LRSD TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION JULY 6
Lakeland Regional Sewer District met at 6 p.m.,Thursday, July 2 at the North Webster Community Center to discuss the construction schedule, maximizing investments and letters to property owners without easements.
The meeting began with members passing a motion to approve payment of invoices from Able Printing, Carson Boxberger LLP and Warsaw Times Union totaling $11,699. Treasurer Mike DeWald also reported the opening of a new bank account at Lake City Bank.
Another motion was then passed approving a billing and bookkeeping services agreement with Jones, Petrie, Rafinski Corporation and giving President Jim Haney and Greg Mitchell permission to sign the agreement at the end of the 30 day public objection period.
Members were glad to hear from Casey Erwin of DLZ Architects, Engineers, Planners, Surveyors that owner/contractor agreements were executed and contractors can start construction as early as July 6. Due to the weather, much of the work won’t start until mid July, though work should begin next week on the northwest side. “By early September it will be really busy,” Erwin stated.
Work on the actual grinder stations won’t start for another four to five weeks.
Erwin then outlined the payment application process. DLZ will provide four inspectors who will report to the district. Monthly meetings expected to last through January or February will handle payments and progress reports. “We’ll bring a graphic representation of the project and try to color code in terms of what items are incomplete and what are installed,” said Erwin.
Haney requested Erwin provide property owners with the specification requirements for electricity. “We’ll start to get lots of questions,” he noted.
A motion to approve a letter announcing the start of construction carried.
Next, members discussed at length how to proceed with letters to property owners who have recently purchased property where the previous owner did not sign the easement allowing construction. There are roughly 60 owners without easements Haney initially said should receive the letter, which will state if the owner has an interest in signing the easement they need to contact the district office to procure the correct document, as well as other instructions as to how to proceed.
“It’s a burden that we’re putting on the people that had no idea that this was going on when they bought the house,” said Bob Sanders. Bob Marcuccilli, on the other hand, felt, “They bought the property and they knew this was coming.”
Haney informed the meeting of an email received from the United States Department of Agriculture stating these properties would not be eligible for funds as had been hoped.
Unfortunately, as Andy Boxberger, LRSD legal counsel, noted, the cost of litigation against unscrupulous sellers who did not disclose the situation would be too high to justify in relation to the $12,000 it will cost to construct their own station.
Property owners trying to build will at least need holding tanks; Erwin strongly advised against allowing anyone without an easement to hook up. “I wouldn’t want anybody tied to your infrastructure until you’re completed.”
The incentive for signing the easement now would be to avoid potential fees incurred by forced connection, legal and otherwise, according to Haney.
There are three owners who recently bought property Sanders called “innocent parties”. “They need to know that our hands are tied…that we’d like to do something for them and we can’t do it,” he said. It was agreed they would receive letters.
One of those receiving a letter will be Joe Brandon, who expressed frustration with the process during the public question and answer period. He was unaware of the easement due to marital separation.
Next on the agenda was a motion to pay Umbaugh and Associates $7,000 to maximize investments on the $20 million loan. Umbaugh believes Huntington Bank underestimated the return. “We’ve used Umbaugh all along,” observed Sanders. The motion carried to pay Umbaugh to handle the investments.
During the public question and answer period, members also heard from Stu Lambert who stated, “I need my metered rate.” His Pine Bay Resort on Seacrest Lake will not be considered a campground by the district, which is only recognizing two sites as camping areas: The Moorings and Pic a Spot Campground.
Jim McDonald of Irish Lake was informed that due to his properties not being deeded together and 300 yards apart, he would most likely not be able to employ only one grinder station.
Larry Brey of Coon Lake was told the letters would not include projections, but that “vague projections” would be available on the website.