REGULAR MEETING OF THE MISHAWAKA

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY/UTILITY BOARD

January 18, 2011

The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety/Utility Board was called to order by President Gary West at 10:00 a.m.  All members were present.  Mr. Prince moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 11, 2011, and accept them as circulated.  Mr. Watson seconded; motion carried.

Bid Openings:

There were no bid openings.

Mayor’s Comments:

Mayor Wood deferred to Fire Chief Dale Freeman.

Fire Chief Dale Freeman announced that Nicola Decicco had successfully completed the written Firefighters Aptitude Examination, the Physical Agility Test administered by the Mishawaka Firefighter Pension Board as well as the medical and psychological testing required for becoming a member of the Mishawaka Fire Department.  He also recommended that Mr. Decicco be approved for probationary employment effective January 18, 2011.  Mr. Watson moved that Nicola Decicco be approved for probationary employment effective January 18, 2011.  Mr. Prince seconded; motion carried.

Mayor Wood swore in Nicola Decicco as a Probationary Firefighter for the Mishawaka Fire Department effective January 18, 2011.

Mayor Wood said he was still receiving compliments on snow plowing and thanked the Street Department for their hard work.

Mayor Wood also indicated a brief staff meeting would follow today’s Board meeting.

Department Head Reports:

Services Division Chief Steve Ravotto on behalf of Police Chief Ken Witkowski submitted a request to declare miscellaneous outdated or broken inventory items as surplus for disposal by approved means.  Mr. Prince moved to declare the items surplus and approve of their disposal.  Mr. Watson seconded; motion carried.

Chief Freeman requested the Board accept the Findings of Fact of the Mishawaka Fire Department Pension Board where it was determined that Firefighter Steven Shedd has a Class 2 “covered impairment” making him permanently or temporarily unable to perform the duties of a firefighter, effective January 18, 2011.  Mr. Watson moved to approve as presented.  Mr. Prince seconded; motion carried.

Building Commissioner Brock Hundt presented the Building Department statistics for the month of December, 2010 and indicated permits were issued for one (1) new home, for a total of twenty-two (22) for the year compared to thirty-two (32) in 2009.  He also indicated that overall construction costs decreased from $53,000,117.00 in 2009 to $42,867,916.00 in 2010.

Park Superintendent Mike Faulkner submitted a request to remove two (2) trees and stumps in the right of way at 434 N. Wenger Avenue.  The trees have been analyzed and recommended for removal by the Park Department landscaper.  Mr. Prince moved to approve as presented.  Mr. Watson seconded; motion carried.

City Planner Ken Prince presented CO #4 from Walsh Construction for Mishawaka Avenue Bridge (INDOT #B-30481) for an increase of $3,660.00 for a new contract amount of $5,749,563.87; and CO #4 also from Walsh Construction for Mishawaka Avenue Bridge for an increase of $29,565.87 for a new contract amount of $5,779,129.74 and moved for their approval.  Mr. Watson seconded; motion carried.

Mr. Prince presented PSA Amendment #2 from Lehman & Lehman for the Hillis Hans Park Improvements for an increase of $5,975.00 for a new not-to-exceed amount of $34,081.22 and moved for its approval.  Mr. Watson seconded; motion carried.

Engineering Director Gary West presented CO #8 from Michiana Contracting for project ST 30911 for McKinley Avenue traffic signal upgrades for an increase of $825.00 for a modified contract amount of $1,170,000.74; and CO #9 for an increase of $2,650.00 for a modified contract amount of $1,172,650.74 and moved for their approval.  Mr. Watson seconded; motion carried.

Mr. West presented a Professional Service Agreement with Lawson-Fisher Associates for easement preparation for CSO 23A for a lump sum amount of $1,650.00 and moved for its approval.  Mr. Prince seconded; motion carried.

Approval of Claims:

There were no claims to approve.

Approval of SRF Pay Applications:

Mr. Watson moved to approve SRF - Disbursement Request #45 from Lawson-Fisher Associates for Juday Creek Lift Station Force Main Rehabilitation in the amount of $5,889.00.  Mr. Prince seconded; motion carried.

New Business:

Mr. West said a request for renewal of a Secondhand Store License has been received from Buzz’s Used Furniture, 225 N. Main Street, Mishawaka.  Mr. Watson moved to approve the renewal as presented.  Mr. Prince seconded; motion carried.

Old Business:

Mr. West indicated that no new hearing date has been set for Grievances 10-01 and 10-02 that were filed by Teamsters Local 364 on behalf of Patricia Duck and Stacy Madison.

Unfinished Business:

There being no additional business brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

Gary West – President of the Board of

Public Works and Safety/Utility Board

Kari Myers, Clerk of the Board of

Public Works and Safety/Utility Board