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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Mark Phipps, Engineering Coordinator
DATE: August 12, 2019
SUBJECT:
Resolution to award a contract to HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $74,700.00 for preparation of the Mastodon Lake Stormwater Plan.
PURPOSE:
Develop a plan to improve water quality in Mastodon Lake, reduce flood damages in the surrounding area, create a new recreational amenity for the neighborhood, estimate the cost of these improvements, and identify potential sources of grant funding.
BACKGROUND:
Mastodon Lake was excavated in the 1930s during the construction of Phillips Park. Over the years, sediment and decaying organic matter have accumulated at the bottom of the Lake to an average depth of nearly 2 feet. The average water depth throughout the Lake is now only 2.5 feet. Such a shallow aquatic system is susceptible to warming, excessive nutrients, and becoming overrun with algae and other aquatic vegetation. These conditions are unsightly and limit recreational opportunities, such as boating and fishing. Within the past two years, the City has used an herbicide to control the growth of aquatic vegetation and has vacuumed the sediment near the intake for the Phillips Park Golf Course's irrigation system, in order to protect the pumps. But these are not long-term solutions to the problem.
The limits of the Mastodon Lake floodplain extend west from Phillips Park into an Aurora neighborhood. Dozens of residential and commercial properties in this area are subject to flood damage during extreme storms. Preliminary engineering has shown that the base flood elevation can be lowered significantly by lowering the Mastodon Lake outlet.
A Stormwater Plan for Mastodon Lake would allow the City to accomplish the dual purposes of improving the health of the Lake and reducing the likelihood of flood damages, while also creating a new City park in the open space surrounding nearby Little Doe Lake. The project would involve dredging the Lake, portions of it deep enough to lower the outlet, and possibly using the dredged material to develop active and passive recreation areas around Little Doe Lake. With sound planning, certain aspects of this project may be eligible for grant funding. Exhibit A shows the project area and the limits of the floodplain.
The City issued a Request for Qualifications on July 5, 2019 to over 200 vendors in our Professional Services category. Statements of Qualifications were received from eleven (11) firms on July 24, 2019. This was a qualifications-based selection process for professional services. Since it was qualifications-based, the Local Vendor Preference Ordinance does not apply.
DISCUSSION:
HR Green was selected as the most qualified firm by a three (3) person panel from the Engineering Division. Exhibit B shows how the Statements of Qualifications were scored. After being notified of their selection, HR Green prepared the proposal included as Exhibit C. Project B049 account 280-1852-512.81-90 in the Stormwater Management Fee Fund has a remaining balance of $3,100,700.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The services provided under this Purchase Order will have no impact on the public.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to award a contract to HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $74,700.00 for preparation of the Mastodon Lake Stormwater Plan.
body
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, sediment and decaying organic matter on the bottom of Mastodon Lake have begun to impair the health and recreational use of the Lake; and
WHEREAS, dozens of residential and commercial properties in the area of Mastodon Lake are subject to flood damage during extreme storms; and
WHEREAS, the City can work to address these two problems together, while also creating a new recreational amenity in the open space surrounding Little Doe Lake; and
WHEREAS, sound planning may make certain aspects of this project eligible for grant funding; and
WHEREAS, HR Green, Inc. of 2363 Sequoia Drive, Suite 101, Aurora, IL 60506 was selected as the most qualified out of eleven (11) firms submitting Statements of Qualifications; and
WHEREAS, project Project B049 account 280-1852-512.81-90 has sufficient funds for this project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the award of a contract to HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $74,700.00 for preparation of the Mastodon Lake Stormwater Plan is hereby approved, and the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to enter into such a contract on behalf of the City.