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City reports progress on parks, trees, trails and sewer projects; EPA lead-removal assistance discussed
Summary
City department heads reported ongoing public-works work at Eagle Park, tree removal and planting plans, Blue River Trail progress and sewer system projects; staff also said the city met with EPA and GLOW for a free lead-removal planning program and was recommended by IDEM as a test site.
Columbia City — Department heads at the March 11 Common Council meeting reported a range of ongoing public-works and utilities projects, including park upgrades, tree removals and restorations, trail work and sewer-system maintenance.
City staff said work is underway at Eagle Park, including installation of server and IT equipment for the park concession area and continued fiber splicing for connectivity. Crew members are replacing poles that failed inspection and the electric crew reported progress on temporary service installations to support park operations.
Public-works crews have been cutting and scheduling stump grinding and restoration following recent removals; staff said removed trees are on a list for grinding, seeding and strawing later this spring. The Tree Board has adopted a new logo and plans Arbor Day activities; staff said the city has secured and will plant more than 100 street trees this planting season.
Sewer and wastewater projects were also discussed. Staff reported that cleaning and lining projects for the digester were approved at a recent board-of-works meeting; a cover-quote has been submitted and the department awaits a timeline. A combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) operational plan second draft is under review following last year's audit, and crews began startup and training on a main project on Jefferson Street with restoration to follow if weather permits.
Staff said the city met with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a group called GLOW (Get the Lead Out) to plan lead-removal work in the water system. The presenter said the assistance is being provided at no cost to the city, that the city was recommended by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to be one of the test sites, and that the group requested permission to use the community as an example in program materials.
Departments also reported workforce training: two employees are in CDL training with a trainer on-site and crews have been coordinating with an out-of-state contractor for leaf-grinding operations. Work on the Blue River Trail continues, and crews are preparing for anticipated windy weather and related tree work.
No formal council actions or budget appropriations were recorded for these project updates during the meeting; items reported were operational updates and project-status briefings.
