From LaPorte City Hall
After being turned off for a few weeks because of high Kankakee River levels, the LaPorte lakes siphon, designed to remove excess water from the swelled lakes, has been reactivated, it was reported at the Feb. 25, 2009, LaPorte Board of Public Works and Safety meeting at LaPorte City Hall.
Here are excerpts from the meeting’s minutes on that and other subjects. Board members are Mayor Kathy Chroback, Dale Clingerman and Tom MacLennan.
LAKES SIPHON: Director of Wastewater, Jerry Jackson, reported the lake level is still at 798 feet above sea level but the Kankakee River and Travis Ditch have both receded so he has turned the siphon back on as of Monday, Feb. 23. He reported the continued testing of zebra mussel vellagers is still yielding negative results.
City Attorney Don Baugher asked how long the extension lasts that the board gave him to continue to run the siphon. Mayor Chroback answered that the board approved an additional month about two weeks ago, so that leaves two more weeks.
STATE OF THE CITY: Mayor Chroback announced the State of the City address will be given on Monday, March 16, 2009, during the LaPorte Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Best Western Inn and again that evening at the LaPorte City Council meeting at City Hall.
NEW STREETS ADDED: Dale Clingerman, Director of Engineering and Building Services and board member, reported he has completed the addition of new streets to the city’s inventory which will increase the state distribution of funds to the city. The addition is a total of .77 miles which is a .67% increase in mileage. When Mr. Clingerman began this project last year, he was unaware he needed to complete the list by the end of 2008 in order for the streets to be counted by June 2009. Therefore, the addition of the streets will take place in June 2010. The total street mileage for the city of LaPorte is 114.28 miles.
PARKING COMPLAINT: Diana Sullivan, 609 ½ Michigan Ave., stated she is having difficulty finding places to park her two vehicles from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. She said she used to be able to move the cars around the corner onto State Street every other night, but now signs are posted saying no parking at all. Police Chief Terry Scherer asked Ms. Sullivan to attend the next Traffic Commission meeting at City Hall next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to voice her concerns. Chief Scherer reported he believed the no parking was instated by the previous administration and was due to the vandalism occurring on State Street during the summer months. Mayor Chroback asked if the vandalism is still an issue on State Street. Chief Scherer reported it’s hard to tell right now since it mostly occurs during the summer. City Attorney Don Baugher stated he would look into whether the no parking was passed as an ordinance and report back next week.
POLICE DEPARTMENT: Police Chief Terry Scherer reported he has a quote from Nova Inc. in the amount of $5,450 to repair the leak in the basement at the police department that has resulted in mold issues. Because of the city’s financial issues, Chief Scherer asked how he should proceed. Mayor Chroback told him to forward the quote to her office and she would get back to him.
Chief Scherer asked about purchasing the mobile data terminals needed for the squad cars. Mayor Chroback asked him to gather more information and present it to the board next week.
DARLINGTON PROJECT: City Attorney Baugher said he had anticipated closing yesterday on the purchase of real estate needed for the Darlington Street wastewater project but it has been pushed back to sometime next week. The problem was in the prorating of property taxes due to the recent reassessment. Mr. Clingerman added they are awaiting the final approval from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the preliminary engineering reports the state has had for some time now. A 30-day public review is required before it is approved which hasn’t been done yet, and Mr. Clingerman has made numerous phone calls to speed the process up, but to no avail. Mayor Chroback stated she will place a call as well.
BRIGHTON STREET WATER TOWER: Todd Taylor, Director of Water, asked to meet with the city attorney to review the proposal regarding placement of infrastructure on the Brighton Street water tower by a wireless company wanting to lease the space.
Mr. Clingerman asked Mr. Taylor for a status report on the meter testing proposal submitted last year. Mr. Taylor stated he still needs to meet with the mayor to finalize the details. Meter testing is important to determine which meters need to be changed out for newer technology. The new meters should pay for themselves by the increased revenue they can provide. Mr. Taylor stated he would meet with the mayor and report back to the board.
INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGE PERMIT: Wastewater Director Jerry Jackson presented a renewal from HRR Enterprises Inc. for an industrial discharge permit and recommended the board’s approval. Mr. Jackson stated the company was in good standing for the last four years without any problems. The only difference in the permit this year was the need for ammonia testing has been decreased from once a month to twice a year. Mayor Chroback asked how long the permit was for. Mr. Jackson stated it was a three-year permit. Mr. Clingerman moved to approve the renewal permit for HRR Enterprises as presented; motion seconded by Mr. MacLennan and unanimously carried.
TRANSPORTE IMPROVEMENTS: Janet Lantz, Director of TransPorte, was happy to report the first phase of building improvements has been made at TransPorte. The sprinkler system and backflow are complete.
ALLIS-CHALMERS SITE: Mary Jane Thomas, Director of Community Development and Planning, reported the phase one environmental assessment has begun at the Allis-Chalmers Site, using EPA funds.
Ms. Thomas asked to schedule an executive session next week following the Board of Works meeting to discuss land acquisition for the Boston Street Project. Mr. MacLennan moved to hold an executive session next Wednesday, March 4, 2009, after the regular board meeting; motion seconded by Mr. Clingerman and unanimously carried.
