LaSalle finance committee extends Sewertec contract to finish Ward 2 sewer cleaning and televising

The LaSalle Finance Committee voted to extend a prior contract with Sewertec to complete sewer cleaning and televising work serving areas that drain to Ward 2, with an estimated cost of $173,373.45 and a plan to return to the committee for further funding as additional work is mapped.

Committee members said the work will help identify sections that need lining or replacement and could improve downtown sewer capacity and odors. "They rate the sewers. They look at the sewers. The ratings are pretty consistent," Brian, LaSalle city engineer, said, describing Sewertec's televising and reporting process. Alderman Hearn moved to accept the engineer's recommendation; Alderman Reynolds seconded the motion, and the committee voted to extend the contract to finish Ward 2.

Why it matters: the televising and cleaning program is intended to locate damage and prioritize lining or repairs. Committee members said the cleaning has already reduced overflows and gravel and sand reaching the wastewater plant during storms, lowering maintenance at the plant and improving system capacity.

Committee discussion and details: Brian told the committee his $173,373.45 figure is an estimate based on mapping, sewer sizes and heavy-cleaning hours; the city had budgeted $500,000 for this work in the current fiscal year. He said the initial Sewertec contract last year was roughly $92,000 to $96,000 and additional work expanded that to about $150,000. For the current request he said the estimate covers Ward 2 main lines and areas that drain to Ward 2, including a large downstream main from the north section to the low point near Eleventh Street.

Brian said the televising has identified sewers that need spot patching, relining or full replacement. "We found a couple that we couldn't get by. We had to actually go in and repair 3 locations, and they didn't finish televising because they couldn't get by those," he said. He described using lining companies and a consultant (Donahue) to evaluate the worst sections and recommend whether to do short liners or full replacements.

Committee members discussed procurement and timing. Brian said he asked to forego a new competitive bid and extend the existing contractor because Sewertec's prior work was substantially lower cost than other bidders and performed well; he said he was advised a supermajority vote of the full council would likely be required to bypass bidding at the council level. He said he hoped Sewertec could begin work in August but that actual start might be later; he will return to the finance committee with updated cost estimates for Ward 3 and Ward 4 after completing Ward 2.

Policy and program context: committee members contrasted cleaning and televising costs with lining costs: "Cleaning is $1,800; lining for one block can be $100,000," Brian said, arguing for separate procurement for cleaning and for any future lining work so the city can pursue grant funding for construction. Brian and other members said they plan to pursue Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding or low-interest loans for lining work where appropriate, and to develop bid packages for wards as they are scoped.

Public comment and related projects: resident Tina Hicks asked about previous contract overages and downtown odors; Brian replied the initial contract rose to about $150,000 after added scope, and that cleaning the large box sewer on First Street reduced backups and odors. He also said the city plans to clean sludge from lagoons that receive plant solids, and that a separate structural repair for a broken pipe by Route 6 is in the permitting stage with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Next steps: the committee approved the extension to complete Ward 2 and instructed staff to return with firm costs and scope for additional wards. Brian said he would work with lining contractors and consultants to rank problem segments and prepare future bid packages or grant applications.