Warsaw Public Works Superintendent Dustin Dillon asked the Board of Public Works and Safety on Friday to accept the largest Community Crossings Matching Grant the city has ever received.
He said they applied for the grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) back in January for two different projects.
“The program started in 2016. It’s been a huge benefit to Warsaw, and I believe this is the most we’ve ever received to this point,” Dillon stated.
The INDOT 50/50 grants total $990,952.50. One of the projects is for milling, resurfacing and patching by Rural King’s shopping plaza on Frontage Road for $184,277.50. The other project is for the third and final phase of Hodges Addition, which will be Lincoln Street from Sheridan back to where it touches Lindberg Drive, for $806,675. Phase one and two of Hodges Addition were completed in 2020 and 2023, Dillon said.
“Both projects are out for bid currently. They will be opened up May 3,” he said.
After congratulating Dillon for doing such a “great job” on it, she made a motion to accept the matching grant funds. Mayor Jeff Grose seconded the motion, which was approved 2-0. Board member George Clemens was absent.
“It’s exciting. This will be a good move for the city,” Dillon said.
He then requested permission to seek sealed quotes for three pickup trucks. The new trucks will replace the current management trucks that will be rotated down into the Public Works’ fleet. Three other fleet trucks will be traded in, including a 2008 Ford F250 4X4 pickup, a 2008 Ford F350 dump truck and a 2010 Ford 250 4x4 pickup.
The board granted Dillon’s request as it was in his budget for the year.
The last thing Dillon presented was a $23,005 change order from Greystone Construction for the salt barn that was approved at the Dec. 2, 2022, Board of Works meeting. The change order is due to soil conditions that require a change in the design of the foundation, which was discovered after the preliminary design, he said.
The board approved the change order.
The new total for the contract is $272,660, according to documentation provided. A payment has been made in the amount of $85,206.29, leaving the balance at $187,453.71.
In other business:
• The board approved a pay application from Lynn Douglas Inc. for $10,749 for ongoing cleanup efforts at the Warsaw Chemical property, as requested by Community Economic and Development Director Jeremy Skinner.
“This is part of our SRF (State Revolving Fund) loan that we did about a year or so ago, so we’re just continuing that work. We’ll submit this pay application to them to pay out,” he said.
• The board approved an agreement and fee schedule between the city and MedStat/Lutheran Health Network for occupational health services, as requested by the Human Resources Department.
HR administrative assistant Montana Gardner said it’s basically the same contract the city has had with MedStat. It’s a three-year contract that went into effect when it was approved and signed. Either party has a right to terminate the contract with a 30-day written notice.
“There’s no cost to the city for this contract, but there is a significant savings on fees,” she said.
• Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer presented six contracts to the board, all of which were approved.
The first was an agreement between the Parks Department and Kensington Digital Media to continue their partnership. Kensington helps promote the department’s rock (June 21) and country (July 19) concerts in Central Park. There’s no cost involved.
“It’s a trade of back-and-forth. We give a little, they give a little, we all give a lot,” Kris Lake, with Kensington Digital Media, said. “It’s a great partnership.”
The second contract was with Brian Fravel, doing business as Pro Audio Service, to provide production for the July 19 country concert at Glover Pavilion for $7,580. The funds will come out of Schaefer’s general budget.
Two contracts were with Laughing Stock Productions. Laughing Stock will provide four clowns for balloon twisting and entertainment for the Oct. 4 Fall Family Fun event from 6 to 8 p.m. for $1,080; and three clowns for the July 26 Family Carnival from 6 to 9 p.m. for $1,215. Funds for the Oct. 4 event will come out of the sponsorship account, and out of Schaefer’s general budget for the July 26 event.
Schaefer presented a contract with the Penguinnes for $1,200 for them to provide three hamster wheels and staff to work at a station for the July 26 Family Carnival. Funding will come out of her general budget.
The last contract was with Mark Smith for him to serve as a stage hand for the June 21 rock concert and July 19 country concert. He will be paid $200 per event, which will be paid out of Schaefer’s general budget.
• Jackson Longenbaugh, Warsaw Building & Planning Department, presented a request from Cold Delights to reduce the peddler’s permit fee for their mobile ice cream business. The out-of-county business has received a reduced rate of $300 for the last three years. The board approved the request.
• City Planner Justin Taylor requested the board accept a contract between the Warsaw Public Arts Commission and Blue Note Design for an amount not to exceed $4,000, which they did.
“This is for the art awareness campaign that they will be assisting with this coming year,” he said, reminding the board that the WPAC received a couple grants that will fully cover both of the items he presented to the board on Friday. The Blue Note Design contract is for them “preparing the materials to go out to communicate the mission of the Arts Commission and the campaign to install a new permanent art piece in downtown.”
The second thing he presented was another contract with Blue Note Design for the development and design of a new logo for the commission related to the Creative Convergence art campaign. The amount is not to exceed $1,000. The board also approved the contract.
• The Human Resources Department recognized two city employees for this month for their years of service. Jeff Helfers has worked as a groundskeeper at Oakwood Cemetery for the past 15 years. Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Christiansen marked 35 consecutive years of serving the city. Prior to being elected as clerk-treasurer, she served as a records clerk at the Warsaw Police Department.
“While Jeff and Lynne have very different roles, they both bring value to our workplace and community, and we take this moment to honor them and thank them for their dedication and commitment to the city,” Gardner said.