Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves package of ordinances, contracts and software purchase; several routine items cleared
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Kankakee City Council approved multiple ordinances, contract awards and a software agreement, including liquor‑license changes, an HVAC bid and a Tyler Technologies software contract. The council also received an informational first reading of a five‑year CDBG consolidated plan.
The Kankakee City Council on Feb. 18 approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and contract awards covering permit requests, liquor‑license transfers, municipal bills, an HVAC contract, fireworks vendor selection and a citywide software purchase. Several items were passed by roll call with recorded abstentions where conflicts were declared.
Votes at a glance (key items and outcomes)
- Communications (agenda item 8 a–d): Council approved requests to host community events — Bishop McNamara Fighting Irish 5K (May 26), Cob Park Criterion (June 8), Merchant Street Art Gallery Run for Autism (June 15), and a Dad’s Day Tag Day (June 14) — motion approved by roll call, outcome 10 ayes, 0 nays.
- City bills (report of officers): Council approved the city bills in the amount of $1,295,504.15. Roll call recorded 10 ayes, 0 nays; the minutes record abstentions on specific checks that were noted in the roll call and documented in the clerk’s record.
- Environmental Services Utility (ESU) bills: ESU bills totaling $715,414.29 were approved by roll call, 10 ayes, 0 nays; specific abstentions were recorded for certain checks and documented in the minutes.
- Handicap parking ordinance (agenda item 12a): An ordinance amending chapter 32, section 231 of the municipal code to establish handicap parking signs at 567 North Hammis Avenue passed after motions to suspend rules and place on final reading, vote recorded 10 ayes, 0 nays.
- Liquor license actions (agenda items 12b–12d): • 12b — Ordinance repealing the class A liquor license formerly held by Flanagan’s Irish Pub, Inc. (to free the license for reissuance): motion to suspend rules and final reading passed; roll call recorded 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (abstention noted as due to potential conflict of interest). Outcome: ordinance approved. • 12c — Ordinance approving a class A liquor license for 150 North Schuyler (new operation to be called The Hideout): motion to suspend rules and place on final reading passed; roll call recorded 10 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention recorded in the minutes. Outcome: ordinance approved. • 12d — Ordinance approving transfer of ownership of a class A liquor license at 597 South Washington Avenue (transfer from Dustin Coy to Rick Jones): motion and final reading approved; roll call recorded 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention. Outcome: ordinance approved.
- TIF amendment (agenda item 12e): See separate article for full details (ordinance approved 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention).
- Fireworks contract waiver and award (agenda item 13a): Resolution waiving formal competitive bidding and awarding contracts for the 2025 Juneteenth and Independence Day fireworks to Mayand Inc. — motion required a supermajority; council approved (recorded tally 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention after mayoral vote to meet two‑thirds requirement). Outcome: resolution approved.
- HVAC upgrades (agenda item 13b): Resolution accepting the Houlihan Heating and Sheet Metal Inc. bid for HVAC upgrades at the city administration building (base bid $83,750 plus an optional dehumidifier alternate of $22,520 for a total of $106,270). Council approved the resolution by roll call (10 ayes, 0 nays). Funding to come from ESU capital budget; staff said estimate was below budgeted reserves.
- Tyler Technologies software agreement (agenda item 13c): Council authorized acceptance and execution of a Tyler Technologies software‑as‑a‑service agreement and statement of work for an enterprise permitting/records system for the city in the amount of $427,093. The administration said approximately $350,000 of the cost will be paid from previously allocated ARPA funds; the motion passed on roll call (10 ayes, 0 nays). City staff described a 10–12 month implementation timeline and training for staff and aldermen.
- Consolidated Plan (agenda item 13d): City staff (ECDA Director Brewer Watson) presented the draft 2025–2029 consolidated plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for first reading. No action was taken; staff said final approval and a vote are expected March 3 after HUD and congressional budget allocations are final.
Several other routine committee reports, department updates and personnel/appointment items were read into the record and either approved or scheduled for future action. The meeting adjourned after council member comments.
