Crown Point board authorizes SRF disbursements, task orders to advance water and sewer projects

The Crown Point City Board of Public Works and Safety on Nov. 5 authorized multiple SRF disbursements and engineering task orders to keep a slate of water and wastewater projects moving.

Utilities staff reported three quick reimbursements tied to the phase 4 water project'reimbursement #39 for $1,059; reimbursement #40 for $3,508; and disbursement #2 INT for $18,238'and requested a single motion to approve them, which the board granted. The board also approved CEI task order 2025-07 to reallocate remaining master-plan funds for hourly, as-needed update work on the 2025 water master plan.

Staff said the city will mobilize surveyors and geotechnical crews this month to capture site-specific contours and soils data for a new 24-inch water supply line; design is otherwise complete, and the project is slated to be bid and processed for SRF funding in the January'March funding cycle.

A multi-phase lead service line replacement program received a significant update. Staff reported approximately 2,500 homes on the city's lead-service-line inventory. The board approved Gatlin pay application #3 for $391,091 and the associated SRF disbursement request (disbursement #13). The board also approved engineering invoices totaling $35,381 to be reimbursed through disbursement #12 and authorized CEI task order 2025-05 for $2,176,081 to fund extensive field work for phase 2 (characterizing service lines at homes, tracing meter locations, visual inspection of materials and attempting in-home access where necessary).

Staff explained the SRF funding is phased: 80% of each phase's funds must be used by the following May to remain eligible for subsequent phase financing. The city said it received a notice of award for a $5,000,000 SRF loan on a 35-year term and is sequencing work to meet SRF use deadlines.

On wastewater work, the board approved a Commonwealth invoice reimbursement of $147,588 (disbursement #13) for downtown interceptor work and approved disbursement #14 for $3,086,134 to clear six months of outstanding, previously approved invoices on the existing treatment plant, downtown interceptor, new treatment plant and lift stations after SRF loan closing and paperwork were completed.

Staff said the treatment plant controls remain to be verified; with permission from the plant operator they plan to fill the equalization pond to physically simulate a storm event and test the wet-weather system, with state notification if overflow occurs as a result of testing. The southeast wastewater treatment plant design is through permitting and expected to be advertised for bid this year; collection-system projects are scheduled to be bid in 2026.

The board voted to authorize the mayor to execute the listed disbursement forms and task orders and to pay the contractor applications presented.