Council approves sidewalk extension, ambulance purchase and multiple appointments; used-car license cleared with conditions

The Lincoln Park City Council on an evening meeting approved a set of routine and specific items including a one-year extension for sidewalk repairs with the incumbent contractor, the purchase of a new frontline ambulance and multiple appointments to local authorities. The council also approved a used auto dealer license with conditions tied to compliance with planning and building requirements; a proposed two-year extension for a contractor that handles the city's residential cross-connection (backflow prevention) program was withdrawn for more information.

The council voted to extend KV Cement's sidewalk contract at the contractor's 2022 unit rates, covering 4-inch sidewalk at $11.25 per square foot and 6-inch sidewalk at $12.50 per square foot. The city said the program is funded from capital improvement funds and would generally begin with the next budget year on July 1. Several council members raised concerns about continuing to award work without rebidding, saying local contractors should have a chance to bid; other members noted the extension preserves current unit pricing and allows the city to begin work under an already-known cost structure.

Council members approved the purchase of a Ford F-450 XLT 7.3-liter gasoline 4x4 Type I ambulance as a capital improvement. The city presented three pricing options from a cooperative purchasing group and recommended the Ford F-450 at a price not to exceed $218,060 to replace a 10-year-old frontline vehicle. The resolution authorizes purchase and indicated funds would come from capital improvement account 410-001-98-3 (amount not to exceed $218,060). The council was told the city is exploring financing options so the full cash amount may not be required up front.

Several appointments to city authorities and commissions were approved by roll call, including an appointment of Maureen Tobin to the Economic Development Corporation and other appointments to the Downtown Development Authority and Community Improvement Commission. Each appointment passed on roll call.

On a separate item, the council approved a new used auto dealer license for CarHub LP (855 Southfield Road) but amended the approval to require the business to comply with all planning commission stipulations and building department requirements and to obtain a full certificate of occupancy before conducting any operations not expressly allowed by the temporary approvals. The council's amendment reflects members' concerns that the applicant had not completed required work outlined by the planning commission and that the building/operational approvals remain outstanding. Council members also clarified the vote was for a new license (not a renewal).

A proposed two-year extension of HydroCorp's contract to carry out residential cross-connection/backflow prevention work, with a stated total not-to-exceed cost of $152,784 charged to the Water Cross connection account, was brought up but the support for the motion was withdrawn by the mover and the item was tabled for a later meeting so staff can provide additional information on costs and past payments.

All formal votes reported by the clerk were taken by roll call and recorded as part of the meeting record. Where roll-call names were read, the council recorded affirmative votes; the council did not record any recorded dissenting votes for the items that were adopted that evening.

Going forward, the city indicated it will bring additional documentation for the HydroCorp cross-connection item and return it to a future agenda. The council also said it will revisit bidding policy and timing for sidewalk and other recurring public-works contracts.

Votes at a glance (items addressed that evening): - Consent agenda (minutes, payables, federal property exemption guidelines) — approved by roll call. - KV Cement contract extension for 2025 sidewalk repair program at 2022 unit rates — approved by roll call; funding: capital improvement funds. - HydroCorp two-year contract extension (residential cross-connection/backflow devices; total not to exceed $152,784) — mover withdrew support; item tabled/withdrawn. - Purchase of Ford F-450 XLT Type I ambulance — approved by roll call; funds from capital improvement account; price not to exceed $218,060. - Multiple appointments to the Economic Development Corporation, Downtown Development Authority and Community Improvement Commission — approved by roll call. - CarHub LP, used auto dealer license (855 Southfield Road) — approved as a new license with added conditions requiring compliance with planning commission stipulations and final certificate of occupancy (CO) before conducting restricted activities.

Notes: The meeting record shows roll-call votes called by the city clerk for each adopted item; the transcript lists members called and recorded as voting 'yes.' Specific mover/second names were not consistently recorded for all motions in the transcript; where a maker and seconder were stated it is recorded in the minutes. The HydroCorp extension was explicitly withdrawn from the agenda and will return with additional documentation.