Champaign council approves Garden Hills phase, infrastructure, banking and parking contracts in unanimous votes

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Champaign City Council on April 15 approved a package of construction, service and finance measures including a $16.184 million construction contract for phase 3 of the Garden Hills drainage improvement project and multiple other agreements, all by recorded unanimous votes.

The measures authorize the city manager to execute contracts and change orders for capital and operating services that will fund infrastructure work and city services over the next months and years. Together, the largest single award was a $16,184,000 construction contract for the Garden Hills drainage improvement project (phase 3), plus related professional services and workforce diversity incentives.

Votes at a glance — key approvals and amounts

• Council Bill 2025-046: Honorary street designation for Patricia Avery Neal Way — passed 9-0 (ceremonial resolution).

• Council Bill 2025-047: Change order extending depository and online banking services with Busey Bank (two-year extension at $1,500 per month; $18,000 per year; $36,000 total) — passed 9-0.

• Council Bills 2025-048/049/050 (consolidated): Allocation of the city’s 2025 private activity volume cap ($11,594,570) to Eastern Illinois Economic Development Authority and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (allocation described in the ordinance) — consolidation and passage 9-0.

• Council Bill 2025-051: Final plat approval for the Parker Glen subdivision, a 22.2-acre plat to facilitate the next phase of multifamily apartments — passed 9-0.

• Council Bills 2025-052 and 2025-053 (consolidated): Accept bid and authorize agreement with Stark Excavating for Garden Hills drainage improvement project phase 3 in the amount of $16,184,000 and authorize potential workforce diversity incentive not to exceed $404,600; and authorize construction administration agreement with Clark Dietz Inc. not to exceed $2,236,000 — passed 9-0.

• Council Bill 2025-054: 2025 Infrastructure Maintenance Project award to Feutz Construction Contractors Inc., $1,066,674.90; potential workforce diversity incentive up to $26,666.88 — passed 9-0.

• Council Bill 2025-055: Champaign Police Department lobby elevator upgrade contract with Our Rustler Construction & Contracting Inc., $369,000; workforce diversity incentive up to $9,226 — passed 9-0.

• Council Bill 2025-056: Three-year software subscription and services agreement with Passport Labs Inc. for pay-by-cell parking services, $42,750 for three years plus per-transaction fees (10¢ rising to 30¢ in year three) and a customer convenience fee of 35¢ per session — passed 9-0.

• Financial approvals: vendor payments (vouchers) of $6,306,070.70 and payroll approvals of $2,594,905.23 (03/14/2025) and $2,402,033.86 (03/28/2025) — motions carried.

Why it matters: The council approved large construction and engineering contracts that will affect drainage, street maintenance and downtown services. The Garden Hills awards alone commit tens of millions of dollars in construction and professional services, and the Passport Labs contract keeps the city’s pay-by-phone parking option in place. Several contracts include discretionary workforce diversity incentive payments intended to encourage diverse contractor participation.

Details and context

Garden Hills phase 3: The council accepted the low bid from Stark Excavating for $16,184,000 and authorized a workforce-diversity incentive not to exceed $404,600. The council separately approved an engineering agreement with Clark Dietz Inc. for construction administration not to exceed $2,236,000.

Infrastructure and facilities: The city accepted a $1,066,674.90 bid for the 2025 infrastructure maintenance project and approved a $369,000 contract to upgrade the Champaign Police Department lobby elevator. Contract language on workforce-diversity incentive maximums was presented as part of the staff recommendation.

Banking and parking services: The council authorized a two-year extension of the banking services agreement with Busey Bank at $1,500 per month and approved a three-year Passport Labs subscription for pay-by-cell parking, with transaction fees and customer convenience fees disclosed during staff presentation.

Council procedure and voting: Council members recorded unanimous votes (9-0) on each measure where roll call was held. Several bills were consolidated for efficiency before the roll calls. The meeting minutes and motions for approval of minutes, payroll and vouchers were also acted on by unanimous vote.

What the meeting did not do: No ordinances changing city code or policy were adopted during this agenda beyond the individual contract and plat approvals described above; there were no recorded council votes to delay, table or reject any of the listed items at this meeting.