[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6085271,"mediaKeyId","2903970-176324c98d3ef71488dce9618c01186e","parentId",2903970,"title","La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety approves payroll, claims, contracts and event permits","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",94000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903970-176324c98d3ef71488dce9618c01186e&start=94&end=94","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903970-176324c98d3ef71488dce9618c01186e/thumbnail_94000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085271/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/La-Porte-Board-of-Public-Works-and-Safety-approves-payroll-claims-contracts-and-event-permits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085271-6a7018789507606fbeb58d914aa1fadd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136792&Signature=Wms3oZnTDd6~GYxRl7VV9SYCQcAxGj~Q1bH726BgeLDl9A9m5Qmc3cx16R9jAADeGwtY-0LnT4r3mp4-rc2s6BMtbZTUwtdqGhafExbYKRpVp4lbxEfHrY2kNLW~snnhaNjiJG8htALJMalxnw8PPVQPK3zF4jN~88s1pCsxrhDNvc6ok8n1zb6utN0~Opq1VDcbk8sOKMhlOAyTNWNCqS4Hbpb3o5Si3MgzEJUkx6uXtpCuCy7aj0o7wZDYQyA7MGfH~Gjpzvt7a1rE8k~Dmhzs86eUAni4GlsOdMs4U07kKnuQl-Z58tOQKg2InDeJkvjfsFc53yPtIMTmkmbRyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of La Porte IN","date","2025-04-09T04:09:10.783Z","article","The Board of Public Works and Safety in La Porte on April 8 approved routine payroll and claims and a series of contracts, event permits and maintenance agreements.

Votes at a glance

- March 28 civil city payroll, $548,141.31: approved.
- Quarterly merit payroll (first quarter), $1,926.88: approved.
- Civil city claims, $1,402,613.85: approved.
- Water claims, $416,303.44: approved.
- Sewage claims, $656,032.09: approved.
- Immediate payment to plumber Tavris Evans for work at the Civic Auditorium, $2,850: approved; payment will be routed through the park board retroactively because the work was approved by that board.
- Request for military flyover form (July 4): approved.
- Road closure for Park Department Earth Day 5K on April 26 (Truesdale Avenue between McClung and Holacker, ~8:30-10 a.m.): approved.
- Parking citation dismissal related to elevator outage at the Rummley: approved.
- Plaza annual maintenance contract to Mulfield Properties (recommended): approved; total roughly $7,000 for typical services (varies by as-needed items).
- Newport Landing landscaping contract to Lakeshore Landscaping: approved; total just over $25,000 (noted as about $2,500 less than last year due to reduced square footage).
- Beechwood Lakes maintenance contract to Mulfield Properties: approved; proposal approximately $20,000 and includes a 30-day termination clause if property development proceeds.
- Pay request No. 4 for Hunters Woods, $5,557.50 (brings project to 95% complete): approved; retainage remains $23,602.
- McAlpine Consulting contract for small stormwater project design (Grandview, Lakeside, Lakeview Court, Franklin Court, Osborne Street, Twelfth Street): approved.
- Enterprise GIS/Cartograph implementation contract with Abbot Marsh (not-to-exceed $68,091.50): approved to expand GIS asset management to additional departments.
- Advertisement for bids for the 2025 50/50 and ADA sidewalk programs and use of approximately $50,000 for 50/50 sidewalk funding: approved.
- Police credit card program: approve adding fourth card for the training coordinator (identified as Patrick Hempel) and increasing department limit to $7,500: approved.
- Wellness grant application to the Health Foundation of La Porte for officer wellness through PEAK Brain Center, $21,600 (to fund six full treatments if awarded): board approved submission; award notifications expected June 15.

Department reports and other items discussed included spring hydrant flushing and repair (water), Lake Fest headliner announcement (Jesse McCartney on July 26), dumpster program rollouts, and scheduling for Park Foundation events. Board members also discussed traffic and drainage questions for Newport Boulevard and the possibility of long-term changes such as a roundabout; no funding was available for a roundabout at this time.

All motions listed above were approved by voice vote during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Public Works & Safety - 04/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 8 meeting the Board approved payroll and multiple claims, contracts for landscaping and maintenance, event permits, contract work and several routine and capital-related items; motions were approved by voice vote.","taxTitle","La Porte City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",70496,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6085276,"Board approves payment process for electric sewage trucks amid concerns about grant reimbursement",385,2420000,2805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903970-176324c98d3ef71488dce9618c01186e&start=2420&end=2805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903970-176324c98d3ef71488dce9618c01186e/thumbnail_2420000.jpg","/articles/6085276/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Board-approves-payment-process-for-electric-sewage-trucks-amid-concerns-about-grant-reimbursement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085276-8d40125178ac43f6a1a3e07f6774bb87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136792&Signature=e~vbxcX7Ycj8l6ELCRb3y3kRNkqTgmT~MmXQ6h~mLyhxW57htEY-e1FH93tYgDCGA~kb6OqN91ssn0Eez9Zpyt0BbJMoVYmEVKZXO~cUIh3kWMZ8k9IOFKrlVC-UIqLTKo77iVsqNzQEJJccz2u-yOWajehmj9-OVtyk2TQ-tIusOgfr9ye7sz-knq6b3mub7XXikYppekILnK5rzuqBpyqhQYPFTM9lI801jR9VlrU0bZAfoTM6p2BgPBK5704f6avIF8A8jWeFw7jlsTg7QC8mpnZrD5fDDPNfEQs-hLlUyD6~FzzVfu--VrOxq8X8oUHiIoapRfUBwh9JP-2o2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Public Works and Safety on April 8 authorized the Clerk-Treasurer to prepare payment so the city can collect new electric sewage trucks when they arrive, and discussed the timing and risk of federal grant reimbursement.

A representative from the sewage department asked that the city have a check ready to facilitate pickup when the trucks are delivered. Board members said the purchase is a reimbursable-grant situation: the city must pay up front and then submit documentation for reimbursement. Board members and staff noted they had seen at least one recent grant pause and said that creates risk if reimbursement is delayed or denied.

The transcript records board discussion that the trucks will be delivered before the grant funds are received and that the sewage department intends to submit reimbursement paperwork promptly after proof of payment. The board asked staff to confirm with the regional grant administrator that reimbursement remains likely; staff reported they had recently contacted the grant administrator, who indicated no reason to expect denial.

Board members acknowledged the potential fiscal exposure but said the city has budget flexibility to absorb the cost if necessary. The board voted to approve preparing the payment and to receive the trucks when they arrive.

The meeting record does not provide a single, clear purchase invoice number or an exact grant identifier in the transcript; the board discussion referenced a federal grant administered through the regional program and said the grant would reimburse a portion of the purchase.","The Board of Public Works and Safety approved preparing payment for new electric sewage trucks so the city can pick them up when delivered. Board members flagged the reimbursement process for a grant that will offset part of the purchase as a financial risk.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6085280,"La Porte approves switch of employee clinic to Franciscan Healthy Access, effective May 1",616,881000,1497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903970-176324c98d3ef71488dce9618c01186e&start=881&end=1497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903970-176324c98d3ef71488dce9618c01186e/thumbnail_881000.jpg","/articles/6085280/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/La-Porte-approves-switch-of-employee-clinic-to-Franciscan-Healthy-Access-effective-May-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085280-a3a13486b27a85a1f597aece1c1a9fee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136792&Signature=fU2u4lBUlQYdT7flB90Wo7x-Q4kSVccvLzhNN2jWLNnYSBMN7VDQV1DEGMa3PCE1uTCV8y7TQ6k5G42lRb1oc2fjjhJwjlEP7PheePtRkB2hUpMNWOSmBMFPOtKU1-t4KexITVfds9OhOsPKLgRh4q3Xmaz1ORyBdY9yyhy65tnxMZ6Ib4UV~kUDncR3aPZQfrCvSsUvuyf8026nXq74tYTMO6ornVYYhOEsOUDZDcBUYnHuSDazQOXiJlVDpUHqC6V8fzAdjQTd-XgEnixanOIjOVdS4FUVV2G9hggpTsknyCKU5xXiPIYwukB4MmAbg7drRivxJQ-3-h3FFjwBHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Public Works and Safety on April 8 approved a contract to move La Porte City's employee clinic from NorthShore to Franciscan Healthy Access, with the new arrangement set to begin May 1.

City Human Resources Director Andrea Smith told the board the change will save the city money while retaining primary services for employees and dependents. Smith said X-rays, blood work and clinic visits would be free under the new arrangement and that a limited supply of commonly used medications would be available on site at no cost.

Smith said the city and Franciscan staff met with departments and will provide an information packet and in-person assistance for employees during the transition. Nick Napier of Brown & Brown, the city's insurance broker, told the board the broker is using a straight-fee payment model rather than commissions and will help manage employee questions during the rollout.

Franciscan representatives said the system will expand access and the new clinic network includes locations in La Porte, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Hobart, Portage, Munster and Crown Point; Franciscan clinics in Lafayette also are available to employees, the presenters said. Smith said at least one La Porte clinic location will be open on weekends, though that site will not dispense medication on Sundays.

Board members asked how medications that are not part of Franciscan's in-clinic formulary would be handled. Franciscan and Brown & Brown staff said cases would be handled individually: the medical director would review existing prescriptions and the city would provide resource packets and assistance to employees who may need alternative access or special exceptions.

Smith said employees received department-level briefings the previous day and that the city will hold an additional assistance session on April 17 to help employees with enrollment and prescription questions. The board voted to approve the contract.

The board also confirmed that the city issued a termination notice to NorthShore as part of the contract transition.","The Board of Public Works and Safety approved a contract to move the city's employee clinic from NorthShore to Franciscan Healthy Access, a change officials said will reduce costs while keeping employee services such as X-rays, blood work and on-site medication access.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety approves payroll, claims, contracts and event permits

Board approves payment process for electric sewage trucks amid concerns about grant reimbursement

La Porte approves switch of employee clinic to Franciscan Healthy Access, effective May 1