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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Patrick J. Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel
DATE: March 24, 2026
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 801 Claim St., Aurora, IL 60505
PURPOSE:
Attached is a resolution authorizing the divestment of City owned property located at 801 Claim St. (Permanent Index Number 15-23-304-028) to Mario Contreras and Laura Denise Contreras for $123,000. Property will be developed with a single-family home.)
BACKGROUND:
In 2016 the City of Aurora began the process of divesting City Owned property to adjacent neighbors in order to reduce our inventory of vacant land. The City expanded that divestment process to reduce the City's overall inventory of vacant buildable lots. Working with multiple City departments, including Mayor's Office, Planning & Zoning, Revenue & Collections, Financing, Property Standards, Economic Development, Engineering, Building & Permits, Public Works, Parks & Recreations, and the Law Department, all worked in conjunction to identify vacant buildable City owned lots to then market and sell the lots for development.
DISCUSSION:
The City listed the property for sale on the MLS and City's website. The City received an offer from Mario Contreras and Laura Denise Contreras, and the parties negotiated on the price, settling on $123,000. They will construct four single-family homes and construction will begin as soon as possible on one home at a time.
The property is currently exempt from real estate taxes, and the City is incurring maintenance and landscaping fees.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Property will be back on the tax rolls and a single-family home will be constructed. City will no longer have to maintain the property.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff Recommends Approval.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 801 Claim St., Aurora, IL 60505.
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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, pursuant to the authority granted to it under the Illinois Constitution, the laws of the State of Illinois, and the common law, the City has the authority to sell the real property, and appurtenances attached thereto, commonly known as 801 Claim St., Aurora, Illinois, having Permanent Index Number 15-23-304-028 (“Subject Property”); and
WHEREAS, the purchaser of the Subject Property (“Buyer”) desires to purchase the Subject Property from the City; and
WHEREAS, the Corporate Authorities and Buyer of the Subject Property have agreed to a sales price for the Subject Property; and
WHEREAS, the Corporate Authorities have determined that the sale of the Subject Property by the City is for a reasonable price and in the best interests of the City.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1: That the Preambles set forth above shall be and are hereby incorporated in Section 1 herein, as if restated herein.
SECTION 2: That the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign and execute the Contract for the sale of the Subject Property, any minor amendments to the Contract made hereinafter shall be subject to approval of the Mayor without further action of the City Council.
SECTION 3: That the Mayor, or Mayor's designee, City Clerk, City Treasurer and Corporation Counsel are further authorized to execute any and all additional documents necessary to complete the sale of the Subject Property following approval of this Resolution.
SECTION 4: This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption and approval as required by law.