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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Brian Witkowski, P.E., New Development Engineer
DATE: February 3, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing a payment to AT&T for up to $250,000.00 for the purposes of having AT&T relocate their facilities within the City of Aurora ROW along Farnsworth Ave, Bilter Rd and Church Rd.
PURPOSE:
AT&T has determined that a portion of the work they are required to perform in order to accommodate the alterations to Farnsworth Ave, Bilter Rd and Church Rd is billable to the City of Aurora. This resolution would authorize City Staff to make a payment to AT&T for these costs. Once an exact cost estimate is prepared by AT&T.
BACKGROUND:
During early communications with AT&T it was stated that a portion of their work was determined to be billable to the City of Aurora. This deciding factor was that this construction work was believed to be entirely driven by a development. City staff, the traffic study, the City's franchise agreement and our long term planning documents disagree with this assessment but we are moving forward with the payment at this time to avoid a delay with construction. We were given a conservative estimate from AT&T and once the actual cost is given a check request will be made for the actual amount estimated. If all of the funds are not utilized as described in the future cost estimate for the relocation some costs may be returned to the City.
This project has been planned for many years as the ultimate build-out of Farnsworth Ave and Bilter Road for the sections covered in this contract. The project is located on Farnsworth Ave from I-88 interchange to the lane drop approximately 700 feet south of Butterfield Rd, Bilter Rd from Church Road intersection to the west leg of Premium Outlets Blvd and Church Rd from approximately 220 feet north of the Bilter Rd intersection to approximately 800 feet south of the Bilter Intersection in the City of Aurora, Kane County, IL. The gross and net length is 9,134 ft (1.73 miles).
The work consists of roadway widening and resurfacing of approximately 1.73 miles. Farnsworth Ave is widening from a 4-lane section to a 6-lane section consistent with the cross section found north of Butterfield Road. Bilter Road is generally widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 4-lane cross section and Church Road is widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 3-lane cross section. The work will generally include the removal and replacement of existing pavement, installation of new watermain, storm sewer, sidewalk, ADA ramps, bike path, lighting and traffic signals along with work including signing, intersection radii widening, pavement marking, landscaping, and all other collateral work necessary to complete the project in accordance with the plans.
DISCUSSION:
This project has a November deadline for a large portion to be substantially complete. Meeting this deadline is very beneficial to the neighbors and the businesses in close vicinity to this project. City staff have had multiple meetings with the Aurora Police Department as well as the Illinois Tollway regarding the substantial traffic in this area during the holiday shopping season. It is imperative that this project meets its November deadline, and any delay in utility relocation causes it to be more likely that this deadline is not met.
GB 164 account 356-4060-431.73-99 has sufficient funds to pay for this relocation.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The construction will impact traffic differently during different stages of construction. This project is a widening and therefore it will have slightly less impact to traffic as much of the construction will be located outside the current pavement limits. The AT&T relocation itself will not greatly impact traffic as the majority of this work will occur in the parkway.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that this be approved.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing a payment to AT&T for up to $250,000.00 for the purposes of having AT&T relocate their facilities within the City of Aurora ROW along Farnsworth Ave, Bilter Rd and Church Rd.
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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 seeks to reconstruct, widen and resurface Farnsworth Ave, Bilter Road and Church Road as well as make intersection improvements, and
WHEREAS, these construction improvements represent the ultimate buildout of Farnsworth Ave, Bilter Road and Church Road, and
WHEREAS, AT&T has determined that a portion of their relocation is chargeable to the City of Aurora, and
WHEREAS, The City does not agree with this determination and will continue to challenge this determination but in order to avoid a delay in construction we will agree to make a payment at this time, and
WHEREAS, the 2025 City Budget provides sufficient funds in GB 164 account 356-4060-431.73-99 to pay for this relocation
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That City staff is authorized to request a check based on the AT&T estimate for relocation of AT&T facilities within the City of Aurora ROW not to exceed $250,000.00. This does not constitute acknowledgement that the payment is properly assessed.