Spring Valley to buy $10k camera to help troubleshoot sewers, water mains

The Spring Valley City Council gave its stamp of approval to the purchase of a water main and sewer camera and the monitor that goes with it, assuring the street department will have the tool on-hand in case of emergency.

Spring Valley Streets Superintendent Jeff Norton told the council in the past the city has had to borrow one from other communities when problems within pipes and mains arose, and that it was not always available when it was most needed. He added he’d been adjusting the budget for the Streets Department just so this purchase could be made when the right deal was found.

The lowest price Norton found for the brand new camera and monitor was $10,241 tendered by the Allan J. Coleman Company of Chicago, a company that deals in a variety of diagnostic equipment. That firm also offered to add for free $500 worth of battery chargers, accessories and services to the purchase equipment.

“Throwing in the extras really did it,” Norton said. “This is a company that Illinois Valley Excavating uses often … I heard that another city bought a camera and monitor for around $6,000 and it didn’t last a year, so they went out and bought this same camera from the same company. We feel we’re getting good, durable equipment from a good company.”

City to work with planning group

The council also approved an implementation agreement with Engie, an international firm with offices in Chicago that specializes in infrastructure modernizing, energy efficiency, public safety and economic development.

Engie’s senior business development manager Katy Glynn had made a presentation to the council in December and returned to answer any questions the council may have as it considers the agreement. The company works with the city to determine goals for infrastructure improvements in areas ranging from traffic flow redirections to public lighting systems to mechanics, plumbing, heating and cooling. It then helps the city find grants to help pay for those improvements.

Alderman Ken Bogacz, who had done some research into the company, found while Engie is generally well received, he had reservations over a few instances that drew less than favorable reviews. He voiced concern that by approving the implementation agreement, the city may be locked in financially to the plan Engie creates.

However, he was satisfied by Glynn’s assurances the agreement was not binding in any way.

“My biggest concern the way the contract was written, it seemed like if we did anything, we’d have to use their services and that would essentially tie our hands,” Bogacz said. “But (Glynn) said that was not the case, that they would encourage us to use their services, but we don’t have to, that we don’t have a lot of commitment to it. That put my mind at ease.”

In other action, the council:

Approved a business development grant for the Spring Valley Historical Museum for the property located at 201 W. St. Paul St. The unspecified amount will come from a TIF fund.

Approved three requests for donations: $200 to the 815 Elite Softball Team, $200 to North Central Illinois Artworks and $100 to the Voluntary Action Center.