cover
TO: Mayor John Laesch and City Council
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: June 25, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 2 Design Engineering Supplement with HR Green, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $17,622.00 and the appropriation of $17,622.00 of MFT Funds for Safe Routes to School Project in School Districts 129, 131, and 204.
PURPOSE:
This is a Resolution to approve the above referenced Engineering Services Supplement and to appropriate MFT funds by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resolution.
BACKGROUND:
Safe Routes To School (SRTS) is a federal grant funding program to improve conditions for students walking/biking to school. The grant program is a reimbursable program and serves three main goals:
1. To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;
2. To make biking and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age;
3.To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety while reducing traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity (within 2 miles) of elementary and middle schools (grades K-8).
Previously, Council approved a resolution (R21-270) on September 28, 2021 to let City staff to apply for SRTS grant. City received SRTS grants for 3 projects for School Districts 129 (an amount of $249,928.00), 131 ($249,656.00) & 204 ($244,704.00). A collective total amount of $744,288.00.
Council approved a resolution (R22-348) for HR Green to perform the Phase 1 Engineering for this project, which was completed on April 16, 2025.
Council approved another resolution (R25-129) for HR Green to perform the Phase 2 Engineering for this project. Phase 2 Engineering is nearing completion with final plans submitted to IDOT several times, most recently June 8, 2026. The project is currently targeting a September 2026 State letting, pending ROW acquisition.
DISCUSSION:
During design engineering, the project pushed lettings several times due to complications in right-of-way acquisitions. Each new submittal required additional out-of-scope work to update the plans and specifications to the most recent IDOT standards. Additionally, with the delays from right-of-way, an environmental clearance expired requiring HR Green to update and revalidate the environmental processing.
The original consultant selection followed the Request for Qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy, due to the use of MFT Funds.
IDOT requires a Resolution to appropriate the MFT Funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. The Resolution for Improvement - BLR 09110 (Exhibit ‘B’) appropriating MFT Funds in the amount of $17,622.00 is attached.
The 2026 City Budget is anticipated to provide for sufficient funds in Account 203-4060-431.79-99 (GB138, Safe Routes to School Projects).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward this to Finance Committee for approval.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 2 Design Engineering Supplement with HR Green, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $17,622.00 and the appropriation of $17,622.00 of MFT Funds for Safe Routes to School Project in School Districts 129, 131, and 204.
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 City seeks to complete various infrastructure improvements to promote safe walking/biking to school in School Districts 129, 131, and 204. The project has a State Job Number: C-91-127-23, Federal Project Number: GAP7(108) and MFT Section Number: 22-00349-00-SW; and
WHEREAS, the Safe Routes to School (STRS) project has been awarded federal SRTS funding in the amount not to exceed $744,288.00 for Construction and Construction Engineering, which will necessitate the use of funding provided through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT); and
WHEREAS, there is a need for an engineering supplement with HR Green, Inc. 2363 Sequoia Dr, Suite 101, Aurora, IL 60506 to complete the Phase 2 Engineering services for a total cost not to exceed $17,622.00, a copy of which agreement is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 'A'; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to appropriate MFT funds for this agreement for Section 22-00349-00-SW in the amount of $17,622.00, a copy of which resolution is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 'B', and
WHEREAS, the 2026 City Budget is anticipated to provide for sufficient funds in Account 203-4060-431.79-99 (GB138, Safe Routes to School Projects).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Engineering Supplement with HR Green, Inc. attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 'A' in the not to exceed amount of seventeen thousand six hundred twenty-two dollars ($17,622.00) shall be and hereby is approved; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that seventeen thousand six hundred twenty-two ($17,622.00) of available MFT Funds, Motor Fuel Tax Section Number 22-00349-00-SW shall be and hereby is appropriated for the purposes set forth in this resolution; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Purchasing and the Clerk respectively, shall be and hereby are directed to execute all the aforementioned documents on behalf of the City and any other documents required to carry the purposes of this resolution into execution, including, but not limited to the document entitled “Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code, Form (BLR 09110)” attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 'B.