The Village Board approved using fund balance to replace a collapsed 24-inch clay storm sewer running between 140 and 150 East Capitol Drive, after staff reported the pipe failed and a sinkhole formed in a private parking lot.
Public works staff Tom told the board that a contractor televised the pipe and found a collapsed 24-inch clay pipe about 160 feet long that carries storm flow from East Capitol as far east as Nixon. "Pipe is collapsed, it's an old clay pipe. It's probably from the origins of that time but that, that pipe is a 24 inches pipe," Tom said.
Village staff said they stabilized the hole by placing larger cobblestone material to prevent further washout and to limit additional sinkhole growth until the pipe can be excavated and replaced. Staff told the board that R&M (the village's engineering consultant) will prepare drawings to ensure proper elevation and pitch and that the village will then solicit contractors; staff called contractor availability at season end the principal scheduling challenge.
Estimates discussed at the meeting placed the direct pipe-replacement cost around $50,000, with staff cautioning that total costs could rise to $75,000–$100,000 or higher if the trench requires further work on parking lot asphalt, sidewalks or other surface restoration. The board voted to approve use of fund balance for the emergency replacement; the vote was carried on a voice vote.
Board members and staff emphasized that the pipe sits under private property with no recorded easement, which increases the replacement complexity because anything disturbed on the site must be restored. Tom said the village will pay for a contractor's and the bank's appraisals only in the case of associated property actions, noting the lack of easement increased coordination needs.
The village intends to issue drawings from R&M this week and then seek contractors; staff said they will continue temporary stabilization measures until excavation and replacement can be scheduled.
The board's approval authorizes village staff to spend fund-balance dollars above the $15,000 threshold required to bring large emergency repairs to the board for approval.