Ferdinand Town Council: No bids yet on old police station

As of Tuesday night, no bids had been submitted for the former Ferdinand Police Station/previous Town Hall/original electric department back when it was a private concern.

During the Town Council’s regular March meeting, President Ken Sicard reported he had received official word from the Ferdinand VFW. The VFW does not intend to bid as the average of two appraisals was higher than the club could afford.

The bidding has not yet closed, so other entities might yet bid. Meanwhile, Sicard noted, “It’s still available folks and it’s heated and air conditioned.” Anyone interested should contact Town Hall for a tour.

The council did move forward on plans to make the current Town Hall more ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.

The low bid of Keusch Glass was accepted to replace the front entry doors as well as the back door. Council members opted to spend $300 more on a white finish rather than aluminum and also an additional $3,500 to install two low energy, synchronized door openers so anyone entering in a wheelchair or with crutches or a walker can push a button to open the door electronically. The cost for the three doors plus installation is $5,896.

When discussing the electronic entry system, Councilman Ron Weyer pointed out that without it a wheelchair-bound individual would have to ring a bell and an employee would have to open the door. And, since compliance with ADA regulations is a priority at present, it made no sense to replace the doors without this added feature.

Speaking of ADA compliance, six town employees will soon be training (April 3-4) on the new GIS mapping and Trimble system that will help with future planning and assessment of what is and isn’t compliant in Ferdinand. Town Manager Marc Steczyk suggested some outside help might be needed from archaeological engineers to assess town-owned structures, but most of the work can be done in-house.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was adopted in 1979 but this is the first time the federal government is asking communities to literally get with the program. Communities seeking grants must have a plan of action to close any ADA gaps before being considered.

New doors are actually the second project. A new restroom/concession stand at 18th Street Park now under construction was designed to provide wheelchair accessibility.

AM Radio Station

While nothing is, as yet, cast in stone, Steczyk reported the Ferdinand Chamber, along with Tourism and Merchants, has been tossing around the idea of a low voltage (10 volt) radio station to be located near the interstate. The idea came from the tourism HomeTown Competitiveness pillar in searching for ways to capitalize on Holiday World traffic. The station would broadcast tourist information and could promote local businesses, also providing weather and traffic reports. The cost would be split four ways — the three named entities and the town. Currently the Chamber is looking for studies on the benefits of such a station, which is estimated to cost around $1,200.

Operation Round-up

One idea that no longer looks as promising and was introduced last month was a plan to round up utility bills and use the excess for community projects.

Clerk-Treasurer Bev Schulthise learned the software program needed for the charge would cost $4,500 initially with annual fees ongoing. If the approximately 950 customers all agreed to the up-charge, which would never be more than $11.99 per year, the total would be $11,390.50, putting the donations at $6,890.50. However, Schulthise noted the system would not be automatic so additional labor would be required.

Sicard noted that if the council wanted to put the software into the 2014 budget a decision could be made at a future meeting.

The council also:

• Decided to move forward with using Strand Engineering as construction supervisors for the pedestrian/bike trail project since switching to a new firm might throw the town off schedule for a May bid letting. In the final contract the price for inspections is not to exceed $52,800 (about $9,000 less than originally proposed). Hourly rates for the first few months of work range from $83.19-$66.66 and for the final push, $87.34-$177.39. The contact runs from June 1-December 31.

• Adopted Ordinance 2013-04, an additional $95,000 appropriation for the parks using funds encumbered but not spent in 2012.

• Conditionally hired (pending psychiatric review and drug screen) Mike Lanman as a part time journeyman-lineman for both the Water and Electric departments. He is already certified and will work approximately 20 hours per week for $20 per hour. He must get a CDL license within 90 days and will then receive an additional 50¢ per hour. He will also be added to the on-call rotation at a rate of $58 per week.

• Heard the north side welcome sign will be placed on the west side of SR 162 on Lindauer Farms property. This is not to be confused with 4th grader Kasady Anderson’s sign project. The first and second place winning designs are being combined and will be placed on a double pole atop the Ferdinand Elementary National 4-Star School sign.

• Heard from Utility Superintendent Henry Haake the New Lake will be closed in the near future to built a boat ramp. Haake will start lowering the lake level this week in preparation but did not have a date for the closure. No access will be allowed until the dam project is the complete.

• Approved the route (same as last year) for the Heimatfest 5-K Walk/Run, which will start and end at Forest Park on Saturday, June 22, beginning at 8 a.m.

• Will send Schulthise, Steczyk, attorney Bill Shaneyfelt and Councilwoman Debbie Johnson to a special IACT session on the Affordable Care Act at the Huntingburg Events Center April 2.

• Reported 15 applicants have been approved for the next Dubois County Leadership Academy with the first session on April 5.

• Welcomed four Girl Scouts to the meeting.

• Heard updates from all departments.

POLICE: Chief Ted Bieker received a flag and certificate from former EMT Brian Stetter, now in the Air Force, that was flown over Operation Freedom during his recent deployment to the Middle East.

Also agreed to replace Officer Donna Abrams. Bieker said there are three candidates but one Reserve Officer in particular would be his choice.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Made five runs in February, three fire and two First Responder.

PROPERTY and STREET: Heard storm sewer maintenance issues have been addressed, the Parks are being readied for opening and the crew has been working on the structure at 18th Street Park.

WASTEWATER: Accepted Superintendent Roger Schaeffer’s year-end report and approved hiring Midwestern Engineers for $4,000 to help with two permits, one for removal of phosphorous and the second for an NPDS permit.

PARKS: Heard all major leases have been lined out for 2013. Rec season will begin June 1 with Victoria Van Winkle as director and Cassie Dilger as her assistant.