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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Ian Wade, Capital Projects Manager
DATE: August 10, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with RS&H, Inc. of St. Charles, IL in the amount of $117,809 to design a repair to the wall between the Fox River and the city's canoe chute in downtown Aurora
PURPOSE:
To design the repair of a sizable void that has developed in the wall between the Fox River and canoe chute which has considerably worsened in the past few months due to flood stage river elevations resulting from recent significant storm events.
BACKGROUND:
The west dam on the Fox River and the adjacent canoe chute in downtown Aurora were most recently inspected by RS&H in late Fall 2025 as required by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the City's dam permit. A report with the results of that inspection was provided to the city and included a list of suggested repairs. At the time of this inspection, the subject void in the wall was determined to be approximately 1.5 feet long and only a few inches high and was recommended for repair to prevent erosion but was deemed "not yet a bearing concern for the wall" due to the steel encased concrete caissons keyed into bedrock which support the wall.
Since the time of that inspection, the void, and subsequent flow of water from the river into the canoe chute through the void, have increased considerably due to consistent flood stage river elevations. These high-water levels have not only exacerbated the issue but have prevented the city and it's contractors from being able to safely access the area to perform the smaller scale "seal and fill" repair originally proposed.
As a result of the increase in void size and extremely challenging lack of staging locations and access for equipment to deliver and install the sheet pile, coffer dam, and other materials required to make the repair, the comprehensive scope of design, permitting, and construction phase observation (including anticipated real-time design adjustments based on conditions observed once the river the is low enough to begin) summarized in the attached scope by RS&H has been deemed necessary by city staff.
Once the repair design and permitting is complete, the City will solicit (sealed) bids and anticipates completion of the repair later this year..
DISCUSSION:
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to inspect the dam and canoe chute was advertised in March 2020. Four responses were received and distributed to the City Engineering Division's selection Committee, who evaluated each and unanimously selected RS&H, Inc. as the highest scoring firm. (R20-120)
When the next inspection came due in 2025 (every 5 years per our dam permit), the city elected to once again use RS&H to perform the inspection (for less than $50,000) due to their familiarity with the site. This familiarity and positive previous experience led to the city enlisting RS&H to design the subject repair as well.
This repair will be part of project (A031), which was included in the approved 2026 budget and will be paid using the funds remaining in account number 340-4030-418.73-99 (currently $42,012.11), with the balance to be paid using account number 280-1852-512.81-90 (which currently has $197,740.81).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Impacts of the repair will include improved visitor safety, preventing the need for larger and more financially and/or environmentally impactful repairs, and accommodating and attracting more kayakers and other recreational water users to this area.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with RS&H, Inc. of St. Charles, IL in the amount of $117,809 to design a repair to the wall between the Fox River and the city's canoe chute in downtown Aurora.
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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, a Request for Qualifications was advertised in 2020 for west dam and canoe chute inspection; and
WHEREAS, of the four responses received, City Engineering staff selected RS&H, Inc. of St. Charles, IL to perform the inspection; and
WHEREAS, due to their familiarity with the site, City Engineering staff selected RS&H to also perform the inspection in 2025 and subsequently design the required repair to the wall between the Fox River and city's canoe chute; and
WHEREAS, RS&H, Inc. subsequently provided the city with a proposal to provide design, permitting, and construction inspection services for the repair in the amount of $117,809; and
WHEREAS, funding will be provided through CIP A031 using account numbers 340-4030-418.73-99 (current balance of $42,012.11) and 280-1852-512.81-90 (current balance of $197,740.81).; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing is authorized to enter into an agreement with RS&H, Inc. of St. Charles in the amount of $117,809 to design a repair to the wall between the Fox River and the city's canoe chute in downtown Aurora