Zion council approves engineering contracts, 24‑month energy aggregation renewal, promotion and surplus vehicle disposal

ZION — The Zion City Council on May 6 approved a package of contracts and personnel actions, voting unanimously to authorize engineering services and construction observation for several infrastructure projects, renew the city’s electricity aggregation program for 24 months and approve a promotion and the disposal of a surplus police vehicle.

The council approved an Illinois Department of Transportation resolution to use $146,500 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for design, engineering and construction observation on Galilee Avenue; a local public agency engineering agreement for Galilee Avenue resurfacing; and a construction‑engineering proposal from Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. for Phase 1 of the Twentieth Street storm improvement project. Director Roberts told the council the storm upgrade is estimated at $220,000 and will be grant funded and that the Galilee resurfacing construction cost is estimated at $89,400 and “is fully reimbursable under the FAU SDP program.”

Mayor Mary McKinney, who presented the recommendation to renew the city’s electricity aggregation contract, said the city has worked with MC Squared Energy Services for several years and recommended choosing option 2, a 12‑ to 24‑month term with a ComEd price‑match feature. McKinney cited a projected civic conservation contribution to the city of about $50,000 over two years and noted current ComEd supply pricing at 6.552¢ per kilowatt‑hour. The council approved the 24‑month option.

The council also approved a proposal to identify and dispose of surplus police property, specifically a 2018 Ford Interceptor (VIN ending 17254) with about 118,000 miles; police staff said the vehicle’s transmission failed and repair costs were roughly $7,000, making repair uneconomical. The measure authorizes staff to work with public works and the city administrator to set a minimum bid or otherwise legally dispose of the vehicle.

On personnel, the council approved the fire chief’s requests to promote firefighter‑paramedic Matthew Henby to lieutenant, effective May 7, 2025, following the recent retirement of Lieutenant Tom Bailey, and authorized hiring the next qualified firefighter‑paramedic from the Fire and Police Commission eligibility list. Chief Street presented the promotion request and noted the Fire and Police Commission had released the eligible names.

All recorded votes on the items listed below passed unanimously. Motions were made and seconded as recorded in the meeting minutes; roll calls recorded five ayes and no nays for each item. Funding sources cited in staff presentations included state reimbursements and existing fiscal‑year budget items.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (regular meeting 04/15/2025): motion by Commissioner Stackhouse, second by Commissioner McDowell; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. - Bills/vouchers (143097–143195), total $1,209,530.17: motion by Commissioner Fisher, second by Commissioner Stackhouse; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. - IDOT/MFT resolution for Galilee Avenue design/observation, $146,500 from MFT fund: motion by Commissioner Stackhouse, second by Commissioner Fisher; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. - Renewal of municipal electricity aggregation with MC Squared Energy Services (option 2, 24 months): motion by Commissioner McDowell, second by Commissioner Stackhouse; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. - Proposal for construction engineering services (Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd.) for Phase 1 Twentieth Street storm improvements (grant funded, est. $220,000): motion by Commissioner Fisher, second by Commissioner Stackhouse; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. - Local public agency engineering agreement for Galilee Avenue resurfacing (est. construction cost $89,400; FAU SDP reimbursable): motion by Commissioner Stackhouse, second by Commissioner Fisher; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. - Disposal of surplus police vehicle (2018 Ford Interceptor, VIN ending 17254, ~118,000 miles): motion by Commissioner McDowell, second by Commissioner Stackhouse; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. - Promotion of firefighter‑paramedic Matthew Henby to lieutenant (effective 2025‑05‑07) and authorization to hire next eligible firefighter‑paramedic from the eligibility list: motion by Commissioner McDowell, second by Commissioner Stackhouse; outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0.

Why it matters: The engineering contracts and construction‑observation agreements authorize city staff to begin work on resurfacing and storm‑drain projects that staff said are grant‑funded or reimbursable, limiting direct local capital exposure. The energy aggregation renewal fixes the city’s supplier for the next two years under the recommended terms and carries a projected conservation contribution to the city. The personnel actions restore rank and staffing in the fire department after a retirement, and the surplus‑vehicle disposal removes high‑cost maintenance items from the police fleet.

The council did not set firm construction start dates for the road projects during the meeting; staff said some projects must still complete IDOT approvals. Director Roberts estimated 8–10 weeks of work for one resurfacing contract once construction begins. The council’s roll calls for each item are recorded in the meeting minutes.