Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aurora council approves $94,445.88 Orchard Road payment and advances plan for sound wall amid SSA debate
Summary
Council approved a $94,445.88 reimbursement to Kane County for Orchard Road maintenance and endorsed an intergovernmental agreement for fence replacement tied to a larger $4 million precast concrete sound wall project; an amendment to seek alternative funding sources failed and aldermen debated a proposed SSA covering 74 homes to close a $235,000 gap.
Aurora — The Aurora City Council on Oct. 8 approved Resolution 240599 to reimburse Kane County $94,445.88 for the city’s 50% share of recent Orchard Road repairs and to execute an intergovernmental agreement for fence replacement, while discussion continued about funding a larger sound wall project.
Ken Schroth, the city’s public works director and city engineer, told council members the $94,445.88 covers maintenance work already completed under a 50/50 agreement with the county (patching, striping and sign replacement). Schroth said the related project envisions a $4 million precast concrete site wall as a long-term noise-mitigation improvement; the administration and Alderman Franco have combined other funding sources but identified a remaining $235,000 shortfall.
Alderman Franco, the ward representative who has worked on the project for years, said he has accumulated $500,000 in ward funds over seven years and pledged an additional $125,000 over the next two years to reduce the SSA assessment for homeowners. Schroth estimated the remaining gap split among 74 homes would, over a typical 25–30 year SSA, previously have amounted to roughly $245 per home; Franco said his additional commitment could lower that to about $100 or less per year depending on final terms and any additional funds.
Alderman Lehi and others urged exploring alternative city funding sources including gaming-tax revenue; Alderman Lehi moved an amendment directing the council to explore other funding sources beyond an SSA. That amendment was seconded but failed on roll call (10 no, 1 yes). The council then voted to approve the original resolution (10 yes, 1 no).
Schroth and the administration said that if residents of a proposed SSA vote against the special service area, the fallback would be replacement of the existing wood fence (which Schroth said is not a sound barrier) and continued pursuit of other funds. Council members said final SSA terms, petitioning and a resident vote remain part of the process.
The resolution authorizing the $94,445.88 payment passed by council vote; the council also recorded the failed amendment and the ongoing effort to identify additional funds before SSA ballots are mailed.
