Representatives of the Leap Group arrived in Macomb Sunday to begin work on a community marketing request that Mayor Mike Inman said began with the Macomb Quality of Life Advisory Committee. Vice-President for Strategy Walter Harris and Senior Research Analyst Laura Valentine addressed Macomb City Council’s Committee of the Whole Monday.
“We spent the last two days meeting with Macomb people,” Harris said. “We’re working on telling your story. Our research stage has started. It’s a challenging assignment and we’ll be back periodically to review our work. Stages of the project involve research, strategy and marketing.”
In other business, Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann reported that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Macomb a grant of $3.5 million toward construction of the city’s new water plant. Last week, the agency approved the start of the major construction project, which should be concluded by the end of 2028.
Aldermen also heard from Finance Director Melissa Worley about releasing a request for proposal for employee benefits consulting and medical insurance brokerage services. She said the city must regularly review the marketplace and evaluate available options.
“The marketplace hasn’t been reviewed in a long time,” Worley said.
City Administrator Scott Coker said the company Danzig currently provides these services to Macomb. Aldermen voted to place the RFP request on the City Council’s consent agenda next Monday. This would allow it to be approved without further discussion.
Council members also reviewed a proposed ordinance amending the city’s alcoholic beverage code to create an arcade entertainment center liquor license. City Attorney Lisa Scalf said minors would be allowed outside the bar area. Business owners would pay a $1,947 license fee.
Alderman John Vigezzi added, “If a family goes into an arcade, we want them to have a good time without minors being in the bar.”
