Riverwoods hires firms for soil study, hydrant upkeep, valve exercise and snow removal; several contracts approved

The Village of Riverwoods Board of Trustees approved multiple contracts for water-infrastructure work and seasonal services after staff presented bids and recommendations.

Contracts and approvals at a glance - Subsurface soils investigation, Thorngate Subdivision: trustees authorized staff to enter a contract with one of two bidders for soil borings and related testing in an amount not to exceed $20,000. Staff said the work is intended to inform decisions about repeated water-main breaks in the subdivision. - Fire-hydrant maintenance: the board approved a contract with Gawalt for hydrant inspection and exercising in an amount not to exceed $21,615. Staff said the American Water Works Association recommends periodic hydrant inspection and exercising to avoid freeze damage and to verify operation. - Water-main valve exercising: trustees approved a contract with Gawalt for valve exercising not to exceed $7,315. - Snow removal services, 2025–26 season: trustees approved a contract with A & B Sanchez Landscaping for snow removal of streets, parking lots and sidewalks that the village has asked to be included; the contract was the low responsive bid and passed with one trustee dissenting.

Why it matters: Staff said the Thorngate soil work will help determine whether pipe replacement or other corrosion-control measures are advisable. Hydrant and valve maintenance are part of the village’s routine water-system preservation program. The snow-removal contract adds specific walkways and a small street section tied to upcoming county work at a recently modified intersection.

Bidding and vendor notes - Two environmental firms submitted soil-investigation bids; both were under $20,000. Staff asked authority to contract with the lower bidder after verifying an apples-to-apples scope. - The hydrant/valve contractor bids reflected a roughly 10% price increase versus the prior year, staff said, largely driven by labor-rate changes. The hydrant inspection is an hourly labor program rather than material purchase. - The snow-removal bid included sidewalk treatments and calcium chloride use; staff said they checked references and identified positive performance for the low bidder from a neighboring village.

Voting details - The subsurface soils investigation and the hydrant/valve exercising contracts were approved by voice/roll-call votes with affirmation by trustees present. - The snow-removal contract passed with one no vote from Trustee Clayton; the board recorded other trustees as voting aye and carried the motion.

Ending: Staff will finalize contracts and return any final signed agreements to the board, distribute bid documents to trustees, and schedule the soil borings and utility maintenance work for the coming months.