BOW Approves $1.87M Payment For Parks BuildingWith the construction of Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s maintenance and administration building wrapping up, the Board of Public Works and Safety on Thursday approved a nearly $2 million dispersement to the contractor.
The payment of $1,871,041.35 to the city’s Build Operate Transfer (BOT) contractor, GM Development, represents 90% of the contract value and leaves a balance of a 10% retainage value of $365,000.
Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer told the board they had a meeting with all the contractors Thursday morning and they went over all mechanics of the building. The asphalt plants are anticipated to be opened up next week so within the next two weeks they should see the asphalt down and the landscaping done, he said. Ballards were being installed Thursday, and the exterior doors and ballards were to be painted.
“Other than that, I think we’re getting close to completion,” Plummer stated.
Mayor Joe Thallemer asked if they’ve occupied the building this week. Plummer said they have occupied the parks offices so now they’re at 123 E. Fort Wayne St.
“We’re thrilled to be in our new facility, for sure,” Plummer said.
Thallemer told Plummer he and his staff have been very patient and he appreciated that, but they’ve been awarded “with a beautiful building.”
City engineer Aaron Ott reminded the board the city purchased the building through a BOT arrangement, so it’s a little different in how pay dispersements go. Rather than monthly and as they go, “there’s a large buyout as the project is complete, basically. And that’s what we’ve received from GM Development is their dispersement request for $1,871,041.35. That, on top of the previous pays we’ve given them, brings them up to a 90% value of the contract and leaves us holding a 10% retainage to ensure all these final little pieces get finished to our satisfaction,” Ott said.
He said the work has been done and it was their recommendation that the contractor be paid their request.
Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Christiansen said the bond did post Thursday morning and the funds did hit the city’s account so they were good to go. The board approved the dispersement 2-0, with councilman Jeff Grose absent.
Dana Hewitt, code enforcement officer, presented a request for the release of seven liens that the city recorded with the Kosciusko County Recorder’s Office totaling $38,879.27.
“These liens have been done over several years through our code hearings. It’s been on one owner of rental properties over the years. These fines, penalties and demolitions occurred a total of $38,879.27,” Hewitt said. “At a recent code hearing, the owner had one rental left in the city and he agreed during a code hearing to pay off those liens to the city, which he had and we received. So now we have some persons wanting to purchase the properties, but with the liens on them, those need to be released so they can follow through on it.”
Thallemer asked if someone was interested in all of the properties, and Hewitt said that was their understanding. Some of the properties are vacant lots because of demolitions that have taken place.
The liens and encumbrances, in relation to Ralph and Joellen Fitch, according to paperwork provided, were for 500 Chinworth Court, 832 E. Market St., parcel 004-044-314, 502 W. Winona Ave., 520 S. Columbia St. and two liens identified by their case numbers.
Hewitt said the property owner is “done with any properties here inside the city limits, so we’re comfortable with moving forward on the approval.”
The board approved the release of the liens.
In other business, the board approved:
• A contract with VS Engineering Inc., as requested by the Warsaw Public Works Department, for Community Crossings Matching Grant program projects. The total amount for the contract is $47,600, which the department has available in its professional services budget.
VS Engineering’s contract includes design services for Center Street from Lake to Indiana streets; Buffalo Street from Market to Main streets; Ranch Road from the railroad tracks to Salman Drive; County Farm Road from Salman Drive to CR 200S; Country Club Road from the bridge south to the corporate city limits; and Jefferson Street from Bronson Street to Argonne Road.
“Those are some pretty significant projects, and we’re certainly appreciative of the legislature creating this Community Crossings program. It’s done the city well,” Thallemer said. He said Street Superintendent Dustin Dillon and his department have always utilized those funds well to maximize the work in the community.
The road segments are being designed individually so that if the city does not receive the grant, they can still move forward with as much work as budgets will allow, according to information provided. The original engineering estimate for these construction projects is $816,118. The city will find out in mid to late April if it is awarded the 50% match through the Community Crossings Match Grant.
• To take two bids under advisement for the downtown street light installation until the April 21 meeting, as requested by Ott. Hawk Enterprises, Crown Point, had a base bid of $295,560 and D & D Electric, Etna Green, had a base bid of $319,285.88.
• Accepting all three bids for multiple asphalt products from Phend & Brown, Brooks Construction and Niblock Excavating & Asphalt.
• Accepting both bids for multiple concrete products from Kuert Concrete, Warsaw, and Ozinga, Portage.
• A $25,726 pay application to Lynn Douglas Inc. for the Warsaw Chemical ground water cleanup project, as requested by Community Economic Development Director Jeremy Skinner. The money will be paid out of the State Revolving Fund loan funds.
• A $252,897 pay application to HRP Construction for the construction of a lift station that will provide sanitary sewer to the Warsaw Municipal Airport and a new housing development to the airport’s east, as requested by Skinner. It’s also being paid for out of SRF loan funds.
• A road closure request from Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisan Market for every Saturday from May 6 through Oct. 28.
The road closures will be from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while the farmers and artisan market will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The closure is for Center Street between Buffalo and Lake streets. The vendors also will be in the City Hall parking lot.
“They’re all excited this year. They’ve got a record number of vendors,” Thallemer said.
• A contract between the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department and Winona Lake Warsaw Independence Day Celebration Inc. for the parks department to provide $3,500 toward the Winona Lake-Warsaw fireworks show. The fireworks celebration is scheduled for approximately 10 p.m. July 1, with a rain date of July 2. The amount is part of the department’s budget, Plummer said.
