Committee approves $99,900 design contract to update Aurora Municipal Airport signage, beacon and safety lights

The Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee on July 9 approved a not‑to‑exceed $99,900 design‑phase agreement to update airfield signage, wind cones, runway identifier lights, runway guard lights and the rotating rotating beacon at the Aurora Municipal Airports.

The vote followed a staff presentation explaining that the project is being advanced through the Illinois Division of Aeronautics using federal funds administered through the state. Vice Chair Patty Smith moved the measure and Alderman Juan Garza seconded; the committee recorded the motion as approved with no opposition.

City staff described the work as a standard block‑grant design request and said the program letter attached to project materials sets the city’s maximum local‑match obligation, with any payments made in excess of that match to be refunded after project completion. Staff emphasized the rotating beacon as a high‑priority replacement item and said the package provides an opportunity to secure roughly 90% federal funding for the work. "Here's an opportunity for us to get 90% federal funds to have that replaced," said Steve, the airport representative.

Steve told the committee that the runway guard lights were recommended through a Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) discussion and that the devices — blinking lights set into taxiway pavement — are intended to reduce the risk of aircraft taxiing onto active runways. He described the project as a bundled package that includes several nav aids so the project reaches a size that qualifies for federal funding.

Committee members pressed staff on timing and funding risk. An unnamed member asked how long federal reimbursement would take and whether earmarked funds could be rescinded; staff said the state programs funds but federal/state release timing can delay the start of work. "The funds are earmarked, but we don't have them yet until [the state] releases them to the state," Steve said, adding that bid and agency agreements between the state, the city and contractors must be completed before construction work begins.

Staff warned the committee that state processing delays have in the past led contractors to withdraw or to seek new bids, increasing project costs. Steve also mentioned that one prior low bidder became the subject of a state investigation, which blocked that contractor from being used on a city project and required a rebid.

Next steps outlined by staff include state review of the design package, a November bid process, a low‑bid notification from the state and subsequent execution of an agency agreement between the city and state; the city will return to approve a construction‑phase engineering contract and the agency agreement before construction starts.

The resolution (25‑0513) authorizes the mayor and city clerk to execute the design‑phase agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc., for a not‑to‑exceed $99,900 contract amount. The committee recorded the motion as approved; the clerk noted no opposing votes.

The committee adjourned at 4:21 p.m.