Council approves series of contracts, purchases and event permits on consent

At this meeting the council moved and approved a broad consent agenda of routine contracts, purchases and resolutions covering multiple city departments.

Key items approved on consent included a professional services agreement with BHMG Engineers not to exceed $360,000 related to a solar farm project for the Office of Public Utilities; a payment to Itron, Inc. not to exceed $100,538.12 for meter-reading data services; a $664,391.89 payment for annual software support to Advanced Utility Systems (a division of Harris Computer Corporation); and purchases of city vehicles under state contract (a 2026 Ford cargo van for up to $63,112 and a 2026 Ford F-350 for up to $72,874).

Public Works items approved included supplemental appropriations totaling $312,372 to accommodate FY2026 electric pilot contributions, a resolution authorizing temporary closures of Jefferson Street (Illinois Route 97) for Halloween and Christmas parades, and a $219,567 purchase of a 2026 international tandem-axle dump truck (the council discussed that the vehicle replaces one destroyed by fire on Jan. 28, 2026). The council also approved a supplemental engineering agreement with Hanson Professional Services (total not to exceed $315,062) for reconfiguration and mill-and-overlay work on South Grand Avenue and 11th Street.

Other approvals included liquor-license adjustments, a $30,000 sponsorship to Juneteenth Incorporated, and two-year extension agreements with IO Solutions for entry-level and promotional exams for police and fire (combined not-to-exceed totals cited on the record). All consent items in these segments were moved, seconded and recorded as approved by voice vote.