Memorial Day weekend is the goal to have renovations completed for the Lake Wawasee Dike. Construction cost estimates and plans received final approval Saturday morning, Feb. 11, from the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District Board of Directors.

Officials with Lawson Fisher Associates, South Bend, will be finalizing the bidding specifications this week. No date has been announced for when bids will be received and awarded.

A public hearing on the project was one of two meetings conducted Saturday by the board. The annual meeting of the district was also conducted.

No remonstrators were heard at the hearing. Aaron and Marty Meyer, 807 S. Harkless, and David and Sherry Elliott, 806 S. Koko Drive, were present to obtain further information regarding noise, construction traffic, future flooding and goal for completion. The Elliotts have given perpetual easement on their property not only for construction but maintenance.

Bill Pipp, district board chairman, explained the renovation will include 500 feet of steel sheeting, 32 feet high, driven into the ground. Construction will start at Koko Drive North and wrap around to the Elliott property. The steel sheeting will overlap and include a 2- to 2½-foot cement cap around the dike. The same type of construction was completed at the water control device at Veteran’s Park, Syracuse.

Additionally it was noted traffic will be more on Koko Drive, Palm Drive and Pickwick Drive. Regarding the noise, Pipp stated that is part of the cost of things needed or wanted to be done. “There will be noise,” he said noting pile driving of the sheet metal will occur, but there were not many, if any, complaints with the water control device project.

The Elliotts additionally questioned landscaping and signage at the site and removal of trees, brush, etc. cut down from the construction. Pipp responded the district and the contractors will work with the town in removing any downed trees and brush. The Elliotts were assured the property disturbed during construction will be graded and seeded.

It was noted the Elliotts could post signage on their property, indicating it was private property. They asked to be given a 48-hou notice, should any items on their property need to be moved for construction.

Todd Mikel, board member, stated he reached out to the developer of the five recently sold lots near the dike. Two of the lots will not have construction started for 2-2½ years. Permission could be sought for the contractors to use the lots as a laydown area.

The engineer’s estimate of the project is $944,000.

Chris Jeeter, LFA project engineer, stated he has been in contact with three contractors on the project: Milestone Construction, Beer & Schlabach and the contractor who did the water control device work. Robert Smith suggested Seldge Construction also be included, with Mikel suggesting two other sources be used to advertise.

Further discussion on the project focused on two bid specification questions — construction insurance and mandating attendance at a prebid meeting. The board agreed to a $2 million insurance policy requirement for any construction damage, and voted against mandating attendance at the prebid meeting.

During the quarterly meeting, Jeff Rowe, Baker Tilly Advisors, went over the 2022 and 2023 figures. It was noted there are or will be funds available for the project; however, a short-term loan may have to be sought, until tax distribution funds are received. The 2022 December funds were not deposited until January.

Additionally, future tax rates are expected to drop. It was pointed out operating costs during the first year and water control device repair were paid for from the $700,000 in private donations received prior to the district’s formation.

During the annual meeting portion, Bill Pipp was reelected chairman; Carolyn Anderson, vice chairman; Jim Silcox, secretary; and David Johnson, treasurer. Silcox, who participated in the meeting via Zoom, was sworn in as the elected District 2 director. He was the only candidate for the position. Pipp’s seat as District 3 representative will be up for election in 2024.