Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Schererville council adopts towing and solicitor ordinances, accepts AT&T 911 contract and awards street resurfacing bids
Summary
The council on May 13 adopted an updated towing‑fee schedule and solicitor licensing ordinance, authorized tow‑provider contracts, approved a five‑year AT&T E911 agreement and awarded CCMG street resurfacing contracts, along with several other routine approvals.
The Schererville Town Council on May 13 approved a package of ordinances, contracts and construction awards covering towing rates, solicitor licensing, emergency‑communications equipment and a street‑resurfacing program funded in part through an INDOT Community Crossings Matching Grant.
Towing and solicitor ordinances: Police Chief Pete Sormaz and town staff explained changes to the towing‑fee schedule and solicitor licensing rules. Council adopted ordinance 2046 to update towing fees after consulting local towing firms; Chief Sormaz said the town's researched rate in some categories moved from about $1.85 to $2.50 to reflect industry practice. Council also adopted ordinance 2047 to expand solicitor licensing to for‑profit and nonprofit solicitors, require ID badges issued through the police department, and mandate background checks for solicitors.
Tow‑provider agreement and 911 services: The council accepted a standardized tow‑service provider agreement required by a 2025 amendment to Indiana law that calls for written towing contracts with law enforcement agencies. The town also approved a five‑year agreement with AT&T for E911 call‑handling equipment for SOUTHCOM at a one‑time networking equipment cost cited at $20,000 and ongoing monthly service charges cited at $8,800; the council approved both measures on unanimous votes.
Streets and capital projects: Council approved a $1,929,969.85 award to Ruth Riley Construction Co., Inc. for the town’s 2026 street‑resurfacing project (22 streets) under the INDOT Community Crossings Matching Grant program. The council also approved right‑of‑way acquisitions for the Kennedy Avenue improvement project, including the purchase of parcels at 62 and 72 Kennedy Avenue from Ronald Carlson for $92,214.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2046 (towing fees) — adopted 5–0; Ordinance 2047 (solicitations) — adopted 5–0; Acceptance of tow‑provider agreement — approved 5–0; AT&T E911 agreement (five years) — approved 5–0; 2026 CCMG street resurfacing to Ruth Riley Construction — approved 5–0; Purchase of 62 and 72 Kennedy Avenue — approved 5–0.
Why it matters: The towing and solicitor ordinance updates align local rules with evolving operational costs and state law. The E911 agreement and tow‑provider contracts aim to standardize emergency‑response operations; the street resurfacing award will advance neighborhood pavement improvements paid in part by matching INDOT funds.
What’s next: Staff were authorized to finalize contracts and INDOT documents and to present any vendor agreements for execution in the coming weeks.
