Council approves Fairgram proposal for Middle Road drainage improvements not to exceed $22,490

The South Beloit City Council on Aug. 4, 2025, approved a professional‑services proposal from Fairgram to assess and design drainage improvements on Middle Road, not to exceed $22,490.

The council approved the proposal by motion and second; staff said the scope is needed because a drainage pipe under Middle Road has collapsed and continues to damage adjacent private properties. The matter has been on the city’s radar for several years and city staff told the council that municipal crews have performed interim repairs while the city inherited responsibility for the original infrastructure.

City staff recommended proceeding to engineering so permanent repairs can be scheduled for the fall. Staff said the original installation across two property lines has led to chronic problems and that legal and maintenance responsibility rests with the city; the professional-services agreement will fund engineering investigation and design.

Council members were given the option to lay the item over for additional questions to engineers (two municipal engineers were out of town the night of the meeting), but voted to approve the proposal so the city could move forward with design and permitting. Staff told the council more detailed engineering scopes and cost estimates will follow once Fairgram completes its assessment.

Next steps: Fairgram will perform the work under the approved limit, report back with recommended designs and cost estimates, and the council will consider contract and construction-authority items in future meetings.