OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lake County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 17, 2025

County Boards & CommissionsWednesday, September 17, 2025
BodyLake County, Indiana
SessionCounty Boards & Commissions
DateWednesday, September 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

That password that was listed on the agenda did not work for me to get into them.

0:18

Are we recording?

0:19

I mean do you have the ability to invite from there?

0:23

Like invite the participant.

0:48

So we can do this once it's cannot forward it.

0:51

Yeah.

0:54

As long as it's being recorded, I guess.

0:56

That's that's the most important thing.

1:04

All right.

1:04

All right, let's go ahead.

1:07

Good morning.

1:07

We'll call the meeting order of the board of commissioners, December 17, 2025.

1:11

Meaning, please stand for the pledge allegiance to remain standing for the moment silent.

1:20

And to the republic for which it says under God.

1:39

Thank you.

1:41

Uh uh.

1:57

Yes, the group.

1:58

Um I think they can be taken in on this form, they'll be addressed.

2:02

Uh and on further part of the agenda, and I'll make sure I note note where the additions are.

2:08

So this motion would just be for the purposes of amending the agenda.

2:12

Amending the agenda and approving it as amended.

2:14

Yeah.

2:15

Is that a motion?

2:17

Mr.

2:17

Chairman, I move to approve the agenda as amended.

2:21

Second.

2:22

Let the record show the motion carries three of um then we'll uh can we get a motion to open up the bids?

2:29

Chairman, I move to open all bender responses to request for bids and quotes.

2:34

Second.

2:37

Oh a motion on the minutes and 4.1.

2:40

Move to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 20th, 2025.

2:44

Second.

2:45

The record show the motion carries three.

2:46

Oh item five is specification for IBM compute uh compatible computers bids to be returned to the lake county auditors office Wednesday October 15th, no later to 9 30.

3:01

Move to approve agenda item 5.1.

3:04

Second.

3:06

Oh you can you can jump in if you want to, but if we do another step, I'm okay with that.

3:11

I'm I'm trying to notice other people.

3:13

Okay, so I apologize.

3:13

Yeah, no, no, that's fine.

3:15

That's fine.

3:15

We'll go to item number seven.

3:19

Um point one is the uh lake county elections board uh registration and requests to seek proposals to move uh uh voter missions from November 4, which is special election in bolt.

3:33

Um Lake Central and Hanover Schools.

3:36

Is there a motion to move Mr.

3:39

Chairman?

3:39

Second direct so the motion carries three oh I'm back, Commissioners.

3:44

You're back.

3:45

Uh item eight eight point one action informed contract on behalf of the assessor uh legal services contract uh in place for 2025 with Capka Pink has stolen has been terminated.

3:55

A new legal service agreement has been entered into with Ricardo Hall with uh Quinteros Prieto Wood and Boyer uh for 7500 uh dollars monthly starting August the 11th, 2025 through December the 31st.

4:08

I would just indicate for the board's edification that um uh a number of attorneys left Copka Pinkus and Dolan went to this new firm.

4:16

So it's the same attorney doing the same work just with a different law.

4:20

Thank you.

4:25

Second let the record show the motion carries three eight point two and eight point three nine one one renewal of O365 contract with trust tech and the amount of 924 a month and e911 contract with ATT for one uh fat pipe one edge device for internet redundancy at a monthly cost of 370 dollars and eighty-two cents chairman.

4:48

I will uh move for approval for 8.2 and 8.3 seconds to record sure the motion carries three oh uh eight point four plan commission recommend and approved professional engineering services related to assistance with floodplain administration for Lake County uh with Christopher B.

5:06

Burke uh engineering uh limited in the amount not to exceed 15,200 for 2025 chairman and I'll move for approval number eight point four seconds to the motion carrier uh commissioners I believe items eight point five uh through eight point one four can be taken in on this form uh I do want to address eight point one five or have Mr.

5:32

Alberson address it with the board you want them to address it before we vote well you can go eight we can do eight point one four and then he'll be up for eight point one five yeah okay uh Mr.

5:44

Chairman 8.15 and eight three point through eight point one four are primarily uh road cuts and utility agreements so I would uh move for approval for eight point one five through eight point one four second look vote director shows the motion carries three oh uh eight point one five commissioners is a recommendation to award uh for the cadmet township subject uh tank elimination project um yes uh engineering is recommending award for the lowest and most responsive bidder at asperry water technology uh but mr elverson has some additional information for the board relative to the actual contract and contracting books yeah we're recommending award to ashbury uh the eleven thousand two hundred and fifty dollars is an annual cost so once we get into the contract negotiations they have offered some savings if we go to an extended contract to a three year or five year contract which we can discuss uh at the contractual stage how much was it again to win the the annual cost that uh we're recommending award right now is eleven thousand two hundred and fifty dollars per month per month so this is the company that we would bring on to run our utility and tally my township right that's correct right manage the manage the pump station operate go ahead the the pump station the maintenance of the pump station uh the billing uh uh and yeah it's entirety and it's entirety and if there's some breakdowns we got unit cost to get contractors in there to to make the repairs so but the uh uh annual cost monthly cost is 11250 per month that's for a one year contract for a three year contract it would be nine thousand two hundred and fifty dollars monthly on five year contract it's eight thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars is what they're offering for an extended contract be on the one year but you're you're recommending to us that we do a one year at this point or award right now okay in the annual one eleven thousand two hundred and fifty and then once we get a contract from them or get into the contract negotiations we can consider the extended yeah how are they going to operate are they uh they're not gonna be on site right uh a lot of the times yes because the lift station will require some daily monthly weekly but they won't be out there they won't be resident on site they're they'll visit the site they'll they'll have to visit the site daily right yeah the list I think they got to go to every day or every week but yeah so they're they're gonna be on site quite a bit oh okay that's but not like with an office necessarily or anything like that no I would say not dissimilar or or somewhat similar to the the engine permits layer yeah thank you but I probably obviously much larger scale yeah okay um is there a motion to approve that award move to approve a 8.15 second the record of the motion carries three oh um we have one thing we have to uh probably motion to reconsider uh eight point one two it would be the appropriate way to leave that I think and then and then that's that that one we deferred and it ended up back on the agenda which it really shouldn't have ended up on the back on the agenda it should have been no action and and died okay so however the attorney wishes that we should do that um I would recommend that commissioner alan uh make a motion to rescind his uh motion to approve item 8.12 um and then the board can take a vote on it chairman then i will make the motion to uh rescind my uh vote for 8.12 second unless we're the motion carries three oh now it has no vote and it just dies for a last vote okay yes uh eight point one six sorry uh eight point one six through uh eight point three zero are all also on behalf of the highway department uh i believe those can be taken anonymous form there are any questions mr eliberson was present road cut road cut utilities road cut internet road cut road cut road cuts cut equipment

10:01

Road cut road cut utilities.

10:04

Road cut.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████33%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████26%
Public Comment█████████████13%
Public Finance Management██████████10%
Animal Welfare██████████10%
Public Health████████8%
Summary of Proceedings

Lake County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 17, 2025

The Board of Commissioners met on September 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (as noted for regular meetings; the agenda lists 5:45 p.m. but the transcript indicates a morning start, likely a discrepancy). The meeting covered a large consent agenda with numerous contract approvals, discussions on a sheriff’s K9 purchase, a hiring freeze ordinance veto, and public comments regarding tree replacement in Heather Hills and health board legislation.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of August 20, 2025.
  • Approved specifications for IBM compatible personal computers; bids due October 15, 2025.
  • Authorized seeking proposals for moving voting machines for the November 4, 2025 special election.
  • Numerous contracts and agreements approved in omnibus votes, including:
    • Legal services for the Assessor (new firm, $7,500/month through Dec 31, 2025).
    • E-911 O365 renewal ($924/month) and ATT FatPipe device ($370.82/month).
    • Floodplain administration engineering with Christopher B. Burke Engineering ($15,200 for 2025).
    • Multiple road cut and utility agreements with Surf Internet, NIPSCO, IMEG Corp. across various townships.
    • Bridge inspection program with American Structurepoint ($880,055.72 total, 80% federally reimbursed).
    • Extension of crack seal contract for 2026.
    • Award of Calumet Township Septic Tank Elimination Project – Administration, Operations & Maintenance to Astbury Water Technology, Inc. ($11,250/month for one year, with options for longer contracts discussed).
    • Award for driveway culvert extension on 45th Avenue ($17,900) to Grimmer Construction.
    • Award for sidewalk replacement in Heather Hills Phase 2 ($420,883) to J & J Newell Concrete.
    • Award for tree removal in Heather Hills Phase 2 ($73,120) to Homer Tree Services.
    • Legal services proposal with Barnes & Thornburg for TIF matters.
    • First Amendment to Interconnection Agreement with NIPSCO for solar array upgrades ($120,000 paid in two installments).
    • Joint Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for River Forest High School athletics ($39,048.88).
    • Multiple change orders and supplements for highway projects (e.g., septic tank elimination, bridge replacements).
    • Contracts for health departments: Franciscan Health for electronic health record ($14,550 implementation + $8,051 annual), Ash Wittmer LLC for marketing ($47,400), corrected contract for infant safe sleep equipment ($14,250).
    • Property disposal requests for Prosecutor, Elections, Data, Superior Court.
    • Selection of Lochmueller Group for design engineering on Bridge No. 239 over Grand Calumet River (for future removal).
    • Poor relief appeal decisions for Calumet and St. John townships.
    • Council ordinances: per diem for PTABOA members, CHIRP grant fund, additional appropriation for Crown Point Community Library.
    • State Board of Accounts items, certificate of insurance, monthly staff reports.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Scott Sefton, a Heather Hills resident, expressed concern about the county’s failure to replace trees on 85th Avenue as promised after the first phase of sidewalk work. He criticized the quality of grass seed placed after tree removal and urged closer oversight on the upcoming tree removal contract (Homer Tree Services) and sidewalk project, fearing a repeat of past issues.
  • Jack Willensloan Nowak of Crown Point praised Highway Department’s Dwayne Alberson for responsiveness. She then addressed health board vacancies and poorly written legislation, requesting commissioners support amended legislation to clarify appointment and oversight responsibilities. She noted positive interactions with health department staff.

Discussion Items

  • Sheriff’s K9 Purchase (Item 8.35): Commissioner expressed opposition due to liability concerns from prior dog bite incidents and lack of evidence of policy changes. The Sheriff’s representative stated a new revamped policy is in place but Commissioner requested a detailed presentation before approval. Motion to table the item passed unanimously (3-0).
  • Council Hiring Freeze Ordinances (Items 11.4 and 11.5): A motion to veto Ordinance 1511D (restricting hiring of new county employees until 9/30/2026) and its amendment was made, arguing the Council already has budgetary oversight and the restriction is unnecessary as the county is maintaining current levels. The veto passed 2-1, with one commissioner dissenting.
  • Calumet Township Septic Tank Elimination – Award Discussion: The highway engineer noted Astbury Water Technology’s bid of $11,250/month for one year, with potential savings for three-year ($9,250/month) or five-year ($8,750/month) contracts. The board approved the award of the one-year contract but left extended terms for negotiation.

Key Outcomes

  • Agenda approved as amended with 22 additions.
  • Numerous contracts and agreements approved as listed in the consent calendar.
  • Sheriff’s K9 purchase tabled pending review of revised canine policies.
  • Hiring freeze ordinances vetoed (2-1).
  • Bids opened and taken under advisement for: West Point Acres sanitary sewer project (low bid $1,889,629 from Primer Construction), UPS cooling room project ($267,300 from Gatlin Plumbing, recommended approval subject to review), NG9-1-1 call handling system ($5,120,273 from AT&T, subject to verification), fuel island improvement project ($673,950 from Panjier Corporation, pending review), bridge repairs on Ridge Road ($155,000 from Ellis Construction), and Buckhill Estates storm sewer rehabilitation ($53,343 from LGS Plumbing, subject to engineer review – concern noted about low bids and potential change orders).
  • Public comments received and noted; commissioners acknowledged concerns regarding tree replacement and health board legislation.

Meeting Transcript

That password that was listed on the agenda did not work for me to get into them. Are we recording? I mean do you have the ability to invite from there? Like invite the participant. So we can do this once it's cannot forward it. Yeah. As long as it's being recorded, I guess. That's that's the most important thing. All right. All right, let's go ahead. Good morning. We'll call the meeting order of the board of commissioners, December 17, 2025. Meaning, please stand for the pledge allegiance to remain standing for the moment silent. And to the republic for which it says under God. Thank you. Uh uh. Yes, the group. Um I think they can be taken in on this form, they'll be addressed. Uh and on further part of the agenda, and I'll make sure I note note where the additions are. So this motion would just be for the purposes of amending the agenda. Amending the agenda and approving it as amended. Yeah. Is that a motion? Mr. Chairman, I move to approve the agenda as amended. Second. Let the record show the motion carries three of um then we'll uh can we get a motion to open up the bids? Chairman, I move to open all bender responses to request for bids and quotes. Second. Oh a motion on the minutes and 4.1. Move to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 20th, 2025. Second. The record show the motion carries three. Oh item five is specification for IBM compute uh compatible computers bids to be returned to the lake county auditors office Wednesday October 15th, no later to 9 30. Move to approve agenda item 5.1. Second. Oh you can you can jump in if you want to, but if we do another step, I'm okay with that. I'm I'm trying to notice other people. Okay, so I apologize. Yeah, no, no, that's fine. That's fine. We'll go to item number seven. Um point one is the uh lake county elections board uh registration and requests to seek proposals to move uh uh voter missions from November 4, which is special election in bolt. Um Lake Central and Hanover Schools. Is there a motion to move Mr. Chairman? Second direct so the motion carries three oh I'm back, Commissioners. You're back. Uh item eight eight point one action informed contract on behalf of the assessor uh legal services contract uh in place for 2025 with Capka Pink has stolen has been terminated. A new legal service agreement has been entered into with Ricardo Hall with uh Quinteros Prieto Wood and Boyer uh for 7500 uh dollars monthly starting August the 11th, 2025 through December the 31st.

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