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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Michael Kaufman, Assistant Fire Chief
Jim Birchall, Chief Public Facilities Officer
DATE: April 29, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution to accept the bid from T. Fisher Construction LLC. of Ingleside, IL and begin the Station #3 bathroom/locker room remodel.
PURPOSE:
This renovation will bring the Fire Station 3 facilities up to the standard of all other fire stations within the city. The renovation design provides private, gender-neutral bathroom, shower, and sleeping areas for both male and female firefighters.
BACKGROUND:
Fire Station 3 opened in 1972, well before the Aurora Fire Department had any female firefighters. It was built with one large open bedroom, one locker room, and one bathroom with showers in it. As the number of female firefighters has grown, it has become increasingly more important to have separate gender-neutral bathroom and shower facilities. This renovation was approved as a capital improvement plan for 2023. The renovation design was completed by Batir Architecture, LLC, with input from fire staff and Mr. Birchall, Chief Public Facilities Officer, in early 2025. The project went out to bid in March 2025, five responses were received. After review of the submissions, one vendor was disqualified, and T. Fisher Construction LLC was selected as the lowest, responsible bidder.
DISCUSSION:
The renovation will allow the Aurora Fire Department to allow privacy to employees of all genders in the Station 3 facility. The breakdown of costs for this project are attached in the Batir Bid document. The associated costs of the bathroom and locker room are $424,000. Window glazing for the northern-facing windows is $29,950. This glazing provides privacy and thermal protection to the Battalion Chief bedroom, watch office and the new men's locker room, which all have windows exposed to Indian Trail Rd. Countertop replacement in the watch office area is $6,000. The older laminate countertop in this office is deteriorating and needs replacement. Replacement of the three HVAC units is $81,700. The units on the roof are older and coming up on replacement, and public facilities recommend replacement during this project due to the fact that the ceiling will be opened and ductwork will be accessible. Raising the ceiling height in the men's and women's bathroom area is $21,200 and recommended by public facilities during this project. Providing LVT at the north stair treads is $4,850. This will replace the current carpeted stairs enhancing safety, hygiene, and durability. LVT is easy to clean and sterilize, where carpeted stairs are not. Providing a tiled wall in the men's bathroom area is $2,750 and allows the bathroom area to be easily cleaned and disinfected.
The money for this project was initially approved through a 2023 capital improvement plan. There is currently $550,000 budgeted in account 340-3033-422.38-05. The bided amount of the project is $570,500. We are requesting authorization to use funds in the amount of $570,500, plus a 5% contingency of $28,525, for a total of $599,025. Additional funds over $550,000 are available and will be utilized from account 101-3033-422.38-05. T. Fisher Construction LLC has no outstanding debt with the city, and they are the lowest responsible bidder for this project.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This renovation will temporarily impact fire department operations, as Medic 3 and Battalion 2 will need to be temporarily relocated. Medic 3 will temporarily be stationed at Central Station (75 N. Broadway), and Battalion 2 temporarily at Station 7 (824 Kenilworth Place). Engine 3 will remain at station 3 throughout the renovation and will live on the first floor of the building, utilizing a temporary hazmat shower trailer. The approximate expectation of the renovation is 3-4 months.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I respectfully request that the award of the Fire Station 3 renovation bid to T. Fisher Construction, and the use of fire department budgeted funds not exceed $599,025 be approved.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to approve the awarding of the Fire Station 3 renovation bid to T. Fisher Construction, LLC of Ingleside, IL.
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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 Fire Station 3 renovation project was approved as part of a capital improvement plan in 2023, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Station 3 renovation project was formally bid in accordance with the City's Purchasing Policies via OpenGov and T. Fisher Construction, LLC is the lowest responsible bidder, and
WHEREAS, the fire department has budgeted funds for this project not to exceed $599,025 in accounts 340-3033-422.38-05 and 101-3033-422.38-05; and)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the bid from T. Fisher Construction, LLC for the remodel of Fire Station 3 be approved and the Director of Purchasing to issue the necessary orders using budgeted funds in the amount of $570,500, plus a 5% contingency of $28,525, for a total of $599,025. not to exceed $599,025 for the completion of the project.