Temporary no parking on Colfax, agreements, contracts, and pay applications on projects were among items of business for Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety Friday morning, Feb. 5.

The board unanimously passed a resolution establishing temporary no parking on the west side of North Colfax Street, between Center and Clark streets, and the east side of North Colfax Street between Main and Clark streets immediately until Dec. 31. The temporary no parking is for the safety of residents and movement of heavy truck traffic for construction of the new Lincoln Elementary School.There was some discussion if  no parking was needed on evenings and weekends. It was noted site work will take place six days a week.

Jeff Grose, board member, expressed he felt adequate parking is available at residences for everyone in that area. “I like the idea and trust law enforcement will use good judgment (on evening and Sunday parking).” Mayor Joe Thallemer added should there be concerns the resolution could be amended.

Members also approved: Quine Freeman HVAC, Warsaw, for an annual service agreement of $620 for maintenance of heating and air conditioning units at the police department; the purchase of police equipment at a cost of $617; an agreement with Lawson-Fisher Associations, South Bend, for stormwater pump station inspection, a cost of $4,900; with Lochmueller Group, Indianapolis, to prepare combined sewer overflow operational plan, a cost of $23,000; D&D Electric, Etna Green, for preventative maintenance and emergency on-call, a cost of $14,400 plus hourly fees when necessary; and Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd., Fort Wayne, for engineering services for a Canal Street Grinder pump station, a cost not to exceed $16,800.

Brian Davison, utility manager, explained the agreements with Lawson-Fisher, Lochmueller and Jones & Henry. Lawson-Fisher will look at the structural integrity of the Osborn Street pumping station. The station has not been operated as designed. “Our concern is, is it structurally sound?” said James Emans, city engineer. The station’s mechanics will be checked to eliminate the city spending money pumping storm water when it is not needed.

Lchmueller will rewrite the city’s combined sewer operational plan. Indiana Department of Environmental Management is requiring more information in the plan. Once completed the plan will be updated internally.

Jones & Henry will be investigating alternate solutions for the sewer collections system in the area of Detroit and Canal Street. It was stated the existing line is antique and will eventually need replaced. The plan will look at shortening the line that services the pavilion, Mobile station and park restroom.

The board also approved paying $2,500 additional in the purchase of the side load garbage truck instead of trading in the old truck. Jeff Beeler, superintendent stated it was decided to convert the old truck into a tandem dump truck. The conversion cost is estimated at $60,000, where a new dump truck would cost $180,000.

During other business:

• Approved the purchase of a Barber Surf Rake for the parks department at a cost of $28,050. The rake will be used to clean beaches by sifting the droppings, trash and debris into a hopper for disposed. It will also be used to aerate grass and pick up small limbs, twigs, leaves and trash.
• Signed contracts with Tad Helflick, Paul Lafferty, Brett Leach, Brian Neher, Bryan Slusher and Tim Smith as stagehands for rock and country concerts; Lafferty, Neher and Smith as stagehands for the blues concert. Each will receive $120 per concert.
• Approved pay application vouchers for right-of-way acquisition professional services in the amount of $5,400 to A&Z Enginnering LLC, Fort Wayne; and right of way purchases in the total amount of $47,730, in the Husky Trail Project.
• Approved a pay application for preliminary design work on the Market Street Phase 2 project, at a cost of $15,719.83 to VS Engineering Inc., Indianapolis
• Payment was approved to American Structurepoint, Indianapolis, for engineering fees on the Buffalo Street Project in the amount of $19,403.07.
• Travel requests for 15 city employees to attend training and conferences in their respective fields were approved.
• Approved the hiring of Roger Miller, Jason Selvey and Thomas Sorg to the wastewater treatment department.
• Approved an amendment to the contract with Wessler Engineering, due to additional necessary work in the Infiltration/Inflow study, at a cost of $44,500.