Elkhart Board of Public Works approves contracts, permit renewals, payments and an appointment

The Elkhart Board of Public Works approved a series of routine but consequential actions during its Sept. 9 meeting, including claims, contract awards, permit renewals, partial payments on state revolving fund (SRF) loans and an appointment to the planning commission.

Key approvals included:

- Claims and allowance docket totaling $3,077,758.66 (motion approved). Interim controller noted three large claims: $160,408.06 to National Construction Enterprises (Fire Station 6), $482,825.56 to American Consulting (Public Safety building PSA), and $353,893 to CME Corporation (salt design‑build construction). The board also noted $1,508,534.02 of American Rescue Plan funds included in the docket are federal award dollars rather than local match.

- Awarded quote 25‑17 (Hively/Sterling telecom conduit) to Selj Construction, Niles, Michigan, for $58,804 (lowest responsive quote); the work installs telecommunications conduit ahead of the Hively overpass in a weekend closure.

- Awarded quote 25‑16 (Oak Trail drainage) to Premium Services for $31,130 to connect sump pumps into the city storm system and replace a deficient inlet.

- Ratified SRF partial payments for the Oakland CSO/Tank project to DLZ: SRF #10 for $190,204 and SRF #11 for $111,248 for professional services (construction oversight).

- Ratified partial payments #1 and #2 to Roberts Environmental Services LLC for remediation at 1101 East Beardsley in the combined amount of $239,366 from SRF loan WW22162005; staff reported EPA will perform additional work where elevated lead and TCE hotspots were found and that EPA is pursuing potentially responsible parties (PRPs).

- Approved three five‑year industrial wastewater discharge permit renewals: Bunnell Aluminum (permit 91‑01), Voyant Beauty Elkhart Homecare (permit 98‑01), and Norco Industries (permit 97‑03); pretreatment staff recommended renewal in each case.

- Approved a $110,000 service contract with Mules & Polyzoids for a county courthouse block redevelopment study to be paid from the Downtown Gasopolis Street TIF budget; the city attorney approved contract language.

- Approved an amended Comcast service order for the Walker Park network project that reduced the cost by $3,297.60 after the contractor corrected the scope and placement.

- Approved purchase and installation of a Monroe dump‑bed (Sourcewell contract #062222) for truck #379 in the amount of $51,462 to repurpose a former plow truck for concrete crew use.

- Ratified a professional services agreement with Reminger LPA for legal representation in Verizon Wireless v. City of Elkhart Board of Zoning Appeals concerning a challenged cell‑tower variance; corporation counsel explained insurance and timing considerations required rapid engagement of counsel.

- Approved events permits (Elkhart High School homecoming parade on Sept. 26 and Our Lady of Guadalupe procession on Dec. 6) and other routine driveway and revocable permits.

- Appointed Andy Jones (Board of Public Works member) to serve on the Plan Commission as the board's representative.

All motions described above passed by voice vote with the members present. Several items were assigned to staff for further review or to be reported back at a future meeting.

Speakers cited in this roundup include: Nancy (clerk), Jeff Schaeffer (city engineer), Erin (interim controller), Jason (project manager of public works), Dara Deacon (public works), Adam Fan (assistant director of redevelopment), David Hopkins (city IT), Maggie Marnoka (public works attorney) and Josh Holt (central garage).