Engineer: Village 'officially obligated' for USDA water project; SRF plan public hearing scheduled

Austin Alexander, an engineer with Spicer, told the Village of Saint Charles council that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office has "officially obligated" the village for a water project, moving the work from the agency’s backlog toward bidding and construction.

Alexander said RD is completing final reviews of the project plans, specifications and contracts and that the village is awaiting a couple of documents from the village attorney before the project can be advertised for bids. He said the village’s SRF project plan is due June 1 and that the council will conduct the required public hearing on the SRF projects at next month’s meeting.

The scope Alexander described includes replacing all galvanized water service lines in the village to comply with federal and state requirements. He framed the options for council members as: replace the services now, or leave them and risk being out of compliance with regulatory requirements. "We're closer than we've ever been on the safe routes to school," he said, adding that the team is finalizing paperwork and will post draft plans at the village office for public review before bidding.

On schedule, Alexander estimated about 30 days for the bid window and contract award after attorney and agency sign-offs; he said much of the heavier water-main construction is likely to occur in the fall, with mobilization dependent on permit and contract timelines.

Council members asked about project timing and whether particular streets were included; Alexander confirmed East Bell, Cherry and Walnut streets were in the phase described and said detailed schedules will be shared when bidding begins. Next procedural steps: formal advertisement of the public hearing, posting of draft plans for public inspection, and submission of the SRF project plan by June 1.