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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Yordana Wysocki, Corporation Counsel
Jeff Anderson, Deputy Chief Information Officer
Austin Fitzcorbett, Fiber Network Manager
DATE: September 18, 2026
SUBJECT:
Requesting approval to notify Onlight Aurora of the City's intent to terminate the Revised Master Services Agreement with Onlight Aurora and authorize the city staff to begin negotiations for contract transfers and assignments from Onlight Aurora to the City of Aurora for Council approval.
PURPOSE:
City staff is recommending that the City terminate the Revised Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Onlight Aurora (Onlight), as the model of a non-profit entity having the sole right to lease the City's fiber is no longer in the City's best interest.
BACKGROUND:
As presented to Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 15, 2026, the model contemplated by the MSA in 2012 and 2015 no longer meets the needs of the City in the current market.
DISCUSSION:
Upon approval of this resolution, City staff would be authorized to:
1. Notify Onlight Aurora that the City intends to terminate the Revised Master Service Agreement (attached) pursuant to Section 14 of the agreement.
2. Negotiate agreements with Onlight Aurora's current or former business partners to subsequently submit to City Council's approval.
The Law Department will work directly with the city staff to ensure that such transfer of agreements serves the City's best technology interests. Once formalized, any new agreements will be executed following the City's Purchasing Policies.
3. Review and perform a valuation of Onlight Aurora and city fiber assets, equipment, and related property.
Once the MSA is terminated (after the 180 days), all equipment currently owned by Onlight Aurora will become the property of the City. City staff needs to review, categorize, and value Onlight Aurora's equipment ahead of the termination date.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Terminating the Revised Master Service Agreement with Onlight Aurora will have a long-term impact on the City's fiber network and its customers. It will allow the City to take control of this public asset to use it to the best advantage for the public and provide clear Council and public oversight and direction. It will allow the City to modernize fiber management and explore new options for serving the community.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That 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 termination of the Revised Master Service Agreement with Onlight Aurora and authorizing the city's law department to negotiate for contract transfers and assignments from Onlight Aurora to the city for council approval.
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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 entered into a Revised Master Service Agreement with Onlight Aurora on October 13, 2015 (R15-282), which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City to terminate the Revised Master Service Agreement with Onlight Aurora (R15-282) pursuant to Section 14 of Exhibit A.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION ONE: That the City Council hereby terminates the Revised Master Service Agreement with Onlight Aurora dated October 13, 2015 (R15-282), attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION TWO: That Corporate Counsel is authorized to send written notice to Onlight Aurora pursuant Section 14 of Exhibit A to notify Onlight Aurora of the termination of the Revised Master Service Agreement and invoking the 180-day notification period.
SECTION THREE: That city staff is hereby authorized to work with Onlight Aurora, on the City's behalf, to prepare to transfer or assign Onlight Aurora's contracts and agreements to the City before the 180-day period is complete for City Council's review and approval.
SECTION FOUR: That city staff are authorized to review, categorize, and value Onlight Aurora's fiber assets, equipment and related property.
SECTION FIVE: SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph or provision of this Resolution shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph or provision shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Resolution.
SECTION SIX: REPEAL OF PRIOR RESOLUTION. All prior Resolutions and Ordinances in conflict or inconsistent herewith are hereby expressly repealed only to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency.
SECTION SEVEN: EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall be in effect immediately from and after its passage and approval.