Michael Biesenbach

The meeting agenda includes the payment of claims in accordance with state requirements. Additionally, the board will review several disbursement requests for the Peru Sewage Works and the Municipal Water Utility projects. Other agenda items include the approval of property use for the Circus Festival Parade, a guaranteed savings contract with Bowen Construction, and updates from the city administration, city attorney, and management.

The board discussed the payment of claims in accordance with the Indiana State Board of Accounts. A significant portion of the meeting focused on amending the agenda to include the 2006 water utility revenue bond and 2006 sewage works revenue bond. Additionally, the board considered the guaranteed savings contract with Bowen Construction for the long-term control plan project, including details on project logistics, construction phases, expected duration, and testing procedures for the infrastructure improvements.

The Board approved multiple State Revolving Fund (SRF) disbursement requests for various water and sewage utility projects, including payments to Watson Excavating, Thieneman Construction, Hazen and Sawyer, and Lochmueller Group. The Board also accepted a bid for 2026 pole testing services from Osmose. Additional proceedings included an update on the Long Term Control Plan, a report on upcoming local property developments and utility upgrades, and a comprehensive review of the prior year's departmental accomplishments, encompassing technological, operational, and safety milestones across the utility divisions.

The meeting addressed several operational and financial matters. Key discussions included the approval of State Revolving Fund Disbursement Request #11 to Thieneman Construction Engineering for professional services related to the Water Utility Project. The Board approved the purchase of a 2026 Ram 2500 truck, trading in the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado truck. Permission was granted to write off delinquent accounts and bad debts totaling $19,765.84 for the period of July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025. The Second Quarter 2026 Electric Rates Tracker Adjustment was accepted, reflecting an average decrease in cost per kWh for most customer classes. The Board also accepted the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments for Grissom Water Rates (2.5% increase) and Grissom Wastewater Rates (3.3% increase), both effective April 1, 2026. Legal counsel from Ice Miller was approved for the issuance of Sewage Works Revenue Bonds and Waterworks Revenue Bonds. A 177-day time extension was approved for the Filter Media Replacement Project change order. An update on the Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) financing was provided, outlining the two-phased construction schedule contingent on funding deadlines. The City Attorney reported on the Highway 31 easement property, recommending an appraisal instead of the owner's requested purchase price. The Manager reported on the first reading of the Waterworks Bond Ordinance at the City Council and provided details regarding an electrical outage caused by a vehicle accident.

Key discussions focused on approving several State Revolving Fund (SRF) disbursement requests related to the Peru Municipal Water Utility Project (Lead Service Line Replacement) and the Peru Municipal Sewage Utility Project. Specific approvals included payments to Wessler Engineering, Watson Excavating, Hazen and Sawyer, and Lochmueller Group. The Board also approved the replacement of two utility trucks and the bid for the 2025 South Intercept West Sewer Lining Project. Furthermore, Wessler Engineering was selected for the LSL Replacement Project Phase 2 design and oversight. An update on the Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) indicated ongoing discussions with IDEM regarding economic issues and compliance deadlines. Other reports included an agreement with the union on employee severance pay procedures, a summary of December 2025 financials, preparations for an incoming winter storm, and updates from City Administration and the City Attorney regarding a land easement negotiation.