Mentone Council Accepts Bid for Water Project
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
James W. Emans, of Emans Engineering, the contracted engineer for Mentone, said two bids came in for the water main project. The plan is to replace 1,000 feet of pipe with 6-inch pipe and hydrant to increase water flow.
Emans opened the bids at the start of the town council meeting, reviewed them during the meeting and gave a recommendation at the end.
Beer & Slabaugh, Nappanee, bid $37,386.50. Construction Services of Indiana, Warsaw, bid $55,754.43. Emans’ engineering estimate was $59,414.
“The bids were certainly within reasonable (range),” Emans reported.
At the end of the meeting, Emans said both bids were responsive and contained the forms the town asked for. The math from Beer & Slabaugh was a bit off, but it was still the lowest bid at $37,397.
“I see no reason not to award it to (Beer & Slabaugh),” Emans said.
The council approved the recommendation.
Emans will get the contract to Beer & Slabaugh and see what their schedule is for the year. The project should be done by midsummer.
At the March meeting, Town Marshal Jim Eads asked for a fourth reserve officer, but the council tabled it for more time to consider the request. Monday night, Eads asked again.
The Mentone Police Department includes Eads, Deputy Terry Engstrand and reserve officers Steve Sanders, Sam Bohnke and Randy Bays.
Council President Tim Croy asked how the officers are doing on their hours. Eads said they’re in line with their hours.
“I’m still at the point where I don’t want to spend any money,” Councilwoman Jill Gross said.
Eads asked what money she was concerned about.
“Any money we have to spend,” she replied.
Shelly Krueger, councilwoman, asked what the total cost of adding a fourth officer would be including insurance and uniforms.
“I don’t think we have a total cost,” Croy answered, saying costs would include everything from uniforms to insurance.
He made a motion that the town not add a fourth reserve officer at this time, which was approved. Croy also said he would like to see Sanders and Bohnke step it up a bit.
“And we’re not using Sam to his fullest if he’s not on his own yet,” Gross noted.
Bohnke is still riding with other officers while he receives training. Eads said until he meets his requirements and the other officers are comfortable with him being on his own, he won’t be out patrolling on his own.
Eads also said he will be working on modifying officers’ schedules so they don’t work more than eight hours a shift, and no more than 70 to 80 hours a month. However, it’s not written in stone yet, he said.
“If they work their eight-hour job and then come here, that can be tiring,” Eads commented.
In other business, the council:
• Heard a drop-off box for prescription medication will be placed outside of Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross’s office today thanks to a Kosciusko Coalition on Drug Enforcement grant. Medications can be dropped off in the box during regular clerk-treasurer hours. No liquids or needles are permitted.
• Approved Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd’s request to put a portable toilet at the park at $105 per month. If it is vandalized, Shepherd said he will discontinue it.
“I’m not going to fight it. If they tear it up, it’ll be gone,” Shepherd stated.
• Heard from Shepherd that although Monday was cemetery clean-up day, he was not able to get to it so it will be done Wednesday. If people want to get stuff off graves, they better hurry.
• Approved Shepherd’s request to purchase two new hand-held radios for $949.40.
• Approved spring trash day as May 15. Ross has a list of items that can’t be picked up.
Croy added that KC Recycling will offer tire pick-up April 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. That Saturday only, the first two car tires are free.
Tires also can be taken in April 22-24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it ends at noon April 25. Cost is $1 per car tire, $5 per truck tire and $15 to $25 per tractor tire.
Tires need to be off their rims.
• Approved Ross’s request for a new computer and printer for $887.
• Reported anyone interested in a garden spot this year should contact Ron Scott now at 574-353-7640.[[In-content Ad]]
James W. Emans, of Emans Engineering, the contracted engineer for Mentone, said two bids came in for the water main project. The plan is to replace 1,000 feet of pipe with 6-inch pipe and hydrant to increase water flow.
Emans opened the bids at the start of the town council meeting, reviewed them during the meeting and gave a recommendation at the end.
Beer & Slabaugh, Nappanee, bid $37,386.50. Construction Services of Indiana, Warsaw, bid $55,754.43. Emans’ engineering estimate was $59,414.
“The bids were certainly within reasonable (range),” Emans reported.
At the end of the meeting, Emans said both bids were responsive and contained the forms the town asked for. The math from Beer & Slabaugh was a bit off, but it was still the lowest bid at $37,397.
“I see no reason not to award it to (Beer & Slabaugh),” Emans said.
The council approved the recommendation.
Emans will get the contract to Beer & Slabaugh and see what their schedule is for the year. The project should be done by midsummer.
At the March meeting, Town Marshal Jim Eads asked for a fourth reserve officer, but the council tabled it for more time to consider the request. Monday night, Eads asked again.
The Mentone Police Department includes Eads, Deputy Terry Engstrand and reserve officers Steve Sanders, Sam Bohnke and Randy Bays.
Council President Tim Croy asked how the officers are doing on their hours. Eads said they’re in line with their hours.
“I’m still at the point where I don’t want to spend any money,” Councilwoman Jill Gross said.
Eads asked what money she was concerned about.
“Any money we have to spend,” she replied.
Shelly Krueger, councilwoman, asked what the total cost of adding a fourth officer would be including insurance and uniforms.
“I don’t think we have a total cost,” Croy answered, saying costs would include everything from uniforms to insurance.
He made a motion that the town not add a fourth reserve officer at this time, which was approved. Croy also said he would like to see Sanders and Bohnke step it up a bit.
“And we’re not using Sam to his fullest if he’s not on his own yet,” Gross noted.
Bohnke is still riding with other officers while he receives training. Eads said until he meets his requirements and the other officers are comfortable with him being on his own, he won’t be out patrolling on his own.
Eads also said he will be working on modifying officers’ schedules so they don’t work more than eight hours a shift, and no more than 70 to 80 hours a month. However, it’s not written in stone yet, he said.
“If they work their eight-hour job and then come here, that can be tiring,” Eads commented.
In other business, the council:
• Heard a drop-off box for prescription medication will be placed outside of Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross’s office today thanks to a Kosciusko Coalition on Drug Enforcement grant. Medications can be dropped off in the box during regular clerk-treasurer hours. No liquids or needles are permitted.
• Approved Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd’s request to put a portable toilet at the park at $105 per month. If it is vandalized, Shepherd said he will discontinue it.
“I’m not going to fight it. If they tear it up, it’ll be gone,” Shepherd stated.
• Heard from Shepherd that although Monday was cemetery clean-up day, he was not able to get to it so it will be done Wednesday. If people want to get stuff off graves, they better hurry.
• Approved Shepherd’s request to purchase two new hand-held radios for $949.40.
• Approved spring trash day as May 15. Ross has a list of items that can’t be picked up.
Croy added that KC Recycling will offer tire pick-up April 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. That Saturday only, the first two car tires are free.
Tires also can be taken in April 22-24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it ends at noon April 25. Cost is $1 per car tire, $5 per truck tire and $15 to $25 per tractor tire.
Tires need to be off their rims.
• Approved Ross’s request for a new computer and printer for $887.
• Reported anyone interested in a garden spot this year should contact Ron Scott now at 574-353-7640.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092