[{"_1":2,"_75":-5,"_76":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6030560,"mediaKeyId","5516759-10ee94fb8d1d5eea1b94292e149e6d6f","parentId",5516759,"title","Portage City Port Authority approves value-engineered fish-cleaning station despite $37,000 shortfall; debate centers on use of marina funds and local hiring","audioSeconds",293,"startMs",1280000,"endMs",1573000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516759-10ee94fb8d1d5eea1b94292e149e6d6f&start=1280&end=1573","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516759-10ee94fb8d1d5eea1b94292e149e6d6f/thumbnail_1280000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6030560/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Portage-City-Port-Authority-approves-value-engineered-fish-cleaning-station-despite-37000-shortfall-debate-centers-on-use-of-marina-funds-and-local-hiring","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030560-3432f443e0e1f64c1a4c10bbc6cdf322/orig.mp4?Expires=1770702701&Signature=ELlY~2gR2GgWJtugw90ejrh-b90ue6R-ov8sNkvYAUEIxBCBlkhhM7-bigq3bhjK3HuDiRVoiMndGpHoBgSgcfieAXBIaD9OKoQAjd4G82v55ZF8rkgQ-kr2THJvOUwSXTaot46E~paGTx089m3A42Ycx8HO33mh2KV~YtZltKiq-ijBLQVBr4VGMsEOZEzmivuAuhgg4RBjj6hpPefKNnq-MDzaWvPmkslAJ-cPyEIfoG1xtWMUPKS0L9Wjmk9CiBCFRAm0gLoR~DCMrEYa1z8KAskNbVDLLItHxQoCE790ouC~vvqTWv91OnieOZtyb~agRDelylc84uXN3gqCLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portage, IN","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Portage City Port Authority voted to proceed with a grant-funded fish-cleaning station project on a motion passed during its March meeting, resolving a funding gap left after value engineering but prompting a sharp exchange over whether marina operating funds should be used to cover the remaining $37,000.

The vote came after staff and the project engineer presented a status update on two linked projects covered by a single federal grant: a fishing pier that is under construction and a fish-cleaning station whose original bids exceeded the grant award. \"The installer is approximately 80% complete,\" said Matt, planning and development staff, describing the fishing pier work and the remaining punch-list items, including ramp adjustments, decking smoothing and railing tensioning. Matt said the pier installer will finish placement, then a walk-through and punch list will follow before final invoicing to the contractor, TrailSource.

The fish-cleaning station originally bid about $174,000 above the full grant amount, staff said. Engineers and the contractor identified approximately $137,300 in value-engineering savings, leaving roughly a $37,000 difference that still must be covered. \"There may be a little bit more savings during actual construction because some of the items are bid by quantities placed,\" Matt said. City staff recommended proceeding with the project now that the value-engineering reductions are in place.

Barb Lusko, marina facility manager, told the board she submitted five reimbursement claims to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) totaling $313,770.64 and listed a City match of $78,004.42. Lusko also reported that Port Authority property west of the waterway may qualify for an Indiana Brownfield program financial-assistance agreement through the Indiana Finance Authority and described the Phase 1 application materials the city would need to complete for a site assessment.

Board member Carl objected to using marina operating funds to cover the remaining shortfall. \"The marina funds are paid by the slip holders, and they should be fixing the marina, not fixing things that are not part of the marina right now,\" Carl said. He said he would not support proceeding until an alternative source for the $37,000 is identified and repeated later that he would vote against the motion.

Mayor Bonta and other members pushed back that the single grant covered both projects and that the work enhances the overall marina. Mayor Bonta argued that, because the city is pursuing a much larger marina redevelopment with other potential funding sources, absorbing a $37,000 gap for a completed, grant-awarded project is appropriate. Attorney Tom Dogen, the Port Authority attorney, said the board has authority to improve the marina and that the legal framework allows proceeding.

After discussion, a motion \"to proceed with the project\" was moved and seconded and the motion passed. The meeting record shows ayes were called and at least one nay was recorded; the transcript does not list a complete roll-call tally for the vote.

Procurement and local-hiring concerns arose in public comment. Marcela Constock, a senior construction analyst for the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, urged the board and the engineering firm to consider local skilled workers and contractors when issuing requests for proposals and public bids. She said the Portage area has many skilled tradespeople and expressed concern that some grant-funded work has gone to out-of-state firms. \"Our local skilled workers would like to have a seat at the table,\" Marcela said, asking staff to share contractor lists and to ensure local firms receive opportunity to bid.

Matt and Barb responded that procurement choices for the pier and some components were constrained by manufacturer requirements and the request-for-proposals (RFP) process. Matt said the pier manufacturer (identified in meeting comments as a proprietary system) provided a list of preferred contractors and that the installer, TrailSource, was selected to place the structure; staff said they had solicited local firms such as Ryan Construction for pricing. For the seawall work referenced by speakers, staff said the responsive bidder was a firm from Michigan (DK Construction) after soliciting several firms.

The board also discussed longer-term marina needs. Mayor Bonta and other members referenced a planned, larger marina overhaul that could require outside funding (RDC or bond financing) and said that, while marina operating funds alone could not pay for a multimillion-dollar rebuild, small gaps on grant-funded projects can be accommodated as part of the broader capital plan.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from previous meeting — Passed (voice vote).
- Treasurer's report (Marina operating funds $290,930.14; Port Authority funds $107,799.86 as of 02/28/2025) — Passed (voice vote).
- Claims (general) — Passed (voice vote after discussion and one claim withdrawal noted).
- Port Authority claims — Passed (voice vote).
- Motion to proceed with fish-cleaning-station project (value-engineered; $37,000 shortfall remaining) — Passed (motion recorded as passed; exact roll-call tally not specified in the transcript).
- Authorization to allow DNR/Coast Guard to occupy a slip for 2025 — Passed (voice vote).

Why it matters

The projects are part of a single federal grant that funded both the fishing pier and the fish-cleaning station. Proceeding finalizes work that will open new public amenities and ties into broader plans for marina rehabilitation. The debate over using marina operating funds underscores tension between preserving reserves funded by slip fees and advancing grant-funded capital improvements that the board and staff say enhance the marina’s value.

What’s next

Staff said the pier installer will return to finish placement and items on the punch list. The fish-cleaning station work will proceed under the value-engineered scope; after completion, staff will submit final invoices for DNR reimbursement. Barb Lusko said she is prepared to begin the Indiana Brownfield Phase 1 application if the board wishes to pursue remediation and reuse of Port Authority property west of the waterway.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting record and appear as: Matt (planning and development staff); Barb Lusko, marina facility manager; Carl (board member); Mayor Bonta; Attorney Tom Dogen; and Marcela Constock, senior construction analyst, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","COP Port Authority Mtg 03-13-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Portage City Port Authority voted to proceed with a grant-funded fish-cleaning station project despite a roughly $37,000 funding gap after value engineering; board members debated whether marina operating funds should cover the shortfall.","taxTitle","Portage City, Porter County, Indiana","taxId",53966,"location","headline","","shortSummary","actionData","errors"]

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Portage City Port Authority approves value-engineered fish-cleaning station despite $37,000 shortfall; debate centers on use of marina funds and local hiring