Geneva seeks library grant (11/12/03)

GENEVA — Plans to investigate the cost of making repairs at the town’s library are moving forward.

A $45,000 planning grant is being sought and will be the subject of a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at the library.

Rose Bryan of Geneva Public Library told Geneva Town Council at Tuesday she needs letters of support for the project. She urged residents to attend next week’s hearing. The grant application is expected to be turned into the U.S. Department of Commerce by the end of November, Bryan said.

Repairs are needed on the roof, floor, and brick work on the west side of the building, Bryan told council members at a previous meeting. She also previously said that the library has funds available for the 10 percent required match.

Bryan also reported Tuesday that the library board recently selected Fort Wayne firm Morrison, Kattman & Manze to work on the renovation plans.

In other business, council members learned from Prince/Alexander Architects representative Terry Prentkowski that renovations at the Pyle Building are nearly complete.

A final walk through is scheduled on Friday, Nov. 21.

“Then you’ll be ready to roll,” Prentkowski said referring to moving the town’s clerk-treasurer’s office, the town manager’s office and the police department to the newly renovated building, located on 411 E. Line Street.

Also Tuesday, the council heard John Dufek of Clark Dietz of Indianapolis report that construction of the new lift station also is complete.

“It’s running great,” Dufek said.

The station was replaced because the current station is too small and was located in a flood area in a field on the south end of town. The station is now located on Fourth Street.

Also Clark Dietz marketing manager Vince Sommers discussed plans outlined in the town’s wastewater master plan which was created in 1999.

Future plans included refurbishing wastewater infrastructure on Railroad Street and Winchester Road.

“The one that’s causing us more grief is Winchester Road,” said councilman Mike Schwartz. “I would be in favor of doing that area 110 percent correct rather than moving on to the other side of town.”

Besides repairing wastewater lines, the height of Winchester Road needs to be reduced. Currently, the water run off is flooding properties of residents in that area.

Sommers said that he would work on a new master plan and present it to the council at future meeting.

Also Tuesday, council members opened bids to update the disinfecting project at the town’s wastewater treatment plant. All of the town’s wastewater treated at the plant is currently is disinfected before it is discharged into the Wabash River. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires that the disinfecting process be used between April 1 to Oct. 31.

CLS Construction of Geneva submitted a bid $39,280 for the chemical disinfecting process, which uses chlorine to kill the bacteria and $35,200 for the ultraviolet, which uses UV light to kill the bacteria. CLS also included a $65,901 alternate bid for the chemical disinfecting process which equipment that would be used to handle, measure and administer the chemicals.

Geneva company Jones Excavation submitted a bid of $77,860 for the chemical disinfecting which includes equipment and $51,340 for the ultraviolet disinfecting. This bid also includes costs for equipment.

Council members Timmons said that the council would take the bids under advisement and have officials from Clark Dietz inspect them to ensure that they meet project specifications.

In other business, council members:

•Agreed to take over control of the road leading from U.S. 27 to the new Migrant Day Care Center on the north side of Geneva.

Council members Schwartz, Jim Timmerman and Lew Wingler previously discussed a drainage problem caused by the road but said Tuesday that the problem has been corrected.

•Tabled discussion until the council’s February meeting to discuss parking issues in front of the Pyle Building.

The council discussed reserving one of the two spaces for a handicap accessible parking and limiting the parking at the second space to five minutes for city residents wanting to make payments.

•Heard town manager Steve Hampshire report that street department employees installed “slow hidden drive” warning signs between Butcher and Line Street. Hampshire added that he had received several complaints of drivers speeding from residents in that area.

•Approved the first reading of an ordinance to make using engine compression brakes within the town limits illegal. Geneva clerk-treasurer Doug Milligan drafted an ordinance similar to Berne’s after receiving several complaints about noise caused by semi-trucks with compression brakes.

A final reading is scheduled for the Dec. 2 meeting.

•Heard Milligan announce that the council’s Dec. 2 meeting at 6:30 p.m. may be held in the completed Pyle Building.

“It may be here or it may be in the new building,” he said during his report to the council.

Milligan also said that a year end meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 30 to review accounts.[[In-content Ad]]