Dunkirk to seek $ for basins

DUNKIRK — The city took a step Monday toward the first phase of its five-year master plan for water, stormwater and wastewater.

Dunkirk City Council approved a contract with Kenna Consulting of Greenwood for assistance with seeking a $600,000 Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant to create two detention basins on the east side of the city.

Larry Haag of Beam, Longest and Neff, the engineering firm that put together the city’s master plan in 2019, explained that the first phase calls for detention basins along Broad Street between Palace Street and Moore Avenue and near the east end of A Street. The dry ponds would be used to detain water during heavy rain events in order to mitigate flooding in the area. (The exact locations of the basins would be determined by studies regarding water flow and negotiations with property owners for the land needed to build them.)

The project is estimated at a cost of $750,000, with the city to seek the $600,000 grant from OCRA with help from Kent Anderson of Kenna Consulting. He noted that details about when the next grant round will open have not yet been released but that he expects it to be in the spring, with grant awards to be announced in August. (A second round of grants will be available in fall 2022.)

If it receives the grant, the city would be responsible for a 10% match of the total project cost. Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins noted that the city has $254,000 in funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act that could be used for that purpose.

Anderson explained that his contract total of $53,580 has contingencies built in and that there is no additional charge for a second grant application if the first is unsuccessful.

Council members Jesse Bivens, Tom Johnson, Bryan Jessup, Kevin Hamilton and Christy Curts voted unanimously to enter into the contract with Kenna Consulting.

Depending on funding and other contingencies, Haag said construction could start as early as the end of 2022. But he emphasized that it would be just the first step.

“This will not resolve all of the issues,” said Haag.

“It’s just the start,” added Robbins.

The five-year plan also includes new water lines for 2nd, Rick, Hickory, Elm and Blackford streets as well as new fire hydrants and a new water tower.

In other business, council:

•Extended the city’s COVID-19 policy through June. It allows for 14 days of paid leave for city employees who test positive for COVID-19, are quarantined because of a close contact or are caring for a family member who has COVID-19.

•Appointed Jeff Hatch and Derek Rodgers to the West Jay Community Center board of directors.

•Heard Curts suggest the city look into installing street lights in Quincy Place. Council agreed to look into how much it would cost to install lights.

•Approved a $300 sponsorship for the Jay County High School choir.

During the city’s board of works meeting prior to the council meeting, members Dan Watson, Robbins and Bivens:

•Approved payment of invoices of $1,170 from Defense and Logistics of Kansas for ammunition for the police department; $1,200 to Utility Supply for supplies for the water department; a total of $2,471.15 to U.S. Aggregates for stone for the water department; $1,286 to Superior Door for work at the fire station; $1,175.75 for a new furnace at the park department barn.

•Heard from Robbins that after three weeks of advertising the city hasn’t received any applications for its open police officer positions. The city has been short-staffed for much of the year and has in recent months been using part-time help to cover shifts. “We’re going to have to try to limp through,” he said.

•Hired Brook Willoughby as a laborer for the water department.

•Heard from Brock Farmer of the water department that one of its trucks will begin having a new bed installed this week. He also noted that all hydrants in the city were recently flushed.

•Discussed the purchase of a new truck for the city’s wastewater department. Superintendent Larry Wright will return to the board with quotes.

•Learned from Robbins that the city’s Christmas lights were put up last week. The city’s Feel the Warmth of Dunkirk celebration is Monday with tree-lighting in front of the mural at 6 p.m. and Santa to visit Glass Capital Grill from 6 to 8 p.m. The city building and various businesses will be open that evening to take part in the celebration. The JCHS choir will perform as part of the festivities.