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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Kurt Muth, P.E., Assistant Director of Public Works
DATE: March 23, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and Kane County for partial reimbursement of lead water service replacement as part of the Liberty St., Catherine St., Beckwith St., and Solfisburg Ave. Water Main Replacement Project located in Ward 7.
PURPOSE:
The City designed, bid and is concurrently seeking approval for the Liberty St., Catherine St., Beckwith St., and Solfisburg Ave. Water Main Replacement project which will include the replacement of lead water services. This project is on the same approval track and can be found as Legistar item 26-0147.
BACKGROUND:
The location of the water main to be replaced can be seen in the attachment, Exhibit A - Engineering Plan Set. Water services off of the existing water main will be replaced and switched over to the new main, most of which are currently lead service lines and will be fully replaced to the meter with homeowner approval. Last fall, Kane County approached the City of Aurora about using $200,000 of their funds to replace lead water services connected to the City of Aurora water distribution system in unincorporated Kane County. The majority of the properties along this block of Solfisburg Avenue between Beckwith Street and Crane Street are located in unincorporated Kane County which is why it was chosen. All of the properties located on this block are connected to the water system where as other similar unincorporated blocks have a mixture of lots served by individual wells.
DISCUSSION:
The City originally considered utilizing the on-call lead replacement contract to spend these funds but the existing water main on this block experienced a rash of breaks early in 2026 so it was decided to expediate the replacement of the water main. A total of nine bids were received, opened, and reviewed on March 4, 2026 for the water main replacement project. The lowest bid came in at 1.89% lower than the Engineer's estimate. Attached are Exhibits C & D, the posted bid document and the bid tabulation. Gerardi Sewer & Water, Co.'s submitted bid can be seen in the attached Exhibit E. The lowest responsible bid received was in the amount of $1,849,640.00 by Gerardi Sewer & Water, Co.
The IGA attached as Exhibit B has been reviewed and approved by the City's and County's legal departments. Attached within the IGA and labeled as "Exhibit A" is the list of homes in located in unincorporated Kane County which will qualify for reimbursement if the replacement of their lead water service is completed with this project. It is anticipated that approximately 20 water services will be completed with the designated funds but that will vary depending on the length of the water services to be replaced. There are 26 suspected unincorporated lead water services on this block of Solfisburg so the cost of those service replacements will almost definitely exceed the $200,000 to be reimbursed by the County. The remainder of those replacement costs will be covered by City funds. The City is required to replace all lead water services served regardless if they are located within or outside of City limits.
The reimbursement funds should be allocated to the account 510-4058-341-10-99 (CIP IC080) which currently funds the replacement of lead water services.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Acceptance of this IGA will replenish funds in the Water & Sewer fund allowing for additional lead water service replacements to be completed within the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and Kane County for partial reimbursement of lead water service replacement as part of the Liberty St., Catherine St., Beckwith St., and Solfisburg Ave. Water Main Replacement Project located in Ward 7.
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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, Kane County approached the City of Aurora about using $200,000 of their funds to replace lead water services connected to the City of Aurora water distribution system in unincorporated Kane County; and
WHEREAS, this block of Solfisburg Avenue between Beckwith Street and Crane Street was identified as the ideal location for the service replacements; and
WHEREAS, the City has a desire to replace the water main on this block of Solfisburg as a result of multiple breaks in early 2026: and
WHEREAS, the Liberty St., Catherine St., Beckwith St., and Solfisburg Ave. Water Main Replacement project, located in Ward 7, is concurrently seeking City Council approval with Gerardi Sewer & Water, Co.; and
WHEREAS, Kane County provided the IGA attached as Exhibit B for approval and execution; and
WHEREAS, the funds will be placed in account 510-4058-341.10-99 (CIP IC080).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Intergovernmental Agreement between City of Aurora and Kane County, attached hereto and incorporated herein, as Exhibit B is hereby approved.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement in Exhibit B or any document that substantially and materially conforms to the provisions set forth in Exhibit B on behalf of the City.