05262026 BPW Meeting Minutes - Final

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AGENDA REVIEW SESSION MAY 21, 2026 116 The Agenda Review Session of the Board of Public Works was convened at 10:30 a.m. on May 21, 2026, by Board President Elizabeth A. Maradik, Vice President Joseph Molnar, and Board Members Murray Miller (not present), Breana Micou, Abigail Magas and Board Attorney Michael Schmidt present. The Board of Public Works Clerk, Hillary R. Horvath, presented the Board with a proposed agenda of items presented by the public and by City Staff. AGENDA REVIEW SESSION ACTION ITEM APPROVAL OF REVOCABLE PERMIT FOR ENCROACHMENT – LIBERTY TOWER RESIDENCES President Maradik stated an application for an encroachment and revocable permit has been received from Liberty Tower Residences for the purpose of allowing a canvas entrance canopy to be placed in the right-of-way at 211 W. Washington St. The encroachment shall remain in the right of way until the time as the Board of Public Works of the City of South Bend shall determine that such encroachment is in any way impairing or interfering with the highway or with the free and same flow of traffic. Upon a motion made by VP Molnar, seconded by Ms., Magas and carried by roll call, the encroachment and revocable permit was approved. Board members discussed the following item(s) from the agenda. CHANGE ORDERS Patrick Sherman presented item 8. B. Byer’s Softball Complex 2024 Renovation, outlining a $71,000 adjustment, includes both cost savings and additional expenses, with the largest addition being the repaving of the parking lot after it was determined to be in poor condition. He noted that the work is funded through a state grant rather than local funds. Patrick also pointed out that the current contract completion date remains September 30, 2026, though the city expects to grant an extension as the contractor continues working in good faith to complete the final field. The extension was not yet included in the change order to ensure the remaining work is completed as required. AWARD QUOTATIONS AND APPROVE CONTRACTS Zach Hurst discussed item 7. B. SBFD Station 11 Restroom Installation which involves installing a women’s restroom at Station 11. Because the project cost is under $50,000, the fire department handled the quote collection process. Quotes were due the previous evening, and while final paperwork from the fire department was still pending, the apparent low quote was from Vera Construction, an MBE firm based in Goshen. Zach said he was awaiting the final dollar amount and documentation from Assistant Chief Skwarcan before completing the process and submitting everything to Candy. CHANGE ORDERS Zach Hurst presented item 8.A. Demolition of 747-749 Harrison Ave. noting the project has reached a 20.6% increase in costs after significant asbestos was discovered in the flooded basement once contractors were able to clear it out and conduct testing. He explained that the largest expense comes from asbestos-containing wall plaster in the sanctuary, making the project one of the most extensive asbestos abatement efforts the city has recently undertaken. Zach noted of the $534,000 contract, more than $200,000 is dedicated solely to asbestos abatement, and also added that although the structure is in rough condition and requires careful work, the contractors have not encountered major issues completing the abatement safely. INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMITS Serena Lozano-Shane from the pretreatment department attended the meeting to address any questions regarding item 13. A. & B. Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits for Amazon Data Center. During the discussion, it was clarified that the item was simply a short-term extension of previously issued permits with no additional changes. Serena confirmed that the permits remained otherwise unchanged.