Board of Public Works and Safety

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAY 12, 2026- 8:30 A.M. https://www.kendallvillein.gov/recordings Roll call was answered at 8:30 A.M. by: Mayor Lance Waters, Board Member Tara Streb. Chairman Don Gura was absent. Others present were: Katie Ritchie, Scott Derby, Joe & Nancy Taylor, Linda Dickson, Jeremy McKinley, Patrick Howell, Brian Strange, Jim Dazey, Dawn McGahen, Kevin Dressler, Vonda Showalter- Fair Corp., Rhonda Kondas,- Fair Corp., and John Dixon. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Minutes Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to approve the Board of Works minutes from April 28, 2026, meeting with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Petitions & Comments No petitions or comments were given. Mayor Application For the Use of Public Facilities- Paws for a Purpose Rachel Schermerhorn submitted an application for the use of public facilities for an event that will take place at Bixler Lake Trails on May 30, 2026, from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. This is a benefit to help Noble County Humane Shelter, and no road closures will take place. Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to approve with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Application For the Use of Public Facilities- 13th Annual Stomp Out the Stigma 5K Tami Brigle submitted an application for the use of public facilities for the Annual Stomp Out the Stigma 5K event that will take place at Bixler Lake Park and Jansen Pavilion on September 12, 2026. This event will be from 7:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and no road closures will occur. Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to approve with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Park Director Dawn McGahen asked the board if the jet ski event could be moved to Mayr 30, 2026. This event was already approved but was for a later date. McGahen told the board that DNR has already approved the new date. Mayor Lance Waters and Board Member Tara Streb agreed the new date was fine. Application For the Use of Public Facilities- Noble County Fair Parade Cheryl Barker submitted an application for the use of public facilities for the Noble County Fair Parade event that will take place on July 12, 2026. This event will take place at 4:00 P.M. There were three different routes presented and Coordinator, Rhonda Kondas, expressed that the fair would like to have more exposure through town. After much discussion and input from Police Chief and Fire Chief it was decided to keep the route the same as it has been in years past. Mayor Lance made a motion to approve with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. Mayor Lance Waters told the representatives to come to the city earlier next year so a new route could be constructed. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Popcorn Stand MOU A memorandum of understanding was presented to the board between the City of Kendallville and the Kendallville Lions Club regarding the use and operation of the popcorn stand. The agreement states that the stand belongs to the city but will be run and operated by the Lions Club for non-for profits to use for fund-raising efforts. All existing supplies will be given to the Lions Club, and they will control any monetary funds generated for their operation. Mayor Lance Watesr made a motion to approve with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Engineering Drake Road Phase 2 Inspection- Pay Request 13 Administrative Engineer Scott Derby requested authorization to pay request #13 to A&Z Engineering in the amount of $31,020.86 (Local- $6,204.17 & Federal -$24,816.69). Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to approve with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Ashrei Properties- Disposal of Property Administrative Engineer Scott Derby presented the board with a bid from Ashrei Properties to purchase the city owned property adjacent to the Alum-Elec facility. Joe and Nancy Taylor previously paid for two appraisals to be done at this location and the average of those were $8,7500.00. Ashrei Properties submitted a bid amount of $8,750.00 and no other bids were received. Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to accept the offer from Ashrei Properties and proceed with the transaction with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. Mayor Waters and Board Member Streb decided that Mayor would be the designated signor for the transaction. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Tree Removal Request/ 908 Eunice Avenue- Add On Administrative Engineer Scott Derby presented the board with a tree removal request from 908 Eunice Avenue. After city inspection it was determined that the tree was still healthy and if the owner wanted the tree removed, he would need to pay the city $1,184.50 to have the tree removed from the city contractor and $175.00 for a replacement tree to be planted somewhere in the city. Once the payment is received that work can proceed. Board Member Tara Streb made a motion to approve with a second from Mayor Lance Waters. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. WWTP Request to Pay Element Superintendent Patrick Howell requested authorization to pay Element $6,152.30 for testing on pretreatment samples. Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to approve with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Request to Pay Baker Tilly Superintendent Patrick Howell requested authorization to pay Baker Tilly $4,525.00 for ongoing financial assistance for the WWTP. Board Member Tara Streb made a motion to approve with a second from Mayor Lance Waters. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Sewer Adjustment- 617 N. Riley Street Kathy Hall, owner of 617 N. Riley Street, requested a sewer adjustment of $146.40 for water that did not go down a drain due to filling her pool. Superintendent Patrick Howell verified that the water did not go down the drain and recommended approving the adjustment in full. Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to approve with a second from Board Member Tara Streb. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Water Request to Pay Baker Tilly Interim- Superintendent Kevin Dressler requested authorization to pay Baker Tilly $13,530.00 for advisory and report preparation. Board Member Tara Streb made a motion to approve with a second from Mayor Lance Waters. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Request to Open Position Interim-Superintendent Kevin Dressler requested authorization to open a full-time Distribution Operator position internally for one week and externally if need be. Board Member Tara Streb made a motion to approve with a second from Mayor Lance Waters. The motion passed 2 ayes – 0 nays. Motion to Adjourn Mayor Lance Waters made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Board Member Tara Streb adjourned the meeting at 8:49 A.M. _____________________________________ Kathren R. Ritchie- Clerk Treasurer Minutes approved by me this 26th of May 2026. _______________________________________ Lance L. Waters-Mayor