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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Nicole Mullins, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: October 28, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter into an agreement with Becoming Oswego Church for the management and operation of a Temporary Warming Shelter on an as needed basis, effective November 4, 2025 through May 31, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $136,141.
PURPOSE:
The City desires to partner with an experienced organization to manage and operate a Temporary Warming Shelter to ensure the health and safety of individuals in need of temporary respite from extreme winter weather and temperature conditions.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Services Department hosted the City's Temporary Warming Shelter (TWS) from the end of 2020 until spring 2024 at the Aurora Transportation Shelter. Prior to 2020, the City provided warming Shelters at various locations during the winter months when necessary. City staff has previously managed and operated the TWS and private security services were contracted to ensure the safety of guests and staff. In fall 2024, the City released a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit a partner to manage and operate a TWS on behalf of the City. Wesley United Methodist Church was the sole respondent to the RFP and selected as the vendor for the fall 2024 and winter 2025 season. The TWS was housed at the church located at 14 N May St.
Over the past three years, the TWS opened an average of 30 nights per winter. During the peak of the extreme cold periods, the average number of guests was 12-14, with a maximum peak of 30 total guests. Guests typically fell under at least one of the following categories:
- Banned from Hesed?House.
- Did not meet Hesed House's residency qualifications or eligibility criteria.
- Required only short-term assistance (1-2 nights).
At the conclusion of the winter season, City staff and community partners met to determine next steps. They decided to release a new RFP to open ...
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