(ANGOLA) - The Angola Common Council moved through a long agenda Monday night, advancing a proposed downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, opening bids for the Poka-Bache South City Trail Project, approving the first reading of a traffic ordinance tied to development, reviewing tax abatements, and taking action on water, wastewater and state project agreements.
Downtown DORA Moves Forward
Council approved first reading of an ordinance establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, in downtown Angola.
If approved, the DORA would allow alcoholic beverages purchased from designated permittees or approved vendors to be carried within the refreshment area boundaries during set hours.
The proposed hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The ordinance identifies Buck Lake Bar & Grill, Cork & Barrel, The Venue, Sutton's Deli, Monument Pizza Pub, The Moose Family Center and Elixir as proposed designated permittees.
Council members were told there would be no permit cost for participating restaurants and bars, though approved DORA-specific cups would eventually be required. Businesses would also be allowed to opt out.
During discussion, council members were told Hamilton and Fremont already have DORAs in place.
The council was also told nearby churches and the Alano Club were contacted during planning, with no concerns raised. The proposed district was adjusted to remain respectful of those locations.
Signage would be required if the DORA is approved, with some sign locations needing coordination with INDOT because of state roads. The proposal still requires additional readings and state approval before it can take effect.
Poka-Bache South City Trail Bids Opened
Council opened bids for the Poka-Bache South City Trail Project.
The engineer's estimate was $1,580,986. The low bid was $1,069,606 from API.
Other bids included $1,176,272.25 from Pulver, $1,923,694.37 from Fleming Excavation, $1,598,079.90 from Brooks Construction, $1,381,839.90 from E&B Paving, and $1,411,550.11 from SMS Directional Boring.
The project is approximately 1.19 miles. Council members were told the city's trail work is being coordinated with the county trail project.
The council voted to move forward with awarding the project to the most responsible bidder.
Traffic Ordinance Tied To Seranova Development
Council approved first reading of an ordinance amending the Angola Municipal Code section on prohibited turns.
The ordinance would prohibit left turns from Woodhull Drive onto North Wayne Street.
The proposal is tied to the Seranova development, which is under design and review.
Council members were told a traffic study showed possible congestion from vehicles turning into Selman Drive.
One option discussed was widening North Wayne Street by about 14 feet, but officials said that would create a significant cost. The alternative is to restrict Woodhull Drive to right-in and right-out traffic.
Council members were told about 400 vehicles per day were counted on Woodhull, with much of the traffic occurring around shift-change times.
Tax Abatement Reviews
Council reviewed multiple tax abatement compliance items.
Vestil Manufacturing, Vestil Manufacturing Corp. and Vestil LLC were reviewed for multiple abatements, including real estate improvements at 749 Growth Parkway and real estate and personal property at 2999 North Wayne Street. Council members were told the company has met requirements tied to its 2021 abatements and is still working toward a 100-job benchmark tied to earlier 2017 abatements, with time remaining.
Enterprise Pointe, L.P., located at 907 South Wayne Street, was also listed for review.
Baril Coatings USA, LLC, located at 401 Growth Parkway, was reviewed for real estate and personal property abatements. Council members were told the company had met major requirements.
Precision Edge Surgical Products LLC, located at 1910 North Wayne Street, was reviewed for several personal property abatements. Council members were told the company had met requirements on the first three and still had time remaining on the newest abatement.
Feddema Industries, Inc., located at 1305 Wohlert Street, was reviewed. Council members were told the company had met requirements on one abatement and was short six employees on another, but had seven open positions.
Council also approved terminating a Feddema Industries abatement after equipment tied to the abatement was sold and removed.
Wastewater Master Plan Presented
Council heard a presentation from Fleis & Vandenbrink on the Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facility Master Plan.
The study was described as a 20-year planning tool intended to help the city evaluate future growth, development pressure and wastewater system needs.
Council members were told the wastewater treatment plant has an average-day capacity of 1.7 million gallons per day, with average use around 1.1 million gallons per day.
Under higher-growth projections, average flow could reach about 1.9 million gallons per day by 2045, meaning expansion would be needed at some point.
The study identified no current system-wide collection capacity limitation, but pointed to a lift station near the tennis courts as the top short-term priority. The lift station is near its limit and would need to be relocated and replaced, with an estimated total project cost of about $2.448 million.
Longer-term needs depend on where growth occurs. The presentation identified Pleasant Lake as the potential service area that would require the most significant wastewater improvements if that project moves forward.
The wastewater treatment plant study also identified short-term needs involving the primary flow splitter structure, final clarifier equipment, chemical building work, solids handling and biosolids storage. Mid-range needs include blower improvements, electrical upgrades, SCADA improvements and pump replacements.
Water Utility Master Plan Approved
Council approved a professional services agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink for a Water Utility Master Plan in the amount of $63,600.
Council members were told the water study would evaluate the city's water distribution system, future demand, fire flow, water treatment and long-term capacity needs.
Chloride Technical Support Approved
Council approved a Scope of Work Memo with GEI Consultants for chloride technical support in the amount of $22,300.
Council members were told the work is tied to ongoing discussions with IDEM and will update data connected to the city's chloride issue.
Officials said the effort is focused on a site-specific regulatory approach because chloride cannot simply be removed through normal wastewater treatment.
Pokagon State Park Agreement Approved
Council approved a Professional Services Contract between the City of Angola and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to provide water and wastewater services to Pokagon State Park.
Council members were told the agreement sets water and sewer rates for Pokagon and clarifies ownership and maintenance responsibilities for infrastructure after project work is completed.
North Wayne Street INDOT Agreement Approved
Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) concerning an HMA overlay and sidewalk project along State Road 127, also identified locally as North Wayne Street.
The project includes INDOT overlay work, city sidewalk installation and water main work.
Council members discussed concerns about INDOT requiring the city's portion to be paid at letting, but officials said the sidewalk project has been one of the most requested improvements from residents.
The project also includes pedestrian safety work near the railroad crossing.
Claims And Next Meeting
Council approved accounts payable vouchers totaling $2,165,461.73.
The next Angola Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 7pm