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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Jason Bauer, Director of Public Works / City Engineer
DATE: September 16, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a change order to the existing contract with Ratio Architects in the amount of $105,270 for design services at RiverEdge Park.
PURPOSE:
To increase the contract amount for additional services provided for design at RiverEdge Park.
BACKGROUND:
Ratio Architects is the design firm that provided design and ongoing construction services at RiverEdge Park. Additional design services were required to expeditiously respond to varied site conditions and an expanded scope of jumbotron structural design.
The original scope (R23-289 and R24-219) with Ratio did not include any accommodations for the detailed design of the jumbotron foundations that are now required to install the jumbotrons with sufficient structural capacity. Further, due to various utility conflicts and soil conditions, city staff, R.C. Wegman and Ratio were able to modify the structural design for the foundations at two of the new structures in the park. The change in foundation scope reduced the overall cost of the foundations significantly, addressing both the utility conflicts and the poor soil conditions. The cost for those relocations would not only disrupt the construction schedule, but would be significantly more costly than simply modifying the foundations. Ratio was able to modify the drawings without major impacts to the internal function of the buildings. Additionally, additional services were required to install a number of outdoor electrical cabinets to fully support the Christkindlmarket, which was not identified in the original scope and expanded greatly as site design progressed and the market layout was finalized with the new footprint of the park.
DISCUSSION:
Funds are available in account 358-4440-451.73-43 (A062)
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Modifying the design drawings resulted in lower relocation costs and time savings, keeping the project moving forward on schedule and withing budget.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a change order to the existing contract with Ratio Architects in the amount of $105,270 for design services at RiverEdge Park.
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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, there is an existing contract with Ratio Architects for the project that is underway at RiverEdge Park (R23-289 and R24-219), and
WHEREAS, as a value engineering effort the foundation was redesigned to accommodate poor soil conditions and avoid costly/timely utility conflicts, and
WHEREAS, budget is available in account 358-4440-451.73-43 (A062) to increase the Ratio contract in the amount of $105,270; and
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 execute a change order to the existing contract with Ratio Architects in the amount of $105,270 for design services at RiverEdge Park.