Board passes series of routine claims, contracts and infrastructure items including pathway award, rail agreement update and pump replacement solicitation

The La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety approved a package of routine financial, procurement and infrastructure items at its Sept. 3 meeting.

Key approvals included payroll and claims dockets for the city, authorization to immediately pay incoming WEX (fuel) invoices to avoid service interruption, and a motion to use the state Quantity Purchase Agreement (QPA) for liquid propane after the city’s current Ferrell Gas contract ends Dec. 31, 2025; the QPA is available through 10/22/2026 and suppliers on that QPA will provide tanks where tanks are not owned by the state agency, staff said.

The board also awarded the alternate bid for Slicer Pathway to Gary Up Construction for $288,700 (alternate: concrete pathway rather than a widened roadway and asphalt pathway). City staff described the alternate as a six‑foot concrete pathway separated from the roadway that fills a sidewalk gap between Kiwanis and the high school and connects the bus barn area.

A revised agreement with Norfolk Southern to complete the last section of the chassis next to their rail line was approved. Staff said the original estimate was about $50,000 and the revised current cost is about $58,083.90; the project is expected to have matching funds through a regional program (noted as NERC/NERPSI in the discussion). Board members acknowledged the schedule and encouraged prompt review by the railroad.

The board approved a homeowner backup grant for 1529 Michigan Ave following a basement backup from heavy rain. The total grant amount listed in the packet was $4,009.75, with the city share described in the transcript as $3,009.81 and the homeowner share as $993.75.

Public works staff were authorized to solicit quotes to replace two primary sludge pumps. Staff said the pumps date from 1987 and 1999 and that purchasing pumps and installing them with in‑house labor could yield substantial savings; the estimated cost for the pair of pumps was described as under $150,000 so the work remains below the formal quote limit.

The board approved a betterment cost agreement requested by INDOT to formalize stormwater and water work tied to Indiana Avenue corridor projects. Staff described the package as primarily stormwater work with a separate water portion; specific dollar amounts were read into the record by staff. The board had already approved the agreement prior to INDOT’s request and the formal signing was authorized.

The board also approved a preliminary engineering report (PER) agreement for water improvements tied to the 39 North area (Severs Road elevated tank and associated watermain). Staff said the SRF paperwork is in process and that current costs for archaeology or other unforeseen items could affect final expenses.

Other business: The board approved waiving building permit fees for the NEST nonprofit as it plans improvements to provide food preparation capability at the Depot building during cold weather operations.

Votes at a glance (select items from the meeting packet): - Civil city payroll (08/29): $557,573.67 — approved. - Civil city claims: $723,037.89 — approved. - Sewage claims: $351,944.14 — approved. - Water claims: $209,008.92 — approved. - Immediate payment of WEX fuel invoices — approved (to avoid interruption of service). - Use of state QPA for liquid propane after current contract ends 12/31/2025 — approved. - Award Slicer Pathway (alternate bid) to Gary Up Construction — $288,700 — approved. - Revised agreement with Norfolk Southern — revised to approximately $58,083.90 — approved. - Homeowner backup grant (1529 Michigan Ave) — total $4,009.75 (city share $3,009.81; homeowner $993.75) — approved. - Solicit quotes for two primary sludge pumps (pumps dated 1987 and 1999) — approved. - INDOT betterment agreement (stormwater and water) — approved; board had previously approved agreement; INDOT now formalizing. - PER for 39 North (Severs Road elevated tank and watermain) — approved. - Waive permit fees for the NEST nonprofit at the Depot building — approved.

The motions were approved by voice votes; specific movers/seconders were not always recorded in the transcript. Several items were presented as routine and passed with no extended discussion.