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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Alexandrou, Chief Management Officer
DATE: December 14, 2020
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the First Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health for the use of various City owned properties to operate a temporary COVID-19 testing facility.
PURPOSE:
To amend the current intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the use of the two City owned parcels located at 2380 and 2450 North Farnsworth Avenue, to also include the adjacent privately owned property at 2340 North Farnsworth Avenue.
BACKGROUND:
In October of 2020, the IDPH relocated the COVID-19 testing facility from the Chicago Premium Outlet Mall to the two City owned parcels on the west side of North Farnsworth Avenue at the intersection of North Farnsworth Avenue and Premium Outlets Boulevard. At the time, sufficient area was provided to allow for approximately 200 vehicles. Due to the recent increase in cases throughout the area, the IDPH increased their on-site testing capabilities to respond to the increased number of visitors each day. The also asked if there was an opportunity to increase the space available for vehicle queuing, to avoid traffic backing up onto North Farnsworth Avenue. The City worked with the owner at 2340 North Farnsworth (the Papa Bear restaurant) to secure the use of the currently unused parking lot at that location. See Exhibits B and C for the parcels included in the new layout and the traffic flow through the testing site, incorporating the parking lot at 2340 North Farnsworth.
Utilizing this new area, the site can now support approximately 300 vehicles at a time without traffic backing up on to North Farnsworth Avenue. Per the original agreement, the IDPH agreed to reimburse the City for snow removal operations in the amount of $1,000 per month. As the area has now increased, the City and IDPH agreed that additional reimbursement would also be required. As such, the City will now be reimbursed $1,500 per month. The amended agreement now reflects the use of this additional area and increased snow removal reimbursement. The First Amendment to the IGA is attached as Exhibit A.
DISCUSSION:
Providing this expanded area will allow for a larger volume of tests to be completed daily. By approving the amendment to the original IGA the City will be able to recoup the costs associated with the additional snow removal operations for the expanded site. Increasing the testing capability at this site is a great benefit for the residents of Aurora and the surrounding areas. The snow removal will be completed by a contractor, therefore there will be no impact on City staff.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Increasing the size of the testing site reduces the possibility of traffic backing up onto North Farnsworth. City staff will not be affected by the snow removal operations, as the work will be completed by contractors.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the First Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health for the use of various City owned properties to operate a temporary COVID-19 testing facility.
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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, via resolution R20-225, the City previously approved the execution of an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health for use of two City owned parcels to erect and operate a temporary COVID-19 testing facility, and
WHEREAS, the agreement set forth the parcels to be utilized, as well as the maintenance and snow removal responsibilities and the monthly amount that would be provided to the City for those operations, and
WHEREAS, this first amendment to the intergovernmental agreement is required as the site has expanded to a third parcel and the snow removal costs have increased from $1,000 to $1,500 each month;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the City, a First Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health attached hereto as Exhibit A to this Resolution.