Waukegan committee approves Greenwood Avenue bridge award, pump rebuild and lead-line engineering contract

The Waukegan Public Works committee voted Jan. 20 to approve three procurement items, including a $3,352,812.48 award for the Greenwood Avenue bridge replacement and related flagging services, officials said.

The committee approved a resolution to award the Greenwood Avenue bridge replacement and daily flaggers through an IDOT contract for a not-to-exceed amount of $3,352,812.48. The motion was moved by Alderman Donneworth and seconded by Alderman Newsome; a roll call recorded votes in favor by Chairman Turner, Vice Chair Guzman, Alderman Donneworth and Alderman Newsome.

Mr. Garland told the committee the flaggers would be provided by the railroad under an existing agreement, so the contract calls out both the bridge replacement and flagger services separately. "The flaggers ... come from the railroad," Garland said, explaining the separate line item.

The committee also approved a repair at the city water plant. A resolution to rebuild a pump with Illinois Pump Incorporated under a good-faith waiver (section 2-458, subsection I, subsection 7 as cited in the transcript) for a not-to-exceed $39,214 passed on a voice/roll call vote. Mr. Mendez said the work exceeded the original $22,000 quote after the pump was pulled and returned to the shop for a full motor rebuild and bearing and impeller work; he said the pump is back in service.

Separately, the committee authorized an agreement with Robinson Engineering for construction engineering services tied to lead line service replacements for a not-to-exceed $605,000. Staff member Mr. Dominguez said Robinson reduced the outreach scope so the proposal came in about $75,000 less than the earlier estimate; the committee approved the agreement on roll call. The motion for that item was recorded in the transcript as moved by Alderman Guzman and seconded (transcript spelling: 'Alderman Newsom').

All three measures carried on committee votes. No amendments or opposing votes were recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: the bridge award and engineering agreement proceed under the terms presented; staff said the lead-line construction work will take place in FY '27. The pump repair was reported returned to service immediately, per Mr. Mendez.

Votes at a glance - Greenwood Avenue bridge replacement (award to proceed with IDOT flaggers): motion moved by Alderman Donneworth, seconded Alderman Newsome; recorded roll-call ayes; outcome: approved; not-to-exceed $3,352,812.48. - Water-plant pump rebuild (Illinois Pump Incorporated, good-faith waiver): motion moved by Alderman Guzman, seconded Alderman Donneworth; outcome: approved; not-to-exceed $39,214; staff reported the pump is back in service. - Robinson Engineering (construction engineering for lead line service replacements): motion moved by Alderman Guzman, seconded (transcript: Alderman Newsom); outcome: approved; not-to-exceed $605,000; staff said the proposal was $75,000 lower than earlier estimates.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the bridge motion separately lists flagger services because the railroad will provide flaggers under an agreement; the pump required a more extensive motor rebuild than initially quoted; Robinson's scope reduction was described as saving $75,000; staff indicated the lead-line work is scheduled in FY '27.

The committee did not take any votes on the downtown recycling pilot at this meeting; that discussion was handled under reports and communications.