Brenden Moore
The State Journal-Register
The Springfield City Council sealed the deal Tuesday on a contract to a Mokena-based company to fill the city’s cracked roads before winter arrives. At a special council meeting that lasted no more than two minutes, members voted unanimously to approve the $364,000 contract to Denler Inc.
Though Denler was the lowest bidder by more than $80,000, the contract had generated some controversy with council members after they found out the company did not use any local workers on a road repair job last year.
The city has a local labor ordinance that fines companies that don’t use local workers. Denler last year paid the maximum $14,000 fine.
This led the council to delay awarding this year’s contract several times. The council also passed an ordinance last week that could potentially prevent companies from bidding on city work worth more than $100,000 if they do not try to use local workers.
But with winter fast approaching — air temperatures need to be more than 40 degrees to effectively seal the road — and council members satisfied with the company’s pledge to hire some local workers for the project, the contract was awarded.
“This contractor came in at 20 percent below the more local contractors,” said Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin. “At the same time, we’re trying to promote local hiring. This contractor gave a good explanation of why last year he couldn’t use local hiring.”
One reason offered, McMenamin said, was a concern over safety since the company was using new equipment and procedures. On this project, however, Denler Inc. has promised to use local employment agency PeopleReady to find local workers.
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Work will be spread throughout the city but may be most noticeable on Chatham Road, Ash Street and Lincolnshire Boulevard. Mahoney said some of the work along Chatham Road will include parts running through Leland Grove, for which Springfield will be reimbursed.
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 