By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution to authorize the director of the Purchasing Department to execute a contract with Hitchcock Design Group to provide design services for Millennium Plaza in the amount of $218,300.
The purpose is to develop a revised design for Millennium Plaza for construction in 2026.
City government of Aurora documents show Millennium Plaza is on the west side of Stolp Island between Downer and Galena. The park is approximately 25 years old, and a major reconstruction project has been planned for several years, to make the small park more functional. As a first step, the City conducted a qualification-based selection process in 2023 for the design services associated with the Plaza. Of the seven firms that responded, Hitchcock Design Group was selected as the most qualified firm.
Throughout 2024, Hitchcock worked with staff members to develop ideas for a reenvisioned plaza that better suits the needs of the downtown. Various parties including neighboring businesses, special events staff members, and the Aurora Downtown group were engaged with planning sessions to identify the needs of the new park. Among those ideas were the need to maintain a small stage for performances, make better use of the river front, include more seating, and to create an area that could be utilized by dog owners.
The design is budgeted this year, with construction slated for 2026. The $218,300 in fees is in excess of what was budgeted, and staff members will initiate a transfer to increase the available funding.
During construction, Millennium Plaza will be closed and Stolp Avenue may be closed periodically. Further, during the 2026 construction season, any functions that normally take place at Millennium Plaza will need to be relocated to different locations.
The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items:
•Consent was given to a Resolution approving the appointment of Robert Dunn to the Civil Service Commission.
City government of Aurora documents show the Civil Service Commission is a five-member commission tasked with supporting the Civil Service provisions of the City’s hiring process. The commission has had low turnover but is in need of two new members.
Robert Dunn is a retired Aurora Firefighter. In his role with the Fire Department, he worked with the Civil Service Commission. He is a resident of the fifth Ward.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the appointment of Marquerite Blitch to the Mayor’s Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board.
City government of Aurora documents show the nomination brought forth represents one new candidate. Marquerite Blitch is a resident of the fourth Ward.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the purchase of a parcel for the Water Production Division in the amount of $125,000.00.
The purpose is to allow the Mayor to execute a Property and Purchase Contract to purchase parcel 15-15-127-006 to improve access to the city property at 1110 Aurora Avenue.
City government of Aurora documents show the city owns several sites associated with the various processes that allow the Water Production Division (WPD) to source, treat, distribute and store potable water. The access to one of these sites, 1110 Aurora Avenue (IL Rte. 25), is limited and requires improvement.
The existing access to 1110 Aurora Avenue is immediately off Aurora Avenue from the east. This access is steep, winding and generally only safe for traversing with standard passenger vehicles. To provide reliable, safer access for larger maintenance and delivery vehicles, secondary access is required.
For many years, the annual budget included CIP I043, which was submitted to allow the identification and implementation of a solution to this issue. The WPD has been working closely with Engineering and in 2024 an effective long-term solution was identified. In late 2024, the CIP was once again approved during the budget process and was included in the final 2025 budget with the intention of implementing the long-term solution. This includes purchasing this parcel and then the construction of an access drive thereon.
Once 15-15-127-006 is acquired, the WPD will work with the Engineering Division to design the access drive and procure the necessary services to construct those improvements in accordance with city policy. Upon completion of this CIP, maintenance and delivery vehicles will have significantly improved access to 1110 Aurora Avenue.
A professional property appraisal was completed for the parcel; the valuation was found to be $115,000.00. In addition, an environmental phase I site assessment was performed and no issues were discovered with the parcel. The seller/owner is identified as Mr. Michael Sahli via the Chicago Title Land Trust Company, as Trustee under Trust Number 8002358665, dated September 24, 2012.
Funding is available in account 510-4058-511-71-01 for the implementation of CIP I043, including this purchase and the future construction of the access drive later this year.
The implementation of this CIP will eliminate accessibility risks to the existing city owned site at 1110 Aurora Avenue.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of IDOT standard agreements for land acquisition activities as part of the Indian Trail (Ohio to Pennsbury) Signal Modernization Project.
City government of Aurora documents show the City applied for federal funding in the 2022 Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) Call for Projects for several projects. This project was selected for funding and placed into the KKCOM Active Program. The funding ratio for this project is 80/20 (80% federal / 20% local) for Construction and Construction Engineering, up to a maximum amount of $2,500,000.
The project will include modernizing 5 signals along Indian Trail from Ohio St to Pennsbury Ln with intermittent resurfacing through the corridor. The intersections will be upgraded to 4-signal head left turn arrows with flashing yellow arrows. Curb ramps will be brought into ADA compliance with APS push-buttons as part of this project.
The Phase 1 study has been in process since early 2023 and was fully approved in February 2025. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 at the earliest, subject to design engineering, land acquisition and funding. Phase 2 engineering has begun and land acquisition should begin at this time in order to continue to move the project forward.
The City approved a Phase 2 Engineering Agreement with Kimley-Horn & Associates on November 26, 2024. Part of this agreement included land acquisition services as needed for some minor permanent easement and right-of-way needed for construction of the project. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has started requiring execution of this Standard Agreement Provisions Joint Improvement Projects Off the State Highway System (Federal Aid Projects) (LA 4193) prior to the commencement of land acquisition activities. Also a new process with IDOT when the City is using waiver valuations is the execution of the Waiver Valuation Agreement. It is anticipated that the City can use waiver valuations on this project. Phase 2 Engineering is being paid for out of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds, and it is anticipated that the actual acquisitions will be paid for out of the MFT fund later this year.
•Consent was given to a Resolution Approving the Expansion of the Historic Preservation Grant Program and Adopting New Program Guidelines.
City officials are requesting to expand the Historic Preservation Grant Program to allow for non-owner-occupied homes to take advantage of the Program and to approve new Historic Preservation Grant Program Guidelines.
City government of Aurora documents show in 2019, City Council allocated $100,000 for a new historic preservation funding program. The proposed grant program was similar to previous historic preservation grant funding. The current Historic Preservation Grant Program is a reimbursable grant for exterior historic rehabilitation projects. The maximum grant amount is $20,000. All grants at or under $10,000 require no cash match. All grants over $10,000 require a dollar-for-dollar cash match for every dollar over $10,000. For grants over $10,000, grantees are eligible for an additional $1,000 to offset the required match if a local contractor is used. Properties must be owner-occupied and either a one-unit or two-unit home. Eligible structures must be within a local historic district, designated as a local historic landmark, listed on the National Register (if it becomes a local landmark), or a structure undergoing designation. Grants are for exterior work that is non-maintenance related and is of high quality that will last for a minimum of five years before any additional work is needed. Ineligible projects include driveway repaving, fencing, asphalt roofs and landscaping.
The 2025 Budget includes a one-million-dollar expansion from the Transformational Fund of the Historic Preservation Grant funding. With this financial expansion, there is a proposed expansion of the program in order to have a larger physical impact on the historic districts. The preservation grant programs in the 1990s and 2000s were not limited to owner-occupied and the new Historic Preservation Grant Program approved in 2019 was always envisioned to grow and expand as resources were available.
The proposed expansion would open the program to non-owner-occupied homes with a maximum of five living units. Due to the recent increase in construction costs, the expansion to this program would increase the amount granted requiring no match to $15,000 and increase the total amount awarded to $30,000. All grants over $15,000 require a dollar-for-dollar cash match for every dollar over $15,000. The Guidelines were amended to reflect the above along with other minor changes. The Guidelines outline that owner-occupied homes would still be given higher consideration. Any recipient that has had multiple current and/or past property standard violations may be ineligible for funding as determined by the City on a case-by-case basis. Painting aluminum siding, non-original decks, k-style gutters, aluminum storm windows and additions were also added to the non-eligible list. A few other minor changes were made to clarify the Guidelines.
The historic districts contain many beautiful, large homes that were subdivided in the 1950s and 1960s to meet the housing need of suburbs following World War II. These homes still meet a growing housing; however, the homes are not able to take advantage of the Historic Preservation Grant Program. This expansion will assist the large homes in maintaining the higher standards required in the Design Guidelines while creating more historically appropriate and more aesthetically appealing communities.
The expansion of the Historic Preservation Grant Program will allow more owners to qualify for the Program and thus have a larger impact on the historic districts.
•Consent was given to a Resolution to purchase a new 2025 Police Interceptor hybrid vehicle from Currie Commercial Center, 10125 W. Laraway, Frankfort, Ill., for $58,843.00.
This request will add a vehicle to the fire department fleet, supplying the Division Chief of Administration with a personal vehicle.
City government of Aurora documents show the Division Chief of Administration was a newly created 40-hour fire department position as of 1/1/25. All 40-hour staff members are supplied with personal vehicles so they can respond to incidents when necessary.
This purchase was not a budgeted item for 2025, but the funds were made available through an inter-department budget transfer. The cost of the vehicle is $51,843, plus an additional $7,000 for vehicle setup. The anticipated annual cost of fuel is $2,000 and maintenance is $3,000. The vehicle will be purchased from Currie Commercial Center, of Frankfort, Ill.,, as they are part of the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative. The contract number is 204 and Currie has no outstanding debt with the city of Aurora. The available funds for purchase are in account: 101-3033-422.66-01.
This benefits Aurora citizens by having an additional available staff member able to respond and assist in emergency incidents when necessary.
•Consent was given to a Resolution establishing the maximum number of licenses for tattoo and body art establishments in accordance with Chapter 25, Article XI “Tattoo and Body Art Establishments”.
The purpose is to update the number of available licenses for tattoo and body art establishments.
City government of Aurora documents show in 2023 the City Council approved changes to Chapter 25, Article XI “Tattoo and Body Art Establishments”, which included the discretion by council to adjust the number of available licenses by separate resolution. As is the case with other types of licenses, the City Council authorizes a number of licenses equal to the number of establishments holding them and adjusts that number following the submittal of a complete application.
On 3/11/25 R25-075 increased the number of available tattoo and body art licenses from five to six.
Ronin Tattoo, at 1161 N. Farnsworth Ave. Suite B is closing permanently as of March 31st 2025 which will reduce the available number of licenses from six (6) back to five (5). A new tattoo business owner has applied for a license for the same location and is set to open April 1st. Tattoo parlor licenses are non-transferable, so a new license is required by resolution.
There is no impact as the number of Tattoo and Body Art establishments will remain at six if the new owner is approved.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing entering into agreement with the Board of Education of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 for the installation of an outdoor warning siren.
The purpose of this resolution is to recommend to approval to enter into an agreement to enhance Aurora’s public safety.
City government of Aurora documents show Aurora Emergency Management Agency has identified the need for installing outdoor warning sirens in strategic locations to enhance public safety by ensuring comprehensive coverage for emergency alerts. These sirens provide critical warnings to patrons of the Aurora community who are enjoying the outdoors. The City of Aurora and the Board of Education of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 entered into a previous agreement in 1991 to install an outdoor warning siren South of Route 34 on school-district owned property. Since the installation of the original outdoor warning siren system during the 1990s and 2000s, Aurora has experienced exponential economic and residential growth, and therefore installation of a new outdoor warning siren is necessary.
This selected location for the outdoor warning siren was carefully selected based on a comprehensive assessment of factors that ensure maximum effectiveness. Considerations included population density, proximity to schools and public spaces, and the ability to provide optimal sound coverage. Utilizing sound propagation modeling and input from Aurora’s siren vendor, this site was chosen to enhance the overall warning system and ensure timely alerts reach as many people as possible. This strategic placement strengthens community preparedness and improves public safety.
By expanding the outdoor warning siren network, the community can better prepare for severe weather events and other emergencies, reducing response times and increasing overall safety. Ensuring broad and effective outdoor warning siren coverage strengthens the resilience of the entire community, helping to protect lives and property when seconds matter most.
Funds were previously made available for the installation of this siren in 2023. Due to supply chain issues the project was held and rolled into 2024. Aurora Emergency Management Agency has been working through the agreement and permit process since the delivery of materials in August 2024.
If the outdoor warning siren is not installed, the community may face increased risk during emergencies due to reduced access to timely alerts. Without an effective warning system in place, residents, schools, and businesses could experience delays in receiving critical information about severe weather events or other threats, potentially leading to greater property damage, injuries, or loss of life. Additionally, the absence of a siren could create gaps in emergency preparedness, leaving certain areas vulnerable and decreasing overall public safety. Installing the siren ensures that all members of the community have the best possible chance to respond quickly and take necessary precautions when danger arises.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing Samsara Inc. to provide telematics services for the City fleet from May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, with four (4) optional one-year extensions.
The purpose is to provide enhanced telematics monitoring for the City’s fleet.
City government of Aurora documents show telematics is a technology that collects Global Positioning Systems (GPS) location and vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems data. The vehicle data is then compiled into reports and visual interfaces which allow management personnel to optimize vehicular operations, usage, fuel efficiency, maintenance, and driver safety.
The current telematics application used to monitor the City fleet was first installed in 2015. This application is limited, providing basic vehicle data, primitive reporting, and asset location updates in thirty-second intervals. The City fleet would be better served by adopting a more capable and robust application.
Samsara Inc., a leading telematics provider, offers a superior solution that will provide real time tracking, historical trip data, comprehensive diagnostic reporting, harsh driving alerts, geo-fencing, fuel & energy reporting, idle monitoring, the ability to integrate with numerous fleet management software applications, and a modular gateway for future integrations (such as front facing cameras and sensors to monitor material spreading). These advanced capabilities would allow the Fleet Maintenance Division to expand its Green Fleet initiatives while also allowing user divisions to streamline daily vehicular operations.
The City participates in the Sourcewell purchasing cooperative. This program allows the City to procure various goods and services at lower prices.
Using Sourcewell contract #020221-SAM, Samsara Inc. has offered to provide telematics services for 285 City fleet assets at the annual per asset rate of $176.40 ($50,274.00 total). This price includes all the required equipment along with complete access to all collected data.
Monitoring services will commence on May 1, 2025 and continue through December 31, 2025 at a total cost of $35,867.00 for the 2025 budget year.
Any additional fleet assets would be billed at the standard annual rate or prorated for partial year terms.
Funding is allocated across multiple xxx-xxxx-xxx.44-04 accounts within the 2025 budget and is anticipated to be budgeted in future years to satisfy telematics monitoring costs.
Samsara Inc. is not indebted to the City.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to execute change orders to the contracts with Electric Conduit Construction (ECC) and Platt Electric in the combined amount of $150,000 for the relocation of existing electrical infrastructure from vaults under the sidewalk along Broadway from Benton Street to New York Street.
The purpose is to increase the contract amounts to allow ECC and Platt to complete the remaining electrical infrastructure relocation work from vaults under the sidewalk along Broadway from Benton to New York.
City government of Aurora documents show as part of the upcoming Broadway Streetscape/Reconstruction project, the City has begun infilling thirty six under-sidewalk utility vaults along the three blocks of Broadway from Benton to New York. Before many of these vaults can be infilled, all existing electrical service equipment that is within the vaults must be relocated to the adjacent basement of the respective buildings.
The City solicited bids from contractors for this relocation work in December 2023 but received no bids in response to the published request. Following this failed attempt to award this relocation work to one contractor, the City elected to conduct a site visit with three contractors (Aurora Wire and Fixutre (AWF), ECC, and Platt Electric) that had expressed interest in the project. Due to the facts that the pricing received from all three contractors was reasonably similar (all within 15% of each other) and the City needed to get this work completed in a timely manner to not impede the overall progress of the Broadway project, the work was divided evenly among the three contractors via Resolution passed by City Council on April 9, 2024. Since the precise scope of work required within each vault was not yet determined by ComEd at the time of that Resolution, the three initial Purchase Orders were opened for a combined total of $450,000 and indicated that the City may request that individual vaults within the scope of any given contractor be performed by one of the other contractors based on availability, staffing, or lead times of equipment.
The total combined value of work performed and invoiced by these contractors to date is $409,356.78, with the balance to be performed upon completion of pre-requisite work within the Right-of-Way by ComEd (pending issuance of a permit by the Illinois Department of Transportation, who owns and operates Broadway as IL Route 25).
Following extensive time and effort from ComEd, city staff members, and the three contractors over the remainder of 2024, the extremely variable scope and cost of services in each of the twenty-seven buildings that require electrical relocation and/or reconnection resulting from an adjacent vault relocation has been updated. During that time, it was also mutually agreed upon by all parties that the nine locations originally awarded to AWF would be handled by Platt Electric due to work load and equipment lead time issues with AWF. As a result, the updated and ongoing scopes of work for the remaining two contractors are estimated at $234,590 for ECC at ten (10) locations and $327,480 for Platt Electric at seventeen locations, for a combined estimated total of $562,070.
While we are confident that the majority of the electrical work required has been included with this updated scope, the City is requesting an additional $37,930 in contingency funds to cover any additional costs which may be encountered including, but not limited to, replacement of any additional deteriorated/corroded materials, asbestos abatement, and aesthetic restoration within the basement spaces. This amount would increase the total combined contract amount for these two contractors to $600,000, which results in a requested change order in the amount of $150,000. These agreements are part of the approved 2025 CIP A055 and will be paid using account 340-1830-465.73-76, which has a current balance of $4,308,124.93.
Failure to relocate the electrical services in a timely manner will delay the infilling of the vaults and subsequently the Broadway project as a whole
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of an Engineering Agreement with Transmap Corporation in the not to exceed amount of $250,000.00 to update the City’s Pavement Management System and provide a Sign Inventory.
The purpose is to provide the inspection and analysis required to update the City’s Pavement Management System (PMS), which will be utilized to develop a maintenance program for the next five years. As part of the inspection, the consultant can extract street sign information, which can then be used by the City’s Street’s Division and GIS Division to develop a street sign inventory.
City government of Aurora documents show the City established the existing PMS in 2010 with the intent of determining the required annual roadway rehabilitation budget and determine the most cost-effective way to utilize those funds to maintain the City’s ~528 miles of roadway and alleys in a condition that is acceptable to the motoring public.
A critical component of the PMS is accurate field data of the existing roadway conditions, also known as the Pavement Condition Index, or PCI. Due to many factors, roadways all deteriorate at different rates, therefore data is generally considered outdated after about five years. For that reason, the roadways were surveyed again in 2014 and 2021. It is recommended to conduct a new condition evaluation in order to update the PMS and use the new data for developing roadway programs for the next five years, including targeted applications for future federal funding opportunities.
Due to the specialized equipment required to obtain and analyze the data, it is more cost effective to utilize an outside vendor for these tasks.
The City published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Pavement Evaluation services on December 18, 2024. Staff members reviewed the proposals and determined that Transmap Corporation (Transmap) was the most qualified firm. Four firms submitted their. Transmap also completed this work in 2021 for the City.
This partially followed the Request for Qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy. The proposals were first reviewed solely based on their qualifications. Firms were also asked to submit a separate price based on their proposed pavement evaluation methodology and software. 30% of the score was “value” which incorporated the firm’s submitted price.
Transmap’s vehicles are equipped with a Pavemetrics Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS). This system uses laser line projectors, high-speed cameras, an inertial navigation system, and advanced optics to acquire high-resolution 3D profiles of the road. This collection of data will objectively rate pavement condition and determine the PCI for each segment of roadway that the City maintains. The PCI measures pavement condition and provides a number from 0 (worst) to 100 (best). ASTM (American Standard Test Method) has adopted the PCI as standard practice for roadway ratings (D6433).
The results of the pavement evaluation will be analyzed using the MicroPAVER software. MicroPAVER was developed by the Army Corps of Engineers and is an industry-wide recognized non-proprietary software to analyze pavement information. MicroPAVER provides pavement management capabilities to develop and organize pavement inventory, assess the current condition of pavements, develop models to predict future conditions, report on past and future pavement performance, develop scenarios for maintenance & rehabilitation based on budget or condition requirements and plan projects.
City staff members are in the process of updating the GIS files for the consultant to drive and inspect, including new roadways that have not fully been incorporated into the City’s Pavement Management system yet. Since the exact number of miles that will be driven are unknown, the contract amount of $250,000.00 amount includes some contingency to allow for additional inspection and additional tasks. The City will be sent an invoice for actual work completed (actual miles driven and actual number of segments inspected) based on the unit prices in the agreement.
Per language in the RFP, the City and selected firm will be mutually allowed to extend the contract (or sign a new contract as mutually agreed) to drive the streets up to 2 additional times, each at an interval of 2-5 years, utilizing the results of the same RFP. The City may also request additional germane services including, but not limited to, annual program updates and additional GIS asset extraction. At this time, City staff members only envision using the 2 additional extensions based on acceptable performance or if there are no substantial changes in staff members at Transmap; staff members may also decline extensions should there be substantial changes in available technology that might provide better results or the same results at a lower cost.
The 2025 City Budget provides $250,000.00 for this item in account no. 212-4060-431.73-91 with a total budget of $1,570,000 for Neighborhood Street Improvement.
The motoring public will not be affected during the ongoing field work and there will be no lane closures or other significant delays during that process.
•Consent was given to a Resolution for the acceptance of bid pricing from contractors for mowing landscape maintenance for several City departments (Bid 25-013) for a One Year Contract with Three Optional One Year Extensions upon mutual consent.
The purpose is to obtain City Council approval to accept bids for a 1-year contract with optional three 1-year extensions upon mutual consent from contractors for mowing and landscape maintenance for City owned properties and right-of-way.
City government of Aurora documents show there are a number of rights-of-way, medians, and parcels that the City is responsible for ongoing maintenance. Mowing landscape maintenance has previously been provided by private contractors. To maintain the high level of service of past years, contracting outside services is necessary to augment City crews.
The City solicited request for proposal for “Mowing Landscape Maintenance” for City rights-of-way and parcels and received bids from eleven companies. After checking references and receiving favorable responses, the following three contractors are being recommended.
Property First, Hazel Crest, Il.
CornerStone Partners, St Charles, Il..
Atrium Landscape, Lemont, Il. List: G.
The various departments who will be utilizing the mowing landscape maintenance services of these contractors have appropriated monies for these expenditures in the following accounts: 101-4060-431-36-15, 101-1827-424-36-14, 101-4010-417-36-15 and 510-4058-511-36-15. The total amount actually spent each year is weather dependent. The 2025 combined budget for all of the accounts listed is $207,134.
This bid was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however it did not impact the decisions.
•Consent was given to a Resolution to award the High Street and Pierce Street Intersection Water Main Improvements, in Ward 1, to Superior Excavating Co., in the bid amount of sixty-three thousand four hundred eighty-seven dollars and zero cents ($63,487.00).
City government of Aurora documents show minor water system improvements are required to provide water main looping in this area.
This intersection serves as the boundary of the City’s high and normal water pressure systems. The water main on N. Root Street and Reising Street was upsized and extended in late 2023 and this final step is needed to finish the improvements in this area. The proposed improvements will provide a looped water main and eliminate the dead end situations that are experienced by the restaurant at 560 High Street and along N. Root & Reising streets within the previous project limits.
A total of eight responsive bids were received on March 12, 2025. The lowest responsible bid received was in the amount of $57,487.00 by Superior Excavating Co. A contingency was not included in the original bid, so a contingency of $6,000.00 (10.4%) has been added to the lowest bid amount to cover any unexpected surprises encountered during construction. The water main improvements will be funded with account 510-4058-511-73-02 (IC076) which has a 2025 budget amount of $4,150,000.00.
This project was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.
There may be temporary roadway closures in all directions from the intersection during working hours for the week or two of construction duration. Water shutdowns during the project will be planned and coordinated with the residents affected. Water is not intended to be disrupted for the two businesses south of the intersection and staff members will work with them to limit the impacts of the temporary detours.
•Consent was given to a Resolution to award the N. Elmwood Drive Water Main Replacement project, in Ward 6 to Winniger Excavating, Inc., in the bid amount of $933,465.00.
The purpose is to replace the existing water main in the area which has a history of frequent breaks.
City government of Aurora documents show there are a total of 38 water services off of the existing water main that will be replaced and switched over to the new main, most of which are lead service lines.
A total of eight bids were received, opened, and reviewed on March 12, 2025. One vendor’s bid was removed due to being non-compliant. The lowest responsible bid received was in the amount of $933,465.00 by Winniger Excavating, Inc. The water main improvements will be funded with account 510-4058-511-73-02 (IC076) which has a 2025 total budgeted amount of $4,150,000.00.
This project was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance, however no local contractors submitted.
There may be lane closures during the duration of the project. General impacts to traffic and residents will be kept to a minimum with lifted parking restrictions as required. Water shutdowns during the project will be planned and coordinated with the residents affected.
•Consent was given to a Resolution to award the Daywards Ct. Water Main Replacement project, in Ward 3, to Brandt Excavating Inc., in the bid amount of six hundred seventy-two thousand one hundred fifty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($672,157.50).
The purpose is to replace the existing water main in the area which has a history of frequent breaks.
City government of Aurora documents show there are a total of 28 water services off the existing water main that will be replaced and switched over to the new main, most of which are lead service lines.
A total of nine bids were received on March 12, 2025, one was removed as it was not compliant. The lowest responsible bid received was in the amount of $672,157.50 by Brandt Excavating Inc. The water main improvements will be funded with account 510-4058-511-73-02 (IC076) which has a 2025 budget amount of $4,150,000.00.
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. The project location is in a quiet, residential area. Impacts to traffic and residents will be kept to a minimum with lifted parking restrictions as required. Water shutdowns during the project will be planned and coordinated with the residents affected.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to execute an agreement with Hygieneering, Inc. in the amount of $123,285.00 to provide safety consulting services to the Department of Public Works.
The purpose is to enter into a contract with Hygieneering to revise and update the health, safety and training programs for the Department of Public Works.
City government of Aurora documents show in April 2018, the Water Production Division conducted an RFQ to perform a gap analysis to identify safety upgrades at the plant. Of the interested firms, Hygieneering was selected as the most qualified firm to provide those services, having since completed not only the gap analysis but assisting Water Production with the implementation of improvements. Due to the success of that initiative, it was determined that a similar gap analysis should be conducted for the remaining Public Works Divisions. That was completed in 2024, with a 2025 goal of implementing the improvements identified in the gap analysis, such as improvements to the written health and safety programs for OSHA compliance, site-specific practices, hazard communication program updates, development of a training matrix, forklift training and other ancillary tasks.
This project was an approved decision package in 2022, with funds available in account 601-0000-410.32-60.
This initiative will not have any significant impact to the public or any other department besides Public Works.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to renew the professional services agreement with Olea Networks, Inc. DBA Olea Edge Analytics, Bee Cave, TX for large water meter sensor and analytical services in the amount of $175,940 with an additional $100,000 of contingent meter repair services, for a total of $275,940.
City government of Aurora documents show large meter testing programs are an important tool to combat water loss and maintain revenue. Analysis through Sensus Analytics, a meter health diagnosis tool provided by the meter manufacturer, estimates that issues with the City’s largest meters result in $257,275 in lost annual revenue. Through Olea’s sensors, the City gains valuable operational data aiding development of meter repair and replacement plans. This aids Public Works staff members in prioritizing work and planning maintenance activities, such as planning school water meter repairs during holiday breaks. At this time, the program monitors all 109 four- and six-inch meters. By maintaining a similar funding level staff members can add the City’s eight-inch meter and 31 three-inch commercial meters.
The City advertised a quality-based selection on March 16, 2023 with submissions due on April 7, 2023. Due to the specialized nature of the request, only two firms responded. Staff members reviewed the submittals and selected Olea Edge Analytics (Olea) as the highest-ranking firm. Council awarded Olea the contract through Resolution R23-265 for a total of $285,000 for 109 meter sensors. The program kicked off in October 2023. Due to some battery failures early in the program, Olea extended Aurora’s contract free-of-charge to cover the missing months, extending the current contract to March 2025.
Though the City’s largest meters represent only a small amount of the total meter population, they measure an outsized proportion of total end-user flow. Olea’s sensors are installed directly on the mechanical water meter, providing detailed analysis on the health and flow profile. This enables City staff members to determine whether the meter needs to be right-sized (matching the flow profile of the meter size to the flow profile of the end user), repaired, or replaced. Additionally, staff members are given error codes to better understand the type of failure, allowing the repair crew to better prioritize repairs or purchase the necessary repair parts prior to coming onsite. Many of the large water meter customers have continuous operations therefore City staff members aim to work in conjunction with the customer to schedule repair work and minimize any downtime required.
During the program’s first year, the City identified 65 meters with issues using the metering company’s software and Olea’s technology. 39 of those issues were found uniquely by Olea; 15 of which staff members rated as high priority for replacement.
This project will be funded by account 510-4058-511-32.23 (IB058) which has sufficient funds to cover the project. The cost of the program is $175,940 with an additional $100,000 earmarked for contingent external meter repair services. No contingent funds were needed in the first program year. Also, though more sensors are being installed, the renewal program cost is lower than in the first program year as the majority of the telemetry is already deployed and staff members are trained on the equipment.
The sensors can be installed with no interruption to the customer’s service; disruption is to be expected in the event that the sensors identify a meter that needs to be replaced or serviced. City staff members must coordinate with customers for sensor installation and battery maintenance.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing approval of a Loan Agreement between the City of Aurora, Delicia Bowling, and Darius Butler for the purpose of facilitating the opening of The Soul Spot, a soul food restaurant, in Unit E4 at the Fox Valley Mall at 195 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, Ill..
City government of Aurora documents show this request was held for 30 days to ensure the funding request was sufficient to address all remaining tenant financial responsibilities
The Loan Agreement will help to facilitate Delicia Bowling and Darius Butler to open “The Soul Spot”, a soul restaurant. The agreement codifies the commitments from Delicia Bowling that triggers City incentives that will be repaid to the City as described below.
The commercial space, formerly occupied by Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery which left in 2017. Another eatery temporarily occupied the space in 2021. Despite its prime location, the space has remained vacant not generating any sales tax revenue during this time, an opportunity loss for the city, and its taxpayers estimated at over $160,000 over four years (2021-2025).
Delicia owned and operated Mandy’s Soul Food in Bolingbrook for seven years until making the decision to bring her successful and established business to Aurora.
Delicia has recently signed a lease agreement with Centennial Real Estate Management, LLC to improve and occupy the 6,251 square feet restaurant space.
Delicia has invested over $350,000 in kitchen equipment that she is bringing to this space. This together with the landlord’s commitment to invest $112,900 to ensure that all equipment is in working order has limited some, but not all, of the costs to open the restaurant. Certain equipment will have to be replaced as this kitchen is smaller and has a layout that is different than her previous space. In addition, there are requirements for new signage, retrofitting, and working capital in addition to the funds that have already been expended. The City will require a final drawing(s) as a part of the permitting process, and no loan disbursement will happen prior to this time.
The Fox Valley Mall has undergone significant redevelopment beginning in 2019 following the City’s adoption of Route 59 Corridor Plan. At that time the new owners of the mall, Centennial, were faced with an aging traditional mall that had just lost Sears, Carson’s, and neighboring Toys R Us. Over the last several years Centennial has invested millions of dollars in renovating the mall into a mixed-use development. The primary focus has been to demolish the vacant anchors and construct new market-rate apartments. The First phase was Lumen, a 304-unit apartment complex that is doing extremely well. The second phase of the redevelopment is underway, which includes the construction of a 323-unit luxury apartment community. The next phase will be a 212-unit senior housing development called Sophia.
Competition in this area continues to increase especially with the new Block 59 development just to the east in Naperville. It’s worth noting that even Naperville approved incentives to help with the Block 59 project. Naperville provided a 1% sales tax incentive for the Block 59 development. This tax is applied to retail and restaurant sales within the business district, which includes the Westridge Court and Heritage Square shopping centers. The revenue generated from this tax is intended to fund the estimated $13.4 million in infrastructure improvements needed for the project. It is important to note that the majority of the West bridge/Heritage tenants are national brands with significant corporate capital as compared to the three minority owned businesses that are and will occupy these close proximate spaces next to Macys.
While this redevelopment is in the Fox Valley TIF District, the City is not planning to use Tax Increment Funding for incentives in this project.
Centennial and the City are both excited about attracting a new restaurant destination into the Fox Valley Mall – and it’s “front-facing” unit – will continue to strengthen the mall as a walkable, mixed-use development.
The City joined forces with the SBA funded “Small Business Entrepreneurial Center” at Waubonsee to assure the comprehensiveness of the projections included in the RDA. Aside from guiding financial operations the projections estimate revenues which in turn will generate new incremental Sales/Food and Beverage Taxes.
Financial Overview:
Contributed Capital – $350,000.00 (Equipment)
The Soul Spot Equity – $30,000
Total Owner Contribution = $380,000
Landlord equity – $112,900.00
City Short Term Loan – $75,000.00
The incentives being offered as a part of this Agreement are:
- A City loan of $75,000 (Paid through sales/ food and beverage taxes over a three (3) year period and personally guaranteed)
- $1,350 for grease trap
- $25,000 for general contracting and including electrical and plumbing
- $6,000 for hood
- $10,950 for FF&E
- $25,000 working capital
Total annual sales are estimated at a minimum of $1,000,000 which would produce $37,500 in sales/food and beverage annually. This means the City would be paid back in three years. In any event, the loan is guaranteed by the principles of The Soul Spot.
A DST meeting was held on February 27,2025. As a result of the meeting the City needed to verify all items required to obtain the permit were met which is the reason the item was held for a the time necessary to satisfy these requirements.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week with the following hours:
Monday-Friday 10am-8pm
Thursday-Friday 10am-8pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
The Soul Spot will expand the dining choices at the mall by offering an cuisine that is not available. An addition the City will begin to reap sales, food and beverage taxes that have not been received for the better part of seven years.
•Placed on Unfinished Business was an Ordinance and a Resolution to grant a conditional use permit for a gas station with separate diesel lanes (Truck Stop Establishments 2841) on the Property at the Southeast Corner of Eola Road & Diehl Road.
The Petitioner, QuikTrip Corporation, is requesting approval of a Conditional Use for a Gas Station with Separate Diesel Lanes (Truck Stop Establishments 2841) Use on the property at southeast corner of Eola Road and Diehl Road.
City government of Aurora documents show the Property is situated at the southeast corner of Eola Road and Diehl Road with B-2(C) Business District, General Retail with a Conditional Use Planned Development (previously called a Special Use Planned Development) zoning, which is part of the Northbridge Conditional Use Planned Development. In December 2010, the City Council approved both an Annexation Agreement and an Annexation for the Property. Concurrently, a Plan Description with underlying B-2 zoning was established, encompassing all properties on the east side of Eola Road, south of Diehl Road, and north of the Prairie Path. A Preliminary Plan and Plat were also approved at that time which included the Property and the property directly to the south. In January 2018, a revision to the southern portion of the Preliminary Plan and Plat was subsequently approved.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Conditional Use for a Gas Station with Separate Diesel Lanes (Truck Stop Establishments 2841). According to the Aurora Zoning Ordinance, a truck stop establishment is defined as a gas station featuring one or more diesel fuel stations, equipped with bays specifically designed to accommodate semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is seeking approval for a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat. This Preliminary Plat Revision involves consolidating the property into a single lot and establishing the QT 4448 Addition Subdivision. As part of this subdivision, the Petitioner will be granting stormwater control easement, city easements, and cross-access easements, enabling properties to the south to enter and exit through the Property onto Diehl Road.
The Preliminary Plan revision includes the construction of 5,023 square foot QuikTrip gas station and convenient store with 16 fueling positions for smaller vehicles and 4 separate diesel fueling positions to accommodate semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles.
The Plan shows a total of 48 parking spaces of which 2 are handicapped spaces. A right-in access is being proposed at the southwest corner of the property along Eola Road. In addition, a right-in/right-out and a full access is being shown on Diehl Road with the full access being at the northeast corner of the property. There will also be an internal access to this property to the south. An 8-foot multi-use path is being constructed along both Eola Road and Diehl Road.
A stormwater management facility is being provided along the east portion of the property.
Conceptual Building and Signage Elevations and a Preliminary Landscaping Plan has been provided in the packet. The Petitioner is proposing two ground signs on the property, one being at the intersection of Diehl Road and Eola Road and the other being at the full access into the site on Diehl Road. The Building and Signage Elevations and Preliminary Landscaping Plan will be fully reviewed and approved during the Final Plat and Plan process.
Staff members reviewed the Conditional Use Ordinance 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.
As stated above, a truck stop establishment is defined as a gas station featuring one or more diesel fuel stations, equipped with bays specifically designed to accommodate semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles.
Staff members believe this location is highly favorable for a truck stop establishment, as it is positioned along a major collector and arterial street within a predominantly non-residential area. This site offers significant accessibility not only to the property owners along Eola Road, but also to commuters, customers, and employees working in the surrounding industrial area along Diehl Road. Additionally, its proximity to Interstate 88 makes it an ideal stop for travelers both entering and exiting the highway, ensuring steady traffic flow and a broad customer base.
Staff members evaluated the proposal with respect to the Findings of Fact and has 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?
The proposal will not be unreasonably detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare as this situated along a major collector and arterial street within a predominantly non-residential area. The staff members believe this use will not result in increased traffic, as the customer base will primarily consist of individuals who are already passing by. - 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?
The proposal will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other properties in the immediate vicinity or substantially diminish or impair property values, as the development of this lot will provide full access to Diehl Road for the properties to the south, thereby enhancing the marketability of these vacant lots and improving the property values. - Will the establishment of the conditional use impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in the district?
The proposal will not hinder the normal and orderly development of surrounding properties; rather, it is expected to help facilitate their development as this lot will provide full access to Diehl Road for the properties to the south, thereby supporting their growth and improvement. - Will the proposal provide for adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, and/or other necessary facilities as part of the conditional use?
The proposal will provide stormwater management and will need to adequate utilities for the site including the extension of the sanitary sewer to the northeast corner of the property. Additionally, a cross-access easement is being provided to the south. - 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.)
The proposal does take adequate measures to minimize traffic congestion on the public streets as the plan provides four different ingress and egress points into this site. This should help minimize the traffic congestion along Eola Road and Diehl Road. As stated above, staff members believe this use will not result in increased traffic, as the customer base will primarily consist of individuals who are already passing by. The nearest gas station to this site is about a mile away at the intersection of Indian Trail and Eola Road so there should not be an impact to the concentration of automobile intensive uses. - 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?
The proposal complies with all other respects of the B-2 zoning regulations.
Public Input: Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter.
•Final approval for items on the Committee of the Whole consent agenda are set to be made at the April 8 Aurora City Council meeting.