Alderman proposes 'responsible bidder' ordinance; council discusses adding certified payroll requirements for city projects

LaSalle — An alderman announced plans to draft an ordinance that would add language to city procurement rules to require certain contractor compliance standards for city projects, including certified payroll documentation and other criteria modeled on ordinances in nearby cities.

The alderman said he will work with the city attorney to prepare draft language within two weeks and noted that City of Ottawa and City of Peru ordinances include language he hopes to adapt. He said some cities require certified payroll and other checks to ensure contractors comply with state statutes and pay requirements.

Other council members requested more information before authorizing any new ordinance, noting potential costs and the need to avoid overlapping requirements with existing prevailing-wage rules. City staff explained that certified payroll is already required for some state-funded road jobs (MFT) and some grant-funded work, and that staff sometimes requests certified payroll before final payment on municipal jobs, but the city does not have a broad, standalone certified-payroll requirement for all city projects.

The alderman said he believes adding certified payroll and responsible-bidder language would close gaps and urged colleagues to review sample ordinances he circulated. "Over the next 2 weeks, I will be working closely with attorney McFeder to draft something," he said. Council members agreed to review the drafts and consider the matter at a future meeting.