President: Mr. Kmetz called for nominations for President. Ms. Sims-Smierciak nominated Rob Kmetz as President; Mr. Setlak seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. Kmetz called for the vote. Mr. Kmetz was elected as President unanimously by roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Vice-President: Mr. Kmetz called for nominations for Vice-President. Ms. Krull nominated Patti Sims-Smierciak as Vice-President; Mr. Setlak seconded the nomination. Ms. Sims-Smierciak was elected as Vice-President unanimously by roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to award Austgen the project based on their proposal as presented in accordance with the RFP; Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1 by roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Nay
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Setlak made a motion to grant the Easement Agreement with NIPSCO and authorize the Sanitary District President to sign the same; Ms. Sims-Smierciak seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Setlak made a motion to write off certain customers’ accounts in the amount of $2740.01; Ms. Sims-Smierciak seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Setlak made a motion to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council to approve the Wonderware annual software licensing renewal in the amount of $4077; Ms. Sims-Smierciak seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull made a motion to pay the Wastewater APVs for September of $705,513.69; Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Kmetz adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Abstained from vote because she was absent from this meeting.
A motion was made to approve the November 17, 2020 regular meeting minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous 5-0 roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Setlak made a motion to approve the December 15, 2020 regular meeting minutes. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous 5-0 roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to approve the January 19, 2021 regular meeting minutes. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous 5-0 roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Wastewater dockets - Mr. Kmetz was questioning the purchase of $600+ in iPad cases purchased by the Public Works Department for the Trimble Unity program. They will be used for the new locate project which will be integrated into our GIS System. The iPads will arrive the week of February 22nd.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to pay the Wastewater APVS for February in the amount of $274,166.17. Mr. Gembala seconded the motion. The motion carried by a 5-0 roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Krull made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a 5-0 roll-call vote.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote 5-0.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Since none of the Board members had gotten a copy of the Settlement Agreement, the board will schedule a special meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd, after all members review the document.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Setlak made a motion to pay the Wastewater APVs in the amount of $539,019.18. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote 5-0.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Ms. Sims-Smierciak stated that a lot of the items in the settlement would fall under a homeowner’s association covenant agreement.
Mr. Westland responded regarding building requirements and restrictions. Because this is going to be a PUD, there’s really not an issue with regard to precedential value with other developments. In every PUD, there’s a give and take between the developer and the Town as far as what the building requirements are.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak wanted clarification about the time mandate for the bike trail. She would like the document cleaned up a bit because too much is open for speculation.
There were no more questions or comments.
Mr. Setlak made a motion to approve the Settlement with LBL Development and BLB St John. There was no second, so the motion was denied.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to table this discussion until the next meeting and a possible change in verbiage to an actual date in Item #16. Ms. Krull seconded. The motion carried by a roll-call vote of 3-1 and 1 abstention.
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Nay
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Westland wanted to clarify that the Board needs to approve the settlement as well as the amendments to the interceptor agreements covered in paragraph six of the agreement and to authorize Mr. Swets from the Town Council to sign all documents.
Mr. Kmetz asked for a motion to approve the Amended Settlement with LBL Development and BLB St John and to authorize Mr. Swets to sign the agreement in our absence.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made the motion as stated. Mr. Gembala seconded. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll-call vote 4-0.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to approve the March 23, 2021 special meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote 5-0.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull made a motion to approve the March 31, 2021 special meeting minutes as presented. Ms. Sims-Smierciak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote 4-0.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Abstained – not present
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye Ms. Krull Aye Mr. Setlak Aye Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye Mr. Kmetz Aye
The Board is requesting Mr. Pondinas get status updates on all of the projects that the Sanitary District is approving money for.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull made a motion to pay the Sanitary District APVs in the amount of $17,050.94. Ms. Sims-Smierciak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote 5-0.
Mr. Gembala Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Mr. Gembala Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Ms. Sims-Smierciak added one additional item to the docket because it was received late Friday. It is Haas & Associates’ documentation verifying work completed by Grimmer Construction. It is a complete and accurate cost for the US 41 Utility Relocation Project.
Ms. Krull made a motion to pay the original docket of Wastewater District APVs in the amount of $720,935.67. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 3-0.
Mr. Setlak made a motion for a separate pay authorization, reference Haas & Associates correspondence in the amount of $292,459.35. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 3-0.
Some discussion entailed regarding infiltration into the sanitary system. The Board would like to review the last three years of infiltration from the Public Works Dept.
The Board is requesting the Public Works Dept. submit a monthly general review of the overall workings of the department, i.e. water main breaks, meter installs, leaks...etc.
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Ken Gembala Abstained (not present at meeting)
Kim Krull Aye
Richard Setlak Aye
Patricia Sims-Smierciak Aye
Robert Kmetz Abstained (not present at meeting)
The Board would like the Town Attorney to look at an amendment or draft a new ordinance regarding the policy on sewer/water credits.
Mr. Gembala made a motion for the Town Council to have the Town Attorney look at an amendment or create a new ordinance regarding the policy on sewer/water credits. Ms. Sims-Smierciak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to approve the Venkatesan’s credit request. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
Mr. Dravet stated the Plan Commission approved Parrish Woods with four contingencies and to his knowledge, none have been met yet. It’s still in the pending approval state. It will probably come before the Plan Commission’s next regular meeting in July. We should know then if the developer has agreed.
Mr. Sedlak is still concerned about infiltration into the sanitary system. Mr. Salatas will canvas the surrounding towns regarding this issue and see how we fair among them. This will serve as a starting point to see if we should investigate this issue further.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to pay the original docket of Wastewater District APVs in the amount of $1,700,668.10. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Gembala made a motion to approve Change Order No. 4 from $483,654.00 to $480,096.00. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0.
Mr. Gembala made a motion to approve the Gibson’s credit request. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0.
• Thinle Chodon landscape credit of $94.55.
Mr. Setlak made a motion to approve the Chodon’s credit request. Mr. Gembala seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0.
Mr. Salatas did canvas Lowell and Cedar Lake regarding water infiltration. Some information is included for St. John, Lowell and Cedar Lake. There was no information from Schererville yet.
Mr. Salatas stated that Haas and Associates is in the process of doing a water/sewer study to determine what parts of town we need to focus on as far as water infrastructure and I&I. The study will include a list of recommendations and should be coming out soon. He also submitted general information from another engineering firm regarding I&I and how to correct it. We should be getting Schererville’s sewer agreement soon for review.
Mr. Dravet stated that Austgen got a better price from Dell for the server that will have the Wonderware software installed. Mr. Dravet got a good discount through the Town’s Dell representative for this server. With the savings, the entire control box at the Mallard Lane lift station will be replaced. Mr. Dravet will initiate a zero dollar change order to reflect that the server savings will be used for the entire control box at that lift station.
Ms. Krull made a motion to pay the Wastewater District APVs in the amount of $619,459.01. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0.
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Setlak made a motion to approve Change Order No. 1 with a zero cost. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 3-0.
Bob Valois, our current Water Operator, will be leaving the Town after 22 years of service. The Board would like to thank Bob for his service and wish him well.
Ms. Krull made a motion to pay the Wastewater Docket in the amount of $217,466.57. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 3-0.
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Abstained
Ms. Krull made a motion to approve the August 17, 2021 meeting minutes. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote of 4-0.
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
The water side of the SCADA system could be done in January 2022 and hopefully everything will be done by May 2022.
Mr. Dravet stated the Plan Commission needs to have an assigned address for the Parrish Woods lift station so that it can be properly put in SCADA System.
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Setlak made a motion to pay the Wastewater Docket in the amount of $703,711.98. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote of 4-0.
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Mr. Kmetz Aye
Ms. Krull Aye
Mr. Setlak Aye
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Aye
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Mr. Salatas stated that the Town will be petitioning for the Excess Growth Levy. It would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 if we get approved by the State. The Excess Growth Levy is because the Town is growing much faster than the surrounding communities. We are allowed to apply for the Excess Growth Levy to help try and keep up with that growth. Because our property taxes are capped at 1% for residential, we are trying to use every tool available that the State will allow to provide the best services possible to the community. The $10,000 is included in the budget increase.
Mr. Dravet stated that the water side of the SCADA System is progressing well. We will be starting the sanitation side in the spring. We are going to try and implement variable frequency drives (VFDs) in the lift stations. This will help with our electric costs. Currently most of the lift stations do not have variable frequency drives. Lift Station No.1 does have VFDs; however, it does not have bypasses. So if one of the VFDs dies, that pump is out of service until it is repaired or replaced. The Town is getting proposals on how to add bypasses to VFDs so that if a drive fails, it will go back to the old style of on/off. As part of the variable frequency drive program, NIPSCO has a rebate program. More research is still needed to make sure everything is compatible with the generators and pumps.
Mr. Setlak made a motion to pay the Wastewater APVs in the amount of $432,687.78. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Ms. Krull made a motion to pay the landscape credits as listed on the agenda. Mr. Setlak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0.
There was some discussion between Mr. Setlak and Mr. Pondinas regarding the water meters. Mr. Pondinas explained what a meter change out is, as well as how we order and stock the water meters.
Mr. Setlak brought up the water infiltration problem again. He wants this problem to be investigated further either internally or by the Town Engineer.
Ms. Krull made a motion to pay the Wastewater APVs in the amount of $350,700.51. Ms. Sims-Smierciak seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to cancel the December regularly scheduled meeting. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0.
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District
Ms. Krull Yes
Mr. Setlak Yes
Ms. Sims-Smierciak (Audio problem)
Mr. Kmetz Yes
Ms. Krull Yes
Mr. Setlak Yes
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Yes
Mr. Kmetz Yes
Ms. Krull questioned a bill from Austgen Electric for the SCADA System on the Wastewater Docket. Mr. Pondinas will find out why the Board got charged since the sanitary side has not been started yet.
Ms. Sims-Smierciak made a motion to pay the Wastewater APVs in the amount of $640,235.68. Ms. Krull seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote of 4-0.
Ms. Krull Yes
Mr. Setlak Yes
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Yes
Mr. Kmetz Yes
Ms. Krull Yes
Mr. Setlak Yes
Ms. Sims-Smierciak Yes
Mr. Kmetz Yes
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerri Kudzia, Recording Secretary
St. John Sanitary District