South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Water & Sewer Committee met Aug. 27

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Alderman Begley called the Water and Sewer Committee meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Alderman Begley, Alderman Key, Alderman McGrogan, Director of Public Works Adam Jasinski, Recording Secretary Ashley Pala.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Alderman Begley made a motion to approve the minutes of the Water and Sewer Committee meeting held on June 25, 2024, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Director Jasinski presented the following reports/considerations:

● Water main breaks: There have been 22 water main breaks year to date. The most recent water main break was last week at Lake Katherine. This was caused by a large boulder that was on top of the water main. Public Works worked from 2 a.m. until a little past 6 a.m. to complete work and to not hinder water usage from residents. 

● CIP Projects Update

➢ Meter Replacement Program: There is an initial list of 10 individuals that will undergo a test trial. Adjustments will be made if need be after the test trial.

Alderman McGrogan motioned to approve the purchase of 950 ¾” meters, 150 1” meters, 850 smart point touch couplers, and 250 smart point hard wired devices from Core & Main for the meter replacement program in the amount of $309,200.00, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

➢ Palos Hospital Water Storage Tank: The lease is currently being worked on. Attorney Tom Brown is working on the agreements.

Alderman Begley motioned to approve payment to Seeco Consultants, Inc. for engineering services for subsurface exploration, Geotech laboratory testing, and Geotech engineering evolution for the palos Hospital water tank in the amount of $14,960.00, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

➢ Misty Reservoir Exterior Overcoat: This is estimated to be about $400,000.00. This is not a full blast. It would be a surface blast.

Alderman Begley motioned to approve the bid advertisement for the Misty Reservoir Exterior Overcoat, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

● Fire Hydrant Painting: We completed year four of our five-year hydrant painting program. We painted 228 hydrants. Our budget was 202 hydrants. We added 26 hydrants in the Key Stone Subdivision. We are 6% over budget at $1,204.00. 

➢ Alderman Begley motioned to approve payment to Giant Maintenance & Restoration for the painting of 228 fire hydrants in the amount of $21,204.00., seconded by Alderman Key On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

● 126th & Menard: When the cleaning and televising was done on our sanitary sewers, we found areas where we have a collapsed sanitary sewer. We were notified of the areas and this particular area is under a garage. Water is getting through but it can settle at any time. This is over $20,000.00 and the reason we did not go out to bid is because this is an urgent matter. Director Jasinski did obtain three quotes.

➢ Alderman Begley motioned to approve the replacement of an 8” sanitary sewer main at 126th & Menard by Construction by Camco, Inc. in the amount of $45,720.00, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

● Professional Services

➢ Alderman Begley motioned to approve payment for professional engineering services with RJN Group for the 2024 Sewer Rehabilitation Design and Construction, On-Call Underground Infrastructure Services, 2024 CCTV & MH Inspections rendering through August 2, 2024, in the amount of $23,288.85, seconded by Alderman McGrogan. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

● Oak Lawn Regional Water System: The Village of Oak Lawn is soliciting to have other municipalities join into their regional water system. The way it was presented, there is a potential savings of $1 per thousand gallons. There are two different memberships available with Oak Lawn Regional Water System. There is a formula Oak Lawn uses to see what each fee would be for each municipality depending on how far they are away from Oak Lawn. The connection would be by Palos Hospital. In order to make this decision, we need to know if our infrastructure can handle the connection. Discussion ensured regarding the subject.

➢ Alderman Begley motioned to approve for Water Supply Review engineering services with Strand Associates, Inc. in the amount of $137,800.00, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Director Jasinski was approached by Alderman Lewandowski to discuss a resident named Jacqueline Buehler who resides at 7400 W. 127th St. She is an elderly woman that has a fixed income. She has a leaking toilet that caused her water bill to be $991.00. The Alderman discussed possible options and previous situations.

➢ Alderman Begley motioned to authorize the City Administrator and staff to use their discretion to pursue payment of the outstanding bill for Jacqueline Buehler and to report back to the Committee, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Alderman Begley moved to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Key. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:57 pm. 

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242024-1066