishment, maintenance or operation of the conditional use will be unreasonably detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare. Rather, staff members believe the proposal will allow for a growing congregation to exist in Aurora to serve current and future congregants.
2) Will the conditional use be injurious to the use and enjoyment or 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 do not find the conditional use to be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted or substantially diminish and impact property values within the neighborhood. Because the Property has previously been reviewed and approved for a Religious Institution use,
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 do not believe establishment of the conditional use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in the staff. It is the opinion of staff members, that, because the Property has already been planned for a similar religious institution, this proposal will not impede the development and improvement of surrounding properties. In addition, the proposed principal use and accessory uses are largely identical to those that were approved via the Zoning entitlements in 2004.
4) Will the proposal provide for adequate facilities, access roads, drainage, and/or other necessary facilities as part of the conditional use?
Staff members clarified with the Petitioner that, once a proposal is ready for the Property’s physical development, it must comply with the current and applicable requirements to ensure the proposal provides for adequate facilities, access roads, drainage, and/or other necessary facilities. In addition, the Petitioner has been made aware that additional review on behalf of the City’s Engineering Department to ensure the future development is in compliance with current and applicable standards for these same criteria.
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 minimize traffic congestion in the public streets as it is the continuation of a previously approved proposal. The Petitioner has clarified the Property, when it develops, will maintain one access point to Old Church Rd for the Religious Institution use, in addition to the existing access point for the parsonage on the northern side of the lot.
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?
It is staff members’ opinion that the conditional use, in all other respect, conforms to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located.
Policies and guidelines:
The staff members’ evaluation and recommendation are based on the following physical development policies:
12.1 (7): To protect residential development from the negative effects of high volume traffic corridors and incompatible land uses.
14.1 (4): To encourage quality site design throughout the City of Aurora.
22.1 (2): To protect designated areas of existing conventional single-family development from inappropriate highly intensive land uses.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance establishing a conditional use planned development and approving the Christ Pentecostal International Church plan description for the property at 2020 Church Road.
•Approved was an Ordinance granting a conditional use permit for a special purpose recreational institutions use on the Property at 4304 E. New York Street.
City government of Aurora documents show the Petitioner, Infunite Ltd, is requesting approval of a conditional use for a special purpose recreational institution use on property at 4304 E. New York Street which includes the renovation of this unit into a family friendly arcade with party rooms.
The Property is within the Pacifica Square shopping center with B-2(C) General Retail District with a conditional use zoning, which is part of the Yorkshire Plaza conditional use planned development. This unit was formerly occupied by an In and Outlet retail store. Prior to that, the unit was vacant for a long period of time.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a conditional use for a special purpose recreational institution use. The details of the request include the renovation of this unit into a family friendly 17,000 square foot arcade with party rooms. The arcade consists of claw machines and pool tables which will be throughout the unit. There will be two themed party rooms, two regular party rooms, two dance stages, an interactive music keyboard and a media room suitable for hosting parties and social gatherings. In addition, the Petitioner is proposal a small restaurant to serve the patrons of the arcade. No liquor license is being requested by the Petitioner.
Staff members have reviewed the conditional use ordinance petition and have determined that it meets the applicable codes and ordinances.
In addition, staff members have evaluated the proposal based on the findings of fact and have found the following:
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?
This establishment will not be unreasonably detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare as it is within the Route 59 commercial corridor in an existing shopping center with adequate parking.
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?
This establishment 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 as this is within a unit of an existing commercial shopping center. The orientation of the overall building is toward Route 59 and New York Street which are both arterial streets.
Will the establishment of the conditional use impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in the district?
This establishment will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding properties as there is no change to the existing layout.
Will the proposal provide for adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, and/or other necessary facilities as part of the conditional use?
Utilities are already provided as this is an existing building. In addition, there are three access points into this shopping center that serve this building, two of which are major arterial streets.
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? (For automobile intensive uses including but not limited to, gas stations, car washes, and drive through facilities, the concentration of similar uses within 1000 feet of said property should be given consideration as to the impact this concentration will have on the traffic patterns and congestion in the area.)
There are three access points into this shopping center which will help minimize the traffic congestion on the public streets as the patrons will be using different ways to enter and exit the center.
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?
This establishment does conform in all other respects to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located.
Public Input: Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter. Staff members have received public inquiries requesting additional information on this petition.
Policies and guidelines:
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.
11.1(5) To guide and promote development to areas where public utilities, public roads and municipal services are either available or planned.
11.1(3) To encourage new development contiguous to existing development.
•Approved was an Ordinance amending the annual budget for the Fiscal Year beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 (Amendment #1 for the 2024 Fiscal Year).
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain the City Council’s approval of a proposed amendment to the 2024 City Budget.
Pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/8-2-9.1 through 9.10, the City of Aurora operates under the budget system of government finance. The City Council adopted the 2024 budget December 5, 2023 through the passage of Ordinance No. O23-088.
While the City attempts to anticipate all potential expenditures for a fiscal year when that year’s budget is developed, circumstances occasionally arise that require expenditures that were not contemplated in the original financial plan. 65 ILCS 5/8-2-9.6 permits a municipality operating under the budget system to amend its annual budget by a two third’s vote of its governing body.
The proposed ordinance, would provide for certain changes in the 2024 City Budget. Below is an explanation for each change. The item numbers discussed below correspond to the item numbers assigned to each change detailed in documents for agenda item exhibit A on the City’s website.
Item 1 and 52: Grants/federal-equipment, fire department, general fund (offsetting revenue and expenditure increase of $287,600). These items adjust the budget to account for the grant received through FEMA to purchase new fire hose. The resolution accepting the grant was R23-329.
Item 2 and 25: Grant local government, senior services and disabilities, general fund (offsetting revenue and expenditure increase of $20,000). Grant was extended into Fiscal Year 2024.
Item 3 through 6: Salaries and benefits, human resources, general fund (expenditure increase of $63,600). Create a workers compensation/leave specialist position to handle these specific issues in the Human Resources Department.
Items 7 through 9: Salaries and Benefits, Human Resources, General Fund (Expenditure increase of $7,900). This position will assist with coverage for the City Hall greeters.
Items 10 through 13: Salaries and benefits, City clerk, general fund (expenditure increase of $15,800). The FOIA specialist is being converted to an attorney.
Item 14: Supplies-computers, information technologies, general fund (expenditure increase of $6,000). This item is for additional computer needs for newly created positions.
Items 15 through 19: Salaries and benefits, IT-security, general fund (expenditure increase of $35,100). The chief information security officer (CISO) position is being upgraded from E17 to E18. This is comparable with the current market for a CISO position.
Items 20 through 23: Contractual services, community services admin, general fund (Zero impact). These items are reclassifying census workers from contractual services to employees. The city will hire two GIS Interns and 10-15 Seasonal workers to assist with the Special Census.
Item 24: Other programs, Public Arts, general fund, (expenditure increase of $188,000). This item is for the light festival security, marketing, drone display, and the light pool contract.
Items 26 through 29: Salaries and benefits, community affairs, general fund (expenditure increase of $12,400). These items convert a neighborhood outreach specialist to a community engagement coordinator.
Items 30 through 33: Salaries and benefits, communications and marketing administration, general fund (expenditure increase of $71,300). These items authorize a full-time executive secretary for the communications and marketing administration division.
Items 34 through 37: Salaries and benefits, branding and marketing, general fund (expenditure increase of $103,900). These items authorize a full-time branding manager.
Item 38: Newsletter production, branding and marketing, general fund (expenditure increase of $24,400). This item is to cover the cost of the snow postcards.
Items 39 through 42: Salaries and benefits, video productions, general fund (expenditure increase of $103,900). These items authorize a full-time Video Productions manager.
Item 43: Furniture/Fixtures, Building and Permits, General Fund (expenditure increase of $16,500). This is for a 2023 decision package that was not carried over into 2024 for flat storage in building and permits.
Items 44 through 47: Salaries and Benefits, Property Standards, General Fund (expenditure increase of $8,000). These items are for converting the Zoning inspector and Quality of Life Inspectors to PMCOs.
Items 48 through 51: Salaries and Benefits, Finance, General Fund (expenditure increase of $56,700). These items authorize a full-time administrative aide to assist Finance and the Police Department with UKG time and attendance.
Items 53 through 56: Salaries and Benefits, Fire Prevention Bureau, General Fund (Expenditure increase of $6,200). These items upgrade the Admin Secretary to an Admin Secretary II.
Items 57 through 60: Salaries and Benefits, EMA, General Fund (expenditure increase of $15,200). These items upgrade the EMA Specialist per the Hay Study.
Item 61: Expendable tools, Police, General Fund (Expenditure increase of $27,000). This item is to replace treadmills in the police department.
Item 62: Mowing/Lawn-Weed, Parks and Recreation, General Fund (expenditure increase of $51,800). Correction for the decision package for mowing.
Item 63: Equipment, Parks and Recreation, General Fund (expenditure increase of $16,000). This item is to correct the base budget of the account for equipment.
Items 64 through 67: Salaries and benefits, equipment services, equipment services fund (expenditure increase of $132,500). These items authorize a Full-time Superintendent of Fleet Maintenance.
Item 68: Equipment Radios, Information Technology, ETSB Fund (Expenditure increase of $13,700). This item is to replace down BDA equipment at the police department.
Items 69 and 70: Rental Cars, Van, Police (Zero budget impact). These items reclassify the police department car rentals from the State Asset Forfeiture Fund to the Equitable Sharing Justice Fund.
Item 71: Repairs and Maintenance Services, Central Services, Capital Improvement Fund (Expenditure increase of $100,000). This item is for screens in the City Council Chambers which includes hardware, installation and programming.
If the proposed budget amendment is approved, budgeted expenditures in the 2024 budget will increase from $621.7 to $623.1.
•Approved was a Resolution establishing the maximum number of Class D: Fox Valley Entertainment District licenses, with Self-Service, Strolling and Package Sales Endorsements, (unofficially related to the application from Fox Taps, LLC d/b/a Tapville Social – Fox Valley, at the Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center, Aurora, Il.) – Ward 10.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to maintain the number of Class D: Fox Valley Entertainment District licenses, with Strolling and Self-Service Endorsements. A new business to Aurora, Fox Taps, LLC, d/b/a Tapville Social – Fox Valley will be taking over the existing self-service kiosk in the Fox Valley Mall, offering beer, cider, and wine for consumption on the premises, requiring strolling and self-service endorsements.
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.
Fox Taps, LLC, d/b/a Tapville Social – Fox Valley, has submitted a liquor license application for the purposes of taking over the operations of an existing business at the Fox Valley Mall. Tapville Social – Fox Valley proposes to continue operations of the self-service kiosk in the Fox Valley Mall and allow patrons to walk freely around the Fox Valley Mall with their purchased beverage.
To qualify for a Strolling Endorsement and a Self-Service Endorsement, a business must be in a licensed entertainment district, in this instance, the Fox Valley Entertainment District. Tapville Social – Fox Valley is inside the Fox Valley Mall and they wish to offer alcohol for sale for consumption on-site, giving customers the ability to walk and consume their beverages within the mall. After an identification check, customers will be provided with a Tapville Social – Fox Valley wristband and beer, wine, or cider will be dispensed in a cup that specifically identifies Tapville Social – Fox Valley as the source of the beverage. Staff members will continuously monitor all customers as they operate the self-service dispensers, and, if necessary, customer access to the dispensers can be automatically deactivated. While customers will only be able to purchase one drink at a time, and will be allowed to purchase a limited, cumulative amount of alcohol, staff members will be trained to guard against underage service as well as over-service. Video monitoring of the devices will be in place when the establishment is open to the public. Patrons will not be allowed to exit the Fox Valley Mall with an open alcoholic beverage, however, the applicant also seeks an endorsement for Package Sales.
The CEO of Fox Taps, LLC also operates Craft & Q, LLC d/b/a Tapville Social – Naperville and Craft Taps, LLC d/b/a Tapville Social – Rosemont.
If approved, this resolution would maintain the number of allowable liquor licenses to allow for the issuance of the license by 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.
•Approved was a Resolution to award the 2023 Manhole Rehabilitation project within all 10 wards to EmerGia Inc. in the bid amount of $163,962.
The purpose is rehabilitation of sanitary and storm manholes within the City’s overlay program.
Closures of entrances to the businesses and residences will be kept to a minimum during construction.
The proposed improvements have been publicly advertised and bid in conformance with City procedures. Six conforming bids were received, publicly opened and read aloud on January 10, 2024. The low bidder, EmerGia Inc. has successfully completed similar projects for the City in the past.
This contract is subject to the local vendor preference ordinance. However, none of the contractors submitting bids were eligible according to the requirements listed in the ordinance.
The manhole rehabilitation improvements will be funded with account 510-4063-511-73-14 (IB018) which has a 2024 budget amount of $2,500,000.
Traffic will be detoured to adjacent blocks, but the increase in traffic on the adjacent neighboring blocks will be temporary and negligible.
•Approved was a Resolution requesting to approve the purchase of additional licenses of VETRO FiberMap from VETRO, Inc., Portland, ME 04101, for an amount not to exceed $175,320 for a three-year term.
City government of Aurora documents show in 2021, the City purchased a license of the VETRO fiber management software (“VETRO”) for the purpose of managing fiber optic assets and sharing files consistently with Kane County. In 2022, City staff members requested additional licenses. This resolution will provide a renewal of those 2023 licenses.
The City IT Department manages fiber network assets through the VETRO FiberMap product and does so in conjunction with Kane County to provide business continuity and disaster recovery planning as well as sharing of files between agencies. The initial investment in 2021 has proved successful as all City fiber assets are now fully-mapped and managed through the VETRO product. By renewing these licenses, City staff members will have access to view and maintain City fiber assets.
City staff members are requesting renewal of editor licenses with an annual cost breakdown as shown below:
Year 1: $58,440
Year 2: $58,440
Year 3: $58,440
Total: $175,320
By negotiating a three-year renewal, City staff members were able to acquire a fixed cost for the duration of the agreement. This renewal allows for 3 editor licenses, 20 analysts licenses and 50 viewer licenses.
In accordance with City of Aurora Code of Ordinances, Section 2-335 (a) (3), the product or service desired is provided by only one source.
Funds are available in 101-1280-419.38-11 Computer Software.
This software purchase will facilitate the IT Division’s goal of bringing all the necessary fiber related information into one location across the City of Aurora and Kane County broadband networks for business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
This software makes identification of fiber assets, related connectivity, and equipment locations easier.
•Approved was a Resolution to award the McCleery Water Main Loop project, in Ward 4, to Brandt Excavating, Inc., 385 E. Hoover St., Morris, Illinois 60450 in the bid amount of eighty-six thousand two hundred dollars and zero cents ($86,200.00).
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to redirect and loop a portion of water main which serves McCleery Elementary School. The redirection of the water main loop is due to a history of breaks in the area where the main was previously connected.
There is only one water service off the existing water main loop that serves McCleery Elementary School. This service is outside the project limits and does not need to be replaced. The water main loop is to be installed by directional drilling methods to reduce the restoration required and minimize disturbances in the area. An easement was attained from the school district for the new water main location that will be redirected to W. Illinois Avenue. Furthermore, the work is scheduled to be completed during Spring/Summer break for SD129 when students will be off school minimizing further disturbances.
Five base bids and five alternate bids were received, opened, and read aloud on February 14, 2024. The base bid is open cut construction while the alternate bid offered the option for directional drilling. The low base bid received was at the total of $138,686.50. The lowest responsible alternate bid received was in the amount of $86,200.00 by Brandt Excavating, Inc. The water main improvements will be funded with account 510-4058-511-73-02 (IC076) which has a 2024 budget amount of $5,000,000.00.
This project was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.
There will be no major lane closures during the duration of the project. Water shutdowns during the project will be planned and coordinated with only McCleery Elementary School affected. Impacts to traffic and residents will be kept to a minimum.
•Approved was a Resolution authorizing the purchase of a reel grinder from Reinders Inc. in the amount not to exceed $59,327.40.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to ensure that the City’s Golf Course Division has adequate reel grinding equipment to perform their turf maintenance safely, efficiently, and effectively.
Reel grinders are instrumental in the golf course industry, providing reel mowers with keen edges for precision cut quality on playing surfaces, which improves ball roll and speed. Properly sharpened reels also provide protection from injury to turf/plants during the daily mowing process.
The reel grinder assigned to the Golf Course Division has been in service for more than 17 years and is showing signs of extensive use. As the machine’s parts continue to wear and tear, the result is a progressive loss of precision, which leads to increased staff member time spent on each reel, as well as reduced cut quality. Cut quality affects ball roll and less than perfect reel edges can result in unnecessary turfgrass injury. The reel grinder is approved for replacement in the City’s 2024 budget.
City officials worked with colleagues in the Purchasing Department to procure bids through Bid 24-006, with a bid opening date of February 7th. After reviewing all bids received, Reinders Inc. submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $59,327.40, for a new “Foley Accu-Master 653 Reel Grinder”.
The Foley Accu-Master Reel Grinder is a reputable and reliable product, and the new version has improved features to make the grinding process quicker and easier.
Reinders Inc. is headquartered in Sussex, Wis. with additional locations in Buffalo Grove, Ill. and Mundelein, Ill. In addition, Reinders has an extensive history of successfully providing service and equipment to the City of Aurora. Reinders Inc. has tentatively quoted us a $3,000 trade-in credit for the current reel grinder which would make the total purchase price $56,327.40.
•Approved was a motion authorizing and directing the chief officer of the Human Resources Department to execute a settlement agreement on behalf of the City for Workers Compensation Claim #188578274-001.