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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Michael Pegues, Chief Information Officer
Jeff Anderson, Deputy Chief Information Officer
DATE: April 12, 2024
SUBJECT:
A resolution to award $243,686.00 to NTI National Technologies (NTI), Downers Grove, IL, to provide an alternate fiber infrastructure route to the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision.
PURPOSE:
R23-132 approved the use $265,666.00 of 2023 CIP fiber funds to connect the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Habitat Green Freedom to Kane County fiber on Orchard Road for reconnection to city-owned fiber on Sullivan Road. The City was to lease the fiber along Orchard Road from Kane County.
Subsequently, leadership within Kane County determined that the County could not continue leasing fiber to municipalities without new State legislation, despite having previously leased fiber to government agencies through Intergovernmental Agreements. Kane County anticipates an update to the legislation in September 2024. However, due to ongoing construction of this housing project, the City must complete the connection to its fiber infrastructure using an alternate route by the end of June 2024 to facilitate pre-construction planning activities.
BACKGROUND:
Resolution R24-076 approved the 2024 CIP fiber budget for nine projects at a total cost of $1,358,149.00. Adding a 10% contingency of $135,814.90 and a total not to exceed $1,493,963.90.
The Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision was approved in resolution R23-005 and is intended to be an affordable smart home community using the Internet-based technologies to achieve high-efficiency homes. In a partnership with Nicor these homes will be supplied with Nicor SMART panels that allow homeowners to control the home's features using phones and Internet functions. As such, these homes require high-quality fiber optic infrastructure. The City was approached by Nicor to partner in providing fiber infrastructure to this subdivision to enhance economic development.
DISCUSSION:
City IT staff is requesting an additional $243,686.00 to provide fiber to this subdivision using an alternate route and not leasing Kane County fiber.
As approved in R24-076, NTI has done extensive fiber work for the City of Aurora. NTI has provided quality service for the City of Aurora and provided competitive pricing based on the Kane County Resolution 22-170 dated June 2, 2022 for Fiber Optic Support Services. City IT staff is confident in NTI's services to provide fiber to this subdivision.
A budget amendment to fund this project has been submitted for account 340-1280-419.73-86 (C104)
IMPACT STATEMENT:
By approving this resolution, City-owned fiber will be utilized to provide efficient, cost-effective fiber infrastructure to this community that is unique to Illinois and the region.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the resolution be adopted.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to award $243,686.00 to NTI National Technologies (NTI), Downers Grove, IL, to provide an alternate fiber infrastructure route to the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision.
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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, since 2018, NTI has performed successfully as the City’s primary and strategic vendor, carrying out a full audit of the fiber optic network for asset management, preventive maintenance, and remediation piggybacking on the Kane County Resolution 22-170 dated June 2, 2022 for Fiber Optic Support Services; and
WHEREAS, most recently the City of Aurora approved to continue the piggybacking agreement with resolution R24-076; and
WHEREAS, the City was approached by Nicor to partner in providing fiber infrastructure to the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Habitat Green Freedom subdivision located at 1921 Jericho Road; and
WHEREAS, the Humanity Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision is the first Smart Neighborhood to be built in Illinois and broke ground in 2023; and
WHEREAS, $243,686.00 in additional funds over and above what was approved in R23-132 are needed to connect this subdivision to the City fiber ring; and
WHEREAS, a budget amendment to fund this project has been submitted for account 340-1280-419.73-86 (C104).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to award $243,686.00 to NTI National Technologies (NTI), Downers Grove, IL, to provide an alternate fiber infrastructure route to the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Habitat Green Freedom Subdivision.