Committee approves $77,251 design agreement for collector-street lighting

The Village of Hoffman Estates Public Work and Utility Committee approved a design engineering agreement with Sierba Group Incorporated of Chicago for street lighting on village collector streets in an amount not to exceed $77,251. The committee approved the contract by voice vote with no nays announced.

Staff described the agreement as a continuation of the village’s collector street‑lighting program. The design work covers three locations identified for final design: Bodie Road, Grand Canyon Parkway and Washington Boulevard. Staff said the design phase is expected to be finished by mid‑2026 to allow bidding on the first projects, and the work will likely be packaged into multiple construction contracts over several years. Staff estimated the construction cost for the Bodie Road and Grand Canyon Parkway package at about $800,000 in a given year, and said Washington Boulevard is being designed with 2027 construction in mind.

The committee’s discussion focused on residents’ concerns about light spilling into nearby houses and on technical choices that affect spacing and visual impact. Trustee Patrick Kinane said residents had reported “there’s a tremendous amount of light that comes off the street lights into the houses.” Staff responded that the chosen LED luminaire “does cut off at the back pretty naturally,” noted adjustments (aiming angles, fixture shields) were used on previous installations and said the package was designed to concentrate light in the right of way to reduce spillover. Staff added the proposed pole spacing follows uniformity standards for the selected luminaire; wider spacing would require higher‑wattage heads and could increase spillover.

Committee members also discussed schedule and supply issues. Staff described transformers and some materials as having been a supply‑chain constraint on earlier projects but said availability has improved. Staff said the village seeks external funding sources to reduce the capital budget impact.

Trustees asked about utility coordination and activation timing. Staff said the village’s electrical inspector must certify installations before ComEd will energize circuits, and that ComEd typically requires a certified sign‑off before scheduling power connection, which can create lag time between construction completion and lights being turned on.

The committee approved the design engineering agreement as presented. No mover or seconder was recorded in the transcript; after the motion and second, the chair called for the vote and the motion passed with “all in favor” and “no nays” recorded.

Votes at a glance - Approval of design engineering agreement with Sierba Group Incorporated of Chicago, Illinois for street lighting on village collector streets in an amount not to exceed $77,251 — Motion approved (voice vote; "all in favor," no nays recorded).