Crest Hill council approves mailbox ordinance changes, workplace camera policy, construction contracts and emergency sewer work; approves bills

The Crest Hill City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, approved multiple ordinances, resolutions and contracts including changes to mailbox-damage claim limits, a workplace camera policy change, three construction agreements and an emergency change order for the West Sanitary Sewer Treatment Project. The council also approved the list of bills for payment.

Key outcomes (motions passed by roll call):

- Ordinance amending Section 12.36.020 (mailbox damage claims): Council approved an ordinance raising the amounts paid on mailbox claims (single mailbox up to $250; two mailboxes per post up to $325; four or more per post up to $350). The ordinance was discussed by City Attorney Mike Steff, who said he revised the language for clarity and incorporated amounts the council previously agreed on. (Ordinance number recorded as 2011 in the minutes.)

- Resolution on cameras in the workplace (employee handbook addition): Council approved a resolution to add workplace camera policy language to the employee handbook; the revised language removed a reference to Local 150 employees and broadened the scope to cover all employees and clarified that camera use may relate to disciplinary or misconduct matters as well as criminal activity. (Resolution 1277.)

- Emergency change order for West Sanitary Sewer Treatment Project (Change Order No. 8): The council approved an emergency change order with Bistro Construction Company not to exceed $55,757 to unfreeze a clarifier and transfer material between plants after cold-weather impacts required immediate work. City Public Works staff and the city engineer said the work was needed to return the plant to operation before extreme cold. The motion passed by roll call.

- Construction agreements: The council approved three public-works construction agreements discussed at a prior workshop: a 2024 sanitary cleaning and televising contract with Hoyer Construction Inc. for $89,760 (Resolution 1278); the Ludwig Water Main Replacement with Len Cox & Sons Excavating for $119,000 (Resolution 1279); and an engagement letter with Chapman and Cutler LLP for legal/funding assistance related to IEPA Water Pollution Control Loan Program work not to exceed $20,000 (Resolution 1280).

- Financial approvals: The council approved the list of bills issued through Jan. 21, 2025, in the amount of $578,886.75. The treasurer also reported a regular overtime payroll totaling $270,101.32 for Dec. 30, 2024 through Jan. 12, 2025 (reported, not requiring action).

Motions to approve the minutes of the Jan. 6, 2025 meeting and to open/close the PEID public hearing were also recorded and carried by roll call. Several items were discussed in staff reports and placed on upcoming agendas for further work; no executive-action items beyond those above were taken at tonight's meeting.