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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Voigt, Deputy Chief of Staff
DATE: June 9, 2023
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the approval of an extension for the completion of 514 Claim Street.
BACKGROUND:
In 2015 the property located at 514 Claim St. was severely damaged due to a fire and sat vacant and in disrepair.
On October 27, 2021, City of Aurora, an Illinois municipal corporation, in the case of Plaintiff, vs. Estate of Ivar Forsner, et al., Defendants, in Kane County Circuit Court, a Judgement was entered which provided that the City of Aurora was granted a Judicial Deed, thereby extinguishing all other ownership interest.
An informal solicitation was sent out in September 2021 to demolish the garage located on the site, which was completed by Fox Excavating.
Rather than demolish the home, the city opted to undergo a new process. The home would be subject to a competitive process, with the “winning bid” being conveyance of the property upon completion of the project. One of the primary requirements was the requirement that the location be an owner-occupied residential property upon completion of the renovations.
DISCUSSION:
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted February 2022 for qualified firms to acquire the property and perform the required renovations to the property. On March 2, 2022, a mandatory site visit took place. Two responses were received by the due date and time on March 11, 2022. Following committee review and scoring, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity was selected.
Representatives from the Mayor’s Office have remained in contact with Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity throughout the course of this project. The project has experienced some delays due to the combined factors of unexpected infrastructure needs inside the home and supply chain issues. The completion date for this project was June 30, 2023; Fox Valley Habitat has asked for an extension until August of 2023.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Extending the deadline for this project will not have a negative impact on the neighborhood or the city.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff requests acceptance of this extension.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the extension of project completion for 514 Claim Street.
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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, on or about October 27, 2021, the City took ownership of certain real property located at 514 Claim St., Aurora, Illinois ("514 Claim St.") pursuant to a judicial deed issued in the matter of City of Aurora v. Estate of Ivar Forsner, et. al.in Kane County Circuit Court; and
WHEREAS, the physical structure constituting a residence at 514 Claim St. ("the Residence") was in a state of extreme disrepair and in need of complete rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council found that the rehabilitation of the Residence is in the best interest of the neighboring properties; and
WHEREAS, the City has sought proposals from qualified entities to purchase 514 Claim St. from the City for nominal consideration with the commitment to rehabilitate the Residence and bring it into compliance with all applicable building codes, standards, and regulations as an owner-occupied single-family residence, including, but not limited to the construction of an accessory structure to serve as a garage; and
WHEREAS, an evaluation committee consisting of City representatives reviewed the responses to the request for proposals and found that Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity was best qualified to perform the work required to successfully rehabilitate the Residence;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, pursuant to its home rule powers and those provided under State law, as follows authorized the sale of 514 Claim St. to Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc.; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the sale authorized by this Resolution was made contingent on the following conditions:
FIRST, that prior to sale, the Corporation Counsel shall cause a restriction, in a form acceptable to the Corporation Counsel, to be recorded against 514 Claim St. in favor of the City ensuring that the property shall forever be used as an owner-occupied single-family residence and for no other purpose; and
SECOND, that the contract for the sale of 514 Claim St prepared and approved by the Corporation Counsel and expressly conditioned on the purchaser's agreement to perform all of the obligations set forth in its response to the City's Request for Proposal and contained specific timelines and milestones for the rehabilitation to commence and be completed acceptable to the Corporation Counsel; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council grants an extension on the completion of the rehabilitation of 514 Claim St. to October 1, 2023.