TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2025
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to increase purchase order with the law firm of Neal & Leroy, LLC, to represent the District in acquiring certain property rights in connection with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin and Separate Storm Sewer Improvements in Harvey, Illinois (Contract 18-249-AF), in an amount of $19,969.23, from an amount of $875,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $894,969.23, Account 501-50000-612430, Purchase Order 3124253
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Dear Sir:
On May 18, 2023, the Board of Commissioners (“Board”) authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with the law firm of Neal & Leroy, LLC, to represent the District in acquiring certain property rights in connection with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin and Separate Storm Sewer Improvements in Harvey, Illinois (Contract 18-249-AF) (“Project”), in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00.
As of November 21, 2025, the attached list of change orders have been approved.
Original Contract Amount $400,000.00
Date of Board Approval 05/18/2023
Cumulative Change Order (11/21/2025) ($475,000.00)
% Change of Original Contract Value (118.75%)
Current Contract Value $875,000.00
Requested Increase $19,969.23
New Contract Value $894,969.23
% Change of Current Contract Value 2.28%
Total % Change of Original Contract Value 123.74%
This change order is requested for Neal & Leroy, LLC to close out the final pending condemnation cases for this stormwater project. In particular, this purchase order increase will specifically cover the direct costs that were required by the Court and eminent domain law, including recording fees, filing fees, title work, and relocation costs. The Court required District counsel to carry out exhaustive procedural steps to identify and serve possible owners of the properties, many of which were unoccupied for several years. Furthermore, many properties in the project area had clouded title, so the Court required more coordination with the title company to ensure clear title was obtained.
This change order is in compliance with the Illinois Criminal Code because the additional legal assistance necessary to complete the right-of-way acquisitions was not reasonably foreseeable at the time the contract was signed. The change is germane to the original contract as signed, and the change order is in the best interest of the District.
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to execute a change order to increase the purchase order and amend the agreement in an amount of $19,969.23 (2.28% of current contract value) from an amount of $875,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $894,969.23.
Funds are available in Account 501-50000-612430.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:MSZ:vp
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for December 4, 2025
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