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Elkhart RDC approves CAPER, infrastructure contracts, asbestos and legal funding; multiple routine items cleared
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting the Elkhart Redevelopment Commission approved the 2024 CAPER, awarded contracts and authorized appropriations and RFPs for a series of public works, remediation and downtown improvement projects.
The Elkhart Redevelopment Commission on Sept. 9 approved the city’s 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and a package of routine procurement and funding actions covering downtown planters, asbestos assessment, airport runway joint replacement, litigation expert fees, snow-and-ice services, and other items.
Aaron Sorrell, consultant with Community Planning Insights, presented the CAPER, reporting that the city expended “just under $717,000” in 2024 under the consolidated plan priorities of housing, homeless needs, economic development and neighborhood needs. Sorrell reported roughly $484,000 (about 70 percent) went to housing, $136,000 (about 19 percent) to administration and planning (under the 20 percent cap), and about $63,000 to non-homeless special needs. He said 17 housing units were renovated in 2024 (11 owner-occupied, six rental), six rental units had lead abatement, the YWCA assisted 873 individuals with homeless prevention, Health Plus Indiana supported 40 individuals in permanent supportive housing, and St. James provided food bank services to 90 families. The commission opened and closed the public hearing with no public comment and approved the CAPER.
Other actions taken by unanimous voice vote (motions, seconds, and recorded “aye” responses; roll-call tallies not recorded in the transcript) included:
- Second Street planters: Award contract to Wausau Tile as lowest responsive/responsible bidder. Quote: $148,525.34 for 96-inch planters (cost without reservoirs). Commission authorized appropriation of up to $160,000 from the Downtown Allocation Area No. 1 special fund to acquire and install approximately 90–100 planters.
- Woodland Crossing renovations RFQP: Staff received three proposals — Amcon Construction, Yoder Construction and CME Construction — and will forward them to the technical review committee for evaluation.
- Asbestos assessment and remediation (812 South Main and 420 South Second): Commission authorized release of an RFP to obtain assessment and remediation bids before planned demolition.
- Aeroplex TIF runway joint replacement: Appropriation of $476,714.55 from the Aeroplex Allocation Area Special Fund to pay for runway joint replacement work and related engineering fees incurred by Butler, Fairman & Seifried Engineering.
- Labore pump litigation: Appropriation of $25,500 from the Brownfield Services Special Fund to pay current and future expert-witness fees in ongoing litigation to recover cleanup costs for properties on which Labor Pump operated (addresses include 1607–1641 Sterling Avenue and 824 Wren Street).
- Woodland Crossing snow-and-ice contract: Approved a three-year contract with Advanced Property Maintenance of South Bend for snow-and-ice removal at a cost of $99,445 to be paid from the PAM budget (contract negotiates annual flat-rate payment November–April, renegotiated each year unless snowfall exceeds 55 inches).
- Boeing invoice: Approved payment of current work in the amount of $18,596.60.
- Meeting minutes: Approved the Aug. 12, 2025 RDC meeting minutes.
All items were introduced by staff, received brief discussion (where applicable), and passed by voice vote with no roll-call tallies given in the transcript. The commission adjourned following a motion and second.
Ending: Several staff updates followed the votes, including a new staff hire and notice of an educational fair at Woodland Crossing; staff will return to the commission with technical reviews and finalized contract documents as required.
