City staff reported progress Wednesday on several Crown Point City water and sewer infrastructure projects and the Public Works & Safety board approved two State Revolving Fund disbursements to contractors.

Al, a city staff member, told the board the change order for the Phase 4 water project was approved and that contractor work now focuses on control-system modifications. "So our water project phase 4, as I mentioned last update, the change order was approved for use of remaining funds," Al said.

The nut graf: the board heard status updates that affect multiple active capital projects — a new 24-inch water supply line, a lead service-line replacement program, downtown interceptor construction and a Southeast wastewater treatment plant design — and approved two payments tied to the SRF program for work already performed.

Al said the city submitted a notice of intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for the new 24-inch supply line; because of the work’s nature that filing lets the city proceed via a streamlined process rather than through a full individual permit. "The nature of the work allows us to issue a notice of intent versus soliciting an individual permit," Al said. He said the project will be ready for bid once IDEM permits are issued.

On lead service lines, Al said crews have replaced 75 lines so far and are finalizing material confirmations along the downtown interceptor route. "Every year, you're supposed to send a letter in November to all customers on that lead service line inventory," Al said, adding the city wants to reduce the inventory where possible to avoid unnecessarily alarming customers.

The board voted to authorize the mayor to execute SRF disbursement number 10 for the lead service-line replacement contractor, Gatlin. The payment to the contractor is $337,069.50; payment to retainage is $17,740.50. Al requested the action with the board’s approval; the motion passed by voice vote.

Al also reported the downtown interceptor project has moved to the contractor’s subsurface utility excavation phase. He said the contract clock will start Oct. 7 when the contractor receives its notice to proceed, triggering a two-year project timeline. He described initial work as building a temporary access road and installing erosion control measures prior to larger excavations.

The board approved partial payment application number 2 and SRF disbursement number 2 for Atlas, with a payment to the contractor of $206,519.88 and retainage of $10,869.47.

Separately, Al said the Southeast wastewater treatment plant design has been submitted to IDEM and the city is addressing agency comments; he is targeting an October advertisement to go out to bid but said that schedule depends on the state revolving loan closing date. Collection system improvements design is proceeding; Al said geotechnical work will start once crops are out to allow testing along force mains and at lift station sites.

The board’s approvals were routine voice votes; no member recorded a dissent on the recorded audio. The board also directed staff to continue coordinating with the rate consultant and SRF program on bid and closing dates.

Funding and next steps: the SRF disbursements approved Wednesday authorize payment for work already performed; design and permitting steps remain for the supply line and Southeast plant before construction advertisements are finalized.