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TO: Mayor Robert J. O’Connor
FROM: Stephane A. Phifer, Planning and Zoning Director
DATE: January 10, 2017
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Amendments to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and the Kane County Forest Preserve Regarding a Financial Contribution for the Construction of the RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge (Forest Preserve District of Kane County - 17-00026 / AU22/2-16.179-AG/IGA - SP - Ward 1)
PURPOSE:
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County as agreed to a second amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement regarding the financial participation of the forest preserve toward the engineering and construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Fox River located at RiverEdge Park. This Second Amendment would extend the timeframe of the Forest Preserve's commitment to coincide with the CMAQ grant funding the City received for this project.
BACKGROUND:
Kane County Forest Preserve and the City of Aurora entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement in 2010 regarding financial participation of the forest preserve toward the construction of a bridge over the Fox River located RiverEdge Park. The agreement included a financial contribution of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) from the Forest Preserve towards the construction of the RiverEdge Park bridge improvement. In 2012 the FPDKC approved, and the Mayor thereafter executed, the first amendment to said intergovernmental agreement which provided the City the ability to utilize up to three hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) of the financial contribution towards engineering and design costs.
DISCUSSION:
The pedestrian bridge over the Fox River is an important part of the vision for the RiverEdge Park that will provide full access to both the east and west sides of Aurora to the benefits of the park and the train station. The Kane County Forest Preserve recognizes the importance of this element of the park and has offered to make a substantial contribution towards its construction. This contribution will be leveraged with other future contributions and grants to engineer and construct an iconic pedestrian bridge for the residents and visitors of Aurora.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Planning and Zoning Division would anticipate that this project will increase the City’s overall tax base and viability by facilitating investment and development which will offset any incidental Department or staffing impacts.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff would recommend APPROVAL of the Resolution Authorizing Execution of Amendments to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and the Kane County Forest Preserve Regarding a Financial Contribution for the Construction of the RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A - 2012 First Amendment
Exhibit B - 2017 Second Amendment
R10-114 - 2010 Intergovernmental Agreement
cc: Alderman Saville, Chairman
Alderman Donnell
Alderman Irvin
Alderman Hart-Burns, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Amendments to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and the Kane County Forest Preserve Regarding a Financial Contribution for the Construction of the RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge
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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 of Aurora (hereinafter “CITY”) and Forest Preserve District of Kane County (hereinafter “FPDKC”) are each legal entities organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, having among their powers the authority to contract with one another to perform the undertaking described herein; and
WHEREAS, the CITY and FPDKC are public agencies within the meaning of the Illinois Intergovernmental Cooperation Act as provided for in 5 ILCS 220/1, et seq.; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act and Article 7, Section 10 of the 1970 Constitution of the State of Illinois include fostering cooperation among units of local government in planning and providing services to their constituents; and
WHEREAS, the CITY and FPDKC entered into an intergovernmental agreement approved on April 13, 2010 with Resolution R10-114 regarding financial participation of the forest preserve toward the engineering and construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Fox River located at RiverEdge Park; and
WHEREAS, FPDKC approved, and the Mayor thereafter executed, the first amendment to said intergovernmental agreement on March 13, 2012 as attached hereto as Exhibit “A”; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aurora has determined that it is in the best interest of the City and its residents to enter into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and approved the attached Intergovernmental Agreement as attached hereto as Exhibit “B”.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the attached Intergovernmental Agreement between the CITY and FPDKC for financial participation of the forest preserve toward the engineering and construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Fox River located at RiverEdge Park be approved, and the Mayor of the City of Aurora is hereby authorized and directed to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement on the behalf of the City.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Clerk be directed to transmit certified copes of this Resolution and the attached Intergovernmental Agreement to FPDKC with copies to the City of Aurora Corporation Council and the Finance Director.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk be and are hereby authorized to cooperate with the FPDKC on financial participation of the forest preserve toward the engineering and construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Fox River located at RiverEdge Park.