Cresthill approves multiple public-works contracts, including $1.8M Hillcrest water-main project

The Cresthill City Council on Sept. 2 approved a suite of public-works contracts and programs spanning water, sewer, streets and urban forestry.

The largest approval was a resolution authorizing the Hillcrest water-main replacement improvement contract with Lencox & Sons Excavating Inc. for $1,795,366.25. City staff and council discussed resident questions about work occurring under private parking lots at the Hillcrest Shopping Center; staff said the mains date to the city’s annexation in 1960 and that the mains are city infrastructure even though they run beneath private property. The resolution was adopted by roll call (resolution 1343).

Council also approved change order number 9 and a pay request from Visserink Construction Inc. in the amount of $127,228 and directed staff to forward that request to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for approval. The council approved forwarding the change order on a motion following public-work staff presentation.

The council awarded the 2025 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) pavement patching contract to D Construction Inc., the lowest qualified bidder, and directed the mayor to execute construction documents for the MFT patching program (section number as listed in the packet). City Administrator Blaine Wing said staff will publish a detailed GIS-based map on the city website showing specific patch locations so residents understand that only targeted sections will be repaired rather than full-street reconstructions.

For sanitary infrastructure, the council approved a professional design and construction engineering services agreement with Robinson Engineering Ltd. for sanitary sewer cleaning, televising and lining (priority areas 4 and 5) for $35,960. The item was described as continuing an ongoing multi-year sewer rehabilitation program (resolution 1344).

Separately, the council approved the city’s 2025 50/50 tree-planting program as revised to allow parkway plantings and to correct typographical errors in the packet. Council members noted the program helps replace trees lost to past pests such as the emerald ash borer and described the program as offering residents trees at half cost with city planting and coordination.

Each measure passed by roll call. Council members asked staff to post project details and maps online and to coordinate scheduling with the public works engineering team. Several items are subject to external approvals — notably the Visserink pay request that will be forwarded to the IEPA — and staff said they will return with additional details as required.

Actions taken in this batch of items included approval of (1) a $1,795,366.25 construction contract for Hillcrest water-main replacement (Lencox & Sons Excavating Inc.), (2) a $127,228 change order/pay request for Visserink Construction submitted to IEPA, (3) award of the 2025 MFT pavement patching contract to D Construction Inc., (4) approval of engineering services with Robinson Engineering Ltd. for $35,960 for sewer cleaning/televising/lining, and (5) approval of the 2025 50/50 tree-planting program.