LAPEL — Kimley-Horn, the engineering firm overseeing road projects for Lapel, will receive up to $17,875 more than originally approved in a contract with the town.
Drew Wolfred of Kimley-Horn asked for the extra budget at the Nov. 18 town council meeting.
The firm is providing consulting work for the current construction phase that is being done by DC Construction.
The contract is to complete an ongoing Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings Matching Grant program job.
Earlier in the meeting, as part of the same project, the council approved a payment of $179,697.33 to DC Construction for asphalt resurfacing work done on County Road 950 West, 10th Street and five streets in the Brookside subdivision.
The construction company is completing work on 400 South and 500 South, which was expected to be done by early this month.
The Community Crossings Matching Grant program began in 2016 and provides funding to cities, towns and counties across the state to make improvements to roads and bridges. Cities and towns with a population of fewer than 10,000 receive funds using a 75/25% match. Larger communities receive funds using a 50/50% match.
Wolfred said with the original contract, he “assumed a quicker duration on the construction side.” Other circumstances also spurred the call for additional funds.
“We want to be out there as long as the town wants us out there,” Wolfred said. “We want to continue supporting the town.”
The council approved the amendment to the contract that Wolfred said is to not exceed the amount of $17,875 to finish the project.
Council president Chad Blake asked town attorney Jeff Graham if the town could bill the construction company for reimbursement of the amended amount since it was a direct result of the contractor not meeting requirements of the original contract.
“That would be arguably consequential damages,” Graham said. “It’s definitely something to keep track of as this proceeds.”
Wolfred said, from what he is hearing from the contractor, the amount was based on two more weeks remaining with the project.
Additional payments approved
The board approved special resolutions to purchase and finance two town vehicles through the Indiana Bond Bank.
Both vehicles, a new police car and a new pickup truck with a snow plow for the utilities department, are on a 5-payment plan over 5 years with a 2.5% interest rate.
The police vehicle costs $62,963. The truck costs $44,602.
Both resolutions passed unanimously.
Marvel acknowledged
The board recognized the service of Councilmen Tom Marvel, the current vice president of the board.
Marvel, who attended the meeting virtually, announced his resignation earlier in the month to concentrate more on his new position as chief of the Lapel Stony Creek Township Fire Territory.
The December council meeting will be his last as a member of the group.
With Marvel being a Republican representative of the board, a caucus among the three Madison County Republican Party precinct committeemen will determine his replacement.
Madison County Republican Party Chairman Russ Willis said the party will have 30 days from Marvel’s resignation to appoint a replacement and that anyone interested in the Lapel council seat can contact him at 765-643-4871.