Starke County Park Board
Special Meeting
July 23, 2024
Minutes
Present: R. Ballard, T. Busch & S. Byer
R. Ballard reported that two bids were considered for the English Lake Kayak project. Hill Excavating came in at $52,493.52 and the Stanger Group at $62,600.00. B. Aloi explained that when looking at the alternative bidding, base bid less #8 and including alternate #2, the Stanger Group bid was $47,986.00. The Park Department has $25,000.00 to use exclusively for this project, K. Norem spoke with Bill Crase from KRYRB said if we came up with $35,000.00 they would contribute the remaining balance. K. Norem is confident she will be able to secure the difference. The motion to approve, contingent upon the other funding is secured, was made by T. Busch, seconded by S. Byer and passed 3-0.
B. Aloi will ensure Hill Excavating get their bid bond check returned.
Discussion was held regarding the current lift station situation. A. Giuliani spoke with FJF who suggested an ABS pump at the cost of $4,351.00 plus $800.00 installation. It seams that Watermark is considering refunding our money or may return them but this could take another month. To date, the department has spent $12,650.00 to DS&S for daily pumping of ground water, B. Aloi suggested contacting Dan Fox with Astbury to see what he could provide. Their company is a full-service pump company who currently does hundreds of pumps, including Pretty Lake and Koontz Lake. A. Giuliani will contact them in them in the morning. She stressed the importance and urgency of mitigating the ground water situation or this would just be another “Band-Aid” that will continue occurring.
R. Ballard made the motion to approve A. Giuliani finding a pump at the best cost and can arrive the fastest but not to exceed $5,252.00. S. Byer seconded it was passed 3-0.
D. Pearman is looking to work with the drainage board to see what can be done to identify the problem. He noted the lake level is 71.6 while the campground is 7.13. A bowl system was discussed as well as trying to get the lines jetted out so a camera can be placed through there. It was suggested Mike Reece of the Troyer Group may be a pivot point person to assist with this possibly using some of the funding from the grant.
T. Busch made motion to adjourn, seconded by S. Byer and passed 3-0.