Fairfax council authorizes emergency repairs to Wooster Pike, caps spending at $75,000

The Village of Fairfax council on April 19 adopted an emergency ordinance authorizing the village administrator to enter into an agreement for immediate repairs to a depression on Wooster Pike, with a not-to-exceed contract amount of $75,000.

Administrator (reading the report) said the 2020 street project start had been delayed and staff discovered a soft spot on Wooster Pike at Spring Street. The administrator told council the repair might require opening an estimated 480 square feet — about a 30-by-15-foot cut — to inspect and, if necessary, repair material beneath the roadway. "It is a not to exceed amount of $75,000," the administrator said when describing the ordinance prepared to allow emergency work.

The administrator said JK Muir, the contractor working on the residential streets, would perform the top-level asphalt work next week, but that an emergency crew would open and assess the area the following day. "That work will start tomorrow," the administrator said; the department planned to plate the excavation overnight if needed and return later for asphalt surfacing.

The administrator said it is not yet known whether the problem is simply settlement/void or requires storm sewer repairs. The transcript records that a Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) dye test and the village's own review had not shown an obvious leak, but that further work would determine whether the village or MSD is responsible for any pipe repairs. The administrator warned that if the work exceeds normal bid thresholds, the emergency ordinance would allow timely repairs to avoid risk to vehicles or people.

Police Chief (reporting coordination for the repair) said the department would monitor the site and that cones and traffic routing would be used to maintain traffic through the area; the chief planned to have officers check the worksite for safety.

Ordinance 19/2021 was brought up under new business, the council voted to suspend the three-reading rule and then adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote. The roll call recorded the ayes of Miss Camarissi, Mister Ernst, Mister Kessel, Miss Lally, Miss Resnick and Mister Riffle.

The administrator said the village would notify residents via the village website and Facebook page about the repair and would circulate a follow-up e-mail summarizing findings after the work was performed. Council members requested an update on whether the repair proved to be a simple fill-and-patch or a larger sewer repair that would require additional work.

Ordinance action and next step: the council adopted Ordinance 19/2021 to authorize emergency repairs and the village planned to begin onsite work the following day; council requested post-repair status and a written update for council and residents.