Hobart’s Public Works Department will soon be filling its compressed natural gas-fueled vehicles in its own yard.
The Board of Public Works board approved low bidder Ozinga Energy of Mokena, Ill., to design and build a fueling station at a total cost of $708,000. Eighty percent of the cost will be covered by a federal grant with the city picking up the rest.
City Engineer Phil Gralik said the work should begin in 30 days and be completed within 90 days.
“Twelve vehicles will be able to fuel at once,” he said.
It will be a slow fill, taking 8 to 12 hours to completely fill each of the department’s large trucks, but Gralik said it would be done overnight.
Ozinga’s base bid of $654,000 was so low the city was left with unused federal dollars, he said.
“We asked what was the best way to use that money, and that led to additional storage,” he said, at a cost of $54,000.
Now, public works employees have to drive out of the city to fill up the vehicles.
In other matters, a representative for El Capitan restaurant at 327 Main Street asked for permission to have outdoor seating at the downtown location for food and alcoholic beverages and to put a boat on top of the restaurant.
Both requests were deferred.
Board member Thomas Ehrhardt said the requests must be in compliance with building codes and need to go before the Historic Preservation Committee first since the restaurant is in the historic district.
“They would like to see what it looks like,” Ehrhardt said of that committee.
Board member Rich Lain said the owners need to prepare a plan for the outdoor seating, contact staff and bring the plan back to the board for a vote.
The board approved a request from Sebo’s nursing home for an additional speed limit sign on 49th Avenue. It was recommended by Police Chief Rick Zormier.
Zormier said there are two speed limit signs heading east, but none for westbound traffic all the way to LaSalle Street. A sign within one mile of Liverpool Road was requested.
The city’s environmental resource coordinator, Kelly Goodpaster, received permission to place a gateway boulder to the city’s Nature District on city easement at the corner of LaSalle Street and 49th Avenue. It’s the third such boulder the board has approved.
In another matter, Jonathan Lawson was given 30 days to clean up the interior and exterior of a house he owns at 919 W. 7th Place using a licensed contractor.
Lawson had asked for 90 days. He said he purchased the property in January and a partner who was going to help him remodel it was no longer interested.
He said the house needs about $60,000 worth of work.
Ehrhardt said the property has been in need of work for about 10 years.
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
