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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Jim Birchall, Superintendent of Central Services
DATE: May 4, 2018
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the Lease of the Premises at 5 E. Downer Pl., Suite F to the County of Kane for the use of the Kane County Clerk.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora is currently looking for ways to better utilize downtown storefront space previously occupied by city departments. In anticipation of the Economic Development Division relocating to the Development Services Center (DSC), the Law Department recently relocated to the Elmslie Building, vacating their former space at 5 E. Downer, Suite F.
The Kane County Clerk has expressed an interest in having a branch office in downtown Aurora to better serve the second largest city in the State of Illinois for some time. The office will provide Aurora Kane County residents local access to services they would typically have to travel to Geneva to receive. Pending the approval of the lease, the Clerk will offer birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, passports and voter services from his new location. The location was selected due to good access to parking, public transportation and street front exposure.
DISCUSSION:
The consolidation of City departments/offices into the DSC allowed the opportunity to re-evaluate how storefront space in the downtown is being utilized. The recent addition of a second assistant corporation counsel to the Law Department caused it to outgrow its existing space and necessitated the move. The Law Department's former space is ideal for the proposed Kane County Clerk branch office, given the proximity to parking and public transportation as well as the additional foot traffic it will bring to the downtown to support local businesses. The office will bring new professional employees to the downtown as well as visitors to the office.
The City is proposing to provide the space, including utilities, to Kane County for the County Clerk's use at no cost in exchange for the local access to services. The attached proposed lease is based on the standard template for the City, with appropriate adjustments to reflect the intergovernmental nature of the lease.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This partnership is anticipated to have a positive impact on Kane County residents of Aurora and the downtown business community.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I respectfully request the Finance Committee forward the lease for review at the Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Lease of Premises at 5 E. Downer Pl., Suite F between the City of Aurora and the County of Kane on behalf of the Kane County Clerk.
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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 desires that the County Clerk locate a satellite office in the City's downtown area; and
WHEREAS, the County Clerk is willing to establish a satellite office in the City's downtown area and has determined that the City-owned premises located at 5 E Downer Pl, Suite F is an appropriate location for such office; and
WHEREAS, the City and the County, in consultation with the County Clerk, have negotiated a lease for the premises located at 5 E Downer Pl, Suite F for the County Clerk's use as a satellite office..
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the lease agreement between the City of Aurora and the County of Kane for 5 E. Downer Pl., Suite F, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A shall be and hereby is approved; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor is authorized and directed to execute said lease on behalf of the City.