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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Bryan Handell, Commander, Bureau of Administrative Services
Mike Kaufman, Assistant Chief of Support Services
Ram Tyagi, Chief Information Officer
Jeff Anderson, Deputy Chief Information Officer
DATE: July 24, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with L3Harris of Melbourne, FL to construct a communications tower for a total cost of $481,166.48.
PURPOSE:
This resolution is requesting to construct a communications tower at 2680 Church Road water tower location ("Church Road") to replace the existing communications tower that is no longer structurally sound.
BACKGROUND:
Resolution R13-333 authorized the construction of a communications tower at Church Road to support city operations including Police, Fire, Public Works and to extend the City's network. Subsequently, this space on this tower was also rented by commercial entities.
Resolution R23-384 authorized the implementation of the Project 25 (P25) radio standard which included changing radio control devices on each of the City's six towers utilized by the P25 solution. During the deployment of the P25 solution and upon detailed engineering inspections in the spring of 2025, it was determined that the Church Road tower was not capable of supporting the equipment required for the P25 deployment.
DISCUSSION:
The location of the Church Road tower is an integral component to the success of the radio communication network utilized by Police, Fire and Public Works staff.
City Staff desires a fully-integrated tower, shelter and network solution for this rebuild as opposed to retrofitting equipment through multiple vendors. L3Harris has been a trusted city partner since 2009 and is offering end-to-end services to build this tower, including: Site surveys, Engineering, Permitting, Construction, Integration with the existing network. This reduces coordination complexity for city staff and will allow the project to continue without further delays. Per Section 2-335 (c) of City Ordinance, City Council may award without following the competitive bidding process
In addition, L3Harris currently maintains the radio and networking equipment withing the shelter at the base of the Church Road tower. L3Harris will ensure continued operations of communications during the construction of the new tower and installation of new P25 equipment on the tower and in the shelter.
Staff has requested budget in 2026 to deconstruct and remove the current Church Road tower. This cost is currently estimated to be $150,000.
Purchase will be made using existing ETSB funds and a budget amendment will be submitted for account # 211-1280-419.38-05.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Ensuring proper city-wide coverage for Public Safety communications is critical to the safety of the residents of the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request the proposed resolution be approved.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with L3Harris of Melbourne, FL to construct a communications tower for a total cost of $481,166.48.
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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 maintains a robust radio communications network that supports Police, Fire and Public Works; and
WHEREAS, this network requires six towers located throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, the communications tower at 2680 Church Road is no longer structurally sound and needs to be replaced; and
WHEREAS, per Section 2-335 (c), City Council may award without following the competitive bidding process; and
WHEREAS, a budget amendment has been submitted to make funds available in ETSB
account 211-1280-419.38-05 for this purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to issue purchase orders for services described in this resolution and as more fully set forth in the contract attached hereto.