GARRETT — Offers to repair and refurbish the police and fire departments were revisited at Tuesday’s Garrett works council meeting.
A $113,000 bid from Fort Wayne Gutters for the roof portion of the project has been approved, but bids to renovate the building’s interior are still being reviewed.
Police Chief Gerald Kline reported 136 911 calls between March 20 and April 2, including 20 traffic alerts, four speeding tickets, two property damage accidents, and one call to city ordinance. During the period under review, five arrests were recorded: three for alcohol and one each for a warrant and for driving. Its report showed 211 business reviews over the past two weeks.
Kline was given permission to advertise two job openings in the department. So far six applications have been received. He informed board members that his department’s second vehicle was ready for collection this week.
Fire chief Chad Werkheiser presented his first quarterly report with 136 incidents.
His department is advancing the purchase of a new command vehicle for the assistant fire chief at a cost of $42,090 from Kelley LLC, which was approved by a 2-1 vote last month.
Code Enforcement Officer Tara Smurr issued 19 code violations from March 21 to April 3. There were 13 for litter and litter, four for grass and weeds, litter, litter, harboring vermin; and one each for Junk and Garbage and Dilapidated Buildings, and another for a combination of Junk, Garbage, Vermin Housing and Dilapidated Building.
Smurr stressed that those who might have trouble keeping it under the 9-inch rule once the grass starts to grow should contact their department with any problems.
Roads and Parks Authority Superintendent Eric Mossberger said two more shipments of salt for snow/ice removal were delivered, fulfilling an agreement with the state to purchase nearly 250 tons.
Work continues to convert the road division to warm weather operation and mowers are being moved back to the road barn. Work on the Stadtbad started on the opening day for Saturday, May 27th. The required water tests will begin on May 9th. Brush collection started this week.
He reported three downed trees from last week’s storm, and several branches were removed. The plan is to release the street sweeper as soon as the weather permits. It is currently being repaired but will be completed this week.
Electricity Superintendent Dave VanDerbosch said his department had replaced 15 poles along Randolph Street in preparation for the installation of Hometown Hero banners in the coming weeks.
City planner Milton Otero informed the board that April 6 is the deadline for submitting all documents to apply for funds for the city’s Community Crossing Matching Grant. He is waiting for some final documents to be signed in order to submit them on time.
API has already started work on CR 15 at the Walmart Distribution Center. The road will be completely closed from April 10 and will last for 4-6 weeks, Otero said. Walmart builds a bypass for an employee entrance.
Tenders went out on Tuesday to allow contractors to submit sealed bids by 1pm on Monday 17 April. The bids will be considered along with the contract, which will be awarded at the April 18 Construction Committee meeting.
Drainage plans for Van’s Furniture were approved March 24 and a full design release was filed by the state. Drainage plans are in progress for a new Dollar General Store to be built on SR 8 north of town.
Otero said he is also working on plans for a prefabricated building for the city’s sewer cleaning machine, as well as tax breaks for Mossberg Industries and Yoder Ford. Other work includes a new parking lot expansion for the Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools and a Frontier fiber optic installation.
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