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TO: Mayor John Laesch and City Council
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: December 11, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties and appropriating MFT Funds required for the Indian Trail Road Signal Modernization and Resurfacing (Ohio to Pennsbury) Project in the amount of $1,400.00.
PURPOSE:
To authorize the purchase of right-of-way for the Indian Trail Road Signal Modernization and Resurfacing (Ohio to Pennsbury) Project and to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds as required by the Illinois Highway Code for MFT Section 23-00358-00-TL.
BACKGROUND:
A Phase 1 study has been completed for this project, and final Phase 2 design plans have been submitted to IDOT for review.
The project has secured federal funding to cover up to 80% of Construction and Construction Engineering costs, with additional funding just secured to hit the full 80% federal share. The federal funding source is Surface Transportation Program - Local (STU). A total of $3,168,000.00 in federal funds has been secured for Construction and Construction Engineering on the project.
The project involves modernizing the signalized intersections along Indian Trail between Ohio St and Pennsbury Ln (excluding Farnsworth Ave, to be improved as part of a future Farnsworth Ave project). Modernization includes replacement of all aging signal equipment, widening of curb radii to meet design vehicle requirement, and improving pedestrian facilities to meet ADA compliance. The intersections will feature new signal heads with 4-face flashing yellow turn arrows, which are currently proposed most upcoming signal corridor projects throughout the City.
The City is continuing work with their selected design consultant, Kimley-Horn& Associates, on final design plans under a previous City agreement. The plans are 99% complete and the "Initial Final" Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) were submitted to IDOT on November 17, 2025. The project is targeting a February 2026 IDOT letting, pending final land acquisition certification.
DISCUSSION:
This resolution will provide authorization to proceed with the acquisition of permanent easement and Right of Way. The Corporation Counsel, City Engineer and respective designees shall represent the City in the acquisition of these parcels.
The City has received acceptances on all 4 of 4 parcels to the offers made by the City. The said properties have been executed or are in the process of being executed by said owners. The price of each easement or fee simple take ranges between $300 and $450; the total acquisition cost for all 4 parcels is $1,400.00. The plat of highway is included as Exhibit 'B'.
IDOT requires a Resolution to Appropriate the MFT Funds prior to their expenditure for approved projects. The Resolution for Improvement - BLR 09110 (Exhibit ‘A’) appropriating MFT Funds in the amount of $1,400.00 is attached.
The 2025 City Budget provides for sufficient funds in Account 203-4020-418.76-39 (GC087, Indian Trail Signal - Ohio-Pennsbury)
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Construction on this project is scheduled to begin in 2026.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward this to Finance Committee for Approval.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties and appropriating MFT Funds required for the Indian Trail Road Signal Modernization and Resurfacing (Ohio to Pennsbury) Project in the amount of $1,400.00.
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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, the City seeks to modernize the signalized intersections and intermittently resurface Indian Trail from Ohio Street to Pennsbury Lane (excluding the intersection of Indian Trail and Farnsworth Avenue). The project has a State Job Number: C-91-124-23, Federal Project Number: V6YU(934) and MFT Section Number: 23-00358-00-TL; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora through the Public Works Department has identified four (4) separate parcels that will need to be acquired for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the City has obtained separate waiver valuations for each identified parcel to be acquired; and
WHEREAS, offers to purchase have been made to the two (2) owners of all four (4) impacted parcels to acquire the parcels required for the Project at the valuation value; and
WHEREAS, the City has received acceptances from both owners to the offers made by the City and Contracts to Purchase said properties have been executed or are in the process of being executed by said owners; and
WHEREAS, in order to acquire said parcel and negotiate and enter into a contract with the owner thereof, the City Council deems that it is in the best of the City that the City acquire said parcel pursuant to the terms of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds in the amount of $1,400.00, a copy of which resolution is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 'A'; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 City Budget provides for sufficient funds in Account 203-4020-418.76-39 (GC087, Indian Trail Signal - Ohio-Pennsbury).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and their respective designees are hereby authorized and directed to make the appropriate offer to acquire property described in Exhibit 'B' Plat of Highways, which is made a part hereof; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and their respective designees shall represent the City in the acquisition of the parcels required for the Project and that they may enter into a contract and acquire said parcels in an amount not to exceed $1,400.00; and further.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and their respective designees may act for and on behalf of the City of Aurora to do all things necessary to acquire said parcel within the cost as provided herein; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that one thousand four hundred dollars and zero cents ($1,400.00) of available MFT Funds, Section Number 23-00358-00-TL shall be and hereby is appropriated for the purposes set forth in this resolution; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the Clerk respectively, shall be and hereby are directed to execute all the aforementioned documents on behalf of the City and any other documents required to carry the purposes of this resolution into execution, including, but not limited to the document entitled “Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code, Form (BLR 09110)” attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 'A.