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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Bill Wiet, Chief Development Services Officer
DATE: September 17, 2014
SUBJECT:
To approve an Intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Aurora and the Aurora Public Library regarding both parking improvements near the new library and also for the disposition of what will be the former library on Benton
PURPOSE:
The IGA if approved would allow the City's parking lot adjacent to the Library and the soon-to-be-constructed parking lot to the south to act as one uniform public parking lot with provisions to provide short and long term parking for employees and patrons of the new library. It provides for a license agreement to allow for a pedestrian way and landscaping on the Middle Avenue right-of-way. The IGA will also set out specific steps to act upon the disposition of the soon to be vacated library at 1 East Benton.
BACKGROUND:
The City approved a Final Plan for the library's building footprint, access, and landscaping (see A-2). Along with that the Final Plan included a parking lot layout that allows for the sharing of the parking spaces among the library, patrons of River Street Plaza (pursuant to the development agreement with Centrue bank when they took over the River Street Plaza Development), and the general public. When the City removed parking meters in the downtown and instead implemented time limits, this parking area in the SW quadrant of the downtown now had the ability to adequately serve as a multi-functional lot.
There has been much discussion on the future of the existing library once the new library is open. This IGA charts a course of action for its ultimate disposition and use, which could be an acquisition by either a public or private entity, or its demolition.
DISCUSSION:
Regarding the parking lots the City will:
Remove water and sewer lines and mains no longer is use along Middle Avenue
Grant the library a license agreement (attached in IGA) to use Middle Avenue for pedestrian and landscape purposes
Receive from the library the soon-to-be constructed parking on Lot 2 (Exhibit A-2 north of Line "A") for a nominal charge .This action would take a revision to the Final Plan. This particular lot would be for long term including parking for library employees.
Reconfigure and reconstruct the existing parking lot the City owns (Lot 4) in accordance with the site plan Exhibit A-3, and only at the City's sole discretion.
Allow the City's current parking lot to be at time limits of 4 hours or less
Construct a new drive access from Lake Street into the parking lots utilizing the Ice Cream Vendor property at 143 Middle Avenue should the City close on the property and demolish the buildings in sync with the library's construction timetable.
Construct the remaining parking spaces in the future and at the City's sole discretion.
And the Library will:
Abandon the water and sewer lines and mains nearest their building (those not being removed by the City)
Enter into a license agreement for the pedestrian way and landscaping improvements on Middle Avenue
Construct the parking lot in accordance with the Final Plan (A-2) except that the parking lot will terminate at the Line marked "A".
Convey the parking lot to the City upon completion
This will allow the City to implement its downtown parking program with the intended purpose of providing short term parking in the lot closest to the library, and longer term parking in the newly constructed lot. It also allows the City to implement changes to the parking program in these lots with notice and input from the library.
Regarding the soon to be vacated library at 1 East Benton Street:
Pursuant to terms in the IGA, the library would first offer the building to the following units of government: The City of Aurora, East Aurora School District 131, Fox Valley Park District, Aurora Township, Kane County Forest Preserve, and Kane County.
If no offers from the above list are accepted, the library shall issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) from private developers, with the City having the right to reject any developer proposal.
If the library owns the building on July 1, 2016, they shall seeks bids for the demolition, and complete the demolition by years end 2016
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Upon the completion of the library and the public parking lots, the City will be maintaining the new parking lot, and providing for uniformity in how the parking for this portion of the downtown is being treated. Once the overall improvements materialize, it will further benefit the library, River Street Plaza and the public in general, and will act as a catalyst for future development downtown.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the attached intergovernmental agreement between the City of Aurora and the Aurora Public Library be approved.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Aurora and the Aurora Public Library Regarding Parking Improvements in the Vicinity of the New Main Library (101 S. River Street) and Disposition of the Old Main Library (1 E. Benton Street).
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 Corporate Authorities of the City of Aurora have considered an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Aurora Public Library regarding parking improvements in the vicinity of their new library at 101 S. River Street, as well as the disposition of the existing Main Library at 1 East Benton Street, a true and correct copy of such IGA being attached hereto and made a part thereof;
WHEREAS, the Corporate Authorities of the City of Aurora have determined that it is in the best interest of said City of Aurora that said IGA be entered into by the City of Aurora.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That the Mayor and City Clerk of the City of Aurora, Kane, DuPage Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois, are hereby authorized to execute for and on behalf of said City of Aurora the aforesaid Intergovernmental Agreement
PASSED AND APPROVED on ______________.
AYES ____ NAYS ____ NOT VOTING ____ ABSENT ____
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
____________________________ __________________________
Acting City Clerk Mayor
Exhibit 1 - Intergovernmental Agreement
Exhibit A-1 Legal Description and Map
Exhibit A-2 Final Plan
Exhibit A-3 Parking Improvements