East Dundee approves $84,923 bike-and-pedestrian plan contract to guide trails, sidewalks and grant applications

The Village of East Dundee Board of Trustees approved a resolution to procure professional services from Civiltech Engineering to prepare a bike-and-pedestrian plan in an amount not to exceed $84,923.80. Trustees said the plan will be used to pursue grants and to guide future sidewalk, trail and safety projects.

During discussion one trustee called the expenditure "questionable" and said the village might do without it; other trustees countered that the plan is necessary to qualify for grants and to avoid repaving streets without design changes that would later be needed. Trustees referenced previous planning processes — the comprehensive plan, riverfront master plan and strategic plan — which recommended a coordinated walking and biking plan and safety improvements to connect the village and link to the Fox River Trail.

Speakers pointed to village capital work scheduled for the year, including nearly half a million dollars planned for street repaving, and warned that without a guiding plan the village could repave streets in their current configurations and miss opportunities to add sidewalks or bike connections. Supporters said the technical work and stakeholder outreach required to prepare a grant-ready plan would exceed typical staff capacity and that a consultant is better positioned to coordinate interjurisdictional connections to Hoffman and Carpentersville.

The motion to authorize procurement and contract terms was moved and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded multiple "yes" responses and the resolution passed. The motion text in the minutes records procurement "in an amount not to exceed 84,923.80" with Civiltech Engineering. The board did not enumerate the grant programs it plans to pursue or a project schedule in the public discussion.