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Orland Park board authorizes PR services contract amid questions about procurement and a former employee
Summary
The board approved hiring Publicity (an LLC whose designated agent is a former village employee) for public-relations services; trustees raised concerns about redundancy, lack of competing bids and potential optics involving a former village employee.
The Village of Orland Park voted to authorize public-relations services with Publicity LLC, a firm whose designated agent and principal, Nabiya Ziyar, is a former village employee. Trustees approved the authorization after debate over procurement, staffing overlap and transparency.
Village Manager George told trustees the proposed agreement updates an earlier arrangement and aims to boost public communications following citizen-survey feedback that the village needed clearer outreach. “We know that we have to enhance our communication abilities,” George said, citing survey results and a need to coordinate with stakeholders.
Trustee Joseph Malani, Trustee Katzenas and others criticized the process, saying no competing bids were solicited and expressing concern about perceived patronage because Ziyar is a former village employee and had been identified publicly as helping the mayor’s campaign earlier in the year. “I do have a concern about the redundancy of services that we already have,” Katzenas said, noting that recreation, police and village departments already maintain communications functions.
Supporters noted Ziyar’s local experience and prior work for the village. A resident speaker urged the board to consider transparency in hiring and procurement. Trustee Leafblad moved the authorization; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with Trustees Leafblad, Lawrence, Lawler and Mayor Dodge voting “Aye,” and Trustees Kitsinas and Malani voting “No”; Trustee Healy was absent.
The motion authorizes the village manager to execute a contract with Publicity subject to attorney review; it also allows the manager to approve change orders within contingency limits.
