City Council

MINUTES The City Council of North Chicago met in a Regular meeting, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 6:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 1850 Lewis Avenue with Mayor Rockingham Jr. presiding. I. CALL TO ORDER II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. INVOCATION IV. ROLL CALL Upon the Roll Call being taken, the following members were present: Present: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Absent: Coleman V. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA 5-1 Approval of Minutes for Regular Council Meeting, January 05, 2026 5-2 Approval of Standing Committee Meeting Minutes, January 05, 2026 5-4 Authorization and Approval to Enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Development Planning Partners for the Sheridan Crossing Market Study in an Amount Not to Exceed $59,500 5-6 Approval of Resolution Dissolving the Honorary Street Sign Program 5-7 Approval of Ordinance for Senior Citizen Long-Time Homeowner Property Tax Rebate Program 5-8 Approval of New 2026 Salt Contract with Morton Salt in the Amount up to $96,000 Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to approve the Omnibus Vote Agenda as presented. Alderman Jackson asked the item 5-6 be moved to the Regular Agenda for further discussion. Alderman Allen and Evans agreed with change. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Nays: None Absent: Coleman MOTION CARRIED VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS Commissioner Carmecia Hawthorne – Announcements o Foss Park Meetings are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6pm o Candle Painting on January 27th at Foss Park District o Valentine’s Craft with Snacks for Seniors on February 10th from 10am-12pm at Foss Park o St. Patick’s Crafts and Snacks on March 10th at Foss Park Call Foss Park for additional details o Rosalind Franklin Health Bus Resource Fair will be at the North Chicago Library parking lot on February 17th from 1:30-4:30pm. o Job Center will be at the North Chicago Library February 17th from 2-4pm. 1 01/20/26  o North Chicago Think Tank Block Historical Connection to Resilience will meet on February 24th from 5-7pm VII. REGULAR AGENDA 5-6 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION DISSOLVING THE HONORARY STREET SIGN PROGRAM Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to approve a Resolution Dissolving the Honorary Street Sign Program. Alderman Jackson questioned the status of the current applications that were received prior to the Resolution being passed. Mayor Rockingham felt they should be brought to Council for a vote and in the future the Resolution would apply. Attorney David Silverman explained with the passing of the resolution would immediately dissolve the program. The current (2) applicants would not qualify for a sign. Alderman Jackson expressed that without a decision on the current application the City was not doing its due diligence. Mayor Rockingham said the current applicants should be voted on. Alderman Murphy expressed the applicants could still be honored just without a street sign. Mayor Rockingham felt that the new process should not apply to the 2 current applicants and vote on them. Alderman Wray asked if the honorees had to be residents. Mayor Rockingham said the applications would include those questions. Treasurer Vance Wyatt stated there may be a former North Chicago athlete that became a professional athlete and may want to be honored. Alderman Brooks suggested it be case by case. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Nays: None Absent: Coleman MOTION CARRIED 7-1 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD – LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENTS – PHASE I TO FIVE STAR ENERGY SERVICES, LLC IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED OF $2,268,135 Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Allen to approve the Notice of Intent to award – lead service line replacements – phase I to Five Star Energy Services, LLC in the amount not to exceed of $2,268,135. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Nays: None Absent: Coleman MOTION CARRIED 7-2 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD – WATER TOWER NO. 1 AND TRANSMISSION MAIN – CONTRACT A TO CALDWELL TANKS, INC IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED OF $5,374,400 2 01/20/26  Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Allen to approve the Notice of Intent to award – water tower no. 1 and transmission main – contract A to Caldwell Tanks, Inc in the amount not to exceed of $5,374,400. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Nays: None Absent: Coleman MOTION CARRIED 7-3 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD – WATER TOWER NO. 1 AND TRANSMISSION MAIN – CONTRACT B TO CAMPANELLA & SONS, INC IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED OF $822,763 Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Allen to approve the Notice of Intent to award – water tower no. 1 and transmission main – contract B to Campanella & Sons, Inc in the amount not to exceed of $822,763. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Nays: None Absent: Coleman MOTION CARRIED 7-4 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL TO WAIVE FIRST READING OF A CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH VWARE IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED OF $12,257.28 Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Brooks to waive first reading of a contract renewal with VMware in the amount not to exceed of $12,257.28. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Nays: None Absent: Coleman MOTION CARRIED 7-5 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF CITY BILLS Capital Projects Fund $ - Water, Sewer & Refuse Fund $ 208,539.96 $ 498,923.41 SPECIAL $ 199,844.30 TOTAL $ 698,767.71 MOTION: Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to pay the Regular bills of Council Run 01/20/26 in the amount of $698,767.71 when funds become available. 3 01/20/26  ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Wray, Murphy, Brooks Nays: None Absent: Coleman MOTION CARRIED VIII. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS ➢ Chief of Staff Greg Jackson announced that Fox News was present at the meeting to cover the Senior Rebate Program that was approved by the City. Alderman Allen thanked Mr. Jackson for introducing the project. ➢ Mayor Rockingham expressed excitement about building a new water tower. He felt it was needed and would help maintain the pressure. Upgrading the plant would help alleviate some of the shifts of workers at the Water Plant. ➢ Mayor Rockingham announced APWA award for citywide water main repair. Also received was a Tilley Award for Studio North’s short film based on the history of North Chicago. ➢ Alderman Evans expressed gratitude and gave compliment to Bob Miller and Steve Cieslica. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council; a motion was made by Alderman Allen, seconded by Alderman Jackson that the meeting stand adjourned. MOTION CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE The Council Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. ATTEST: __________________________________________________________________________________ Lori L. Collins, City Clerk 4 01/20/26