Huntingburg Council: City of Huntingburg projects moving ahead

Warm weather and the passage of one of the city’s most popular annual events, The Garden Gate Fest, have crews working on major Stellar Projects along with the regular maintenance.

Fourth Street is a one-way street going east and west from U.S. 231/Main Street while crews work to replace the old water main as part of a Stellar Project.

According to Water Superintendent Gregg Miller, the project just started this week and the portion that runs underneath U.S. 231 will be completed soon, weather pending.

Energy Superintendent John Reutepohler reported that his electric crews are performing electrical maintenance around town and finding issues that need to be repaired along the way. He said with the demands from Stellar projects, his crews could use some additional assistance. He asked for and was granted permission by the council to hire two part time workers throughout the summer months.

Also during the meeting, the council approved a low bid from Hutson on a Power Rake in the amount of $6,650.00.

Gas and Water Superintendent Gregg Miller applauded the employees of Huntingburg for their work ethic and working together to get things accomplished.

He reported that a water main break on Washington Street that has been valved off can now be fixed by contractor, Fer-Pal, after they complete the Fourth Street project.

According to Miller, Fer-Pal will complete the work for $42,000.00 which is expected to be less than it would be if another contractor was called in for the project. The main runs underneath the four sets of railroad tracks between 5th and State Road 64.

The same cured in place procedure will be used to do the work, which will allow the city to get the job done without disrupting train traffic. The board approved the expenditure as a change order in the overall Fourth Street Water Main project.

Not everything was Stellar related, though.

City Treasurer Tom Dippel presented a resolution and ordinance approving the movement of monies between major budget classifications. Both passed the council.

Phil Schneider presented an ordinance to repeal ordinances 93.29 and 130.1 of the city code placing restrictions on the use of firearms in the city limits. Schneider recently discovered that both ordinances could be construed as being in violation of a state law restricting any law that regulates firearms. (Story here)

He recommended the city repeal both ordinances at the last council meeting.

During the discussion, Schneider and Mayor Denny Spinner said that the intent of both ordinances was still valid. The city will revert to the state law in relation to the improper or dangerous use of firearms within city limits. Spinner also said that Police Chief Art Parks supported the council’s actions.