Dunkirk finalizes plans for grant application

DUNKIRK — Plans have been finalized for an application for Community Crossings grant money.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday also heard an update on the progress of the Barbier Street sewer improvements, approved a payment plan for a large water leak and discussed work at the Todd Opera House.

Mitch Hansel of Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering presented council the final application for the Community Crossings grant for this year. The city’s application retroactively utilizes $96,000 that was already spent on road improvement to serve as the city’s 25-percent match, and the city stands to gain a 75-percent match of $288,000 from the state for use on additional road improvements in Dunkirk.

Because the city can use funds it already spent on road improvements, no additional funds will have to be appropriated for the city’s match.

“Well that’s just a no-brainer,” said council member Jesse Bivens.

Hansel said Jay County Development Corporation community development director Ami Huffman will submit the grant application this week, before Friday’s deadline. The city should hear back near the end of August about whether funds will be awarded.

Hansel also updated council on the ongoing work to upgrade sewer lines on Barbier Street. Installation of two new manholes is complete, and the lining of the main sewer line will be complete by the end of the week. Work will begin on lining the lateral lines near the end of July, and should be completed by mid August, Hansel said. The lining is expected to help reduce infiltration of the lines from roots and other obstructions. Council members Lisa Street, Bryan Jessup, Jack Robbins and Bivens, absent Tom Johnson, approved the first invoice from the project, totaling $13,487.40, for Culy Contractors’ work installing the manholes.

Kyle Cook came before council to request their approval of a payment plan for him to pay off a $4,657.65 water bill. Cook explained that his property had a leak in the wall of an apartment that wasn’t immediately noticed, resulting in the high bill. He requested that he be allowed to pay off the cost of the bill in $400 per month increments. Council approved a proposal to permit Cook to pay $400 a month for three months, and will examine his payments and revisit the issue at its Oct. 9 meeting.

Robbins asked if the city is allowed to examine the work done at Todd Opera House, after invoices were submitted for funding as a part of the city’s forgivable loan agreement with the building’s developers. Mayor Gene Ritter said he and a representative from Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation had examined the work, but that he had a key and could take council over to do so as well. Council members agreed they would like to check on the progress of the building each time invoices are submitted for payment.

In other business, council:

•Discussed work by city employees to fix a water main leak Saturday night on Commerce Street and a water main break Monday on Broad Street. Street, on behalf of the entire council, thanked the water department employees for their hard work in fixing the problems.

•Heard Ritter thank the city’s firefighters and Fourth of July Committee for their work on the holiday celebrations. Ritter said city police counted more than 1,500 cars at the fireworks show.

•Approved the final invoice from Insituform for work on the sewer lines in Layne Addition, totaling $21,467.97. With the conclusion of the project, the total cost came in $74,100 under the original amount budgeted by city officials.

•Heard from Tina Elliott that Johnson wanted to let council know that work would start Wednesday on boring a drainage line into the new tank at the city pool. Council discussed possible deviations from the original contract in order to ensure the improvements are done properly. City officials plan to contact Johnson before work begins to iron out the details.

•Approved a request from Claudia Sneed to waive city rummage sale fees for Aug. 4 and 5 as a part of the city-wide rummage sale weekend.

•Heard Al Curts present a request from Dru Hall to rezone property on Highland Avenue from commercial to agricultural. Ritter said he would discuss the issue with city attorney Wes Schemenaur and forward the request to the city zoning commission.

•Approved claims totaling $186,518.73.