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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Robert Leible, Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: October 12, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing Crawford, Murphy & Tilly to provide professional engineering services for the rehabilitation of various lime residual dewatering lagoons for the Water Production Division.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council authorization to enter into a professional engineering services agreement for design, project administration, and construction observation with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT), Aurora, IL, for the rehabilitation project of various lime residual dewatering lagoons.
BACKGROUND:
The Water Production Division (WPD) operates five lagoons that function to dewater (dry) calcium carbonate precipitate produced from the softening and clarification treatment processes utilized at the water treatment plant. Dewatered calcium carbonate is subsequently disposed of via land application or landfilling. The dewatering lagoons are an integral part of the overall WPD operations.
Three clay-lined lagoons need rehabilitation and were previously identified for CIP funding. CIP I048 provides the expected funding to convert three of the five lagoons from clay-lined to concrete lined. The WPD operates two concrete lined lagoons and has determined that conversion of the three lagoons will improve dewatering, allow for better clean-out operations which are conducted by long-reach backhoe, and provide a long-term durable solution for lagoon maintenance as opposed to clay relining.
DISCUSSION:
Concrete relining of the existing lagoons was determined to require specialized civil and structural design engineering and a well-developed approach to the constructability of the improvements. As such, a Qualifications Based Selection process was initiated by invitation to engineering consulting firms. The QBS process serves to inform potential firms of the need for consulting services and the scope of services requested. Responding firms were required to submit their qualifications with respect to staff capabilities, project experience, technical approach, and understanding of the project schedule.
Four firms responded to the QBS solicitation (26-073) and submitted documents outlining their firm's qualifications. The selection team representing the WPD reviewed all submittals and scored each category with a total possible score of 100 points. The final totalized scoring of the top three firms is attached. The firm earning the highest total score of 88.5 and selected for this project is Crawford, Murphy & Tilly.
CMT's project agreement defining the overall project tasks and fees is attached. The proposed agreement to perform the scope of work is for a time and material amount not-to-exceed $178,180, for all contracted services related to lagoon #4 construction in 2027. Approval of subsequent fees for lagoons #3 and #1 will be sought from city council each year as annual budgets are approved. Crawford, Murphy & Tilly agreements have previously been approved by the city's Law Department.
Funding is available in the 2026 budget in account 510-4058-511-73-08 via CIP I048.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Lack of rehabilitation will impact the ability to continue lime residual dewatering operations as deterioration worsens.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request committee and city council approval of a resolution authorizing a professional engineering services agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly in an amount not-to-exceed $178,180 for the Water Production Division.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing Crawford, Murphy & Tilly to provide professional engineering services for the rehabilitation of various lime residual dewatering lagoons for the Water Production Division.
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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 Water Production Division requires professional engineering consulting services for the rehabilitation of three lime residual dewatering lagoons; and
WHEREAS, the Water Production Division initiated a Qualifications Based Selection process for the necessary professional engineering services for design, project management, and construction observation; and
WHEREAS, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly is selected as the most qualified firm for this project to complete the necessary professional engineering services; and
WHEREAS, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly has provided a proposal for a time and material, not-to-exceed amount of $178,180.00 to complete the necessary professional engineering services for design, project management, and construction observation; and
WHEREAS, budgetary authority is granted and funding is available in the 2026 city budget in account 510-4058-511-73-08 via CIP I048; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Purchasing Director be and is hereby authorized and directed to issue a purchase order to Crawford, Murphy and Tilly and execute the professional services agreement for the Lime Sludge Lagoon Improvements, on a time and expense basis in the not to exceed amount of $178,180 for the Water Production Division.