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Washington council approves $1.52 million drainage contract and a string of capital purchases
Summary
The Washington City Council on June 1 awarded a $1,518,641 contract for Drainage Priority Project 4, approved a $661,116 construction-inspection agreement and authorized several equipment and facility purchases, including a new backhoe and pavement-condition survey.
The Washington City Council on June 1 voted to award a $1,518,641 contract to Stark Excavating for Drainage Priority Project 4 and approved a series of related capital expenditures and professional agreements.
City administrator Jeff Fagenshu told the council that Stark Excavating submitted the low bid and that the project will complete stormwater bond projects; staff said $200,000 of the cost will come from the stormwater management fund with the remainder covered by bond proceeds. "Stark Excavating was the low bid at $1,518,641," the city noted during the discussion.
The council also approved a $661,116 contract with Millennia Professional Services to provide construction inspection for multiple 2026 capital projects, citing the value of having a resident engineer to ensure contractors meet city specifications. Alder Johnson moved the Millennia agreement and Alder Slutter seconded; the vote was unanimous.
Other approved purchases and authorizations included a new CAT 420XE backhoe (quoted at $136,975 with a $60,000 trade-in). Alder Johnson moved the backhoe purchase; Alder Martin seconded. The council approved the purchase with one 'no' vote from Alder Blendy.
Council also authorized repairs at 114 Walnut to address a drainage issue at Marlene Miller's building, approving Stark Excavating to perform the work for up to $25,000. The motion (moved by Alder Smith, seconded by Alder Johnson) passed with one 'no' vote from Alder McIntyre; council discussed that the short-term fix ties some runoff into the sanitary sewer system until IDOT reconstruction of Route 24 provides additional storm infrastructure in future years.
Other facility and equipment actions approved unanimously included:
- Construction inspection contract with Millennia Professional Services for $661,116. - Authorization for a deputy police chief office with Mid Illinois companies (not to exceed approximately $45,570 including contingency). - City Hall mayoral office construction authorization with PJ not to exceed $27,436 (including contingency). - Pavement condition and sidewalk inventory from TransMap for $58,357.17 to inform maintenance planning. - Renewal of property and cyber liability insurance at a total reported renewal cost of $300,661 (an increase of 8.67% over last year).
Votes at a glance: Drainage Priority Project 4 — award to Stark Excavating, motion McIntyre, second Smith, unanimous; Millennia inspection agreement — motion Johnson, second Slutter, unanimous; Backhoe purchase — motion Johnson, second Martin, 7–1 (Blendy no); 114 Walnut repairs — motion Smith, second Johnson, 7–1 (McIntyre no); Deputy chief office — motion McIntyre, second Smith, unanimous; City Hall office — motion McIntyre, second Ernst, unanimous; Pavement inventory — motion McIntyre, second Moss, unanimous; Insurance renewal — motion McIntyre, second Slutter, unanimous.
Council members said the capital work is intended to finish bond-funded stormwater projects, improve long-term maintenance planning and keep the city’s infrastructure projects moving. Several alderpersons and staff emphasized that some short-term fixes (like the 114 Walnut repair) may be revisited when larger state-led reconstruction occurs.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
