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TO: Mayor and City Councill
FROM: Jason Bauer, Interim Director of Public Works
Lt. Andy Wolcott, Aurora Police Department
DATE: May 7, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution to purchase mobile vehicle barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group for use at Wilder Park.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council authorization to purchase mobile vehicle barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group, 177 E. Colorado Blvd, Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91105.
BACKGROUND:
In 2021/2022, Wilder Park underwent a re-envisioning. The project entailed the construction of new playground equipment, a pavilion structure, a new promenade in place of River Street and fencing. The goal was to provide a unique place within the city that could support outdoor festivals. Since that reconstruction project, the Wilder Park Promenade has hosted various activities ranging from food truck festivals to small concerts. Security measures to protect attendees at these special events are a necessity. We have historically used a combination of police cars, dump trucks and concrete barriers to protect attendees at parades, festivals and other events around the city. We have learned over time that these measures are not always the best, most practical way and most cost-effective way to protect crowds.
In the 2025 budget for Wilder Park, staff had intended to purchase and install removeable bollards at key locations throughout the park, to provide safety and separation from vehicles. As public works and APD continued with their research, it was decided that removeable bollards were likely not the right choice for Wilder Park. The biggest issues are the initial installation costs for crash rated barriers and the time and effort that would be expended to replaced the bollards if they are impacted by a vehicle.
Staff researched other safety barrier options that could be used in place of bollards. One product was brought out for a demonstration in the summer of 2024; this product proved to be very difficult and time consuming to set up. A second product was demonstrated at APD in the spring of 2025. This product, the Archer 1200 from Meridan Rapid Defense Group, was much simpler to utilize. Staff from Special Events also attended the demonstration and indicated that they would have no issues moving them as needed during events.
While these will be housed at Wilder Park, the mobility of these units will allow for their use at other events downtown on an as-needed basis.
DISCUSSION:
Included in the purchase are nine barriers, a custom trailer, ADA ramps, connecting cables, wayfinding signage mounts and the hauler which is used to set each barrier in place. The cost for all of these elements is $140,607.71; these funds are budgeted in account 235-4440-431.73-43, A053. The proposal is attached, along with a copy of the sole source letter from Meridian, a copy of their GSA contract as well as other misc. product information and specifications.
The purchase will be made using GSA Cooperative Purchasing Program pricing, as the vendor, Meridian Rapid Defense Group has a GSA Contract for these barriers (GSA Contract #47QSWA19D001F). The use of a cooperative purchasing program is allowable in lieu of bidding per the city's procurement process.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Procurement of these safety barriers will greatly enhance security at Wilder Park.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend that this resolution to purchase mobile vehicle barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group, 177 E. Colorado Blvd, Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91105, be approved.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to purchase mobile vehicle barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group for use at special events.
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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 requires security measures to protect persons attending special events at Wilder Park; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora decided that mobile devices are more favorable for various logistic reasons; and
WHEREAS, demonstrations from two vendors were provided; and
WHEREAS, the Archer 1200 units from Meridian were favored due to ease of use and the reduced time associated with deployment; and
WHEREAS, Meridian Rapid Defense Group is in the GSA Cooperative Purchasing Program, which allows the purchase to be made without competitive bidding; and
WHEREAS, funds were budgeted for security improvements at Wilder in 2025; the funds to pay for the cost of the barrier package, $140,607.71 are available in account 235-4440-431.73-43 (A053); and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: The City of Aurora does herby approve the purchase of mobile vehicle barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group and does herby further authorize the Director of Purchasing to issue the necessary orders to implement this action.