The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety has enacted legal steps toward converting the Nickel Plate Rail Line into a trail.
The actions Monday came in three acts. First, a resolution declaring the city’s intentions under the National Trails System Act (view the resolution at this link) and an agreement under the National Trails System Act (available at this link). The second resolution declares the rail property as surplus (see it at this link).
In other action:
- The board approved three contracts for legal services. Jennifer Messer will continue to handle economic development matters as well as provide general legal counsel to the city. The law firm of Barnes & Thornburg will provide services on bond matters, and the Krieg Devault firm will serve the city on the legal side of Planning & Zoning matters. Messer will be paid a retainer of $20,000 a month, and will file monthly reports as in the past, with the following provision as part of the contract:
“Although the City will pay only the Retainer, consistent with past practice, Messer Law will continue to submit monthly invoices for services so that the City may track the services performed on its behalf. Further, if Messer Law’s semi-annual (January 1st to June 31st; or July 1st – December 31st) billings reflect an average, billable rate for the time period above One Hundred Eighty-Five and no/100 Dollars, the City may seek repayment of any amounts paid in excess of an average billable rate of One Hundred Eighty-Five and no/100 Dollars ($185.00), per hour. ” - The city is contracting once again with the Hamilton County Humane Society to provide animal control services in 2019.
- Approval was given for dredging services in the area of the planned Geist City Park, to be provided by Citizens Energy. The first phase cost of $100,000 will come from the bond funding the new park.
- Two change orders were approved for the Allisonville Road widening project from 126th Street to 131st Street.
- The city entered into a three-year contract with the Kleenit Group to provide office cleaning services. The cost was increased due to the increase in cleaning space added, including the new Police Headquarter, Pavilion, Parks and Recreation Basement, Waste Water Treatment Plant, Sewer Offices, Switch Garage and the new Department of Public Works Operations Building. Starting in 2019, the city will see a yearly increase in cost for office cleaning services of $212,016, taking the city’s original not to exceed contract with Kleenit Group, Inc. Starting in 2019, there will be a yearly increase in cost for these services of $212,016, taking the original not-to-exceed contract with Kleenit Group, Inc. from $334,115 to $514,131. The additional cost was factored into the 2019 city budget.