CLAYPOOL – The Claypool City Council has approved a resolution to use funds to cover the costs of the final design process for the city’s sewer project.
Chris Harrison, business development manager for Commonwealth Engineers Inc., attended Tuesday’s council meeting. He said they are at a point with both the State Revolving Fund Loan Program and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs where a final design for the wastewater project needs to be completed. Harrison told the council they could apply for a bond prepayment.
“Typically, there is a fee for that bond prepayment,” Harrison said. “In this case, that would be $35,000 through the Indiana Bond Bank and we estimate additional documents to cost between $5,000 and $10,000. That would be a direct cost to the community between $40,000 and $45,000.”
Harrison said he has spoken with Council President Benny Stage Jr. and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Warner about using funds from a $200,000 grant the city received from the K21 Health Foundation, as well as funds from the sale of the city’s water utility to Indiana American Water.
The total cost of the final design process is $325,000. Harrison said the city would save between $40,000 and $45,000 by using funds from K21 and selling the water utility compared to a BAN.
City Attorney Andrew Grossnickle prepared a resolution saying the council would use funds from the K21 grant and the sale of the water utility to cover the cost of upgrading Claypool’s sewer system.
Harrison said Stage, who was unable to attend the August council meeting, had no reservations about the resolution. The council approved the resolution.
The council also passed an ordinance on loose pets. All dogs and cats must be on a leash or tied up at all times when outside their owner’s property. A fine of $25 is imposed for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense.
Approval of a garbage can ordinance was postponed until the council’s September meeting so that Grossnickle could include language in the ordinance regarding fines for violations.
Harrison also provided an update on the OCRA application process. OCRA will hold a public hearing during the September council meeting, with the second round of applications beginning on September 19. OCRA will have a site visit in November, with a second public hearing on November 19. The application must be submitted by December 20, with awards in February 2025.
Harrison said Commonwealth reviewed the city’s previous OCRA application and found that Claypool had not received any letters from residents about the need to upgrade Claypool’s sewer system.
“You will not receive OCRA grants if you do not have resident letters,” Harrison said. “We would appreciate comments from residents regarding sewer backups. We would also like to hear about any insurance claims in recent years related to stormwater or sewer backups.”
Harrison said he would assist residents who have experienced such problems in preparing application letters.
The council also postponed further discussion of the city’s retention pond project to explore additional options for converting the pond from a wet to a dry area. Council member Gene Warner said Claypool’s Tax Increment Finance Committee did not want to spend a lot of money on the project. Harrison suggested that the council contact a local developer to see if there was a cheaper solution for the project.
The next Claypool Council meeting will be on September 17th at 7:00 p.m.