Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ottawa council approves $52.4 million contract for Fox River wastewater plant and accepts Illinois EPA loan agreement
Summary
The Ottawa City Council unanimously approved low bids for major wastewater projects — including a $52.4 million contract for a new Fox River Wastewater Treatment Plant — and adopted a loan agreement with the Illinois EPA to fund the work.
OTTAWA, Ill. — The Ottawa City Council on May 5 approved a series of contracts and a loan agreement to move forward with major upgrades to the city’s wastewater system, including a $52,403,000 contract for a new Fox River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Commissioner Brent Barron moved to award the low bid for Contract B, the new Fox River Wastewater Treatment Plant, to Vissering Construction Company for $52,403,000.00; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously by Commissioners Thomas G. Ganiere, Marla K. Pearson and Wayne E. Eichelkraut Jr., acting as Mayor Pro Tem. Barron also moved to award John Pohar & Sons Inc. the low bid for Contract A, Collection System Improvements, at $10,193,387.10; that motion likewise passed unanimously.
The council then adopted a resolution authorizing a loan agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water, to fund the new treatment plant. Commissioner Barron said the loan agreement had been on file for public inspection since April 21, 2026; the motion to adopt the resolution was seconded and approved unanimously.
The council also approved related water-system and storm-sewer projects in the same meeting: a $751,729.25 contract to Gillan Construction Company for Erickson Street watermain replacement and a $69,745.00 low bid to Grand Rapids Enterprises Inc. for a Bona Terra Subdivision watermain connection. A Grand Rapids Enterprises quote of $18,145.00 for a Fulton Street storm sewer was also approved. All of these motions carried on unanimous votes.
Funding sources referenced at the meeting include EPA loan proceeds for the major wastewater contracts and the City’s Water Fund and CSO Fund for the watermain and storm sewer projects. The council record shows each motion was seconded and recorded with four ayes (Ganiere, Pearson, Barron and Mayor Pro Tem Eichelkraut) and no nays.
Next steps: with contracts awarded and the loan agreement adopted, the city may proceed with contract execution and construction planning per terms in the approved bids and the Illinois EPA loan documents. The council adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
