Collinsville council approves police civilian contract, fire equipment purchase, road funding and park projects

At its April 14 meeting, the Collinsville City Council voted to approve a package of ordinances and resolutions including a three‑year civilian collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 103, a purchase of self‑contained breathing apparatus for the fire department, a local funding agreement with IDOT for Horseshoe Lake and McDowell Lake roads, park and recreation contracts, and one appointment to the Park & Recreation Advisory Commission.

Police Chief Brett Worman presented the civilian bargaining agreement, telling the council the parties reached a tentative agreement after one negotiating session and that the union ratified the deal on March 20. "We came to an agreement of 3 and a half percent for 2026," Worman said, adding that 2027 and 2028 wage changes will follow CPI language with a 3% floor and 4% ceiling. The council approved the ordinance by roll call vote.

Fire Chief John Balo recommended awarding equipment to Sentinel Emergency Solutions after a formal bid process; Sentinel was the lowest responsible bidder at $324,533.62. With the addition of in-house mask-fit testing equipment, the total purchase price is $336,140.62. Balo said a FEMA grant is expected to cover 90% of the cost and the city will match the remaining 10%; the council approved the purchase.

Public works director Troy Turner briefed the council on a local agency funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation that will allow the city to solicit bids for intersection and signal improvements; construction was estimated at $600,000 with $480,000 federally funded and a $120,000 local match. Turner said IDOT asked that certain funds be moved into preliminary engineering to speed reimbursement; the council adopted the resolution.

In parks business, council authorized a $309,697.72 agreement with All Inclusive Rec to finish installation of an inclusive playground at Glenwood Park (equipment, surfacing and fencing), approved the annual facility‑use agreement with Gator Swim Club for Conoco Aqua Park lap‑lane use, and appointed Emily George to the Park & Recreation Advisory Commission. Several items were included in a consent agenda vote that passed at the start of the meeting, including routine bills and payroll.

Motions were made and seconded on recorded roll calls for each of these items; recorded votes in the meeting transcript show councilmembers Green, Seaton, Hausman, Furman, Berman and Stamen voting in the affirmative on the listed motions. The meeting concluded after council authorized a closed-session discussion under Illinois statutes on personnel and litigation matters and then approved adjournment.