Knox Board of Public Works Opens Sidewalk Bids

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Board of Public Works opened bids Thursday for the 50/50 sidewalk program.

There was no quorum, but the bids will be taken under advisement and awarded at a special meeting on May 15.

Two bids were submitted by Pete Kuchel Concrete and Covenant Concrete. The residences that were submitted for bid include 104 S. Pearl St., 703 S. Pearl St., 307 S. Main St., 604 S. Main Street, 703 Delamatyr, 705 E. Washington St., 707 S. Shield St., 102 Water Street, 402 S. Pearl St., 356 E. Mound, 55 Lake Street and 53 E. Water Street.

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Knox Wastewater Superintendent Obtaining Quotes for Generator

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Knox Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons continues to research quotes for a generator for the lift station on Pacific Avenue.

She told the Knox Board of Public Works members that on March 12 a city-wide power outage caused a backup of services at the industrial park. At the time, the lift station there was out of order for 12 hours and while the industry work was able to continue, there was no way to process waste.

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Knox Street Department Superintendent Updates Board of Public Works

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Board of Public Works received an update on how things are moving along in the street department.

Street Superintendent Jeff Borg said the traffic light seized again at the intersection of Culver Road and Main Street by the Knox Middle School. The light is obsolete and Borg said it’s getting harder and harder to find parts to repair it. At one time, they got all of the parts they could from the South Bend department as they were going to throw them away. Most of their lights are upgraded.

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Water Line Project for New Jail Complete

Posted on Author WKVI
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center.
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.

The Knox Board of Public Works received an update on the water project for the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers said the project should be complete today.

“The weather has finally broken so we have gotten caught up,” explained Chambers. “The contractor has gotten in there and pretty much finished his job. The water line has been de-sanitized and pressure checked. There will be some additional work to be done. The line will have to be moved – it’s been deflected too much so we will go in and correct that problem, but should be up and operational within the next day or so.”

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Knox Board of Public Works Tables Property Discussion

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Board of Public Works members agreed to table discussion on the property located at 409 and 411 Lewis Drive until another time.

The members want to demolish the duplex that is located on those properties. The situation is rather interesting in that the duplex is situated on two different lots and were sold separately in a tax sale. The owner purchased one lot in a previous tax sale and the other half in a more recent tax sale.

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Wastewater, Water Reports Given to Knox Board of Public Works Members

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Knox Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons told the Knox Board of Public Works this week that some snow melt and rain water got into manholes around the city and that issue will need to be addressed in the future. Some violations were also noted at the plant which are being remedied. Clemons said they could be fined for the violations, but she hasn’t received any penalties yet.

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Progress Made on Thawing Frozen Pipes in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Board of Public Works did not have a quorum but heard reports from department heads on issues Wednesday morning.

Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner said about 50 percent of the frozen pipes reported have been thawed and they’re working on more as the days go by. The first section of pipes to freeze was along Spruce Drive and all but one person has water flowing to the residence.

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Knox Street Department Gearing up for the Winter Season

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works that the department is gearing up for the winter season. While they are still continuing with leaf and brush pick-up, they are getting the trucks ready to plow snow. The salt supply is good and the staff is making sure the plows are properly maintained to tackle what the winter season has to offer.

Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons asked the board to approve a quote to remove ten trees from around the equipment at the wastewater plant. The lowest quote came in from the same company that assisted in the clean-up in Wythogan Park after a wind storm wreaked havoc in the park last year. The quote was for $8,500.

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Knox Board of Public Works Approves Change Order in Demolition Project

Posted on Author WKVI
This is the old Knox theater and Starke County Economic Development Foundation location
This is the old Knox theater and Starke County Economic Development Foundation location

The Knox Board of Public Works approved change orders for the demolition project at 2 and 4 N. Main Street in the downtown area.

Crews tore down the buildings that housed the old Knox theater and the former office of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. While most of the debris has been cleared, there are a few issues that need to be addressed before inclement weather sets in.

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Lift Station Project Experiences Slight Delay

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Board of Public Works received an update on the lift station project at the corner of Clabaugh Drive and Heaton Street (U.S. 35). A small setback was experienced when hatches weren’t installed as instructed by the manufacturer. That required some cement work to be redone and has created a small delay in the project. Selge Construction should be resuming work today.

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Knox Board of Works Receive Update on Rental Inspections

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works

The Knox Board of Public Works members received an update on three properties in town that are inhabitable.

Building Administrator Bruce Williams told the board that he inspected three rental properties and found them to be in complete disrepair and unsuitable for living. Two renters have agreed to move out immediately and the other is waiting to leave. In one case, the renter’s children were taken away as the dwelling in which they were living was not safe.

The property owners had 30 days to fix the extreme problems and Williams stated that deadline is soon approaching with no progress cited.

The board may meet in special session to take official action to address these issues.

Knox Lift Station Update, Street Department Projects Move Forward

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg gave an update on projects to the Board of Public Works members this week.

He said workers are doing roadside tree trimming and crack sealing while the weather is still good. Only 30 dump truck loads of brush were collected this month compared to 54 last month. He added that fall leaf pickup will be starting soon.

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Question About Storm Sewer Permit Answered by Knox Board of Public Works

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works

The Knox Board of Public Works addressed a permit question that came up in an expansion project at the government building at 1406 S. Heaton St. in Knox.

Donald Carlson is expanding the government building across the street from McDonald’s and was wondering if a storm sewer permit was needed. Since it’s an existing building and the addition is not going to require more than an acre of space, a new permit is not needed. The water already runs off the property and does not affect any surrounding properties.

The planning commission recently approved the project and as long as the current storm water flow is in compliance with the ordinance, a permit should not be needed.

Knox Board of Public Works Members Open Water Project Bids

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers opened seven bids for the proposed Starke County Jail water project. The members of the the Board of Public Works heard all of the bids as they were presented Wednesday morning.

Several representatives from a number of the bidding companies were present when the bids were presented as well as Starke County Auditor Kay Chaffins and Starke County Commission President Kathy Norem.

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Bids to be Opened Wednesday for Starke County Jail Water Project

Posted on Author WKVI
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.

Bids are due this week for the Starke County Jail water project.

The Knox Board of Public Works members will open bids Wednesday morning during their regular meeting that is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Knox City Hall.

This project will improve water capacity for the building that will be the site of the Starke County Jail on State Road 8 east of Knox. Larger water lines are needed to increase the width of the pipes from six inches to eight inches. The project is expected to be extended along Henry Drive in Knox. The project should be completed no later than April 1, 2014.

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Knox Street Supt. Gives Update to Knox Board of Public Works

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works

Knox Street Department Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works last week that residents have been utilizing the compost pile and the recycling bin.

Borg stated that 54 truckloads of brush have been hauled from the area that sits across the street from the Knox City Police Department. He doesn’t know what has contributed in the influx of brush other than residents have been out cleaning yards. The rainy spring led to early and healthy growth of grass and brush this year.

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Knox Board of Public Works Discusses Unsafe Structures

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works

Steve Dodge came before the Knox Board of Public Works Wednesday morning to advise the board of an unsafe structure.

The property in question is at 409 and 411 W. Lewis Drive in the Parkview Heights area. The duplex is on two lots with two property owners. One side of the building on the property is up-to-date on taxes and the other side was sold in a tax sale.

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Knox Water Woes Brought Before Board of Public Works

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works

A proposal by the Knox water department superintendent will soon go to the council, after superintendent Todd Gardner told the Knox Board of Public Works that the water line going down State Road 8 east of the city is providing limited water to the area. With the upcoming construction of the new Starke County Jail facility near the intersection of State Road 8 and County Road 550 East, he said it’s imperative that the line be improved to ensure proper water service for that area.

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