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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: John Russell, grant writer
DATE: July 30, 2021
SUBJECT:
The City of Aurora Downtown Services Division has completed the planting of a Riverside Pollinator Garden along the East Bank of the Fox River just north of New York Street. We are seeking approval of a Resolution Acknowledging the City's Participation in and Completion of this project, assisted by a ComEd Green Region Program grant.
PURPOSE:
Downtown Services wishes to acknowledge and thank the ComEd Green Region Program for providing $9,000 in grant funding for the Pollinator Garden. The ComEd Green Region grant covered almost half the funding for the riverside project.
BACKGROUND:
Downtown Services received a 2019 ComEd Green Region grant of $9,000 to create the Pollinator Garden, which stretches 425 feet along the Fox River, from the riverbank to the east branch of the Fox River Trail. The total cost of the project was $20,689. Downtown Services and Engineering staff members did the planning for the project, and about 30 volunteers from several local agencies helped in planting the garden in the Fall of 2020. Finances for the project were handled through the Downtown Services Division Revenue Account 101-4430-337-30-40 and Expenditure Account 101-4430-418-38-34.
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DISCUSSION:
Native plants have replaced the weeds along a stretch of the Fox River shoreline in downtown Aurora. These new plantings attract birds and pollinators, stabilize the Riverbank, control erosion and attract waterfowl and other birds and animals. The new pollinator garden consists of more than 280 native plants from Illinois. The project has been completed and all of the costs have been paid.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The new Pollinator Garden along the Fox River has made the area even more enjoyable for those who use the trail in downtown Aurora each day. The garden attracts birds, bees and a variety of animals to the shoreline site, increasing the environmental interest for everyone. It provides a welcoming experience for people walking along the east branch of the Fox River Trail on their way to concerts and events at RiverEdge Park, just to the north. Adults and children can enjoy the garden on their visits downtown, school groups can use it for environmental education, and a special needs student group has helped in the planting and maintenance of the garden site. The garden will be expanded into other areas along the trail as time goes on, with maintenance provided by Downtown Services and future volunteers.
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request approval of this resolution acknowledging the assistance of the ComEd Green Region Program in making this new downtown garden site a reality.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing the Participation in and Completion of the ComEd Green Region Program for the Riverside Pollinator Garden.
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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 has undertaken the Riverside Pollinator Garden project as part of the 2019 ComEd Green Region Program; an
WHEREAS, the Downtown Services Division desires to finalize the ComEd Green Region Grant Program requirements for the purpose of demonstrating the completion of this project
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the completion of the Riverside Pollinator Garden Project shall be and hereby is authorized; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the acceptance of of project funds from the ComEd Green Region Program in the amount of $9,000 shall be and hereby is authorized; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that Downtown Services Division shall be and hereby is authorized and directed to expend matching funds in the amount of $11,869 necessary for the project’s success.