Public Works committee approves Thaxter Avenue repairs, office furniture purchase, addressing ordinance and utility agreements

Waukegan’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on April 7 approved a series of resolutions and an ordinance covering roadway repairs, office furniture procurement, updates to the addressing code, an electricity contract and easement agreements for utility work along River Road.

The committee approved a resolution to authorize roadway improvements on Thaxter Avenue by Morris Contracting Solutions, Inc., for a not-to-exceed amount of $125,000. A staff member told the committee that a large portion of Thaxter Avenue ‘‘has been vacated to a private party’’ and that the city still must maintain and improve a remaining segment. The resolution directs payment from the city line item 312131227637.

The committee also approved a purchase of office and training-room furniture for the Public Works department from Warehouse Direct through a joint purchasing agreement with Omnia Partners for an amount not to exceed $61,968.26, charged to line item 307130726367. A staff member said the current furniture dates from when staff moved from City Hall about 21 years ago and described the new items as ‘‘very versatile for not just the lunch room, but for training and other things.’’ Alderman Martinez said, ‘‘61,000 is nothing. I would have given them more if they wanted it.’’

Members approved an ordinance amending chapter 18 of the municipal code to update addressing requirements and increase fines for noncompliance; a staff member said the chapter had not been updated since the 1970s and that the change is intended to improve safety by ensuring visible addresses.

The committee ratified the water department’s participation in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Cooperative (NIMAC) and authorized the mayor to enter into an electricity supply agreement with Dynergy for a period of up to 36 months. A staff member said NIMAC solicited bids and Dynergy submitted the most optimal offer for specified city-owned properties.

Finally, the committee authorized the city to enter into an easement agreement and a release-of-recapture agreement for public utilities along River Road. A staff member explained the city’s effort is intended to create looped water mains to eliminate dead-end mains and maintain consistent pressure; the release-of-recapture covers a prior developer obligation from the early 2000s after the developer failed to complete the agreed reimbursement.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes for the March 17, 2025 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting — approved (5–0). - Resolution: roadway improvements on Thaxter Avenue by Morris Contracting Solutions, Inc., not to exceed $125,000 (funding: line item 312131227637) — approved (5–0). - Resolution: purchase of office/training-room furniture via Warehouse Direct through Omnia Partners, not to exceed $61,968.26 (funding: line item 307130726367) — approved (5–0). - Ordinance: amendment to Chapter 18 (addressing) to update language and increase fines for noncompliance — approved (5–0). - Contract award/ratification: electricity supply via NIMAC to Dynergy for up to 36 months — approved (5–0). - Resolution: easement and release-of-recapture agreements for utilities along River Road — approved (5–0).

Reports and next steps

Under reports, a staff member said the city’s recycling contractor, LRS, has begun removing recycling carts from households that repeatedly break recycling rules; staff said residents who report a missing cart may be contacted as part of enforcement.

The committee adjourned at 5:32 p.m.