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TO: Mayor John Laesch and City Council
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: January 12, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Stanley Consultants, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $376,398.00 and the appropriation of $380,000.00 for the Commons Drive Resurfacing and Fox Valley Mall Signal Modernization Project.
PURPOSE:
To approve the above referenced Engineering Services Agreement and to appropriate Capital Improvement Funds.
BACKGROUND:
The project applied for federal funding in the December 2023 STP-L call for projects. The project was awarded federal funding to cover up to 80% of Construction and Construction Engineering costs up to $2,500,000.
The project involves corridor improvements and traffic signal modernization along Commons Dr between New York St and McCoy Dr and along McCoy Drive between Commons Dr and Venuti Dr. The improvements include replacement of all aging signal equipment at 4 intersections: Commons/Raintree, McCoy/Commons, McCoy/Merriam, and McCoy/Venuti. The project also includes the resurfacing of Commons from McCoy to New York, investigation of multi-use path construction along McCoy, ADA ramp upgrades, Pace bus pads, and associated work. The intersections will be upgraded to 4-head flashing yellow left turn arrow operation - a proven safety enhancement being implemented on other projects throughout the City. The intersection of McCoy/Merriam will also be investigated for non-signalized alternatives.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the complex nature of the project, the City is required to hire a consultant for the Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering Services.
The City published a Qualification Based Selection (QBS) for Phase 1 Engineering Services on September 9, 2025. Nine (9) firms submitted their qualifications. Staff reviewed the qualifications submitted and determined that Stanley Consultants, Inc. (Stanley) was the most qualified with the top 3 firm's scores attached as Exhibit 'B'. Exhibit ‘B’ also has a breakdown of the selection criteria and weighting and the score breakdowns in each category. Stanley has worked with the City before on several similar projects including the Indian Trail (Edgelawn to Highland) Signal Modernization currently in construction and the Farnsworth Ave Signal Modernization currently in Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering. The QBS includes a City option to continue with the selected consultant for Phase 2 Design Engineering.
The Phase 1 Engineering Agreement (BLR 05530) from Stanley in the amount of $376,398.00 is attached as Exhibit 'A'. A location map is attached as Exhibit 'C'.
This followed the Request for Qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy.
The 2026 City Budget provides money for this item in Account 340-4020-418.76-39 (GC093, Commons FV Mall Signal).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No Impact.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward this to the Infrastructure and Technology Committee for approval.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Stanley Consultants, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $376,398.00 and the appropriation of $380,000.00 for the Commons Drive Resurfacing and Fox Valley Mall Signal Modernization Project.
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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 seeks to improve Commons Dr and McCoy Dr corridors from New York St to Venuti Dr; and
WHEREAS, the City published a Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) for the Phase 1 Engineering services on September 9, 2025, with an option to utilize the same firm for Phase 2 Engineering. Nine (9) firms submitted their qualifications and experiences; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for an engineering supplement with Stanley Consultants, Inc. 8501 W. Higgins Rd, Suite 730, Chicago IL, 60631, to complete the Phase 1 Engineering services for a total cost not to exceed $376,398.00, a copy of which agreement is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 'A', and
WHEREAS, there is a need to appropriate Capital Improvement funds for this agreement in the amount of $380,000.00, and
WHEREAS, the 2026 City Budget provides money for this item in Account 340-4020-418.76-39 (GC093, Commons FV Mall Signal) with any additional funds to be budgeted in future years, if needed)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Engineering Agreement with Stanley Consultants, Inc. attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 'A' in the not to exceed amount three hundred seventy-six thousand three hundred ninety-eight dollars ($376,398.00) shall be and hereby is approved; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the Clerk respectively, shall be and hereby are directed to execute all the aforementioned documents on behalf of the City and any other documents required to carry the purposes of this resolution into execution.