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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Ian Wade, Capital Projects Manager
DATE: August 11, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with TCD Concrete Works, Inc., 306 Fairmont Court, St. Charles, IL, in the amount of $23,691.00 for a reinforced concrete slab for a greenhouse at 339 Middle Avenue.
PURPOSE:
To enter into an agreement with TCD Concrete Works, Inc. in the amount of $23,691.00 for a reinforced concrete slab for a greenhouse at 339 Middle Avenue.
BACKGROUND:
The City is looking to construct an 1,800 square foot polycarbonate glazed greenhouse to grow and store plantings used throughout the downtown. This greenhouse will be located at 339 Middle Avenue and will be located directly adjacent to a similar but slightly smaller greenhouse constructed in 2021.
To reduce the overall project cost for this structure, the City elected to do separate Requests for Bid for this concrete slab and the greenhouse itself. To further reduce costs, the City will self-perform the assembly of the structure as well as the installation of supporting utilities, including water, stormwater, electrical, and a conduit sleeve for a future gas service.
DISCUSSION:
In 2021, the city constructed a 1,440 square foot Nor'Easter model greenhouse by Rimol Greenhouse Systems. Since the City has been happy with the performance of this greenhouse and would like to match both the performance and aesthetic of the one previously constructed, a Request for Bids was published on May 12, 2025 for a second Nor'Easter (structure only) to be installed directly adjacent to the existing greenhouse. Two responses were received on May 28, 2025 and a purchase order was created for the low bidder, Alchemy Greenhouse Solutions of Cincinnati, OH, in the amount of $41,560.00.
On June 6, 2025, a request for bids for the concrete slab was published and six bids were received. TCD Concrete Works, Inc. was the lowest responsible bidder at a base bid of $23,691.00. None of the requested bid alternates will be included in the scope of services.
While neither of these two contract values exceed $50,000 individually, we are requesting authorization to award the concrete slab contract, which brings the project total to $65,251.00. This project is included in the approved 2025 budget as a Decision Package for Downtown Services.
The purchase of the structure was funded using account 340-4030-418.65-05 (Supplies-Repairs/MTCE/Building & Grounds). The concrete slab will be funded with 101-4030-418.38-05 ( Repairs & Mtce. Services/Building & Grounds) which will require a budget transfer of $10,200.00.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Constructing this greenhouse will allow city staff to order larger quantities of planting materials and store them, resulting in lower pricing as compared to buying full grown plants from other nurseries. This will help staff create and maintain a beautiful urban environment for both residents and visitors.
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 TCD Concrete Works, Inc., 306 Fairmont Court, St. Charles, IL, in the amount of $23,691.00 for a reinforced concrete slab for a greenhouse at 339 Middle Avenue.
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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, two bids were received for a greenhouse structure and a contract was awarded to the low bidder, Alchemy Greenhouse Solutions, 25 Junefield Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45246 in the amount of $41,560.00; and
WHEREAS, six bids for the concrete slab for the greenhouse were received; and
WHEREAS, TCD Concrete Works, Inc., 306 Fairmont Court, St. Charles, IL, 60175, was the low bidder in the amount of $23,691.00; and
WHEREAS, funding will be provided from accounts 340-4030-418.65-05 ($41,560.00 for the structure) and 340-4030-418.38-05 ($23,691.00 for the slab) which will require a budget transfer.
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 TCD Concrete Works, Inc., 306 Fairmont Court, St. Charles, IL, in the amount of $23,691.00 for a reinforced concrete slab for a greenhouse at 339 Middle Avenue.