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Joliet previews contracts for cameras, meters, sewer work and theater rigging ahead of council vote
Summary
City staff told the pre-council their consent agenda will include contracts for surveillance cameras, large water meters and sewer rehabilitation, and a $117,000 repair of Bicentennial Park Theater rigging identified as a safety liability; one qualified contractor submitted a proposal.
The City of Joliet’s pre-council meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, reviewed a slate of consent agenda items that staff said will be presented for approval at the regular council meeting the next day, including contracts to upgrade public-safety equipment and water infrastructure and a safety-driven rigging replacement at Bicentennial Park Theater.
City Manager Beth described several procurement recommendations, saying the city plans to buy new computers for police vehicles ‘‘in an amount not to exceed $250,000’’ after a successful pilot. She also recommended awarding a $116,927 contract to Orbis Solutions Inc. for surveillance system hardware at the Ottawa Street parking deck to add cameras in stairwells and other areas downtown.
Beth said the water utility will pursue a 2025 large-meter replacement program with United Meters Inc. for $242,501 to replace larger meters that serve facilities such as hospitals and to improve water-loss control. She also outlined a $737,425 sanitary sewer rehabilitation contract and an amendment of up to $69,900 to a professional services agreement with RJN Group, Inc. to meet EPA requirements for lining where sewer-and-water separation is insufficient.
The city sought approval of preliminary engineering services from Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for the 2027 water system rehabilitation program, with the figure discussed in the meeting recorded as $898,700, and announced an I‑80 reconstruction coordination feasibility study with V3 Companies for $50,000 (state‑reimbursable).
On park infrastructure, staff recommended awarding $117,000 to Grand Stage Company to replace stage rigging at Bicentennial Park Theater, citing safety and liability concerns. Beth said the city reached out to three qualified firms and ‘‘the person that we ended up with was the only one that actually submitted a proposal.’’ Anne, the city’s director of cultural affairs and special events, added that the rigging dates to the 1970s and that additional rigging had been improperly installed at a later date. The Fire Department representative said their inspection identified multiple outdated systems and fire hazards, which prompted further review of the theater’s rigging.
Anne said she would provide the company’s proposal letter and the applicable code citations on request. Beth and other council members emphasized that the work is a safety issue and that union ironworkers will perform the installation.
Staff also previewed a $677,031.04 tax-increment financing draw for Rock Run development and several resolutions related to the Washington Street water-main improvement project, including license agreements and temporary easements with rail and transit agencies.
No final votes on the consent items were recorded at the pre-council meeting; staff said most of the items will be on the consent agenda for the council meeting the following evening.
