Schererville council approves animal-control ordinances, SCADA interlocal agreement, contracts and construction pay requests
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Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Schererville Town Council approved two animal-control ordinances, a joint interlocal agreement to add SCADA telemetry at three stormwater stations, multiple contracts (engineering and legal), a Portillo's letter-of-credit release, a Burr Street change order and pay request, the London Witte sewer study engagement, and accepted $8,600.16 in donations.
The Schererville Town Council on Wednesday, Jan. 21, voted on a series of routine and project-specific items, approving two animal-related ordinances, authorizing a joint interlocal agreement for stormwater telemetry, accepting several contracts and construction payments, and approving donations totaling $8,600.16.
Council members conducted second readings and adopted Ordinance No. 2042, which updates town regulations, fees and procedures for animal adoptions and repeals earlier ordinances, and Ordinance No. 2043, which revises humane-control rules within Schererville; both measures passed on voice votes (Ordinance 2042: 4-0; Ordinance 2043: recorded 3-1).
The council adopted Resolution 2026-1 to enter a joint interlocal cooperation agreement with the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission to install SCADA telemetry at three stormwater pump stations. Public Works Director Andy Hanson said the Little Cal will fund 50% of the project (a contribution of $70,099.50); Schererville and the Lake County surveyor's office will split the remaining 50%. Council approved the resolution 4-0.
On contracts, the council approved the town's annual engineering services agreement with Nease Engineering, Inc.; Neil Simstad noted a 2.5469% cost increase "for the employees that work generally for the town." The council also approved a 2026 attorney-services contract with Austin Kuiper (Decidus, PC); no price increase was reported for legal services. Both contract approvals passed 4-0.
The council approved the release of an irrevocable letter of credit for the Portillo's development in the amount of $6,567.89 after Public Works' review determined the release was appropriate.
Regarding ongoing construction, the council accepted Change Order No. 1 for M & J Underground, Inc. in the amount of $18,146.35 for the Burr Street reconstruction project. Staff said the change order addressed previously unknown drains, an unplanned water main that required capping and a broken blow-off valve discovered during installation of the shared-use trail; staff stated these were not contractor-caused defects and the adjustments were consistent with contract specifications and state statute allowances. The council also approved Pay Request No. 6 for $283,673.30 for the majority of remaining Burr Street work, with final restoration and retainage to be completed after spring. Both measures passed 4-0.
The council accepted an engagement letter from the London Witte Group for a Saint John sewer rate study not to exceed $25,000, a recommendation that originated with the Utility Board; the motion passed 4-0.
Finally, the council accepted in-kind and monetary donations for December 2025 totaling $8,600.16 (in-kind $8,285.16; monetary $315) and deferred an appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals until the next meeting.
The meeting was otherwise routine: multiple boards (Water Works, Stormwater, Redevelopment Commission, Utility Board) took their separate actions earlier in the evening, and staff provided reports including a fire-department activity summary for December and 2025 totals. The council adjourned with no public-floor business.
