Aaron and Marty Meyer, seated, take a look at the Lake Wawasee Dike location and construction area. David Johnston, Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Board Member, is shown standing.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Memorial Day weekend is the goal to have renovations completed for the Lake Wawasee Dike. Construction costs estimates and plans received final approval Saturday morning, Feb. 11 by the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District Board of Directors.

Officials with Lawson Fisher Associates, South Bend, will be finalizing the bidding specifications this week. No date for when bids will be received and awarded has been announced.

A public hearing on the project was one of two meetings conducted Saturday by the board. The annual meeting of the district was also conducted.

No remonstrators were heard at the hearing. Aaron and Marty Meyer, 807 S. Harkless and David and Sherry Elliott, 806 S. Koko Drive, were present to obtain further information regarding noise, construction traffic, future flooding and goal for completion. The Elliott’s have given perpetual easement on their property not only for construction but maintenance.

Bill Pipp, district board chairman, explained the renovation will include 500 feet of steel sheeting, 32 feet high, driven into the ground. Construction will start at Koko Drive North and wrap around to the Elliott property. The steel sheeting will overlap and include a 2-2 ½ foot cement cap around the dike. The same type of construction was completed at the water control device at Veteran’s Park, Syracuse.

Bill Pipp

Additionally it was noted traffic will be more on Koko Drive, Palm Drive and Pickwick Drive. Regarding the noise, Pipp stated the will be the cost of things that are needed or wanted to be done. “There will be noise,” he said noting pile driving of the sheet metal will occur, but there were not many, if any complaints with the water control device project.

The Elliotts additionally questioned landscaping and signage at the site and removal of trees, brush etc. cut down from the construction. Pipp responded the district and the contractors will work with the town in removal of any downed trees and brush. The Elliotts were assured the property disturbed during construction will be graded and seeded. It was noted the Elliotts could post signage on their property, indicating that was private property. They asked should any items on their property need to be moved for construction, they be given 48 hour notice.

Todd Mikel, board member, stated he reached out to the developer of the five recently sold lots near the dike. Two of the lots will not have construction started for 2-2 ½ years. Permission could be sought for the contractors to use the lots as a lay down area.

The engineer’s estimate of the project is $944,000.

Chris Jeeter, LFA project engineer, stated he has been in contact with three contractors on the project: Milestone Construction, Beer & Schlabach and the contractor who did the water control device work. Robert Smith, suggested Seldge Construction also be included with Mikel suggesting two other sources be used to advertise.

Further discussion on project focused on two bid specifications questions — construction insurance, mandating attendance at a pre-bid meeting. The board agreed to a $2 million insurance policy requirement for any construction damage, and voted against mandating attendance at the pre-bid meeting.

During the quarterly meeting, Jeff Rowe, Baker Tilly Advisors, went over the 2022 budget figures and 2023 figures. It was noted there are or will be funds available for the project, however, a short-term loan may have to be sought, until the tax distribution funds are received. The 2022 December funds were not deposited until January.

Additionally, future tax rates are expected to drop. It was pointed out operating costs during the first year and water control device repair were paid for from the $700,000 in private donations received prior to the district formation.

During the annual meeting portion, Bill Pipp was re-elected chairman; Carolyn Anderson, vice chairman; Jim Silcox, secretary; and David Johnson, treasurer. Silcox, who participated in the meeting via Zoom, was sworn in as the elected District 2 director. He was the only candidate for the position. Pipp’s seat, as District 3, representative will be up for election in 2024.