Aurora resident and American Heart Association Passion Survivor, Niki Glass was recognized at the Aurora City Council meeting Tuesday after surviving a heart transplant three years prior.
American Ninja Warrior, Aurora Firefighter Dan Polizzi was recognized for competing on American Ninja Warrior, a televised sports entertainment competition. Aurora mayor Richard Irvin said he wants to have a challenge to see which city of Aurora employees are healthiest.
Mayor Irvin was honored by representatives of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for being the first black mayor of Aurora. The NAACP is the oldest civil rights organization in the world.
Approved was an ordinance to rezone the property at 907 S. River Street, the former Leonardi’s Appliance building, to neighborhood commercial. The Flooring Guys of Illinois, based in Montgomery seeks to purchase and occupy the long-vacant building.
Approved was a resolution authorizing a contract to provide a Mastodon Interactive Exhibit with Taylor Studios, Inc. to complete the OSLAD project at Phillips Park as designed.
The Aurora City Council approved to the proposed contract with Taylor Studios, Inc for the Mastodon Interactive Exhibit to complete the OSLAD Mastodon Island Interpretive Adventure Area project for the Park and Recreation Division.
The Parks Division of the city government of Aurora was awarded an OSLAD grant in early 2015 but the grant was frozen by the State of Illinois until August 2016. The grant awarded was for $400,000 matching funds. The original design was for a $900,000 project, but due to the States delays and plan changes, including additional amenities, the project is expected to cost close to $1,200,000. Additional funds were asked for during the 2018 budget/CIP process along with during the Council approval of the project construction company and playground equipment in December 2017 (R 17-44). The Finance Committee and COW were in support of adding the additional funds from the City’s 2017 GO Bond to complete the project as designed. A budget amendment will be required. Request for proposal 18-01 was completed Wednesday, Jan. 24 and Taylor Studios, Inc was found to be the lowest responsible proposal based on price, product, experience and being able to meet the strict construction deadline for the Exhibit.
This is a unique opportunity to invest in Phillips Park by touting the legacy of the Mastodon. Most of the unearthed Mastodon bones are on display at the Phillips Park Stover Visitor Center. The new Interactive Mastodon feature only will enhance this legacy and the prestige of Phillips Park, already known for being the crown jewel of parks in the City of Aurora. The City should seize the opportunity provided by this $400,000 grant. Funding will be provided by the remaining funds in account 353-4440-451.73-43 and from the additional $250,000 provided by the Budget Amendment.
City officials approved a agreement authorization for Layne Christensen Company (Layne) in Aurora, to perform all necessary services to return Well No. 26 to full functional status.
Well No. 26 at 2026 Nottingham Drive, is a deep well drilled in the Ironton-Galesville sandstone aquifer. The pump and motor setting is at 925 feet below the surface of the ground. The well was previously capable of supplying approximately 1,700,000 gallons of raw well water per day.
In 2012 the well began to experience a problem with the water-bearing formation that transmits water into the well itself. The recommended course of action by Layne was to redevelop the water-bearing formation to sufficiently restore water flow into the well to maintain a safe pumping level and well discharge. Upon completion of redevelopment activities in 2013, the pumping yield was restored, but unfortunately, excessive amounts of sand were being pumped from the aquifer.
The total estimated cost of all proposed work by Layne to restore the well is $400,000.00.