Title
Humphrey Woods Stewardship (2026-2030)
History
The Humphrey Woods are an isolated woodland and remnant of the Village’s past, located just west of the Village Center campus. The twenty-five (25) acre site is home to the historic replicas Hostert Cabins, which date back to the 1800s and the founding of the Village, as well as hundreds of plant species and mature trees more than two hundred (200) years old. The Village has long recognized Humphrey Woods as a valuable natural and historical resource.
In 2019, the Public Works Department and Hey and Associates began creating a plan for the restoration and long-term management of this area. These efforts began with an ecological assessment, which was completed in 2020, and provided a snapshot of the current condition of the woods, followed by the “Humphrey Woods Ecological Restoration and Management Project - Master Plan”, which was completed in July 2021. Bid documents were completed in November 2021.
The Humphrey Woods have since undergone five (5) years of ecological restoration and ongoing stewardship by V3 Construction Group, Ltd., under the oversight of Public Works and Hey and Associates. During this period, Humphrey Woods has been recognized by the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) and The Morton Arboretum, has significantly improved habitat conditions for local wildlife, and has become an additional Village destination where residents can experience and appreciate native plants and animals.
In 2020, the Village established a pool of pre-qualified Ecological Restoration Contractors (ERCs) from which the Village solicits ecological restoration and stewardship (i.e. maintenance) proposals. The ERCs selected were Stantec (f/k/a Cardno Inc.), Davey Resource Group, Pizzo & Associates, and V3 Construction Group, Ltd. Master Service Agreements (MSAs) were established with each ERC, which have since been extended. Since that time, the Public Works Department has had extensive experience working with all ERCs on a variety of projects. All of the ERCs have proven to be highly profession and experts in their field of work.
Proposals for the Humphrey Woods Stewardship (2026-2030) were requested from all ERCs on December 9, 2025. A pre-bid meeting was held on January 7, 2026. Proposers were asked to submit pricing for stewardship and maintenance services for the initial three (3) year term (2026-2028), with an option to extend the agreement for two (2) additional years (2029-2030). Proposals also included separate pricing for maintenance work within seven (7) designated “Focus Maintenance Areas” (Areas 1-7), which were identified by Hey and Associates as requiring additional targeted maintenance. A prescribed burn for the Humphrey Woods has been recommended by ecologists from Hey and Associates and is planned for 2027. A summary of the proposals is provided below.
V3 Construction Group, Ltd.
Initial Stewardship (2026-2028): $64,500.00
Two (2) Optional Stewardship Years: $40,500.00
Focus Maintenance Areas (Total Cost): $27,675.00
Grand Total: $132,675.00
Davey Resource Group
Initial Stewardship (2026-2028): $65,091.00
Two (2) Optional Stewardship Years: $40,682.00
Focus Maintenance Areas (Total Cost): $27,440.00
Grand Total: $133,213.00
Stantec
Initial Stewardship (2026-2028): $123,800.00
Two (2) Optional Stewardship Years: $54,100.00
Focus Maintenance Areas (Total Cost): $20,400.00
Grand Total: $198,300.00
Pizzo and Associates
Initial Stewardship (2026-2028): $111,840.00
Two (2) Optional Stewardship Years: $61,320.00
Focus Maintenance Areas (Total Cost): $50,480.57
Grand Total: $223,640.57
Staff recommends awarding Humphrey Woods Stewardship (2026-2030) and all Focus Maintenance Areas to V3 Construction Group, Ltd. (MSA 20250313) for three (3) years (2026-2028) with the Village’s option to extend the contract for an additional two (2) years (2029-2030) for a total not to exceed $132,675.00. No contingency is requested.
Financial Impact
Funding for FY2026 the Humphrey Woods Stewardship is available in 1008010-443500 and will be requested for subsequent years according to contract pricing.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve and authorize the execution of a Contractor Agreement with V3 Construction Group, Ltd. of Woodridge, IL as the lowest cost, qualified responsive proposal for the Humphrey Woods Stewardship (2026-2030) including a three (3) years (2026-2028) Initial Stewardship and all seven (7) Focus Maintenance Areas for an amount not to exceed $92,175.00, with an option to extend the Stewardship for two (2) additional years (2029-2030) for an amount of $40,500.00, for a total not-to-exceed contract price of $132,675.00;
AND
Authorize the Village Manager to execute all related agreements, subject to Village attorney review.