Prospect Heights council approves subdivision, one-year lobby contract and $192,336 Willow Trails change order

Prospect Heights’ city council approved three substantive items at its Jan. 12 meeting: the final plat for a two-lot subdivision at 100 West Camp McDonald, a one-year consulting and lobbying agreement, and a $192,335.97 construction change order on the Willow Trails flood-control project.

On the Resniski subdivision (resolution R2558), staff described a plan by property owner Mr. Worzinski to subdivide a parcel of slightly more than an acre into two buildable lots, with an existing house on one lot. Dan, a city staff member, said the applicant agreed to covenants and screening (natural barriers or fencing) to reduce the visual impact of two houses between larger single-family lots. The council approved the final plat by roll call; Aldermen Dolick, Morgan Adams, Anderson and Cameron voted yes.

The council then approved R2601, a 12-month consulting services agreement with SAQ Consulting, Inc., to provide lobbying and consulting services for a monthly fee of $3,500. The mayor explained the city—described as a non-home-rule community—pursues targeted lobbying in Springfield to advance local legislative priorities, and the contract was presented as a general appointment to be re-evaluated after a year. The council approved the contract by roll call vote (Cameron, Anderson, Morgan Adams, Dolick voted yes).

Council approved R2602, a construction change order with Burger Excavators, Inc., for additional winter pavement and related work on the Willow Trails flood-control project in the amount of $192,335.97. Mark (staff) said the change order covered cold patching (~$83,000), removal of asbestos pipe (~$65,000), additional stormwater structures (~$16,000), and riprap/rip wrap for the pond (~$28,000). He said the overall project remains near a $3.2 million projection and that the city received a $2.4 million community project funding grant from Congresswoman Jen Shicowski; the city’s 25% share (about $800,000) is still within budget and with the change order will be about $790,000.

All three items were approved by the four aldermen present; Alderman Dash was absent by prior notification. Several council members discussed contingency planning (typical 10%) and noted that the change order is roughly 7.5% of the total project cost.

Other items: staff reported permit-record scanning progress and that Nomad’s Mongolian restaurant has moved to a first-floor space; the police chief announced Corporal Barrett Lair as 2025 Officer of the Year and outlined recruitment efforts. The meeting entered a short executive session under exemption 2C1 and reconvened without public action before adjourning at about 7:50 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - R2558 (final plat, Resniski subdivision at 100 W. Camp McDonald Road): approved (yes: Aldermen Dolick, Morgan Adams, Anderson, Cameron). - R2601 (12-month consulting/lobbying agreement with SAQ Consulting, Inc., $3,500/month): approved (yes: Aldermen Cameron, Anderson, Morgan Adams, Dolick). - R2602 (change order with Burger Excavators, Inc., $192,335.97 for Willow Trails project): approved (yes: Aldermen Anderson, Cameron, Dolick, Morgan Adams).

What’s next: The lobbying contract is for one year and will be re-evaluated; construction work on Willow Trails will proceed toward permanent paving when asphalt plants reopen in spring.