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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Alexandrou, Chief Management Officer
Dan Barreiro, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: April 12, 2021
SUBJECT:
Resolution Approving a Transfer and Use and Occupancy Agreement between the City of Aurora and Taking Back Our Community.
PURPOSE:
The Transfer and Use Agreement would assist Taking Back Our Community (TBOC) to continue to provide much needed programs for the community. The agreement provides a vehicle for the city to provide much needed support to keep and maintain the building at 1226 Grand Boulevard open. In exchange the city would be the owner of record of the property and have the ability to use the building for programs as well.
BACKGROUND:
TBOC has been active as a Neighborhood Group since 1995 making it one of the top 5 oldest neighborhood groups in the Aurora. The TBOC Neighborhood overlaps with Pattersonville which is a long-time African American neighborhood. The TBOC neighborhood is located between Ohio Street, East New York Street, Farnsworth Avenue, and East Galena Boulevard. In 2010, TBOC incorporated as a non-profit in order to secure funding to run much needed programs. During this time TBOC became the owner of the Grand Boulevard Center, previously owned by the YWCA.
The grand Boulevard center has been providing much needed programs and services since 1986 under the YWCA. When the YWCA, could no longer keep programs going, TBOC stepped in. Neighborhood group meetings have been held at this facility. The efforts of TBOC have helped to reduce crime. TBOC has also helped with beatification programs in the neighborhood and has assisted with organizing neighborhood clean-up events. TBOC also sponsors an annual National Night Out event at the Grand Boulevard Center. The facility has a computer lab which is used to provide programs for Youth and Seniors.
DISCUSSION:
TBOC has been struggling to maintain the Grand Boulevard Center. Major fundraising efforts have been conducted to fix the roof and other facility needs. The operations and maintenance costs of the facility limit the ability of TBOC to provide programs. At the present time, real estate taxes and fees are due and TBOC has limited resources.
The funds to assist with the real estate taxes and fees would come from The Fox Valley United Way (FVUW). The FVUW has been a fiscal agent for the Aurora Cares Fund which was set up to fund programs geared toward reducing crime. With the disbanding of the Aurora Cares Corporation, the city stopped transferring funds to this account and has been working to close the account. The funds needed as part of this agreement would help close out the account.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This agreement would help to preserve the building for future use as a community center and for much needed programming such as TinkRworks. Spaces for programming in the community continues to be a struggle. TBOC would not be able to maintain and operate the building without support. Keeping the Grand Boulevard Center open would help with maintaining much needed programming space.
The city could easily absorb basic maintenance for the building. The agreement would provide the city with the use of the facility for programs when not in use.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of this proposed resolution.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving a Transfer and Use and Occupancy Agreement between the City of Aurora and Taking Back Our Community.
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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 expenses associated maintaining and operating the Grand Boulevard Center at 1226 Grand Boulevard, Aurora, Illinois, have diminished TBOCs resources which could otherwise be used for providing educational and recreational programs beneficial to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora recognizes the value of the contributions that TBOC has provided and is making to the health, safety and welfare of the community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has the capacity to maintain and manage the facility in order to enhance TBOC's positive impact on the community; and
WHEREAS, the Transfer and Use and Occupancy Agreement makes it possible to assist TBOC and permit them to continue programming and occupancy of 1226 Grand Boulevard in exchange for ownership of the property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Mayor is authorized to execute the Transfer and Use and Occupancy Agreement.