Riverwoods OKs up-to-$20,000 soils investigation for Thorngate subdivision after receiving two bids

The Village Board approved a contract authorization not to exceed $20,000 for a subsurface soils investigation in the Thorngate subdivision, directing staff to finalize an agreement with one of the two bidders who submitted proposals under the $20,000 threshold.

Director Wicht told the board that a prior estimate discussed at an earlier meeting had been about $40,000. Staff solicited bids and received two competitive proposals, both under $20,000: one from AEC Anderson Environmental Consulting and another from GZA (which previously acquired Huff). The lower bids are within roughly $166 of one another; staff reported one proposal offered more extensive investigative work while the other reduced the number of borings from 20 to 15, lowering its cost by roughly $7,000 from prior submissions.

Trustee Jamerson asked why the proposal was not in the packet; Director Wicht said the latest bid arrived after packet distribution and offered to circulate it so trustees could review before contract execution. Inspector Witt asked how boring locations were selected; staff said borings were proposed in proximity to known water-main breaks and at additional locations to produce a representative sample across the subdivision.

Trustee Jamerson moved to approve award of the soils investigation contract for borings only, not-to-exceed $20,000; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. Trustees Smith, Raff, Trevino, Clayton and Jamerson voted aye. Staff said test results will determine whether remediation or replacement work is required, noting options could include pipe replacement or other interventions such as impressed anodes to slow deterioration, but final recommendations will follow the investigation.