City Council Set to Approve Kensington, Bike Plan and Southwest Flood Plan Design on Tuesday

Among other business on Tuesday, Feb. 19, Elmhurst City Council members will likely send a proposal put forth by aldermen Steve Morley, Pat Wagner and Robert Dunn to the Finance Committee for further review.

The plan would "utilize a progressive procurement model in the future purchase of commodities" to reduce expenditures, according to a press release from the three aldermen.

The proposal would allow Elmhurst to use reverse on-line auctions in the procurement of goods. Pre-qualified vendors bid against each other to compete for the opportunity to get the purchase contract. Bidding begins with a pre-determined price equal to that provided for by competitively bid state purchase contracts, and from there, individual vendors can voluntarily agree to sell at lower costs.

The methodology has been used by other government and private sector entities, resulting in up to 25 percent reduction in the cost of fixed goods, according to the press release. It also protects against claims of favoritism in the bidding process, the aldermen said.

Here's a Look at the Rest of Tuesday's City Council Agenda:

Tuesday's meeting will begin with a community update on ComEd.

Following the update, the council will open up a public forum. Members of the community will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on any topic.

In addition to approval of minutes and accounts payable, the consent agenda includes the following items:

• reappointment to the Zoning and Planning Commission of Darrell Whistler
• referral to the Public Works and Buildings Committee the bid results for the 2013-15 turf and landscape maintenance contract and provision of custodial services
• referral to the Public Affairs and Safety Committee requests to hold the 2013 Spring Road Pet and Bike Parade on May 18 and the 2013 Annie Ryan Fun Run on May 19
• referral to the Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services Committee a request to explore a reverse online auction process in an effort to reduce city expenditures on office supplies
• approval of the southwest Elmhurst wet weather control facility final design
• approval of police department purchase of 14 automated external defibrillators for $18,500
• approval of Memorial Day Parade May 27
• authorization to reimburse the capital improvement fund from bond proceeds with regard to expenses incurred from the Addison Street deck project
• adoption of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference 2013 Legislative Action Program
• adoption of the Elmhurst bicycle plan
• approval of a conditional use permit for Kensington Preschool at 411-415 S. Spring Road

Acting Mayor Scott Levin will then present any reports to the council, and City Manager Jim Grabowski will distribute the 2013 budget.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at City Hall, 209 N. York St., following an executive session at 7 p.m. on the topic of purchase or acquisition of property.

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