Lincoln Park council approves $200,000 roads amendment; approves several contracts and scheduling of study session

Lincoln Park — The Lincoln Park City Council on Oct. 13 approved a series of budget and contract measures, including a $200,000 amendment to increase funding for a citywide skim-coating road treatment, authorized a two-year extension of a residential demolition contract, approved a two-year agreement for the human resources manager, disallowed further use of the city seal by Service Line Warranties of America, and waived bids to purchase a new community center scoreboard using a Sourcewell cooperative purchase. The council also set a study session to prepare ballot language on Nov. 10.

The most consequential item for residents was a budget amendment that moves $200,000 into road repair line items to pilot a skim-coating product intended as an interim fix for heavily damaged streets. The finance adjustment increases the Major Road contractual services line by $75,000 (from $1,333,571 to $1,408,571) and the Local Road contractual services line by $125,000 (from $738,539 to $863,539). Council members said the product performed well during a demonstration and described it as a cost-effective short-term solution while the city continues to plan longer-term repaving.

Council member comments noted the city’s broad need for road repairs and urged monitoring results from the trial sections. "This is something that is going to make a huge difference in various parts of the city," Mayor Tobin said during the vote tally and thanked staff involved in the demonstration. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with unanimous…