Aurora, Illinois

File #: 24-0975    Version: Name: BRT Outdoor, LLC / Digital Displays Agreement
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 12/10/2024 In control: City Council
On agenda: 12/17/2024 Final action: 12/17/2024
Title: A Resolution authorizing the execution of an Agreement with BRT Outdoor, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company, to install digital video display multiple message signs in accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, that would be available to the City at no charge for its use and benefit in lieu of rent payments.
Attachments: 1. Aurora Lease Agreement - Digital Monument Signage (final 12-9-24), 2. Lease Memo to Record Template, 3. BRT Outdoor Aurora Airport PDF Version 12-6-24 (Legistar), 4. Community Digital Displays (Legistar Color) 12-9-24, 5. City of Aurora Presentation

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TO:                     Mayor Pro Tem Saville and City Council

 

FROM:                     Mayor's Office

 

DATE:                     December 19, 2024

 

SUBJECT:

A resolution authorizing the execution of an Agreement with BRT Outdoor, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company, to install digital video display multiple message signs in accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, that would be available to the City at no charge for its use and benefit in lieu of rent payments.

 

PURPOSE:

BRT Outdoor, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company, is requesting to enter into an Agreement which would allow the Petitioner to construct at their own cost and maintain digital video display multiple message signs within City right-of-way or on city owned property.

 

BACKGROUND:

The City has been approached by BRT Outdoor, LLC to seek Council approval to install digital video display multiple message signs at key locations in the City within city rights-of-way or on city property.  These displays will be located in high-demand areas around the City of Aurora and provide dynamic content, including live messaging, weather updates, and more.

 

BRT Outdoor, LLC operates in 15 municipalities throughout Illinois.  Nearby communities include Bolingbrook and Romeoville. Their experience partnering with other municipalities can be found on their Community Digital Displays website.  Community Digital Displays, CommunityDigitalDisplays.com, and Community Digital Network are wholly owned subsidiaries of BRT Outdoor, LLC.

 

BRT’s intent is to provide the city new gateway signs at no cost to Aurora while also providing the City free community messages on the digital screens.  In return for their capital investment and use of the community message board, BRT Outdoor, LLC’s plan is to seek out private advertising dollars for the digital screen rotations.

 

Content Displayed:

 

1. Local News and Announcements: Stay updated with the latest community news and events.

 

2. Weather Updates: Get real-time weather conditions and forecasts.

 

3. Emergency Alerts: Important safety alerts and information during emergencies.

 

4. Community Events: Details about upcoming local events, activities, and gatherings.

 

5. Public Service Announcements: Useful information from local government and organizations.

 

6. Promotions and Advertisements: Local and national businesses can advertise their services and products.

 

Typically, municipalities can spend well over $100,000 for new gateway signs at key entrances into their communities.  A recent example is the City of Naperville that spent over $100,000 for a new sign on its southern border with Bolingbrook.  According to the City of Naperville their new sign was to compete with Bolingbrook’s all-digital welcome sign just a half a mile down the road. welcome display was installed in October 2022, and according to Joy Basel with the village’s mayor’s office that sign came at no cost because Community Digital Displays owns and operates the sign, which it uses for local advertising. Per an agreement with the company, Bolingbrook can utilize the display to share village information as well. Similar signs are scattered around the village.

 

City Staff has worked with BRT Outdoor, LLC on an acceptable sign design.  Staff has visited multiple signs owned and operated by BRT and based upon our visits have recommended maximum dimensions that are incorporated in the attached Exhibits. The Exhibits illustrate the maximum size of the signs that would be allowed.  The Aurora Airport Sign is a very unique sign that will be allowed to be larger than the typical community gateway signs elsewhere in the City.

 

DISCUSSION:

The proposed new Aurora Municipal Airport sign will cost over $250,000.  Other community gateway signs that are not for the Airport will cost over $100,000 depending on size, configuration and design. BRT agrees to pay Prevailing Wage on all construction and maintenance for all Digital Displays.

 

BRT’s right to install and operate the Digital Displays will begin on the date of execution of this Agreement and shall continue for a period of twenty (20) years.

 

BRT intends to display multiple messages on the Digital Displays in a fixed rotation of not less than ten (10) seconds duration per image.  During the effective term of this Agreement, the City shall have the right - at no cost - to at least one of every eight (8) of the positions in the display for City content on each of the Digital Display. In addition, the City’s use shall be increased to one of every four positions in the rotation if the Additional Position has not been sold for value to a third party.

 

BRT has also agreed to work with Aurora Non-Profits for reduced messaging rates.

 

A full list of prohibited uses is outlined in the Agreement.  It is important to note that the Digital Display shall be limited to advertisements for establishments located in the City of Aurora or brands with a national presence being advertised as part of a national marketing campaign. The Digital Display shall not be used for promoting, encouraging or marketing the development of real estate or business establishment opportunities located outside of the City of Aurora.

 

At its meeting of December 17, 2024, the City Council adopted an amendment reserving the right to review the location of future signage in accordance with other City regulations.

 

IMPACT STATEMENT:

This project will save the City capital improvement costs and also provide community messaging. Without the agreement the City will not save construction costs and not have community messaging opportunities.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the execution of the Agreement.

 

 

cc:                     Finance Committee

 

 

CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS

 

RESOLUTION NO. _________

DATE OF PASSAGE ________________

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A Resolution authorizing the execution of an Agreement with BRT Outdoor, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company, to install digital video display multiple message signs in accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, that would be available to the City at no charge for its use and benefit in lieu of rent payments.

 

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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, BRT Outdoor, LLC, will be constructing at their own expense digital video display multiple message signs; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Mayor shall be and hereby is authorized to execute the afore described Agreement on behalf of the City; and further

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the Mayor's selection of the location of any signage within the corporate limits of the City in accordance with the described Agreement, the proposed sign location shall be subject to approval in accordance with the process required for final plans under Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, to the fullest extent they can be made applicable, and further

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the Mayor's selection of the location of any signage within the corporate limits of the City in accordance with the described Agreement, the Mayor shall cause the alderperson of the ward where the sign is proposed to be located and the alderpersons elected at-large to be notified of such selection and the commencement of the review process required by this Resolution; and further

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that no permits for the construction of any signage at a location selected by the Mayor shall be issued until the sign location has been approved through the process required for final plans under Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, to the fullest extent they can be made applicable and that BRT Outdoor, LLC shall not be entitled to commence any construction or rely on any representations of any City officer or employee with respect to the proposed sign until said sign location is approved in accordance with this Resolution.