GOSHEN - The Goshen Board of Works adopted a new policy regarding public notices of meetings to individuals.

Previously, the city’s governing bodies were required to provide public notice of the date, time and location of public meetings to individuals who submitted written requests in accordance with the Indiana Open Door Law.

The law, however, allows governing bodies to adopt policies setting how notice will be given to individuals who submit requests, thereby not requiring the governing bodies to notify each person individually.

The policy accepted by the Board of Works at its meeting Monday, Feb. 25, provides that notice will now be provided to individuals by publishing the notice on the city’s website, goshenindiana.org.

The new policy must be adopted on a consistent, city-wide basis and has been sent to all of Goshen’s other governing bodies for approval, including all boards, commissions and council.



Other action: Awarded the bid for the expansion of the Central Garage to Milestone Construction in Syracuse for a total cost of $739,820. Milestone’s bid was the lowest base bid plus five alternate items.



Approved a request from Justin Clark of Vineyard Community Church in Syracuse to produce a video for the church on March 8 and 9. The video will be shot at downtown locations on the sidewalks on Main Street from West Clinton Street to East Jefferson Street, as well as the sidewalks on West Washington Street from Main Street to South Fifth Street and the alley south of the Goshen Theater.

The board also approved the use of a golf cart to shoot scenes on the sidewalk around the Elkhart County Courthouse.

The video is scheduled to shoot the evening of March 8 and the morning of March 9.



Granted the Engineering Department permission to advertise for bids for the 2013 50/50 sidewalk and curb replacement program. Funds have been appropriated for the project and bids are due Monday, April 1.



Declared 1,202 water meters as surplus property and resolved to sell the water meters.



Accepted a three-year maintenance agreement with Cummins Crosspoint, LLC. for emergency back-up generators at the city’s police station, three fire stations and street department. The annual fixed fee of the agreement is $2,397.33 for all five locations, for a three-year total of $7,191.99.



Accepted an agreement with Kiefer Consulting to conduct soil sampling and analysis for the Land Application Permit with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management regarding the application of biosolids the city has applied in farmers’ fields in the spring and fall.

Work will take place throughout the 2013 season for a flat rate of $8,911 plus $10.75 per soil analysis for an amount not to exceed $400. The total contract, therefore, is not to exceed $9,311.



Accepted an agreement with Brads-Ko Engineering for a survey proposal regarding the need to make drainage improvements from Lincoln Avenue to the 1600 block of Steury Avenue. The fee from the survey is not to exceed $6,640.