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Council authorizes engineering and easement to fix water- and stormwater infrastructure
Summary
Council approved an easement at 16851 Forest Ave to enable stormwater improvements, authorized HR Green to prepare bid documents to replace a leaking inflow pipe to the 5-million-gallon tank, and awarded a contract to Visu‑Sewer to remove protruding hammer taps in the sanitary system.
The Oak Forest City Council authorized a series of public-works actions on July 14 to address stormwater and sanitary infrastructure issues.
Public Works Director Michael Salamowicz asked the council to approve an ordinance that formalizes a permanent drainage easement on property known as 16851 Forest Avenue, enabling localized storm sewer improvements. Salamowicz said the property owner has already signed and notarized the easement documents and that construction is planned to begin in August when conditions are drier.
The council also authorized HR Green to prepare bidding documents and specifications to repair a leaking inflow pipe from the 5-million-gallon ground storage tank to the main pump station. City engineers previously contracted DN Tanks to rehabilitate the 3-million and 5-million-gallon tanks; staff discovered a buried leak in the inflow pipe, approximately 20 feet deep, that will be repaired while the tank is out of service.
Finally, the council approved an award to Visu-Sewer for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer Repairs — Protruding Service Connection Removal Project. Salamowicz explained that historical hammer-tap service connections protrude into mainlines (up to six inches), blocking televising and jetting equipment and allowing groundwater infiltration. A specialty contractor will use internal robotic tools to cut and seal the protruding segments; staff said contractors can generally correct two protruding taps per day depending on complexity. The council approved the easement, HR Green contract authorization and Visu-Sewer award by roll call votes (each recorded as carried 5–0; two absent where noted).
