La Grange board approves Baxter & Woodman task change order for flood‑mitigation work amid quarry questions

The La Grange Village Board unanimously approved a task change order with Baxter & Woodman Corporation that expands engineering work tied to the village’s North and South Basin flood‑mitigation projects and related utility and roadway improvements.

The action, approved during the Feb. 24 meeting, authorizes revisions to design drawings and additional technical services — including water‑main replacement evaluation, green‑infrastructure analysis, aggregate storage design, bid alternatives and an outfall construction analysis — for what staff described as a multiyear infrastructure effort funded in part by state and federal grants. "Expenditures associated with this task order are reimbursable through the economic development and public safety grant program," Trustee McGee said before moving the measure; Trustee Peterson seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously.

Why it matters: staff and trustees framed the change order as necessary to align engineering scope with current project needs and to position La Grange to leverage roughly $2.0 million in state grant funding and other matches. Acting Finance Director Micah and acting Director Davenport told trustees that the work is part of a long‑term $121 million infrastructure plan and that the FY25–26 budget includes a $2.5 million transfer to the capital fund.

Public concern and quarry outfall: during public comment, resident John Pluto urged more transparency around the South Basin work and highlighted what he said were roughly $2.3 million in expenditures since 2022. He questioned a line in the change order scope that would "coordinate with Hansen Quarry to develop an optimal outfall solution," asking whether quarry‑related costs should be borne by the quarry rather than taxpayers. "Are we gonna be giving the quarry 3 or $400,000 to make their life easier?" Pluto said.

President Kuchler responded that the board has been "unified in taking on the quarry" and said the board was "definitely watching out for the taxpayers’ best interests," while also noting pending appellate litigation that affects some aspects of project execution. Davenport had earlier told the board that appellate litigation could affect execution timing and that permitting discussions were ongoing with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Project scale and costs: acting Director Davenport described the 50th Street trunk storm sewer project as a multiyear undertaking with a current estimate (all options) of about $22,710,000, not including an outfall reconstruction cost; the capital budget includes a $3,070,000 Phase 1 contribution. Staff also described a federal community project funding allocation (HUD) of $500,000 for South Basin point repairs and more than 3,000 feet of sewer lining.

Next steps: staff said the task change order work is intended to refine designs and prepare bid alternatives; because the work is tied to grant timelines and an ongoing appellate matter, trustees and staff said additional public briefings may be scheduled when permitted. The resolution passed on a roll‑call vote with all trustees voting aye.

Votes at a glance: Task change order (Baxter & Woodman Task 270) — mover: Trustee McGee; second: Trustee Peterson; outcome: approved (unanimous).