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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Alexandrou, Chief Management Officer
Viviana Ramirez, Chief Community Services Officer
Martha Paschke, Director of Innovation & Strategy
DATE: November 26, 2024
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to enter an agreement with Wesley United Methodist Church for the hosting, managing, and operating of a Temporary Warming Center on an as needed basis from November 27, 2024 through March 31, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $44,700.
PURPOSE:
The City desires to partner with an experienced local organization to host, manage, and operate a Temporary Warming Center 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 has hosted the City's Temporary Warming Center (TWC) since the end of 2020 at the Aurora Transportation Center. Prior to 2020 the City provided warming centers at various locations during the winter months when necessary. City staff has previously managed and operated the TWC and private security services were contracted to ensure the safety of guests and staff.
The TWC has been opened an average of 25 nights per winter over the past three years. At the peak period during extreme cold the average number of guests was 12-14.
It was determined that the Aurora Transportation Center was no longer an appropriate location for hosting a TWC for a variety of operational, logistical and liability reasons.
Given the City has no other suitable locations for a TWC, the City published a Request for Proposals on September 13th, 2024 seeking qualified proposers to host the TWC for the 2024-2025 winter season.
Wesley United Methodist Church was the sole respondent to the RFP.
DISCUSSION:
Wesley United Methodist Church submitted a timely proposal and subsequently met with the City to finalize an agreement which includes payment by the City of expenses for paid staff, una...
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