TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Steve Andras, P.E., Airport Manager
DATE: March 3, 2023
SUBJECT:
A request authorizing the City of Aurora to enter into an Engineering Consultant Retainer Agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. to provide Engineering Services at the Aurora Municipal Airport.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval of a Retainer Agreement for Engineering Services between the City of Aurora and Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc.
BACKGROUND:
The State of Illinois Division of Aeronautics requires that all sponsors of public airports retain an engineering firm for projects approved under the State's Transportation Improvement Program. It is also required that the sponsor advertise a request for qualifications (RFQ) every five years as part of their consultant selection process.
The previous retainer agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. expired last month and the City's Purchasing Division advertised a request for qualifications in the local newspaper and the Airport Division advertised the RFQ on the State of Illinois Department of Transportations' website.
The airport responded to questions from four engineering firms: Wight and Company, Kimley Horn, Primera and Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. (CMT). Submittals from Primera and CMT were received by the airport on the February 21 deadline.
After review of the submittals, it was clear that CMT, located in Aurora, possessed valuable historical knowledge of our airport and have previously demonstrated their commitment to excellence and to the City of Aurora. CMT has been Aurora's primary aviation consultant since the early 1980's. CMT employs key former IDOT Division of Aeronautics (IDA) employees and has cultivated strong relationships with both the FAA and IDA alike. The airport manager did make contact with references provided by both firms. Primera is a solid firm but does not possess a high level of experience with Illinois airports, Aurora specific experience and is not located in the City of Aurora.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed consultant retainer agreement is a zero-fee contract which identifies a list of projects that is contemplated by the airport over the next five years of which this consultant will be qualified to work on. Any listed project selected by the State for funding will be brought before the City Council with a State approved not-to-exceed Engineering Services Agreement for Council's consideration and approval
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This consultant retainer agreement for engineering services at the Aurora Municipal Airport should have no adverse impacts to the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the approval of the proposed resolution authorizing the retainer agreement between Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. and the City of Aurora for engineering services at the Aurora Municipal Airport.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Execute a Retainer Engineering Services Agreement between Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. and the City of Aurora for Services at the Aurora Municipal Airport.
body
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 owns, operates and maintains the Aurora Municipal Airport; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora is required by FAA and State of Illinois guidelines to select a primary engineering consultant to provide services for the airport for a five-year period; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has complied with the FAA and State of Illinois protocols for primary consultant selection; and
WHEREAS, funds are budgeted annually in account 504-4454-433.32-07 for select airport improvement projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the City of Aurora does hereby approve a Retainer Engineering Services Agreement between Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. and the City of Aurora for Services at the Aurora Municipal Airport.