Lincoln Park council endorses community coalition, updates utility fees and contracts; several unanimous votes

The Lincoln Park City Council voted unanimously to endorse the Lincoln Park Social Coalition, approve engineering and technology purchases and update the city’s water-service fee schedule, among other actions, at its regular meeting.

Council members also approved a contract to update the city’s pavement condition data and transportation asset management plan, authorized purchases of two in‑car Panasonic “Toughbook” computers for patrol vehicles, and adopted an updated Department of Public Services fee schedule that raises several residential water-service installation charges. The council voted to rename the council chambers for Edward M. Zelnick, the city’s longtime attorney.

City staff presented a resolution endorsing the Lincoln Park Social Coalition, describing it in the resolution text as “a civic, not for profit, non governmental organization” whose primary goal is “to improve the quality of life for the residents of Lincoln Park.” Several council members discussed whether the resolution kept the group outside the formal city structure; staff confirmed the resolution as written does not make the coalition a city commission or place it under city administration. During public comment Paula Miller, a member of the Social Development Coalition, asked for clarification about what “endorse and support” means in practice and whether the coalition will have a council liaison or be expected to regularly submit reports; the mayor said the question would be directed to legal counsel when they return.

The council authorized Hennessy Engineers (listed in the packet variously as HESI/Hennessey/Hennessy Engineers) to perform the city’s 2025 PASER (pavement surface evaluation and rating) data collection and prepare an updated Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP). City staff said the one‑time cost for the PASER/TAMP work will not exceed $12,000 and will be paid from the city’s major and local road surface maintenance accounts. Council members asked whether the updated PASER would replace or adjust the city’s current 10‑year road plan; staff answered the new evaluation will be used to update priorities based on present pavement conditions and expected the updated plan back about January.

The police department requested and the council approved waiving formal bidding to purchase two Panasonic Toughbook laptop computers and accessories for two new patrol vehicles from a state‑pricing vendor, CDW‑G. In the staff presentation the total cost was stated as $9,247.60 and identified to come from the police computer equipment account; the resolution read into the record and voted on later contains a higher figure ($99,247.60). City staff and council did not provide an on‑the‑record correction during the meeting. (See clarifying details below.)

The Department of Public Services presented an update to the fee schedule for residential water‑service installations, explaining the schedule had not been updated since 2016 and that post‑pandemic material and contractor costs have risen. The resolution adopted new fees including: a 1‑inch short‑side service tap, $3,850; 1‑inch long‑side, $7,150; 1.5‑inch short side, $4,100; 1.5‑inch long side, $7,300; 2‑inch short side, $4,500; and 2‑inch long side, $7,600. Staff described examples (for instance, a rebuilt house that had its service terminated after a demolition needing full reinstallation) to explain why the fees changed and answered council questions about definitions of “short side” and “long side.”

Council also approved renaming the council chambers to the Edward M. Zelnick Council Chambers and the Council Conference Room to the John A. Eloisi Conference Chambers. During that agenda item several council members praised Zelnick’s long service to the city.

Votes at a glance (all measures below were recorded in roll‑call votes and passed): - Consent agenda (minutes, accounts and claims, block party permit): passed (roll call recorded as all present voting yes). - Resolution endorsing the Lincoln Park Social Coalition: passed (roll call recorded as all present voting yes). - Police purchase of two Panasonic Toughbook computers (waive formal bidding; vendor CDW‑G): passed (roll call recorded as all present voting yes). See clarifying details for cost discrepancy. - PASER/TAMP contract with Hennessy Engineers, cost not to exceed $12,000: passed (roll call recorded as all present voting yes). - Department of Public Services fee schedule update for residential water-service installation fees (various new amounts): passed (roll call recorded as all present voting yes). - Naming resolutions renaming council chambers and conference room to honor Edward M. Zelnick and John A. Eloisi: passed (roll call recorded as all present voting yes).

The council heard a city manager’s report with project updates: construction at the Dixon/Southfield site (Chick‑fil‑A) is underway with an estimated mid‑January construction completion; Champaign road reconstruction is running behind and is expected to be complete by Sept. 5; Ford Park playground equipment was installed; staff are preparing specifications and will seek bids for a new water‑meter system; and audits and dangerous‑building board actions are ongoing. The manager reported the city is testing the website “Notify Me” feature for meeting packet and notice alerts.

Public comments included a resident request that future Lincoln Park Days event fencing route use the parking‑lot entrance to reduce residential parking on Gregory Avenue, a complaint about an unreplaced garbage‑can lid, and requests for leveling on Dix Avenue where repeated water main breaks and temporary repairs have resulted in rough surface and vibration. Paula Miller of the Social Development Coalition asked the council to clarify what “endorse and support” will mean in practice for that coalition and whether it will provide regular reports to the council or have a liaison; the mayor said the question would be referred to legal counsel for clarification.

Clarifying details and notes: - Toughbook purchase cost: city staff presentation stated the total cost for two Panasonic Toughbook computers and accessories as $9,247.60 and identified the police computer equipment account as the funding source. The resolution as read later in the meeting and adopted lists the total as $99,247.60. The discrepancy was not resolved on the record. The article reports both figures and flags the difference for public follow‑up. - Accounting code correction: during the roll call the clerk corrected the account number for the police computer equipment from one number to account ending in 820 as the correct charge code. - Contractor/consultant name variations: the packet and staff remarks used several variants (HESI Engineering, Hennessey Engineers, Hennessy Engineers Incorporated). The council motion and staff presentation identified the same consultant engagement to perform PASER/TAMP work; this article normalizes the name to Hennessy Engineers (as shown in the packet) and records the cost limit as presented ($12,000).

What this means next: items that require further administrative follow‑up include legal counsel clarifying the practical meaning of “endorse and support” for the Social Coalition (liaison/reporting expectations), confirmation from police finance staff of the correct total cost and account coding for the Toughbook purchase, and final bids and scheduling details for the city water‑meter modernization and Champaign road work. The mayor and council directed staff actions and will receive updates at future meetings. The council adjourned at 7:59 p.m.