Finance committee approves air filtration, IT contract, lobbying renewal, benefits and tourism payment
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Summary
The committee approved multiple procurement and contract items including a $204,860 air filtration purchase for fire stations, a $100,000 IT services authorization (Cybernetics LLC), renewal of a two‑year lobbying contract, employee benefits renewals with plan design changes, and a $37,620 Visit Lake County marketing contribution.
At its Nov. 17 meeting the Waukegan Finance and Purchasing Committee approved a slate of procurement and contract items recommended by staff.
Air filtration: The committee approved a resolution to purchase air filtration systems for fire stations 1, 2, 4 and 5 from Rossman Enterprises (DBA Magna Grip) via joint purchasing at a cost of $204,860 to be charged to the specified line item.
Lobbying services: The committee voted to ratify a two‑year lobbying services agreement with Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc. at $10,000 per month through Dec. 31, 2027. Julia Larkin, a principal at Cornerstone, introduced herself and thanked the committee for the partnership.
IT services: The committee authorized the IT department to procure data storage, maintenance and professional services from Cybernetics LLC as a sole‑source provider and to exceed $25,000 up to $100,000, citing iSCAN network data requirements.
Employee benefits: Human Resources recommended renewing agreements with EyeMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and MetLife. Consultant Kurt Schmiedke (Global Benefits) outlined plan design changes: increasing the HMO maximum out‑of‑pocket from $1,000 to $1,500 and raising the PPO deductible (consultant quoted figures and an estimated reduction in the renewal increase from 8.8% to about 5.3%); aldermen questioned whether employees would face higher premiums or costs and were told employees pay 10% of plan costs and the changes would still result in lower employer renewal costs compared with accepting the insurer renewals as‑is.
Visit Lake County: The committee approved the city’s annual Visit Lake County partnership contribution of $37,620 to support marketing and tourism promotion of Waukegan events and businesses; a visitors bureau board member explained event selection is coordinated with city staff and that the bureau highlighted 46 Waukegan events and businesses and maintains a newsletter with roughly 14,000 subscribers.
Votes: For items where roll call was requested, the committee recorded unanimous 'aye' votes among the members present (recorded roll calls show Aldermen Newsom/Newsome, Felix and Martinez voting 'Aye').