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TO: Mayor Richard C Irvin
FROM: Alex Alexandrou, Chief Management Officer
Viviana Ramirez, Chief Community Services Officer
Martha Paschke, Director of Innovation & Strategy
DATE: January 30, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution to approve an amendment to an agreement with Wesley United Methodist Church in the amount of $37,000.
PURPOSE:
To approve an amendment to resolution R24-393 (Legistar 24-0877), PO#309064 in order to cover additional expenses that are anticipated as a result of more severe weather than original predictions indicated. With two months of winter weather remaining, 100% of budgeted funds have been expended. Current weather forecasts indicate a potential for an additional 25 nights of Temporary Warming Center (TWC) openings, requiring an additional $37,000 to be budgeted.
BACKGROUND:
The City published a Request for Proposals on September 13th, 2024 seeking qualified proposers to host the TWC for the 2024-2025 winter season.
Wesley United Methodist Church was the sole respondent to the RFP.
The TWC has been opened an average of 25 nights per winter over the past three years. Forecasts for the 2024-2025 winter season indicated more cold nights and more severe weather than normal, so 30 nights were budgeted for, for a total of $44,700. As of January 28th, all 30 nights have already been authorized, with an additional 25 predicted.
DISCUSSION:
Wesley United Methodist Church (WUMC) has successfully operated the TWC for 30 nights under the terms of the current agreement. The City will continue to reimburse WUMC for expenses for paid staff, unarmed security, building use, training and background check fees, and air purifiers.
The current agreement (R24-393) gives the City the right to approve and amend the budget as needed. The proposed costs are based on an assumption of 25 additional nights of TWC activation.
The City will continue to use its resources to assist in the provision of de-escalation, CPR, and First Aid training by APD and AFD for new volunteers and staff of the TWC.
WUMC will continue to collaborate with local subject matter experts Hesed House and Association for Individual Development (AID) as well as the Kane County Health Department, Senior Services, and Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office’s Office of Collaborative Diversion. In addition, WUMC will partner with other faith-based organizations including Fresh Start City Church, New England Congregational Church, and Becoming Church.
WUMC is contracted through March 31, 2025.
Account number 101-1302-419.32-20 (Warming Center security costs) will be used to pay this contract.
Funds will be transferred from 101-1304-419.32-20 to cover the additional costs.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The TWC provides needed temporary respite and shelter during nights when temperatures make it unsafe to remain outside. Amending the agreement with Wesley United Methodist Church to fulfill the hosting, management, and operation of the TWC for additionally anticipated nights allows the City to safely and effectively provide a temporary winter warming center when required.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends this for approval, please forward to City Council for approval.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to approve an amendment to an agreement with Wesley United Methodist Church in the amount of $37,000.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to increase the number of nights the Temporary Warming Center can be opened due to more severe weather than anticipated in the 2024-2025 winter season; and
WHEREAS, Wesley United Methodist Church is the contracted host, manager, and operator of the city's Temporary Warming Center through March 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, funds ($37,000) will be/have been transferred to provide for an increase in this existing contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that an addendum to the existing contract with Wesley United Methodist Church in the not to exceed amount of thirty seven thousand ($37,000) shall be and hereby is approved.