Angola council conditionally accepts bids for divisions 3–4 of infrastructure project; approves grant appropriation and wastewater change order

The Angola City Common Council on Monday, March 3 accepted bids for divisions 3 and 4 of the Volcano Infrastructure Improvement Project but made the awards contingent on the state27s approval of bids and funding for divisions 1 or 2. The council also approved the second reading of an additional-appropriations ordinance for local road and bridge matching grant funds and approved a change order increasing the wastewater treatment biosolids improvement project by $5,576.98.

The bids for divisions 1 and 2, which cover water and sewer work tied to a state park and include interest-free funding, came in higher than the city engineer had projected. Amanda, a staff member, told the council the administration was "looking at a variety of options" for divisions 1 and 2, including accepting the bids as submitted, modifying the scope, or rebidding.

Mayor Martin and council members discussed the funding linkage between divisions. Council member (unnamed for the motion) moved to "award the divisions 3 and 4 to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on the state approval of bids for division 1 or 2" and "contingent on appropriate funding." The motion passed with all council members present voting in the affirmative.

Council members and staff said divisions 3 and 4 were close to engineer estimates and represent work the city would fund directly, but the city27s ability to proceed depends on whether the state proceeds with the interest-free funding through divisions 1 or 2. One council member noted the sewer work is urgent and that the city needs that portion completed sooner.

On the ordinance, the council approved second reading of "Ordinance No. 17 71 20 25," described on the agenda as an additional appropriations ordinance for Angola27s local road and bridge matching grant funds. The item was moved, seconded and approved on second reading with no recorded opposition.

Tom Filburn of Jones and Ener Engineers briefed the council on Change Order No. 2 for the wastewater treatment biosolids improvement project. Filburn said a typographical error in the paperwork mischaracterized the change order as a decrease; the change order is in fact an increase of $5,576.98. He explained the order covers two items: placing stone along a 75-foot south wall (cost $1,577) to reduce weed growth and extending a small concrete wall (cost $3,999) to restore an area used during sludge removal. The council approved the change order after a brief discussion.

The council also approved accounts payable vouchers numbered 72,983 through 73,227, totaling $754,555.47.

During the meeting the council heard a presentation from Jason Myers, director of business partnership and strategic innovation for Easterseals Northeast Indiana. Myers outlined a recent consolidation of local Easterseals organizations under the Easterseals Northeast Indiana name, described community programs including an e-gaming lab, esports partnerships and a pre-manufacturing workforce partnership, and said staffing pay for direct support professionals had been increased to help recruitment and retention (reported figures: $17.18 per hour regular, $19 on weekends, $21 for certain travel-required positions). Myers requested the council27s continued support of Easterseals27 local programs.

The meeting concluded with routine reports and scheduling: the next council meeting was set for Monday, March 17.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance No. 17 71 20 25 (additional appropriations for local road and bridge matching grant funds): second reading approved (motion moved and seconded; all voting "aye"). - Volcano Infrastructure Improvement Project, divisions 3 and 4: council approved awarding to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on state approval and appropriate funding for divisions 1 or 2 (motion moved and seconded; all voting "aye"). - Change Order No. 2, Wastewater Treatment Biosolids Improvement Project: approved; net increase $5,576.98 (motion moved and seconded; all voting "aye"). - Accounts payable vouchers 72,9832773,227 totaling $754,555.47: approved (motion moved and seconded; all voting "aye").