Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves proclamations, Lexipol police policy contract and 26-foot community tree; reviews several first readings
Summary
The Washington City Council unanimously approved ceremonial proclamations, authorized a Lexipol contract for police policy services ($28,062.75), and approved a $29,339.25 purchase authorization for a 26-foot community Christmas tree; council also heard first readings on paratransit, solicitors, RV parking and animal control agreements.
The Washington City Council unanimously approved a set of routine but varied items at its October meeting, including proclamations, a police-policy contract with Lexipol and the purchase of a community Christmas tree.
Mayor Liliya v Stevens presented proclamations honoring Washington Middle School’s 2025 IESA 2A baseball champions and designating Nov. 9 as Washington Historical Society Roots Celebration Day. Both proclamations were approved by voice vote.
City Administrator Dennis Carr introduced a purchase-authorization request for the police department to contract Lexipol for updated policy services. Chief Stevens told the council that Lexipol is a sole-source provider for policy updates and that “the total is $28,062.75,” with most of the cost covered by Illinois Public Risk Fund rebates and grants. The council approved the purchase by voice vote.
Staff presented two holiday-tree options and recommended a $1,000 contingency to cover shipping. The council selected the 26-foot tree, with a total purchase authorization listed as $29,339.25, and approved the expenditure.
Council voted on three resolutions by title: to apply for a state historical marker for Candlewood Bridge; to authorize a cash-rent farm lease with Aaron Burkler for the 2026 crop year; and to accept the Washington Park District annexation petition (the annexation vote and amendment are covered in a separate report). All three resolutions were approved, with the annexation considered separately due to an amendment.
During the meeting staff also presented four first readings for future action: an intergovernmental agreement with CityLift for ADA paratransit services (Alderperson Johnson offered to provide user feedback), revisions to the solicitors and peddlers ordinance (including proposed changes to identification and payment timing), an amendment to parking rules for RVs and campers (discussion focused on a 24-hour cumulative allowance over seven days), and an intergovernmental agreement with Tazewell County for animal and rabies control. Those items were presented for later consideration and were not finalized at this meeting.
The council entered executive session to discuss probable or pending litigation under the Illinois Open Meetings Act and then adjourned; no public details were released during the meeting about the litigation topic.
