Committee advances Alderson–Jelnick roundabout plan, approves assessments and contract changes

The Public Works & Utilities Committee opened a public hearing and advanced the Alderson Street and Jelnick Avenue roundabout project on June 8, approving the special-assessment structure and related contract changes for the intersection reconstruction.

Michael, a village staff presenter, told the committee the project will replace a four-way stop at the Alderson–Jelnick intersection with a compact roundabout, relocate water valves and manholes out of the travel lane, abandon a duplicate sanitary sewer main, and add sidewalks, curb and gutter. He said the construction bid totaled roughly $900,000 and the total project estimate was about $1,080,000, with driveway approaches the only items proposed for special assessment.

Committee members pressed staff about a striking difference in driveway unit prices between this project and a recent Bladel Avenue contract. "It's like 861 versus 569," one member said, referring to dollars per square foot. Michael explained the figures reflect separate bids, different contractors and subcontractors, mobilization and preparation costs, and job size: "If you have one contractor who's coming in to do 40 driveway approaches versus one that's a smaller job that you're forming up separately," he said, "the unit cost will vary." A committee member argued the village should rely on the lowest bid and let market prices dictate assessments; others said uniform assessment pricing is difficult because each project has unique intricacies.

On formal actions tied to the project, the committee moved and approved the authorizing resolution for the Alderson–Jelnick special assessments (resolution 2026‑018) and voted to recommend board approval of a $24,425 contract amendment to MSA for additional right‑of‑way services (amendment #1), noting one affected property is a condominium association requiring extra title work and coordination. The committee also recommended approval of change order #1, increasing the project by $17,535 after staff discovered a 24‑inch storm pipe item had been omitted from the bid form and needed to be included to match the design.

Michael stressed that the final assessment billed to property owners will be the lesser of the estimated assessment or actual cost, and that small deviations after construction may not trigger a new hearing unless there is a material difference: "If it goes from 861 to 863, I don't know if we would reopen the hearing," he said.

The packet included an assessment table for five properties in the 250‑foot assessment area (properties along Kennedy Park and nearby school district frontage), and staff said assessed driveway work would typically be billed after project completion with a ten‑year repayment option.

Next steps: the committee’s favorable recommendations will move the resolutions, MSA contract amendment and change order to the full village board for final approval and any required assessments to be finalized after construction.