Council hears report on lead lines

New rules may be coming regarding lead water service lines.

The cost for the city to replace the lead service lines that remain is currently estimated between $1.6 million and $2.1 million.

Portland City Council on Monday heard a report from Kurt Wanninger of Wessler Engineering regarding a pre-published rule from the federal government regarding the replacement of water lines.

Wanninger explained that new lead and copper rules were signed by former president and now President-elect Donald Trump in 2020 but have been on hold since then. He added that the Joe Biden administration last month released “pre-published rules” — the president has not yet signed them — that would require that any lead service lines be replaced within the next 10 years.

An inventory of water service lines — those extending from the city’s mains users — that was due to the federal government recently showed that more than 82% of those in the city are non-lead. It showed that 243 are lead while another 366 are undetermined and will require additional investigation.

Wanninger said line replacement currently costs between $6,200 and $8,700 per location. He added that he expects costs to go up as the new rule will increase the demand for such work.

He also noted that it’s possible the rules could be changed again under the second Trump administration.

Council president Kent McClung asked if the work could be done by city employees or if it would require an outside contractor. Wanninger said the scope of the project would likely require it to be subcontracted.

“The great thing is, (water department superintendent Doug Jackson) and his department do a great job operating the water treatment plant,” he added. “They haven’t had any violations in regard to the lead rule. So the water that is being drank at customers’ homes is safe, reliable water that you guys are producing in your drinking water system.”

Via the regular claims docket, council members Michele Brewster, Matt Goldsworthy, Mike Aker, Dave Golden, Ashley Hilfiker and McClung, absent Ron May, also approved the release of $50,000 in 2024 funding for Jay County Development Corporation.

Golden asked if the funding was on the docket, which it was. Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips said she wasn’t sure if the council would want to discuss releasing the funds following the announcement last week that executive director Travis Richards will be leaving the organization for a new job.

“Well, the contract is with JCDC, not with Travis Richards,” said Golden. “And my thinking is absolutely release that money.”

Council members discussed the issue further, with McClung pointing out that the payment is for work in 2024. (The contract the city signed with JCDC includes another $50,000 for 2025.)

Goldsworthy raised concern about the direction of the organization moving forward, saying he does not want the work to be outsourced. (Jay County Commissioners have contracted with East Central Regional Planning District for a community coordinator in replacement of the previous community development position that was a part of JCDC.)

“I think if anybody would oppose outsourcing the job, it would be the 25 directors,” said Richards, who has agreed to work for JCDC on an as-needed basis through the end of the year in order to follow through on existing projects.

McClung expressed a desire to send a message to potential applicants for the JCDC executive director position that the city is in support of the organization.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the claims docket, with the JCDC funding included.

“I want to take a moment to give a lot of praise to Travis and Jodi and people from the board of directors of JCDC,” Golden said later in the meeting. “I think as a city we’re very blessed to have you. … 

“As a citizen, I appreciate all that you’ve done to create opportunities for our city.”

In other business, council:

•Received an update from Arts Place executive director Carolyn Carducci regarding the Hudson Family Park Amphitheater Concert Series, for which the city contributed $15,000. She said all four free concerts had at least 700 attendees, with a high of 757 for Whoa, Man! Band in July. She also noted that there is a community planning session to create a regional arts master plan from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at John Jay Center for Learning.

•Tabled a request from rural Portland resident Kyle Love for sewer bill relief after his house was severely damaged in the Sept. 22 tornado that also hit Jay County Junior-Senior High School. Council had a lengthy discussion about the issue, which was previously tabled by the city’s board of works because city ordinance states that a sewer bill must be paid for any location that is connected. Council members agreed to look at ordinances from other municipalities and consider making a change to allow fees to be waived for a period of time following a natural disaster.

•Forwarded a tax abatement request from Joyce-Dayton to the city’s tax abatement advisory committee. The company is seeking a one-year abatement on $229,000 in manufacturing equipment. It is projected to save the company $2,748 in taxes while resulting in $21,296 in tax payments over a 10-year period.

•Approved $58,762 in economic development income tax (EDIT) money as matching funds for the apron expansion project at Portland Municipal Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration will provide 90% of the funding for the project, with the city and Indiana Department of Transportation each responsible for 5%.

•Expressed support for potentially expanding the city’s riverfront district as requested by Emily Goodrich of Good-Rich Brewery and Taproom. She shared the idea of adding a commercial kitchen to the brewery, 128 E. McNeil St., in order to provide space for start-up restaurants on a short-term basis. In order to expand the riverfront district, the city council would have to make the area a designated economic development area, redevelopment project area, urban renewal area or redevelopment area, an economic development project district or a community revitalization enhancement district.

•Following a question from Hilfiker, received confirmation from Mayor Jeff Westlake that there are plans for a Goodwill store in the former Walgreens on Votaw Street just west of Meridian Street. He said he asked about a timeline and was told the store could open within the next six months.