The Village of Saint Charles on Monday approved an agreement with its engineering consultant to finish project planning needed to seek state funding and loans for drinking-water improvements.

Spicer Engineering told the council its TMF grant work (hydro excavation and service-line inventory) covers planning for service-line replacement, but state rules prevent the same grant funds being used to engineer a larger water-main replacement. The consultant recommended submitting two separate project plans: a services-only plan that would be fully grant-funded and a separate water-main plan that the village would pursue through the state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) low-interest loan program.

"We used a bit of contingencies from phase 1 to eliminate all the lead service lines in the village — officially lead free," the Spicer representative said, noting the project team will still address galvanized services and older cast-iron mains in targeted neighborhoods.

The council heard cost estimates presented by the consultant: roughly $3,100,000 for a combined water-main project and about $1,200,000 for a services-only project aimed primarily at removing galvanized and remaining lead services. The consultant said the TMF grant will pay for the services project planning and estimated an additional $7,000 to prepare the second project plan (the Exhibit A scope) that the village approved.

Spicer also described the schedule constraints: the services-project application is due June 1; selection notices are expected around September, with potential construction activity targeted for spring 2027 if projects are funded.

Council members voted on a motion to accept Exhibit A — the agreement between owner and engineer for the SRF-related professional services — and approved it by roll call. The vote record shows Paul Jenderski, Christine Newman, Michael Nesbitt, Edgar Titoff, Cathy Harris, Darcy McSwain and Jennifer Rosser Nesbitt voting in favor.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to accept Exhibit A, owner–engineer agreement for SRF project planning: Passed (unanimous roll call of attending members).
- Motion to pay bills in the amount of $134,545.47: Passed (unanimous roll call of attending members).
- Motion to accept a tree donation from Tri Township Fire Department: Passed.

Why it matters

The decision moves the village forward in seeking a combination of grant and low-interest loan financing designed to accelerate removal of remaining galvanized and lead service lines and to replace aging cast-iron mains. If fully funded, the work aims to reduce future breaks and improve long-term reliability of the water system; however, the council was told the SRF-funded water-main scope will likely require separate financing and additional village cash to prepare the loan application.

What’s next

Spicer will submit the service-line project plan under the TMF grant (due June 1) and will proceed with the Exhibit A work to scope a separate SRF water-main project. The council will review final plans and funding outcomes once state scoring and selections are announced.

Sources and attribution

Quotations and technical details in this article come from the council meeting transcript and from the village’s consultant (Spicer); where names of individual council speakers are recorded in roll call, votes are listed by the names spoken aloud during the meeting.