TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities
SUBJECT:
title
Award of Professional Services Agreement for the 2026 Utilities Department Plumbing Maintenance Services to Poehner, Dillman, and Mahalik (PDM) for the Not-to-Exceed Amount of $353,600.00
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BACKGROUND:
The Department of Public Utilities routinely requires the services of a licensed plumber to perform specialized services, inspections, and repairs for City sewer and water infrastructure which include but are not limited to service line televising, water and sewer service inspections, and water service line repairs. These plumbing services require detailed knowledge of the City’s infrastructure, ordinances, and plumbing codes and a quick response time, and therefore a local plumbing contractor is best suited to perform these services. In January 2025, Staff requested proposals from local plumbing service contractors for the 2025 Public Utilities Plumbing Maintenance Service Contract and received three (3) proposals. Poehner, Dillman, and Mahalik (PDM) met the qualifications and had the lowest hourly rate and was therefore selected to perform this work.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
City staff have been satisfied with the timeliness and quality of PDM’s work. The services under this Contract require detailed knowledge of the City’s facilities, data systems, processes, scheduling, and utility infrastructure system which PDM has gained over the past year. Therefore, staff recommends entering into a Professional Services Agreement with PDM for 2026.
The Professional Services Agreement establishes a price agreement for the Public Utilities Plumbing Services Contract in a time and material format. This method of specialized services, inspections, and repairs is fiscally responsible and allows for more efficient completion of the required work. The work covered under this Agreement includes emergency work, maintenance, various repairs, and numerous inspections which could not effectively be competitively bid on an annual basis.
The all-inclusive (manpower, vehicle, and tools) average hourly rate for 2026 is $160.00 which is a 3.75% increase from the 2025 rate and is effective until December 31, 2026. The term of this Agreement is January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, at which time the City of Joliet will have the option to extend the price agreement.
Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances states that purchases whose estimated cost is in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be awarded without written specifications or bidding under certain circumstances. Three (3) of these circumstances apply:
(b) Purchases for additions to and repairs and maintenance of equipment owned by the city which may be more efficiently added to, repaired or maintained by a certain person;
(f) Purchases when authorized by a concurring vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Mayor and City Council;
(g) Purchases of professional services.
Funds will be charged to the 2026 Water & Sewer Operating Fund / Field Operations - Water / Contractual Services (Org 50080012, Object 524200, $353,600.00).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve the award of a Professional Services Agreement for the Public Utilities Department Plumbing Maintenance Services, for the not-to-exceed Amount of $353,600.00, on behalf of Poehner, Dillman, and Mahalik.
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