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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: October 28, 2021
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties and appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds required for the Farnsworth Avenue Bridge Project, in the amount of $184,326.00.
PURPOSE:
To authorize the purchase of right-of-way for the Farnsworth Avenue Bridge Project.
BACKGROUND:
Farnsworth Avenue crosses Indian Creek just north of Indian Trail. The current structure was constructed in 1970 and consists of three 8' diameter Corrugated Metal Pipes that are badly deteriorated. The sidewalks and railing are also in poor condition. The current structure has a Sufficiency Rating of 39.0 and is eligible for Federal Highway Bridge Funds (STP-Br).
The City intends to completely replace the existing structure with a new bridge to meet current standards, add a protected bike path with ornamental parapets and railings. The proposed structure will consist of single span PCC deck beams on concrete abutments and H-Pile foundations. The bridge will span 52 feet 2 inches with 20-ft long approach slabs to the north and south. The proposed roadway improvements include reconstruction from immediately north of Indian Trail Road to immediately south of Creek Avenue with HMA pavement. All through travel lanes in the northbound and southbound directions will be maintained during construction. The southbound right turn lane will be extended across the bridge to provide adequate storage and taper. The preliminary plan and profile is included as Exhibit 'C'.
The project received Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering approval in April 2020. The Phase 2 plans are 99% complete and the Initial Final Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) were submitted to IDOT on October 4, 2021. Alfred Benesch & Company (Benesch) performed the Phase 1 and Phase 2 Engineering services. The project is targeting a January 21, 2022 IDOT letting.
DISCUSSION:
This resolution will provide authorization to proceed with the acquisition of temporary easement and Right of Way. The Corporation Counsel, City Engineer and respective designees shall represent the City in the acquisition of these parcels.
The City has received acceptances from 2 of the 2 owners to the offers made by the City and Contracts to Purchase said properties have been executed or are in the process of being executed by said owners. The 2 Parcels are numbers 0001 and 0002. The prices range from $28,500.00 to $155,826.00 depending on the size and scope of the acquisition. The total amount of those settlements is $184,326.00. The plat of highways is included as Exhibit 'B'.
The $155,826.00 settlement includes an escrow in an additional amount above the cost to cure value in the appraisal. If the owners incur cost to cure expenses in excess of the amount in the appraisal, they would present the invoices and the escrow agent would pay out any excess up to the amount of the escrow. If the work comes in under the max, the remaining funds would be returned to the City. Closing the deal in this manner will allow us to get IDOT certification and we can build the project. Mark D. Mathewson from Mathewson Right of Way Company, who has been the negotiator on this project as a sub to Benesch, will act as escrow agent for no fee.
IDOT requires a Resolution to Appropriate the REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. The Resolution for Improvement - BLR 09110 (Exhibit ‘A’) appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds in the amount of $184,326.00 is attached. The 2021 City Budget provides sufficient funds for this item in Account 202-4460-431.76-51 (G019, Farnsworth Avenue Bridge).
The REBUILD Illinois Bond Fund is a grant program using proceeds from general obligation (transportation, series A) bonds authorized in the REBUILD Illinois capital program to provide Local Agencies with the funds for transportation improvement projects. At this time IDOT intends to award and disburse REBUILD Illinois grants twice each year over a period of 3 years. The City has received 2 payments in 2020, 2 payments in 2021, and the remainder are anticipated to be received in 2022. The City is estimated to receive $13,042,322.82 in total over this 3 year period. The funds can only be used on bridge and major highway projects that provide an average useful life of greater than or equal to 13 years.
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 ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties and appropriating REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds required for the Farnsworth Avenue Bridge Project, in the amount of $184,326.00.
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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, it is necessary and desirable to replace the Farnsworth Avenue Bridge over Indian Creek just north of Indian Trail. The project is MFT Section No: 18-00324-00-BR; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora through the Public Works Department has identified two (2) separate parcels that will need to be acquired for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the City has obtained separate appraisals for each identified parcel to be acquired; and
WHEREAS, offers to purchase have been made to all owners of the individual parcels to acquire the parcels required for the Project at the appraised values; and
WHEREAS, the City has received acceptances from various owners to the offers made by the City and Contracts to Purchase said properties have been executed or are in the process of being executed by said owners; and
WHEREAS, it is contemplated that the City will receive further acceptance of its offers to purchase parcels; and
WHEREAS, it may be necessary to negotiate with various parcel owners regarding price to be paid to acquire various parcels, moving and replacement of fences, sheds and other items located on or near said parcels, and replacement of tree and shrubs on or near said parcels; and
WHEREAS, in order to acquire said parcels and negotiate and enter into contracts with the owners thereof, the City Council deems that it is in the best of the City that the City acquire said parcels pursuant to the terms of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to appropriate REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds in the amount of $184,326.00, a copy of which resolution is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 'A'; and
WHEREAS, the 2021 City Budget provides sufficient funds for this item in Account Number 202-4460-431.76-51 (G019, Farnsworth Avenue Bridge).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and their respective designees are hereby authorized and directed to make the appropriate offer to acquire properties described in Exhibit 'B' Plat of Highways, which is exhibit is make a part hereof; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and their respective designees shall represent the City in the acquisition of the parcels required for the Project and that they may enter into contracts and acquire said parcels in an amount not to exceed $184,326.00; and further.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and their respective designees may negotiate and contract with the owners of said parcels to pay for moving and replacement of fences, sheds or other items on said parcels; and further
BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and their respective designees may act for and on behalf of the City of Aurora to do all things necessary to acquire said parcels within the cost as provided herein; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that one hundred eighty four thousand three hundred twenty six dollars ($184,326.00) of available REBUILD Illinois Bond Funds, Motor Fuel Tax Section Number 18-00324-00-BR shall be and hereby is appropriated for the purposes set forth in this resolution; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor 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 'A'.