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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: John Curley, Chief Development Services Officer
DATE: June 6, 2019
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorization for the Mayor to enter into a Program Funding Agreement with Illinois Housing Development Authority in the amount of $250,000 for eligible uses in connection with maintenance and demolition of Abandoned Vacant Property within Aurora, Illinois
PURPOSE:
The program will be administered by the Division of Property Standards. The funds can be used citywide for any costs ranging from the maintenance of vacant residential properties to the demolition itself, but the emphasis will be in the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area of the near east side of Aurora..
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora and Division of Property Standards implemented a Residential Vacant Property Program in July 2013 and budgeted $250,000 in FY 2018 to pursue the maintenance and demolition of abandoned and vacant properties. The Illinois Housing Development Authority(IHDA) in 2013 amended the Illinois Housing Development Act, 20 ILCS 3805/1 (the IHDA Act) to allow Section 7.31 of the IDHA Act, authorizing the Abandoned Residential Property Municipal Relief Program. The City of Aurora was a successful grant recipient of $250,000 in both 2014-round one, 2017-round two and 2018-round three. Due to our previous success, IHDA contacted the City to let us know there would be a fourth round of the APP program. The City applied for round four and was successfully awarded another $250,000 in May 2019..
DISCUSSION:
The funding request includes the following amounts toward the program: Removal of junk/trash/graffiti- $12,600, cutting weeds/grass/bushes/trees-$22,700, board ups - $14,700 and demolition - $200,000. The revenue for income and expenditures will be in the following established accounts: Revenue Grant- State- Other 101-1827-334.30-02 Expenditure: Special Program - Grant - Other 101-1827-424.50-50. A budget amendment will be submitted to the Budget Division for the revenue and expense.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This grant funding opportunity allows the City of Aurora to continue its critical work inside neighborhoods for the stabilization of property values, abate blighted properties and create quality of life in neighborhoods by the reduction of vacant and abandoned residential properties.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted and the Mayor executes the Program Funding Agreement for the Abandoned Property Program with the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
cc: Finance Committee
Alderman Robert O’Connor, Chairperson
Alderman Edward J. Bugg, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Carl Franco
Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns
Alderman Emmanuel Llamas
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a grant and execute the Program Funding Agreement in the amount of $250,000 from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Abandoned Residential Property Municipal Relief Program..
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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 of Aurora, Illinois ("the Sponsor") has been awarded a grant (the “Grant”) from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (the “Authority”) program administrator of the Abandoned Residential Property Municipal Relief Program (the “Program”), as that Program is authorized by Section 7.31 of the Illinois Housing Development Act, 20 ILCS 3805/1 et seq. and the rules promulgated under the Act codified at 47 Ill. Adm. Code 381, as may be amended from time to time; and
WHEREAS, if required your last whereas statement should reference the section of code that allows your action (i.e. pursuant to Aurora Code Section 2-335(a)(3) the desired product is provided by only one source in this situation; and)
WHEREAS, that the Sponsor shall enter into the Agreement with the Authority wherein the Authority agrees to make the Grant to the Sponsor, which shall be used by the Sponsor to assist with the maintenance and demolition of abandoned properties within the Recipient’s area, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement; and
WHEREAS, that the Mayor of the Sponsor, the Chief Development Services Officer or his designee and the City Clerk of the Sponsor are hereby authorized and empowered to execute and deliver in the name of or on behalf of the Sponsor the Agreement and any and all amendments, modifications and supplements thereto, and to execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments and certificates, as may be necessary or desirable for the Sponsor to perform its obligations under the Agreement; and
WHEREAS, that the Mayor, the Chief Development Services Officer or his designee and the City Clerk be and hereby are authorized and directed to take such additional actions, to make further determinations, to pay such costs and to execute and deliver such additional instruments (including any amendments, Agreements or supplements) as he or she deems necessary or appropriate to carry into effect the foregoing resolutions; and
WHEREAS, that the Sponsor hereby ratifies, authorizes and confirms and approves all documents and instruments executed in connection with the Grant and the Agreement, including those acts taken prior to the date hereof; and
WHEREAS, the revenue for income and expenditures will be in the following established accounts: Revenue Grant- State- Other 101-1827-334.30-02
Expenditure: Special Program - Grant - Other 101-1827-424.50-50. A budget amendment will be submitted to the Budget Division for the revenue and expense.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Authorizes the Mayor to accept a grant and execute the Program Funding Agreement in the amount of $250,000 from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Abandoned Residential Property Municipal Relief Program - Round Four.