11262024 Board of Public Works Meeting

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AGENDA REVIEW SESSION NOVEMBER 21, 2024 244 The Agenda Review Session of the Board of Public Works was convened at 10:32 a.m. on November 21, 2024, by Board President Elizabeth A. Maradik, Vice President Joseph Molnar, and Board Members Gary Gilot (Not Present), Murray Miller, Breana Micou, and City Attorney Jenna Throw present. The Board of Public Works Clerk, Theresa Heffner, presented the Board with a proposed agenda of items presented by the public and by City Staff. Board members discussed the following item(s) from the agenda. APPROVAL OF REQUEST TO REJECT BIDS/QUOTATIONS – STUDEBAKER MUSEUM HVAC REPLACEMENT – PROJECT NO. 124-020 (PR-00036580) In a memorandum to the Board, Patrick Sherman requested permission to reject all bids for the above referenced project due to all quotes received not meeting the bidding requirements. Therefore, upon a motion made by VP Molnar, seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by roll call, the above request was approved. RESOLUTIONS Assistant City Attorney John Dorbin was present to discuss item 11. A.: Resolution to Establish the 2025 Prime Borrowing Rate for Calculating Installment Payment Amount for Water/Sewer Installation Charge. He noted that the resolution was fairly straight forward on an annualized basis for people that are connecting to water and sewer service. They are committed to making installments to repay that cost over sixty (60) months and they are charged an interest rate that is set for the full sixty (60) months but on an annualized basis. The rate is typically two percent (2%) under the City's prime rate. Historically, or at least in the recent past, we have been setting it at two percent (2%), which results in a zero percent (0%) interest rate for the citizens. VP Molnar asked if there is a difference if you are inside or outside of the city limits. Attorney Dorbin stated not to his knowledge as far as the resolution would affect. VP Molnar added he was assuming most people who fall into installation charges are sometimes out of the city. President Maradik noted that this resolution is just setting the interest rate on their loan, not addressing their cost of services. Attorney Dorbin stated that the legal analysis would be their interest rate, but then of course you could contractually alter it through a compact. AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS PROPOSALS/ADDENDA Assistant City Attorney John Dorbin was present to discuss item 12. B.: Contract for a Three Year Lease for Human Rights Office Space in the Key Bank Building. He advised that the current lease space is at the Michiana Eye Center and that lease has expired, so we are currently a month to month tenant in holdover status. In late summer/early fall we were negotiating with the current landlord, but also thought it was a wise time to look around and see what else was available within the city and we think we found a much better space for approximately the same price. It is a far larger space with a far greater number of amenities. It has ten (10) offices instead of eight (8). It has two (2) conference rooms instead of one (1), it has semi private bathrooms, and coded access. The most convenient piece is that it is located right next to the new City Hall building. It is in the key bank building, accessible by walkway. It's a three (3) year lease fixed cost of $5,300 per month for the first two (2) years and then stepping up slightly in the third year and then we also have a twenty-four (24) month renewal period at increased rents thereafter if we wish. Mr. Miller asked if the Human Rights Commission would ever be moving into the new City Hall Building. Director of Public Works Eric Horvath advised that they will eventually be moving into the Leighton Building, but we can’t move them for another year because we have an agreement with them and we will have to do renovations. VP Molnar noted the early termination clause because they will likely be there for two (2) years, but maybe a little longer. Mr. Miller asked if there was sufficient parking for residents. Attorney Dorbin advised that the parking is intended to be serviced by one of the parking garages. VP Molnar noted that in the Wayne parking garage, you can go from the garage through to the bank, but he did not know how that would work with the new City Hall. Director Horvath stated that he believes they can get key access to get to the bank. He added that there is street parking as well, but it is competitive. RESOLUTIONS VP Molnar was present to discuss item 11. B.: Resolution to Authorize the Board Vice President to Apply for Rezoning for Board of Public Works Owned Property Through December 31, 2025.