Firm hired for sewer design

An engineering firm will be paid nearly $600,000 to do the design work for storm water and sewer separation project on Portland's north side, and a city official said this morning that sewer rates may be increased to pay for several ongoing projects.

Members of the Portland Board of Works voted this morning to pay The Schneider Corporation up to $597,500 in utility funds to design the north side sewer separation project. They also awarded a contract to Financial Solutions Group to study the city's sewer rates.

The north side sewer separation project is expected to cost about $5.8 million to construct. An official with Schneider said today that the city is applying for a $1 million grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and the rest of the project could be funded through low-interest loans.

"I think it's safe to say that a (sewer) rate increase is probably in the future for the city of Portland," Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, told board members. City sewer rates were last increased in 2001.

Hosier reminded board members that the city's first application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for a grant for the Steen Addition storm and sanitary sewer separation project was turned down, partially because the city's utility rates are lower than those in other communities.

Randy Geesaman, city clerk-treasurer, said after the meeting that city residents' current sewer bills are based on water usage, and are calculated on a scale. Currently, those who use no water are charged $10.75 per month for sewage, while those who use 2,500 gallons are charged $19. He added that the charge for using 5,000 gallons a month would be $27.25. The last water rate increase took affect in December of 2004.

Cities around the country are being required by the federal government to separate storm water and sewer lines. The city's long-term control plan approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires that the north side sewer separation project be completed by Dec. 31, 2013.

Board member Bob McCreery suggested that city officials contact IDEM and ask for a deadline extension for the project, because the city clearly does not have the funding in place.

Hosier said an extension would be highly unlikely, because city officials signed an agreement with IDEM. He said several other communities are in the same boat as Portland, in terms of not having funds available to eliminate combined sewer overflows (CSO's). A CSO is typically the result of a combined storm and sanitary sewer. During heavy rainfall, such sewer systems tend to overflow.

Paul Vincent, of The Schneider Corporation, said the goal is for bid letting for the north side sewer separation project to begin late this year or early next year. The portion of the city affected by this project includes areas located between Votaw and Meridian streets and Industrial Park Drive.

FSG will be paid up to $6,500 to study the city's sewer rates.

In other business this morning, board members voted to replace the Portland Fire Department's 2002 Ford Explorer, which has 85,000 miles on it.

Moser Motors of Portland submitted the lowest quote for a 2010 Ford Explorer at a price of $24,342.25. Ken Kunkle Chevrolet-Cadillac, Portland, also submitted quotes of $29,676 for a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, and $28,925 for a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2002 Ford Explorer will not be traded-in, and will instead be given to the Portland Police Department for investigations.[[In-content Ad]]