MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY

VALPARAISO, INDIANA

January 28, 2022

The Board of Public Works & Safety of Valparaiso, Indiana met January 28, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. in City Hall. Present were Mayor Murphy, Steve Poulos, and Holly Howe. Mayor Murphy called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion: Holly Howe moved that the minutes of the January 14, 2022 meeting be approved, seconded by Steve Poulos and so approved.

Motion: Holly Howe moved that the claims be approved for payment and subject to appropriation balances, seconded by Steve Poulos and so approved.

INDOT/Local Public Agency Project Coordination Contract

Mike Jabo requested approval of the INDOT-Local Agency Project Coordination Contract. This project is currently in the NIRPC Transportation Improvement Program and is for Preliminary Engineering at SR 130 and 400 North. Federal Funds for Preliminary Engineering are available beginning with the State Fiscal Year 2023. The maximum federal amount available starting in 2023 for preliminary engineering is $142,896. The federal funds will be applied as an 80% match until they are exhausted. The Engineering Department recommends that the Board of Works accept the Project Coordination Contract between the City and INDOT as presented. City Attorney, Patrick Lyp has reviewed and indicated the contract is good for execution.

Motion: oweHhhl;ll;H Steve Poulos moved to approve INDOT-Local Agency Project Coordination Contract between the City and INDOT. Seconded by Holly Howe and so approved.

Conflict of Interest Forms

Alina Hahn requested approval of Conflict of Interest forms for David Bengs, Kari Bennett, and Michael Sur. These were approved by the VCU Board at their last meeting.

Motion: Holly Howe moved to approve the Conflict of Interest Forms as presented. Seconded by Steve Poulos and so approved.

INDOT-LPA Contract

Beth Shrader requested approval of the INDOT-LPA Contract for the TOD Trail. The contract details the federal grant that reimburses up to $118,300 of the engineering costs for the Trail. The balance of the engineering costs will be paid from Redevelopment Commission funds.

Motion: Holly Howe moved to approve the INDOT-LPA Contract. Seconded by Steve Poulos and so approved.

Replace Outdated/Nonfunctioning LED Lights in Building #2 at Public Works

Brent Dickson requested approval to replace outdated/nonfunctioning LED lights in Building #2 at Public Works. The original LED lights were installed in 2014. Circle R was the lowest quote at $11,938 to replace all 48 lights in the building. He has money in the Building Structures Fund to cover the cost.

Motion: Holly Howe moved to approve replacement of the outdated/nonfunctioning LED lights in Building #2 at Public Works. Seconded by Steve Poulos and so approved.

Update for 1425 Glendale Blvd

Attorney Alfredo Estrada Addressed the Board. Attorney Rhett Tauber and Project Manager Tim Collins were present by video. The property owner is ill and unable to participate in this discussion. Attorney Estrada gave a brief history of this project. A Demolition Order was recorded. The property owner negotiated with the City and the Demolition Order was removed. Work has been ongoing until recently. The property owner was unable to obtain financing and has been working to find someone to purchase the property. Attorney Estrada explained the property is now in foreclosure. Paul Chael is the Receiver. It is his job to find a purchaser of the property. The Deed has a restriction that the building cannot be used for medical unless prior consent is received from Northwest Medical Group.

Currently they owe the City $3,100 in fines. The fine is $50 per day since August 3^rd. The money is secondary. What needs to happen is the building brought up to code and completed. This will make the area safe.

Steve Poulos asked how much of the project is complete. Tim Collins replied the shell is 65% complete.

Attorney Estrada suggested an Executive Session to discuss possible litigation. Attorney Patrick Lyp agreed and asked Attorney Estrada to file an appearance in the foreclosure action.

IPEP Safety Grant

Brent Dickson requested approval of the Grant Application Check list. The Valparaiso Public Works Department has been awarded an IPEP Grant in the amount of $2,064.80. Jim Anton of Anton Insurance presented the City with the check which is 80% of the grant amount. This is the most that is allowed. This is to be used for the purchase of AED trainers and Adult CPR manikins.

Request for Street Closures

• St. Paul School Spirit Run. Saturday April 9, 2022 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am
• FOP K9 5K-Run and 1 Mile Walk. Friday, May 13, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
• Family and Youth Services Bureau. Chalk the Walk. Saturday, June 11, 2022 from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Soap Box Derby. Saturday June 25, 2022. From 6:00 am to 1:00 pm

Motion: Holly Howe moved to approve the four street closures as presented. Seconded by Steve Poulos and so approved.

Fuel Lock In Contract

Steve Poulos discussed having a standard fuel contract. This would lock in a rate for either an 11 or 18 month period. He proposes approving the base format of the contract and at the discretion of the Valparaiso City Services Director and City Administrator locking in at a future rate. The benefits would be a true budget for fuel for the City for up to 11-18 months. And a potential savings to the City if the market continues to climb. The risk is that the market drops below the locked in price. He will bring more information to the next meeting.

Dennis Sheehan – V-Line Reinstatement

Beth Shrader presented a request from Dennis Sheehan to be reinstated as a V-Line rider. December of 2020 Dennis attacked the V-Line driver and refused to wear a mask as required. On December 11, 2020 he was given a six month suspension from ridership. Dennis is now asking to be reinstated. The V-Line driver has since retired. Dennis stated he was sorry and will make sure he has his medication with him from now on. He has gone to Court and has made restitution.

Beth Shrader advised staff’s recommendation it to reinstate conditioned upon any incident and he will be permanently banned from ridership.

Motion: Steve Poulos moved to reinstate Dennis Sheehan for V-Line ridership conditioned upon any incident and he will be permanently banned. Seconded by Holly Howe and so approved.

Engagement Letter – Burke Costanza and Carberry

Attorney Patrick Lyp requested approval of an Engagement Letter with Attorney Alfredo Estrada and Attorney Jon Schmaltz. Both are with the firm Burke Costanza and Carberry.

Motion: Steve Poulos moved to approve the Engagement Letter with Attorney Alfredo Estrada and Attorney Jon Schmaltz with Burke Costanza and Carberry. Seconded by Holly Howe and so approved.

16 & 18 Indiana Avenue

Attorney Patrick Lyp requested approval of Resolution No. 2, 2022. The City owns property at 16 and 18 Indiana Avenue. This is the former location of City Hall and the Police Department. The building is currently vacant. Resolution No. 2, 2022 transfers this property to the Redevelopment Commission. The Redevelopment Commission will do the work to sell or lease the property. If sold, all the sale proceeds come to the City.

Motion: Steve Poulos moved to approve Resolution No. 2, 2022 transferring property at 16 and 18 Indiana Avenue to the Redevelopment Commission. Seconded by Holly Howe and so approved.

Caulkin Hill- Disbursement #6

Attorney Patrick Lyp requested approval of Disbursement #6 for Caulkin Hill. This disbursement is in the amount of $110,000. The Redevelopment Commission has authorized this disbursement.

Motion: Holly Howe moved to approve Disbursement #6 for Caulkin Hill in the amount of $110,000. Seconded by Holly Howe and so approved.

There was no further business, and the meeting was adjourned.