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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Robert Leible, Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: December 8, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution to award a contract for well maintenance services for Well 20 to Layne Christensen Company in the not to exceed amount of $225,113.00.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval to award a contract to Layne Christensen Company (Layne), 721 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora, IL, to perform all necessary services as required and bid, to return Well 20 to full operational and functional status.
BACKGROUND:
Well 20, located at 1910 Bilter Road, is a deep well with the pump and motor setting 838 feet below the surface and is normally capable of supplying approximately 1,870,000 gallons of water per day. The pumping output from Well 20 has recently decreased and has been trending downward. Lost capacity is approximately 25% of rated capacity, indicating the need for necessary pump maintenance. The well is currently out of service. The well's pump/motor assembly must be removed from the well for inspection, testing, and subsequent rehabilitation or replacement of specific components.
The Water Production Division (WPD) retained Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) to provide professional services for project administration.
DISCUSSION:
The project to perform the subject work was publicly advertised on November 7, 2025 (Bid No. 25-223) and bids were opened on November 24, 2025. Two (2) bids were received and the bid tabulation is attached. The lowest base bid is $210,113.00 submitted by Water Well Solutions Illinois, LLC (WWS). The second bid was submitted by Layne for the amount of $215,580.33.
Section 2-408, Local Preference in Purchasing and Contracting did apply to this bid and Layne's bid is within 5% of the apparent low bid. Layne has elected to match the low bid of $210,113.00 as allowed under Section 2-408. Layne's acknowledgement is attached. Including the bid allowance/contingency of $15,000, the not to exceed amount is $225,113.00. The WPD recommends the project be awarded to Layne.
Funds are available in the 2025 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-38-31 via budget transfer as well as a budget carryover for project completion in 2026.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The unavailability of approximately 1,870,000 gallons/day of raw source groundwater if services are not completed.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request committee and city council approval of a resolution authorizing well maintenance services for Well 20 by Layne Christensen Company in a not to exceed amount of $225,113.00.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to award a contract for well maintenance services for Well 20 to Layne Christensen Company in the not to exceed amount of $225,113.00.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Well 20 requires equipment repairs and/or replacement in order to return the well to normal operational status; and:
WHEREAS, The project was publicly advertised on November 7, 2025 (Bid No. 25-223) and bids were opened on November 24, 2025. Two (2) bids were received; and
WHEREAS, Layne Christensen Company, Aurora, IL, is the awarded bidder under Section 2-408, Local Preference in Purchasing and Contracting; and
WHEREAS, budget authority is granted and funds are available for this work in the 2025 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-38-31, via budget transfer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Director of Purchasing be and is hereby authorized to execute a contract and issue a purchase order in the not to exceed amount of $225,113.00 to Layne Christensen Company for Well 20 maintenance services.