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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Ian Wade, Capital Projects Manager
DATE: September 21, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a change order to the contract with Electric Conduit Construction in the amount of $99,084 for electrical improvements along Pinney Street.
PURPOSE:
Execution of this change order will allow the city to continue to remove the existing electrical conduits from the Pinney Street Deck, locating these facilities underground.
BACKGROUND:
There are seven buildings located in the block that is bordered by Pinney Street to the north, River Street to the west, West New York Street to the south and the Fox River to the east. Of these seven buildings, six of them have rear doorways that exit to a common deck that is owned and maintained by the city. Based on recent inspections, the deck needs to be reconstructed and/or removed and replaced with a different means of providing access to the rear doorways, where required.
Discussions with the building owners are ongoing, but by completing the removal and relocation of the extensive electrical infrastructure currently attached to the deck now, the city will be prepared to promptly remove and reconstruct whatever version of the deck is ultimately agreed upon.
DISCUSSION:
There were numerous unforeseen factors that contributed to the need to add additional funds to this contract, which was originally executed in December 2023 in the amount of $399,388 (R23-341). The largest factor was the unanticipated 18+ month lead time on the new meter cabinets and a few other critical items. The delays caused by these lead times led to escalations in the cost of labor and materials such as concrete, wire and conduit.
A summary of these and the other unforeseen additional costs is attached to this memorandum.
This work is part of CIP A061, which has a budget of $600,000 for 2026 and is funded from account 340-4030-418.38-05 (which has a current available balance of $314,923.56).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
By removing the electrical equipment from the deck, the city will be able to address the deck promptly as necessary based on the resolution of ongoing discussions with the adjacent building owners.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a change order to the contract with Electric Conduit Construction in the amount of $99,084 for electrical improvements along Pinney Street.
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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 existing deck along the back of the buildings on Pinney Street, which is owned and maintained by the city, is in poor condition and needs to be removed; and
WHEREAS, prior to removal of the deck, the existing electrical equipment needs to be removed from the deck and relocated underground; and
WHEREAS, a contract in the amount of $399,388 was awarded to Electric Conduit Construction of Elburn, IL in December 2023; and
WHEREAS, due to cost escalations related to lengthy lead times on select materials and other unforeseen conditions, an additional $99,084 is required to complete the work; and
WHEREAS, $600,000 was budgeted for this project (A061) in 2026 and funding is available in account 340-4030-418.38-05;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing is authorized to execute a change order to the contract with Electric Conduit Construction in the amount of $99,084 for electrical improvements along Pinney Street.