[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6155197,"mediaKeyId","5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e","parentId",5480632,"title","Department heads report: storm drains, water-main work, digester cover and equipment repairs underway","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",1372155,"endMs",1568000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e&start=1372&end=1568","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e/thumbnail_1372155.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155197/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Department-heads-report-storm-drains-water-main-work-digester-cover-and-equipment-repairs-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155197-2c45afa33e3ce98d53461b9c583cfdd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393174&Signature=dmwnRLT8PDrJbkrxuYRX4iFJVKLi01N~pyQkjpEB~jEZDBD8tA7NcVpSe54c0Olc-lP65F99i4B6ONOf7yyEcr~8DAouNMwHodGZOi6Ye559Qrjp3YFLSq0~Ems6T2L9jaXwOSoR1YFsbqVWNhq~so0bOEUV~HrYod8KegF8QifMH5ZVtIN3hSV5e1s2q9ZQveVRXEt3Vc5NZtkubqcRiMw7QxvFGSGMX5AXnKHeGJnDr~ZDjkFGZaxqkpJzQAMT5GgG3CP3DGXhclcqQDM0npM3FkhpGYojB15D-isr~PLN3eLVqD6ENz3boFRxXUnnCVWh05tNQrdDx11Fen2fVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-07-24T19:14:24Z","article","City department heads provided a series of operational updates at the July 22 meeting.
Public works reported two storm-drain repairs (Eagle parking lot and Parkway) and said a Jeffrey Drive water-main replacement will begin next week. The contractor for the storage-tank project finished work; staff continue belt-press operations to reduce solids and are awaiting several parts to finish remaining repairs. A site meeting with Xylem and Graywolf about installing a digester cover is scheduled for 1 p.m. the following day.
The fire chief (Tom) reported persistent problems with a four-year-old breathing-air compressor that is frequently breaking and costing about $500 per service call; staff said they will evaluate replacement options. He also said the city’s new fire engine may arrive as early as March, about six months sooner than originally expected, and flagged upcoming repairs to a ladder unit that will require dealer service.
Streets and parks staff described remaining striping and downtown parking-stall work, concrete pours near Eagle Park, 50/50 sidewalk projects, alley trimming and preparations before school starts. Parks staff said the Eagle Park sign and fiber/camera installations at the park are nearly complete and that public Wi‑Fi may be operational soon. Electric staff reported completing underground distribution work on East and Ohio Street rear easements and participating in lineman training initiatives with IMEA.
Police staff said Officer Sturgis is at the academy and that the department is accepting applications for patrol officer through Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. City management said it is working with police leadership on minor policy changes including flex time and comp time and preparing to recruit for a GIS position.
No formal board votes were required for these reports; staff requested follow-up as needed on parts procurement, contractor schedules and policy work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Board of Works Meeting 07222025","oneSentenceSummary","Department heads reported repairs to storm drains, an upcoming water-main replacement on Jeffrey Drive, progress on a storage-tank/belt-press project and a planned digester-cover installation, along with recurring fire-department compressor issues and staffing and training updates.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana","taxId",63763,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155202,"Board approves Baker Tilly invoice for utilities rate study",79,799000,878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e&start=799&end=878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e/thumbnail_799000.jpg","/articles/6155202/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Board-approves-Baker-Tilly-invoice-for-utilities-rate-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155202-224d53041e13e62be82497d4a47dac2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393174&Signature=Z4Z4nFfgXoRmFWJ-XY3kWO5Sw3DK1hgzk9dvLGna9B78ieKC4QFQeY~YSRC5W69YMjGHByrUOpNmGeRdeB4F4i0gQ3M79fpjxi9CHMW5QrvOBw2XqEoEdUWptz2lZ49JWgFHf5-SbP3pWElSNW00IdTK5YCOAJwja-V1teTbBF918j9SbYuyj3WZlidQdzoJ7IUHqPEbRDH~yIGNe~Lca0dkG-doU6fvQdWFias5i6Dfp2wzbYV1w2JXzpSVoXYo~NnQpcsgv2YaQOjOQorUHruXLEIydzTa74wjiKQYhkZjOWMES9zsw3rQ1sxY2nc9B51Eag192NY9dFXKhgkEoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Works and Safety voted unanimously on July 22 to approve invoice number BT3250048 from Baker Tilly in the amount of $8,105.10 for a comprehensive utilities rate study.
Staff said the study updates a previous review from three to four years ago and will assess future revenue requirements for the city’s utilities. The motion passed without discussion and no statutes or contract amendments were cited on the record.","The board approved an $8,105.10 invoice from Baker Tilly for a comprehensive utilities rate study to update the city’s revenue and rate assumptions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155207,"City approves large paving and trail payments; Blue River Trail project still faces railroad-crossing cost dispute",149,851000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e&start=851&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e/thumbnail_851000.jpg","/articles/6155207/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/City-approves-large-paving-and-trail-payments-Blue-River-Trail-project-still-faces-railroad-crossing-cost-dispute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155207-f05bd1497aa6850d5a2e5f71d4403f6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393174&Signature=ZcIOBhfAa8ff71tQmDTQMG3H80035v4AUiXrGVq4O4F8TNrfs29NQg6E-8R2pvkZnhf4zZo2X0-aJokbjaT2tKrQ4rSGjN1V8WFJXFfL8Rbm6yTlKsLzHSlmEXBU~O3Puxa04rvgTsFUU9AM5a8BgBGV5o6jvQTgNNsMI-J31QYC8oMAHnAWNyKO5zJawpakpYLmdEWP6hJFgrkfeReOjY3XFNbo9tjKGeQFT7MgiXNSaI1hsoTsA1Pq343nmm8CxpMCwYwREgC83v-nZ-sxrtm0-AgtecKe0VEVBoRbjhpzVfUm97V8LZclp0ZfME3IaUaPYRNQQJx5m2rjBXc0NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 22 the Board of Works and Safety approved payment requests tied to major public-works projects, including $570,662.15 for the Community Crossings matching grant project and $86,724.12 to Pulver Asphalt Paving for the Blue River Trail South project under a Next Level Trails grant.
City staff told the board that paving under the Community Crossings project is complete, contractors left town last Friday, and restoration around 31 ADA ramps is under way. The board approved the pay request unanimously.
The board also approved Pulver Asphalt’s contractor application for the Blue River Trail South project. Staff said much of the trail work is complete but the project still faces an unresolved railroad crossing issue: an initial solution was quoted at about $500,000, which staff rejected as infeasible, and engineers are working on alternate designs and options, including the Main Street pedestrian island and coordination with INDOT on traffic lanes.
Chip (staff) had approved the contractor application administratively and staff asked the board to authorize the payment; the board voted unanimously. No new funding sources or ordinances were cited on the record.","The board approved a $570,662.15 Community Crossings pay request and an $86,724.12 payment to Pulver Asphalt for the Blue River Trail South project, while staff continues to seek alternatives after a railroad-crossing solution was quoted at about $500,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155212,"Board approves AMPP contract to replace reconductoring on State Road 9",146,687000,833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e&start=687&end=833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e/thumbnail_687000.jpg","/articles/6155212/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Board-approves-AMPP-contract-to-replace-reconductoring-on-State-Road-9","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155212-d3c30ad868eb862bfcbf7bb6d24ebd0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393174&Signature=WCMFMbWjmmfv55N0llpw~1Zi0YrkyQqXWuXyzwlhB2E4xj6rCn6EShpVUKmete8QEvc3JtpeqAKDMFClGX36Y0exzchMnv~eSaD-fQ-8AL3n4fGC0iMe-EHZw3jOpXTUIiFOly8V0O4RNG8N4qPHOX0vWJjQmXbOcmJDXoR7o8ELkC4E1ifAu4OzC8YI7b2xszre9p9Y6ZpVl1ZPsAgbE5kkK0iKsUar3DCM3uHEPELbwY3azeVtC2JtCU-xCx9KyS3H4bHEfGsI8x33OfW0UU1jGYtMxYznA95w~jV8Li0w0BrDsuHSsP7rHqbJu0ylFVsrSxska~hKJPcvsrDaag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Works and Safety on July 22 approved a $65,830.03 contract with AMPP Construction to perform reconductoring work on shared poles along State Road 9 between 500 North and Bear Road.
City staff told the board REMC notified them about work on a shared pole line at the site where poles fell last spring, causing prolonged outages. REMC installed temporary poles and has hired AMPP Construction to replace them permanently; the city’s lines are underbuilt on those poles. Staff noted AMPP is on-site, reducing mobilization costs and that a prior contractor quote to replace two poles exceeded $200,000, making the AMPP price appear reasonable.
A board member moved and the board voted unanimously to approve the project scope and contract amount. Staff said AMPP will coordinate the work while REMC crews proceed. No legal or regulatory citations were offered during the discussion.","The board unanimously approved a $65,830.03 contract with AMPP Construction to replace and reconductor electric lines on poles along State Road 9 where poles failed in spring.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155217,"Board approves sewer-billing adjustment for Northeastern REMC after geothermal failure",574,52964,627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e&start=52&end=627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480632-1f30dc39538a6698eb605756b230654e/thumbnail_52964.jpg","/articles/6155217/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Board-approves-sewer-billing-adjustment-for-Northeastern-REMC-after-geothermal-failure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155217-14641232bf9a53bb50fb1be01b11e05d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393174&Signature=VX9loUKTjkOb9uzdc1Lijr7fTMuMLG5Y7xCv0ij4Lgvi5j9tHhJLOguAmFjOAUdAO9u3AuFm9rP70aBOFCtEo5s1cdBV1kcFf5O5qwrvqOe3OsH-ndRwk0Oj5q5cswV0gOLukUVCy-yXdR4rR7JEbgHF55YQDcguHhF5~yGsuPknC~Lr5X7Y~rbga40pL1ITq5bW2ZisOV3k9WqVszOv49N1cF0TT6BJhltBa9eKZyUT6BLX0svEz-de-RG7ysdUStsXvux5n9vEPojfNG5qT4Ml~1N~o6x7NFY3QQSJWYqTAnAReLjg35zd0xdhWp2f70jeSwQuIeuhb-oeIB2XJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Works and Safety on July 22 unanimously approved an adjustment to Northeastern REMC’s July sewer charge after the company said a failure in buried geothermal equipment forced it to pump cooling water into a storm drain rather than the sanitary sewer.
A Northeastern REMC representative told the board the company experienced carbon-monoxide alarms that delayed accessing a buried pit and that crews must “completely dismantle the equipment” to repair heat exchangers. The representative said the parts quote is 8 to 13 weeks, though outside contractors may be able to shorten that timeline.
The board heard that the company’s July sewer bill was about $15,800 and that the firm has been billed on water usage even though the cooling water was discharged to storm retention ponds rather than treated at the wastewater plant. The representative said the company will continue to pay for water usage but asked that sewer charges be adjusted because the cooling water is not entering the sanitary system.
Board members approved the adjustment for the July bill and directed the utility billing clerk, Leslie, to review and bring subsequent monthly utility bills back to the board for consideration until repairs are complete. The board asked the company to provide monthly updates by email and said the company need not attend each meeting unless requested.
The board’s action was a formal billing adjustment; no ordinance, statute, or external approval was cited during the discussion.","The Board of Works and Safety unanimously approved adjusting Northeastern REMC’s July sewer bill back to its normal usage while the company repairs buried geothermal equipment that forced it to pump cooling water to a storm drain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Department heads report: storm drains, water-main work, digester cover and equipment repairs underway

Board approves Baker Tilly invoice for utilities rate study

City approves large paving and trail payments; Blue River Trail project still faces railroad-crossing cost dispute

Board approves AMPP contract to replace reconductoring on State Road 9

Board approves sewer-billing adjustment for Northeastern REMC after geothermal failure