Orland Park board approves $10.16 million water‑main contract, multiple infrastructure and event contracts; amends liquor‑license cap

The Orland Park Village Board on March 3 approved a series of contract awards, change orders and ordinance changes, led by a $9.66 million contract for Catalina subdivision water‑main work plus a $500,000 contingency (total not to exceed $10,161,051). The board also approved a sole‑source purchase of a Recon 180 use‑of‑force training simulator, a $1.495 million increase to a contract for the 143rd Street widening project, a $50,000 METRA agreement for railroad crossing work and authorization for the village manager to finalize entertainment contracts for Centennial Park West events. The board adopted an ordinance amending Title 7, Chapter 4 of the municipal code related to the number of Class A liquor licenses issued by the village.

Why it matters: the votes allocate more than $10 million in construction work and authorize multiple operational purchases and event contracts that affect road construction, utility replacement, police training and seasonal village programming.

Most important actions

- Catalina subdivision water main improvements (RFP 25‑012): The board waived competitive bidding in favor of an RFP process and approved award to Ares Incorporated of Joliet for $9,661,051 with a $500,000 contingency (total not to exceed $10,161,051). Trustee Healy abstained, citing a business relationship with a contractor; other trustees and the mayor voted in favor. The village manager was authorized to sign related contracts subject to village attorney review and to approve change orders within the authorized amount.

- Recon 180 use‑of‑force simulator (sole source): The board approved a sole‑source contract with TI Training Corp for a Recon 180 simulator at a cost not to exceed $89,600, and authorized the village manager to execute related agreements subject to attorney review.

- 143rd Street widening (change order): The board approved change order No. 2 and Addendum B to the Transystems Corporation contract for final design engineering services for the 143rd Street widening from Wolf Road to Southwest Highway (Phase 2), increasing the not‑to‑exceed contract by $1,495,801 to a new total of $7,020,786. Trustee Healy recorded an abstention because of a business relationship with a contractor; other board members voted to approve.

- METRA agreement (railroad crossing improvements): The board approved execution of the METRA agreement for railroad crossing improvements and related engineering reimbursement for a total not to exceed $50,000 and authorized the village manager to sign related agreements subject to attorney review.

- Centennial Park West concert series and Taste of Orland Park (contracting authority): The board authorized the village manager to negotiate and execute contracts, including deposit payments and riders, with artists and agents for the Centennial Park West concert series and the 2025 Taste of Orland Park, subject to conditions. Conditions include: (1) individual act compensation, including performance fees and rider costs, must not exceed $25,000 unless within the village's approved recreation and parks budget; (2) the village manager must stay within approved budget and event planning objectives; (3) the board retains discretion over timing of public announcements; and (4) the manager's authority does not extend to independently selecting entertainment acts. The authorization remains in effect for the duration of planning and execution unless modified by the board.

- Amendment to Title 7, Chapter 4 (liquor licenses): The board adopted an ordinance amending the municipal code provision that governs the number of Class A liquor licenses issued by the village of Orland Park, Cook County, Illinois. The ordinance was moved for adoption and passed on a roll call vote.

Other board approvals and routine actions

- Accounts payable: The board approved accounts payable for Feb. 18–March 3, 2025, in the amount of $3,320,658.68.

- Consent agenda items: The board approved payroll for Feb. 14, 2025; disposal of police department electronic equipment (recommended ordinance); next‑day plus printer maintenance contract (2025); Lexipol three‑year subscription purchase; RFP 25‑012 Catalina Subdivision water main project (phase 3 of 3) award (motion later pulled for separate action); Office 365 SaaS data backup; Cisco phone system upgrade; Granicus three‑year contract extension; George Brown Commons demolition and site restoration (ITB25‑008); and downtown Orland Park final plat of subdivision and plat of vacation. The board approved items a–d and f–k of the consent agenda as presented.

- Executive session: The board voted to go into executive session to discuss minutes of closed meetings and pending litigation matters.

Board members and conflicts of interest noted in the meeting: Trustee Healy abstained from the Catalina water‑main award and the 143rd Street change order, citing a business relationship with a contractor. Other trustees and the mayor voted in favor of the items indicated above.

What the board did not decide tonight: No final construction schedules, contractor change‑order details beyond amounts approved, or firm dates for the Centennial Park West bookings were specified in the motions; staff were authorized to complete contracts subject to attorney review and budget limits.

The board's actions allocate village funds and authorize staff to execute contracts that move engineering, utility replacement and public‑programming projects forward. Several items were approved by roll call; Trustee Healy recorded two abstentions for conflicts disclosed on the record.

Ending: The board closed the public portion of the meeting by voting to enter executive session to discuss closed minutes and pending litigation.