July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Bill on rise for former sports park (09/05/2008)
Portland Board of Works
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
The city of Portland will be spending more money to fix problems at the site of the former sports park.
A local board voted Thursday morning to pay TJ's Concrete Construction, Portland, an additional $34,950 to resolve erosion problems at the site of XPLEX Extreme Competition Park, which is located on county road 100 North, east of U.S. 27 on the northeast side of Portland.
Portland Board of Works members voted in June to pay the company $18,265 to fix erosion around a retention pond located near the spec building. The plan was to smooth dirt around the pond, then spray on grass seed to prevent runoff during heavy rains.
The June vote came after the Indiana Department of Environmental Management told city officials that the erosion problem must be solved.
Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, said Thursday that IDEM officials recently informed the city that the problem should be resolved differently. Instead of spraying on grass seed, the seeds will be scattered by machine. Fertilizer will be applied, then a special blanket to hold down the grass seed will be placed on top, per IDEM's request. Harker said IDEM officials believe the biodegradable blanket will hold the seeds in place during heavy rains and will keep out birds and other creatures.
TJ's Concrete has already been paid $10,830 to grade the area around the pond and apply stone, Harker said. The company also will receive the $34,950, which includes the cost of seeding, the blanket and labor.
"We're spending a heck of a lot of money out there," said board member Bob McCreery.
The city also is paying RW Armstrong, Indianapolis, $12,881 to determine if any wetlands were disturbed during the creation of the sports park.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier reminded board members that city officials hope to somehow recapture some of the money spent to fix problems at the former park site. Hosier said this morning that he does not know how the city might recapture the funds. The owner of the former park, Glynn Barber, has declared bankruptcy. The last event was held at the park in 2006. Barber faces several lawsuits in connection with the project.
In other business Thursday, board members voted to hire a new full-time firefighter.
Mitch Southworth, 24, Salamonia, was hired to replace Tom Jacobs, who is retiring after more than 20 years of service. Southworth's employment will not take effect until he passes a physical and other tests, said fire chief Matt Aker.
If Southworth does not pass testing, Zach Hudson will become the new full-time firefighter.
Southworth is a 2003 graduate of Jay County High School and studied fire science and safety technology at Vincennes University. He is the son of Tim and Connie Southworth, Salamonia.
Also Thursday, board members:
•Approved an amendment to a joint development agreement with POET Biorefining-Portland.
The original agreement, approved by the board in October, stated that the ethanol plant would discharge up to 45,000 gallons of processed water per year for one year. After the one-year period, the company agreed to reduce the amount of discharge to 30,000 gallons per year.
POET officials recently asked the city to extend the agreement for six months, allowing the plant to discharge at a rate of 45,000 gallon annually to the wastewater treatment plant. Hosier told the board that he has been assured the plant can handle that volume of water.
Hosier said POET needed the extension because equipment that would allow water to be reused instead of discharged has yet to be installed.
•Voted to purchase a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria for the police department at a cost of $18,000.
Police chief Bob Sours said the new vehicle will replace a 2005 Chevrolet Impala that has 93,000 miles. The price reflects a trade-in for the older vehicle.
The low quote was selected from Moser Motor Sales, Berne. Les Wenning Motors Inc., Fort Recovery, also submitted a quote of $18,755, and Ken Kunkle Chevrolet quoted a price of $19,236.
•Approved a sewer tap-in application from Charles H. Miller, 221 E Race St., Portland.
Linda Kennedy, the city's clerk-treasurer, said Bob Brelsford, wastewater treatment plant superintendent, approved the application. Miller is building a house.
Due to a recent city policy change, both Brelsford and the board of works must approve sewer tap-in applications.
•Approved the transfer of $500,000 from the sewage operation fund to the city's general fund as a loan.
The transfer was approved by the city council on Monday. The city needs the funds because it has not yet received its share of tax revenues.[[In-content Ad]]
A local board voted Thursday morning to pay TJ's Concrete Construction, Portland, an additional $34,950 to resolve erosion problems at the site of XPLEX Extreme Competition Park, which is located on county road 100 North, east of U.S. 27 on the northeast side of Portland.
Portland Board of Works members voted in June to pay the company $18,265 to fix erosion around a retention pond located near the spec building. The plan was to smooth dirt around the pond, then spray on grass seed to prevent runoff during heavy rains.
The June vote came after the Indiana Department of Environmental Management told city officials that the erosion problem must be solved.
Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, said Thursday that IDEM officials recently informed the city that the problem should be resolved differently. Instead of spraying on grass seed, the seeds will be scattered by machine. Fertilizer will be applied, then a special blanket to hold down the grass seed will be placed on top, per IDEM's request. Harker said IDEM officials believe the biodegradable blanket will hold the seeds in place during heavy rains and will keep out birds and other creatures.
TJ's Concrete has already been paid $10,830 to grade the area around the pond and apply stone, Harker said. The company also will receive the $34,950, which includes the cost of seeding, the blanket and labor.
"We're spending a heck of a lot of money out there," said board member Bob McCreery.
The city also is paying RW Armstrong, Indianapolis, $12,881 to determine if any wetlands were disturbed during the creation of the sports park.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier reminded board members that city officials hope to somehow recapture some of the money spent to fix problems at the former park site. Hosier said this morning that he does not know how the city might recapture the funds. The owner of the former park, Glynn Barber, has declared bankruptcy. The last event was held at the park in 2006. Barber faces several lawsuits in connection with the project.
In other business Thursday, board members voted to hire a new full-time firefighter.
Mitch Southworth, 24, Salamonia, was hired to replace Tom Jacobs, who is retiring after more than 20 years of service. Southworth's employment will not take effect until he passes a physical and other tests, said fire chief Matt Aker.
If Southworth does not pass testing, Zach Hudson will become the new full-time firefighter.
Southworth is a 2003 graduate of Jay County High School and studied fire science and safety technology at Vincennes University. He is the son of Tim and Connie Southworth, Salamonia.
Also Thursday, board members:
•Approved an amendment to a joint development agreement with POET Biorefining-Portland.
The original agreement, approved by the board in October, stated that the ethanol plant would discharge up to 45,000 gallons of processed water per year for one year. After the one-year period, the company agreed to reduce the amount of discharge to 30,000 gallons per year.
POET officials recently asked the city to extend the agreement for six months, allowing the plant to discharge at a rate of 45,000 gallon annually to the wastewater treatment plant. Hosier told the board that he has been assured the plant can handle that volume of water.
Hosier said POET needed the extension because equipment that would allow water to be reused instead of discharged has yet to be installed.
•Voted to purchase a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria for the police department at a cost of $18,000.
Police chief Bob Sours said the new vehicle will replace a 2005 Chevrolet Impala that has 93,000 miles. The price reflects a trade-in for the older vehicle.
The low quote was selected from Moser Motor Sales, Berne. Les Wenning Motors Inc., Fort Recovery, also submitted a quote of $18,755, and Ken Kunkle Chevrolet quoted a price of $19,236.
•Approved a sewer tap-in application from Charles H. Miller, 221 E Race St., Portland.
Linda Kennedy, the city's clerk-treasurer, said Bob Brelsford, wastewater treatment plant superintendent, approved the application. Miller is building a house.
Due to a recent city policy change, both Brelsford and the board of works must approve sewer tap-in applications.
•Approved the transfer of $500,000 from the sewage operation fund to the city's general fund as a loan.
The transfer was approved by the city council on Monday. The city needs the funds because it has not yet received its share of tax revenues.[[In-content Ad]]
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