City limits sewer work to complex

Portland officials have decided to take a conservative approach in running city sewer service to an apartment complex.

Members of the Portland Board of Works have approved an $85,625.30 contract with LICA Construction, rural Berne, to run sewer lines to Katelynn Place apartments. Board members elected to not include the option of running the line farther east past the apartment complex, in an effort to save money.

LICA's bid included an option of an additional $31,536 to add 900 feet of sewer lines to the project. Board members decided to wait and extend the later as part of the upcoming north side sewer separation project.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said Thursday afternoon that city officials are hoping to secure funding, such as grants, for the sewer separation project.

Plans call for the sewer line for the apartment complex to run north from the north lift station, along Industrial Park Drive. The line will then run straight east and to the complex.

The city is paying for the sewer line extension through city utility funds. Hosier said Thursday, "It's the city's responsibility to provide infrastructure up to the property line." Hosier said the return investment from the development will outweigh the costs to extend the sewer line.

The apartment complex is expected to open this summer.

In other business, board members voted to pay city attorney Bill Hinkle $175 per hour, plus out of pocket expenses, for any additional work he does for the city.

Hinkle currently is paid an annual salary of $12,000 for his work for the city. Hosier said the attorney doesn't have any set number of work hours, but is required to attend city meetings, prepare documents and draft requested changes to city ordinances.

The board did not put a cap on Hinkle's additional pay for work such as title work, representing the city in employment issues and negotiations with developers. Hosier said Hinkle rarely is needed to do extra work. The attorney's contract has not been revised since January of 2004, he said.

Also Thursday, board members:

•Approved the transfer of a snowplow blade to the street department from the fire department.

Hosier said the fire department recently purchased a newer blade. The blade being given to the street department has an estimated value of $2,000.

•Approved a leak adjustment request for the Jay County Fairgrounds.

There recently was a water leak between the meter and a building at the fairgrounds. The leak was repaired.

The sewage portion of the water/sewer bill will be adjusted down to a three-month average prior to the leak.[[In-content Ad]]