Palos Park council approves roadway final payment and several service contracts; sets 2025 insurance contribution

Palos Park — The Village Council of Palos Park on Monday, Jan. 13, approved final payments and contracts related to roadwork, water-system maintenance and village events, and authorized the village's 2025 payment to the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMAA).

The council approved a series of routine and project-specific items during a meeting at Village Hall, including the final payment for the 2024 Roadway Improvement Project, a maintenance agreement for the village SCADA water-monitoring system, repair work on a pump at the Holy Family lift station, a tent-and-equipment contract for the village's Autumn in the Park festival and the village's 2025 IRMAA contribution.

Why it matters: The votes authorize money already budgeted or approved for completed or ongoing village services (roads, water system monitoring and repairs) and set the village's insurance payment approach for 2025, all of which affect short-term expenditures and routine village operations.

The council first approved the minutes from its Dec. 9 regular meeting and a consent agenda that included three warrant lists. The consent agenda items were: ratification of invoices dated Dec. 23, 2024 in the amount of $97,286.25; payment of invoices dated Jan. 13, 2025 in the amount of $120,821.20; and a supplemental warrant list dated Jan. 13, 2025 for manual checks, payroll and recurring wire transfers in the amount of $484,983.55. Each of those items passed on roll-call votes.

Roadway final payment Commissioner Patan presented the public works item seeking approval of payment estimate No. 5 and the final payout for the 2024 Roadway Improvement Project to Lindell Brothers in the amount of $29,394.09. Public works reported total work to date of $1,178,754.67 and prior payments of $1,149,360.58, leaving the final payment amount cited by staff. The council approved the final payment on a roll call vote.

SCADA maintenance agreement Public works asked the council to approve a new 2025 maintenance agreement with Concentric Integration (previously Baxter & Woodman Control Systems) for maintenance of the village's supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system that monitors the water distribution system. The 2025 agreement was presented at a cost of $10,660.00 and was approved by the council. Staff said the agreement covers maintenance and 24-hour system monitoring.

Holy Family lift station pump repair Public works reported that one of two submersible pumps at the Holy Family Lift Station was running longer and pumping inefficiently. The department received two quotes from Flow Technics: to replace the pump for $19,759 or to rebuild it for $8,605. Public works recommended rebuilding the existing pump and keeping it as a spare; the council approved the $8,605 rebuild proposal.

IRMAA insurance contribution Manager Behm presented the village's annual contribution to IRMAA (Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency). IRMAA requested $114,488 for 2025; staff recommended using $82,488 from the village's IRMAA surplus credit reserve and paying the remaining $32,000 from village funds. Manager Behm described the village's historical contributions and deductibles and said the proposal would leave an IRMAA reserve balance of about $200,593. The council approved the payment approach on a roll-call vote.

Autumn in the Park tent contract Staff recommended staying with Big Tent Events of Carol Stream to provide tents, flooring, lights and staging for the 2025 Autumn in the Park festival. The company's quote was $22,013 and included optional items such as tent sidewalls and an expanded food-vendor area; staff said optional items could be canceled about a week to 10 days beforehand. The council approved the $22,013 contract.

Public safety and community reminders Commissioner Polk delivered the police activity report covering Dec. 29, 2024 through Jan. 12, 2025, citing calls for service, accident reports and traffic enforcement numbers. Polk also warned residents about tax-season scams, urging caution and noting that, "The IRS is too busy to call you and talk to you about your taxes, period," and reminding residents that the IRS does not request payment by prepaid cards or ask for PINs or passwords.

Announcements and next steps The meeting ended with calendar notes: the library board rescheduled its regular meeting to Jan. 20 at 5 p.m.; the Jan. 16 plan commission meeting was canceled for lack of agenda items; and the Recreation Advisory Board will meet Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. The council also promoted a free senior wellness class the next morning at the Recreation Center and a monthly meet-and-greet session the third Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Dec. 9 minutes: passed (roll call: yes votes recorded). - Consent agenda (three warrant lists totaling $703,090.00 approximately): passed (roll call: yes votes recorded). - Final payment, 2024 Roadway Improvement Project to Lindell Brothers: $29,394.09; passed on roll call. - 2025 SCADA maintenance agreement with Concentric Integration: $10,660.00; passed on roll call. - Flow Technics rebuild of Holy Family Lift Station pump: $8,605.00; passed on roll call. - 2025 IRMAA contribution: $114,488 (use $82,488 surplus credit + $32,000 village funds); passed on roll call. - Big Tent Events contract for Autumn in the Park: $22,013.00; passed on roll call.

The council heard no public comments during the citizens' comment period and adjourned after the announcements.