Peoria County awards $41,948 demolition contract to Sprocket Excavating for three unsafe structures

The Peoria County board approved a resolution awarding a demolition contract to Sprocket Excavating of East Peoria for $41,948.64 to remove three unsafe residential structures.

Andrew, planning and zoning staff, explained the resolution (bid 18 O325) was advertised on Jan. 6 and received two vendor responses; staff identified Sprocket Excavating as the lowest responsible bidder. He said the work will be funded by a combination of Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Strong Communities grant dollars and a small amount of county budgeted funds that roll over to complement the grant award.

Staff described the selection and prioritization process: code-case files determine eligibility (unsafe structure, unfit for human occupancy, or dangerous premises), with priority given to properties in imminent danger or those close to other residences. Andrew noted two of the three properties proposed for demolition had flooded in 2013 and that the department solicits input from township supervisors when prioritizing properties; he cited a Limestone Township request from township supervisor Romer for one Farmington Road property.

Board members moved to allow remote participation by Member Kelch so he could vote on the resolution; the board approved the motion to include him by voice vote and then proceeded with the demolition vote, which the transcript records as carried. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally.

Andrew said Sprocket Excavating had not previously done work for the county but had agreed to the community workforce agreement terms. Staff framed the contract as an opportunity to expand the county's contractor pool.

What happens next: county staff will finalize contracting paperwork and schedule demolitions; funding will come from the IHDA Strong Communities program and county funds as described in the staff report.