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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Jeff McLaughlin, Neighborhood Redevelopment Manager
DATE: September 22, 2014
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Amending the Guidelines for the Single Family Residential Restoration Program to add Pre-Award Inspections and a 20% Award Contingency for Unforeseen Problems Found in the Permit Inspection Process.
PURPOSE:
Staff has run a successful round of the Single family Restoration Program ("Program"), but in two instances awarded projects encountered unforeseen problems (e.g., plumbing or electrical work that was not code compliant) found by City personnel in the building inspection process that added significant costs to the original project budget. Building code problems are not unusual in older homes that have not been updated to meet modern code standards. The City wants to encourage project completion under the Program. To assist in alleviating the additional cost burden of unforeseen code problems found in the building and permits process, Staff is requesting to amend the attached Guidelines for the Program to contain the following:
1. Mandatory pre-award inspection by City Building and Permits staff to identify potential problems with a soft award project so that project scope and/or budgets can be changed before a Program award if additional code items are found; and
2. A 20% contingency on an award amount to cover unforeseen items found by City inspectors in the building and permits process.
BACKGROUND:
Originally approved by the City Council as the Reconversion Incentive Program in 1994, the Program goal is to reconvert homes to their original single family status in order to reduce density and traffic congestion in neighborhoods. The program reauthorized in September of 2013 (R13-274) and has since had four successful applicants. A new competitive round will be introduced in October of this year.
DISCUSSION:
This program was very popular in its previous format, and addressed the problem of large homes in Aurora that were cut into multifamily units in the decades after World War II. The Planning and Zoning Division also gets several calls a month inquiring about the program. It is anticipated that the new Program will make 3-4 additional awards this year.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The contingency contemplated in this request would be granted under narrow circumstances where Building and Permit inspectors found structural items in the permitting process that could not be accounted for when the project was proposed. This contingency could add between $2,000 - $6,000 per project which would be covered under Program funding agreements. Funds are available in account 215-1330-463-50-13.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff requests approval of a Resolution authorizing amendments to the Single Family Residential Restoration Program as reflected in the attached Program guidelines, and authorize the City's Neighborhood Redevelopment Manager to execute funding agreements and other documents related to the Program funding award process.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Amending the Guidelines for the Single Family Residential Restoration Program to add Pre-Award Inspections and a 20% Award Contingency for Unforeseen Problems Found in the Permit Inspection Process.
body
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 Aurora City Council has made conservation of the City's older neighborhoods a major priority, and in pursuant thereof adopted guidelines for the Single Family Restoration Program via Resolution R13-274 on September 24, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to make changes to the Single Family Restoration Program once again to further update program requirements and standards, all as set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto adding pre-award inspections and a 20% award contingency to address building code issues found in the permitting process; and
WHEREAS, there are funds available in Account # 215-1330-463-50-13 to pay for Program award contingency costs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Single Family Restoration Program guidelines be and hereby are amended as set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein, and that the City's Neighborhood Redevelopment Manager be authorized to execute any contracts or other documents pertaining to the Single Family Restoration Program award funding process.
PASSED AND APPROVED on ______________.
AYES ____ NAYS ____ NOT VOTING ____ ABSENT ____
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Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
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Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
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Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
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Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
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Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
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Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
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City Clerk Mayor
Single Family Restoration Program Guidelines.