City of Palos Heights Water & Sewer Committee met Feb. 24
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Brennan called the Water and Sewer Committee meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Chairman Brennan, Alderman Key, Alderman McGrogan, Public Works Director Joe Smith, City Administrator Adam Jasinski and Recording Secretary Jan Tomaszewski. Alderman Begley entered the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brennan moved to approve the minutes for the meetings of November 25, 2025 and January 27, 2026, seconded by Alderman McGrogan. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Public Works Director Joe Smith presented the following reports/considerations:
• Watermain Breaks. There have been 13 watermain breaks to date.
We had a leak at 127th and 76th Avenue. The cross that intersects two watermains was leaking which required Airy’s assistance.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve payment to Airy’s Inc., to replace a 12” Cross and install a new valve at 12650 S. 76th Avenue in the amount of $21,045.65, seconded by Alderman McGrogan. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
There was a blockage on the sanitary force main on Southwest Highway back in the beginning of February. All clear.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve payment to Airy’s Inc., for the emergency bypass work on Southwest Hwy in the amount of $5,203.57, seconded by Alderman McGrogan. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
This hydrant was leaking. Due to all the watermain breaks, we were running low on resources and needed to call in outside assistance.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve payment to Airy’s Inc., for the fire hydrant replacement at 6232 W. 127th Pl. in the amount of $5,711.24, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
• Fire Hydrant Purchase.
Hydrants are getting old and starting to leak.
➢ Alderman Begley motioned to approve payment to EJ USA, Inc. for the purchase of three (3) fire hydrants in the amount of $12,674.49, seconded by Chairman Brennan. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
• Leak Services.
City Administrator Jasinski reported that every year we are required to send in an audit on how much water loss the City has incurred. Water loss means unbillable water, including municipal buildings, the irrigation system at the PBO lot, etc. The EPA wants you to be under 10%. This year’s audit resulted in a 13% water loss.
City Administrator Jasinski looks at water consumption in previous years and does not know where the increase in loss is coming from. Since we bill quarterly, it is very difficult to pinpoint the time and location of the leaks. We asked M.E. Simpson to assist. They found two leaks. One under a tree. Once that tree is removed, we can repair that leak. We are strategically looking for additional leaks and we will bring M.E. Simpson in for one more day to see if additional leaks can be detected. City Administrator Jasinski reiterated that we are actively trying to be good custodians of the water to make sure it’s just not going down the drain.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve payment to M.E. Simpson Co., Inc. for conducting Leak Location Services in the amount of $14,100.00, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Corrpro will come in and inspect to make sure that the corrosion protection system is working correctly so the tanks don’t rust. This charge is for cathodic protection for the steel tanks.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve the annual service agreement with Corrpro Companies for the City’s water storage tan inspections from the period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 in the amount of $5,250.00, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
City Administrator Jasinski reported that we applied for a grant in 2023 to have a secondary water source from Oak Lawn. We applied for that grant by citing that a new generator is also required as the current one is from the 80’s. It’s not used often, but it is old.
The Illinois Emergency Management Association (IEMA) informed us that the City is in the final stages of technical review by FEMA to obtain this grant. In order to obtain this grant, we have to have a consultant approved and ready. Once we obtain the grant, FEMA will want to know when we can start.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve authorization to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Design Engineering and Construction Inspection Services for the 80th Avenue Hospital Pump Station Upgrade, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve payment for professional engineering services with Lockwood, Andrews, and Newnam, Inc. for the 300,000 Ground Storage Tank rendering through January 30, 2026 in the amount of $12,305.25, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve payment for professional engineering services with RJN Group for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation, 2025 On-Call services rendering through January 30, 2026 in the amount of $4,987.88, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned for approval of the 2026 Sewer Rehabilitation Design & Construction Engineering Services with RJN Group not to exceed $82,120.00, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
➢ Chairman Brennan motioned to approve payment for professional engineering services with Strand Associates, Inc. for the College Drive Water Main CIPP Lining and 131st Street Water Main CIPP Lining rendering through December 31, 2025 in the amount of $3,087.48, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
City Administrator Jasinski reported that we currently have a bid out for our automated meter infrastructure. We received a $200,000 grant from the State of Illinois for this project. The bid opening is due March 17th. Because of the 2026 state law, we are not allowed to hold City Council meetings on election day and that is the day of the gubernatorial primary election. Therefore, those bids will be opened publicly at City Hall with several members of staff, not at a City Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Brennan moved to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Begley. All in favor at 6:50 p.m.
https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-1348
