Crown Point seeks SRF approvals for water, lead-service and wastewater projects; loan draw approved

Crown Point City officials asked the Board of Public Works and Safety on Thursday to authorize the mayor to sign multiple State Revolving Fund (SRF) application documents and related resolutions for several water and wastewater projects, and the board approved a loan-draw reimbursement for an already-underway wastewater construction phase.

The requests covered three SRF submittals required before the April 1 deadline: a 24-inch water transmission main to serve the new wastewater treatment plant and a future secondary connection; a lead service line replacement project currently out to bid (anticipated bid opening March 31); and a Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant preliminary engineering report that would allow construction to start in October if funded. Staff also sought authorization for standard supporting documents: acceptance resolutions, authorized-signatory resolutions, asset-management plan (AMP) certifications and transmittal letters. The board approved each request and authorized the mayor to sign the documents.

The board also approved a reimbursement request (loan draw No. 5) of $69,104.37 tied to the substantially complete wastewater treatment plant improvements, and staff said warranty work remained for an ozone-control-panel component. A staff member described the treatment plant scope as including a lift station, interconnecting pipe and the ozone device that is under warranty; the plant will be permitted to discharge disinfected wastewater beginning April 1.

City staff said remaining SRF-related paperwork also includes a wastewater-specific cost-and-effectiveness certification for the downtown interceptor project, which is out for bid, and earlier public-hearing materials the SRF requires. Staff asked the board to approve submission of the public-hearing minutes and signatory documents; the board approved that request as well.

On lead service lines, staff outlined the current round of replacements and said two additional years of funding remain available if federal and state programs continue. Staff described a potential subsidized loan offer previously discussed with the board—a $5,000,000 loan at 0% over 35 years—which would allow additional replacements in future rounds, but said the current actions were to preserve eligibility and not a commitment to proceed.

Discussion highlights included scheduling and deadlines: staff said bids for the current lead-service round were due March 31 and that several PERs would be submitted before April 1. Board members asked questions about time frames and confirmed staff would return with the signature packets for mayoral execution. The motions to authorize signature and to approve the loan draw passed on voice votes with no recorded dissent.

The board did not take any new policy-making actions; it authorized submission and signature of SRF forms and approved the contractor reimbursement draw as budgeted.

Notes: The board proceeded through these items as part of routine project management; staff said construction schedules could shift and further change orders (including a time extension) will be presented later if needed.