Lincoln Park council adopts 'disruptive behavior' civil infraction, approves AMI contract and joins PFAS settlement
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Summary
At its Nov. 10 meeting, the Lincoln Park City Council added a municipal 'disruptive behavior' civil infraction to the city code, awarded an advanced metering infrastructure contract to Core & Main, authorized engineering for major water and sewer projects, and concurred in joining a phase‑2 PFAS class settlement.
The Lincoln Park City Council on Nov. 10 adopted an ordinance creating a municipal civil infraction for disruptive behavior and approved several water and sewer initiatives, including awarding an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) contract to Core & Main and authorizing engineering for lead service and sewer rehabilitation projects.
City Attorney Zelnick told the council the change "decriminalizes to some extent some disturbing the peace offenses, which were once misdemeanors," and explained the proposed section would allow prosecutors discretion to amend a first offense to a civil infraction "which ... doesn't go on their permanent record." The ordinance, labeled in the reading as 666.10 "disruptive behavior," defines disruptive conduct (loud, boisterous, quarrelsome, vulgar or threatening acts that police determine are not criminal) as a municipal civil infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 plus costs. The council gave first and second reading and adopted the amendment by roll call.
On utilities, staff presented the results of a competitive procurement for an AMI water‑meter changeout. Bids ranged from about $5.0 million (Ferguson) to over $7.0 million (Aetna); Core & Main's bid was reported at roughly $6.66 million. After interviews and technical review, staff recommended awarding the contract to Core & Main "for funding to be determined by the finance department," and the council approved the award.
Council also authorized Hennessy Engineers to design and administer two state Revolving Fund projects: a 2026 DWSRF lead service replacement (replace 450 lead services) at a proposed engineering cost of $450,126, and a 2026 CWSRF sanitary sewer rehabilitation project (CIPP, cleaning, CCTV, smoke testing) at a proposed engineering cost of $948,250. Both authorizations noted the account numbers and final funding arrangements would be determined by the finance department.
The council voted to concur with the city manager's recommendation to participate in the phase‑2 national PFAS class‑action settlement. City Attorney Zelnick said participation carries no upfront cost to the city, and attorney fees are set by the federal court; recovered funds would be available for water‑system improvements if the class recovers in phase 2.
Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (minutes, claims, CDBG, lot splits/combinations, etc.): approved by roll call (Nichols, Ross, Salcedo, Zohler, Mayor Tobin — yes). • Ordinance adding 'disruptive behavior' (666.10): adopted by roll call (yes: Nichols, Ross, Salcedo, Zohler, Mayor Tobin). • Salem Model Group LLC — Class B used‑vehicle dealer license (4085 Ford St.): approved by roll call. • Concur with Phase‑2 PFAS settlement participation: approved by roll call. • Award AMI contract to Core & Main: approved by roll call (account/funding to be determined). • Authorize Hennessy Engineers for DWSRF lead‑service project ($450,126) and CWSRF sewer rehab ($948,250): both approved by roll call.
What happens next The new disruptive‑behavior ordinance will be added to the city code per the mayor's reading; fines and enforcement practices will depend on police and prosecutorial discretion. Funding for the AMI procurement and SRF projects will be assigned to accounts by the finance department and brought back for implementation. Participation in the PFAS settlement means the city will be part of any phase‑2 recovery process overseen by the federal court and class counsel.
Attribution Quotes and policy summaries are drawn from on‑the‑record remarks by City Attorney Zelnick and staff presentations to council during the Nov. 10 meeting.
