Project cost going up (04/06/07)

A $4.6 million street reconstruction project is going to cost a little more.

Engineering costs for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project will increase by up to $10,000 because the description of land needed for the project was not detailed enough for Indiana Department of Transportation officials' standards.

Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier told members of the Portland Board of Works on Thursday that officials with Bonar Group, the engineering firm working on the project, asked the city to pay the company an additional $10,000 to $13,000 to create more detailed descriptions of the rights-of-way needed for the project.

Board members voted to cap the payment for the additional work at $10,000. Bonar is being paid more than $386,000 for engineering work on the project.

Hosier said Bonar officials assured him that the project would still be on track for bid letting in July.

He told board of works members on Thursday that Bonar and city officials met with INDOT representatives in November and showed them the land descriptions. INDOT preliminarily approved the information at that time, he said. City and Bonar officials learned about two weeks ago that the more detailed land descriptions were needed.

The project, which will include extensive sewer, storm drain, sidewalk and streetscape work, is being largely funded by a $3.6 million grant from INDOT.

Also Thursday, board members:

•Approved an invoice from LICA Construction Corp., which is doing work on the Industrial Park Drive project.

The company will be paid $53,578.60 for its first payment on the $1.29 million dollar project. Each time a payment is made, 10 percent of the amount will be placed into an escrow account.

The company can get the funds after the work is completed and approved.

LICA will be paid a total of $1,297,564 for its work on the Portland Redevelopment Commission's street widening project. The commission authorized the board to process all claims associated with the project. The Portland City Council will have to give final approval of the invoice.

On Thursday, board of works member Bob McCreery asked about the appearance of the lift station after it is relocated to the east side of Industrial Park Drive.

Hosier said the new life station will be underground, unlike the current station, which is housed in a brick building.

•Voted to purchase new protective fire gear for Portland firefighters, and a ventilation system for one of the fire department's new trucks.

Twelve sets of fire coats, pants and coat liners will be purchased from Hoosier Fire Equipment Inc. of Indianapolis at a cost of $1,384.98 per set.

T.J. Nowalk Supply Co. Inc., Fort Wayne, submitted a quote of $1,585.35 per set, and 5 Alarm Fire and Safety Equipment Inc., Fort Atkinson, Wis., quoted a price of $1,353.50.

Board members chose Hoosier Fire because it had the lowest quote of the Indiana companies.

Indiana Code allows municipalities to choose a company based on accessibility to service and maintenance.

The exhaust ventilation system will be purchased from Air Cleaning Specialists, Indianapolis, at a cost of $9,795. It will be connected to the fire department's new grass rig truck, and used to draw the exhaust fumes out of the building.

The fire department currently does not have an exhaust hose long enough to reach the new truck.

Portland Fire Chief Mike Thomas said the truck is started each day to make sure it is running properly.

•Approved adjust two sewage bills which were high due to water leaks.

Emma Maxwell, 130 E. High St., and Dave Puckett, owner of the Portland Golf Club, 124 West 200 South, asked for the adjustments.

Rick Schlechty appeared on behalf of Maxwell and said her water line froze and then broke. She had the line repaired.

Schlechty said he anticipated Maxwell would get at least one more high water bill because of the leak. Board members gave Kennedy permission to adjust any future bills which reflect the water leak.

Puckett said a water line near the parking lot of his business also froze and leaked. The line was repaired, he said.

The adjustments will be made according to the city's policy, which is to reduce the bills down to a three-month average for sewage bills prior to the leaks.[[In-content Ad]]Curbside recycling won't cost Portland residents any more for now - despite a jump in the fee charged to the city by a private hauler.

The city's recycling fund will be used to cover the per household cost increase for recycling collection. The city recently switched to Rumpke, which is charging $3.25 per household for recycling collection. Portland residents currently pay $3 per month for this service in a charge added to water and sewer bills.

The additional 25 cents per household will amount to $7,200 per year, said Linda Kennedy, the city's clerk-treasurer. There currently is $71,119.48 in the recycling fund.

Board members voted to use the recycling fund to cover the cost increase for one year, with the possibility of passing the increase on to consumers in the future.

The fund is made up of recycling fees paid by city residents. There have been years when consumers have paid more for recycling collection than what the companies have charged the city. The fund also includes a portion of water bill late fees.