Signs, awning to adorn city hall

The front of Portland’s city hall will get new signs in the coming weeks.
That’s one of the decisions made by Portland’s Board of Works during its meeting Friday morning. The board approved changes in funding for city hall’s renovations, selected a contractor for the replacement of a broken sewer line and discussed creating a new committee to deal with questionable houses.
The board approved a revised estimate for renovations to the front of city hall to comply with Indiana Historical Society guidelines for historic buildings. Members cleared an additional $21,405 to pay for new signs and an awning that were recommended by Portland Historic Preservation Commission. Display Craft will make and install new lettering and also two signs bearing the city’s seal, and Frontline Construction will help install the awning and finish masonry on the front of the building. The signs and awning should be installed in the next few weeks, but there is no set date for when all of the renovations will be complete.
Board members Bill Gibson, Jerry Leonhard and Mayor Randy Geesaman also discussed two bids for replacing the broken sewer line at 509 W. High St. The home, which was vacant, on the property was demolished in September after a sewer survey found that the line underneath had collapsed and needed to be replaced. Two bids were submitted to replaced 300 feet of sewer line which goes from High to Walnut streets. Jutte Excavating of Fort Recovery submitted the low bid of $40,730 and Landon Excavating of Portland submitted the other for $54,600. The board decided to approve the low bid from Jutte Excavating.
Director of Jay County/Portland Building and Planning John Hemmelgarn raised concerns with the board regarding abandoned homes that are eyesores or too dangerous to live in. Hemmelgarn explained that it’s difficult for his department to enforce all the building code rules and also keep tabs on already constructed homes. Geesaman proposed creating a new committee with the county health officer, code enforcement officer, Hemmelgarn and city attorney Bill Hinkle to draft a new ordinance that could strengthen city codes and help deal with homes that are neglected and abandoned.
In other business, the board:
•Hired Keith Gardner as a part-time firefighter. He has already passed the written and physical exams and holds an Indiana firefighter certification in basic and mandatory firefighting.
•Approved the purchase of a new 2017 Ford F-150 to replace one of the Water Department’s aging pickups trucks. The low bid was chosen from Fuqua Chrysler for $21,125.
•Passed an adjustment for the sewer bill for Berne Ready Mix during summer months. Sewer fees are calculated by water usage, but much of the water used by Berne Ready Mix stays in their product instead of going in the city’s wastewater system. The board approved giving the company 20 percent off of its sewer bill during June, July and August.
•Voted to fund a $19,750 project by Fleis & Vandenbrink, an engineering firm, to conduct an Americans with Disabilities Act inventory and put together a transition plan to bring the city’s public buildings and sidewalks up to ADA and Title IV standards.
•Approved additional funding for asbestos disposal in two homes being demolished as part of the Blight Elimination Program. Shroyer Brothers will receive an additional $4,900.
•Passed a bill adjustment for Dilcia Ruiz, whose sewer bills were high during July and August because of a leak in the city’s wastewater system. Ruiz will receive an adjustment of $25.42 for July and $130.61 for August.