Ed Ormsby and Brian Davison, members of the Tippecanoe & Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District, sign the various resolutions passed at the Monday, March 8, meeting. InkFreeNews hoto by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Resolutions to further progress with financing and future policies took up a majority of the 90-minute monthly meeting of the Tippecanoe & Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District Monday night, March 8.

Six resolutions were approved ranging from authorized signatory for the state revolving fund to a policy for small purchases.

It was also noted information on potential rates and the potential of being a TIF residential district is expected to be presented at the April meeting.

The first resolution approved was one approving submittal of the preliminary engineering report to the state revolving fund loan program. This resolution was signed stating the preliminary engineering was approved and adopted by the board and it would be submitted to the SRF for consideration and approval under the program. Jon Tyler, board president, was also approved through another resolution to make the application to the SRF program on behalf of the district.

The other resolutions dealt with adopting the internal controls policy and materiality policy required by the State Board of Accounts along with certification a video relating to this matter was reviewed. Another resolution was for adopting a capital asset plan that sets out control over its investments to demonstrate accountability to ratepayers, oversight bodies and regulators. The plan clarifies the definitions of what constitutes a capital asset and construction in progress and tracking those assets.

The resolution for adopting a purchase policy was also approved. This sets out a policy and rules related to purchases under $50,000. The resolution sets cost limitations of what can be purchased without board approval, with approval, needs a minimum of three quotes and what requires the bidding process.

A resolution establishing a bond for the board was tabled until the April meeting, allowing members to fill out applications to submit to an insurance company and premium costs to be obtained.

During the engineering report, Steven Henschen, with Jones Petrie Rafinski, addressed equipment pre-selection to ensure the best products for the project and consistency of equipment for the project as the project will more than likely be divided among several contractors. A meeting of the engineering committee was set for 6 p.m. Monday, March 29, in the district office.

The group will review grinder stations and control panels, pump station pump/equipment and control panels and standby generator sets. Information from manufacturers and costs will be obtained and a method to rate the items established. A recommendation on equipment to include in the bids will be made to the full district board at its April 12 meeting.

During Henschen’s report, it was noted the preliminary engineering report has been completed and applications for funding through the State Revolving Fund and USDA rural development will be submitted in the coming weeks. The report provided updates on surveys and design work being completed in some areas and completed in others. He noted the property owner list database is completed as are the parcel ID maps for easements/land acquisition. Title searches to obtain the latest deed will start later in the month.

Andrew Boxberger, an attorney, briefly reviewed the grinder station location guidelines and easement letters which will be mailed. These documents are currently still in draft form. A preference to when the temporary construction easement and permanent sewer utility easement agreements was discussed and will be determined later.