Bids coming for water work

DUNKIRK - Work to improve the city's water service is moving forward.

Engineer Bob Haneline, The Schneider Corporation, Indianapolis, told members of Dunkirk City Council Monday that land surveying, mapping and preliminary design/engineering work for the proposed water plant and water main project is complete.

He added that the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural design work is now under way.

Haneline said that his tentative timetable calls for advertising for bids in early June, with bid opening in late June. Plans call for construction work to begin in late August, with completion scheduled for September 2010.

In response to Haneline's report, city council members set a special meeting for 6 p.m. on June 29 at city hall to open bids for the project.

The overall water improvement project is expected to cost in excess of $1 million.

The city has already applied for a $500,000 grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to help fund the work. That application is pending. However, city officials are determined to improve the city water situation, and they plan to borrow funds through a water bond issuance to supplement whatever is not received through the grant process.

Also Monday, newly-appointed city council member Eric Bowler was assigned to supervise the street department.

Mayor Ron Hunt welcomed the fellow Democrat to the council, and then announced that he would be in charge of the street department, keeping the other council assignments the same.

The mayor supervises the police department, and other council member assignments include: Judy Garr, water; Craig Faulkner, fire; and Tom Johnson, city parks and pool.

Currently, another new council member is being sought to replace Larry Smith who supervised the wastewater treatment department. Smith died recently.

Dunkirk City Democrat chairperson Pam Bunch is accepting letters of application for Smith's spot on the council through Saturday, May 2.

Letters should be sent to her at 16 Leisure Lane, Dunkirk.

In other business at Monday night's meeting council members:

•Agreed with a recommendation from the Dunkirk Foundation to appoint two new board members: Deb Whitesell and Aaron Walter to five-year terms on the foundation board.

•Approved a recommendation by the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation to spend $2,070 in Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds as Dunkirk's share of a county-wide vision survey and project, being sponsored by Jay County Development Corporation, United Way, The Portland Foundation, and other Jay County communities.

This proposal will be designed to provide a county-wide survey about needs in Jay County in order to provide direction to JCDC, explained Chuck Huffman who represented the DIDC at the city council meeting.

•Authorized the DIDC to spend up to $50,000 in EDIT funds for design work on the installation of decorative street lights with a historic appearance in the downtown area.

City officials plan to seek grants to pay for the lights.

•Noted that Gavin Historical Bricks of Iowa City, Iowa, had sent the city a letter proposing to pay $1,800 a year for permission to use city-owned property near the water treatment plant to store old bricks from the Ind. 167 (Main Street) renovation project. These bricks will eventually be removed by the firm. Action on the request was tabled, pending further review.

•Learned that the water department was going to be flushing hydrants to clear water lines, starting on the week of May 4-8, and continuing during the week of May 11-15, if necessary. The hydrant flushing will occur between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, city water department superintendent Dace Mumbower said. He said this may result in extremely discolored water and low water pressure during these times.

City officials urge residents not to wash clothes during the times when the hydrants are being flushed. Garr pointed out that plans call for starting the hydrant flushing program on the south end of town.

•Noted that applications are still being accepted for summer jobs for the park and city pool. For more information or to obtain an application form persons may visit Dunkirk City Hall, 131 S. Main St.[[In-content Ad]]