Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer, left, and Board Member George Clemens during the board of works meeting this morning.

WARSAW — During the Board of Works meeting held this morning, Feb. 1, board members approved a contract that would give the first look at possible designs for the proposed US 30 freeway.

The approved contract was with DLZ Indiana for a not-to-exceed-amount of $5,000 to create graphic materials that can be used for presenting potential US 30 freeway designs. The materials would allow the city to engage the public’s input on various ideas and impacts of the potential freeway. DLZ will produce various large-scale maps with movable pieces that can show the potential impact of various design elements associated with a freeway.

Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer reported that the US 30 Coalition has two meetings with legislators and INDOT officials in the upcoming weeks to discuss the project in total. It’s estimated that there will be local public input meetings held this spring.

Bids were also opened for two upcoming projects during the meeting.

The city received two bids for the Canal Street sewer project. G & G Hauling and Excavating, Warsaw, submitted a bid of $184,395; and Selge Construction, Warsaw, submitted a bid of $206,618.50. The bids were taken under advisement and are to be awarded during the next board of works meeting.

Two bids were also received for the second phase of the CR 300N project. Rieth-Riley Construction, Goshen, submitted a bid of $2,315,601.95; and Phend & Brown, Milford, submitted a bid of $1,880,359.30. These bids were also taken under advisement and are to be awarded at the next board of works meeting. This project includes the planned roundabout at Sheldon Street.

In other news:

• An agreement with MetroNet was approved to add five point-to-point circuits for phase two of the city’s server project.
• A contract with Chicago Dog House was approved for the annual city employee picnic.
• A confidentiality agreement was approved with BIT Computers, who is helping with the current server project.
• The parks department was approved to accept a grant of $5,000 from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for the summer concert series.
• A contract with Charlie Ray Fly Fishing to host two workshops for the parks department was approved.
• A contract between the Parks Department and Wayne Township was approved. Through the contract, Wayne Township pays the department $75,000, which allows Wayne Township residents to enjoy the parks department’s services.
• The board approved contracts between the parks department and the Pike Lake Association, Winona Lake Association and Center Lake Association. Each association is paid $2,500 for their reservation, conservation and maintenance of the lakes.
• A one-year lease with OrthoWorx was approved for $4,500 per month. February is the first month the city has been able to charge rent since the City Hall building is now officially paid off.
•  A comprehensive financial plan agreement was approved with Umbaugh. This plan will help with budgeting purposes and is a part of SRF compliance.