July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Firm put on retainer

Portland Board of Works

By Rachelle [email protected]

The next time the city of Portland needs engineering service in a hurry, employees of The Schneider Corporation will be ready to answer the call.

Members of the Portland Board of Works have voted to enter into an on-call service agreement with Schneider. The contract states that Schneider employees will be paid by the hour as needed. Prices range from $34 to $150 per hour, depending on services provided.

By approving the contract, board members also gave Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier authority to hire Schneider as needed. Hosier told the board Thursday morning that the city currently has similar contracts with engineer Gene Amlin and consulant Kristi Sturtz.

Schneider employees could offer services such as collecting geographic data, doing survey work and creating cost estimates for projects. Hosier said the company recently assisted the city with the Buffalo Wings and Rings restaurant project. "The city was reviewing our options to assist with infrastructure," for the restaurant in its previous planned location.

Jim and Vicky Lochtefeld announced last week that their restaurant will not be built just west of Fastenal along West Votaw Street.

The couple is instead considering building it in front of the Holiday Inn Express, also located on West Votaw Street.

Hosier said he does not have specific projects in mind that might require Schneider's services. Whenever Schneider is needed, board members will be notified, he said. The contract will end Dec. 31.

Also Thursday morning, board members approved a change order for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project after learning that the county will reimburse the city for repairs on a bridge over the Salamonie River.

Board of works members learned April 2 that during the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project damage was discovered to the bridge while prep work was being done nearby.

A total of $13,799.25 in repairs was done to the bridge to make it structurally sound.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is funding 80 percent of the street reconstruction project, while the city is responsible for 20 percent.

Hosier said he recently met with Jay County Engineer Dan Watson and Jay County Commissioners president Milo Miller Jr., since the county is responsible for the upkeep of all bridges. Hosier said Miller and Watson agreed that the county would reimburse the city its portion of the bill, which is $2,759.89.

Watson said Thursday afternoon that the bridge was last overhauled about 10 years ago.[[In-content Ad]]
PORTLAND WEATHER

Events

November

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.

250 X 250 AD