Category Archives: News & Events

Updates, messages and other announcements are posted under this category with the intent to notify residents. Posts under this category are emailed in a newsletter at the end of the day.

Invitation for bids

 CITY OF GOSHEN INVITATION FOR BIDS 

FOR THE PURCHASE OF MINI EXCAVATOR 

The City of Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety is soliciting sealed offers for a 2023 or newer mini excavator for use in the City of Goshen’s Cemeteries Department. The Board of Public Works and Safety is hereinafter referred to as “City”. 

Offers are also being solicited for the following optional item. The City reserves the right to select the optional offer. Offers for the optional item are not conditional on offers offered for the mini excavator. 

The Specification Documents may be obtained from the City of Goshen’s Clerk-Treasurer’s Office, 202 South Fifth St., Goshen, IN 46528 or the City of Goshen’s current Bidding Opportunities portal at https://goshenindiana.org/bidding-opportunities. The City shall not be responsible for documents obtained from any other source. 

Offers shall be submitted in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders and all contractual terms and conditions that are included in the Specification Documents. In addition to price, offers will be evaluated based on whether the Bidder is responsible, and if the Bidder’s offer is responsive. 

Offers shall be filed with the City of Goshen Clerk-Treasurer’s Office, 202 South Fifth Street, Goshen, IN 46528 until 1:45 p.m. December 11, 2023 at which time all offers received will be taken to the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting to be publicly opened and read aloud. The Board meeting will be held in City Court Room/Council Chambers at the Goshen Police & Court Building, 111 East Jefferson Street, Goshen. 

The City of Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety reserves the right to reject any and all offers, delete any portions thereof, to waive any informalities or irregularities in any bid received, and to award a contract, consistent with Indiana law, to the lowest responsible and responsive Bidder. Award of contract is contingent on the availability of funds. 

Invitation for bids

 CITY OF GOSHEN INVITATION FOR QUOTES 

FOR THE PURCHASE OF HYDRAULIC EXTRICATION TOOLS 

The City of Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety is soliciting sealed quotes for various hydraulic extrication tools for use in the City of Goshen’s Fire Department. The Board of Public Works and Safety is hereinafter referred to as “City”. 

Offers shall be submitted in accordance with the Instructions to Quoters and all contractual terms and conditions that are included in the Specification Documents. In addition to price, offers will be evaluated based on whether the Quoter is responsible, and if the Quoter’s offer is responsive. 

Offers shall be filed with the City of Goshen Clerk-Treasurer’s Office, 202 South Fifth Street, Goshen, IN 46528 until 3:45 p.m. April 4, 2024 at which time all offers received will be taken to the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting to be publicly opened and read aloud. The Board meeting will be held in City Court Room/Council Chambers at the Goshen Police & Court Building, 111 East Jefferson Street, Goshen. 

The City of Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety reserves the right to reject any and all offers, delete any portions thereof, to waive any informalities or irregularities in any bid received, and to award a contract, consistent with Indiana law, to the lowest responsible and responsive Quoter. Award of contract is contingent on the availability of funds. 

Goshen Parks and Recreation hosting open house for master plan

The City of Goshen’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a community open house on Thursday, March 21, to provide the public an opportunity to share comments and feedback on the draft parks master plan.

The five-year master plan is designed by the Goshen Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with input from Goshen residents. It outlines strategies the department will pursue to continuously improve facilities and services. Throughout the planning process, the Parks and Recreation Department provides the community with the opportunity to actively engage in directing future recreational opportunities in Goshen.

The draft of the 2024-2028 Goshen Parks Master Plan can viewed at goshenindina.org/parksmasterplan.

The open house will be at Schrock Pavilion in Shanklin Park, 411 West Plymouth Ave., from 4 to 6 p.m. If you cannot attend, residents can share comments at cwelsh@abonmarche.com.

Statewide tornado siren test happening tomorrow

The City of Goshen is alerting residents that a statewide test of tornado sirens will happen tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, at 10:15 a.m. If residents hear tornado sirens around this time, this is just a test of the system and no reason for alarm.

This test is part of Indiana’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week. You can find more info about Severe Weather Preparedness Week here.

Boil Order for Lincolnway E

In Consultation with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, it has been de-termined that the water customers should boil their drinking water. This precautionary measure is recommended because a water main valve will be shut off to do repairs in your area. 

It is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for five (5) minutes before using. Please con-tinue to boil all cooking and drinking water un-til we notify you that it is no longer necessary. 

Until we resolve this drinking water problem, we are also asking that you conserve water and only use what is necessary for household and personal needs. 

We appreciate your cooperation during this time and will update you as necessary until the drinking water problem has been solved. If you have any questions concerning the drinking water problem, please contact the water de-partment at 574-534-5306.

A Boil advisory is not as bad as it seems. Whenever there is a disruption of water ser-vice, it is always a cautious measure to issue a boil advisory allowing our customers to make an informed decision based on their particular situation. There is an inherent risk of contami-nation when the soil around the pipe is dis-turbed due to the main break and subsequent repair of the water pipes. 

We take every precaution to minimize the risk of contamination. Water is then tested in cycles of 24 hours to ensure that there are no contaminants present. Two sets of samples are taken 24 hours apart, when both samples come back clean the boil advisory is lifted. 

Normal water pressure for city service is 60 pounds of pressure. During a boil order, pres-sure may become low until the problem is fixed. 

Clientes de Agua de Goshen Orden De Ebullición 

En consulta con el Departamento de Gestio n Ambiental de Indiana, se ha determinado que los clientes de agua deben hervir su agua potable. Esta medida de precau-cio n se recomienda porque una válvula principal de agua se apagará para realizar reparaciones en su área. 

Se recomienda que toda el agua de coccio n y bebida se lleve a una ebullicio n completa durante cinco (5) minu-tos antes de usar. Por favor, continu e hirviendo toda el agua de cocinar y bebida hasta que le notifiquemos que ya no es necesaria. 

Hasta que resue lvanos este problema de agua potable, tambie n le pedimos que conserve el agua y utilice so lo lo necesario para las necesidades dome sticas y personales. 

Agradecemos su cooperacio n durante este tiempo y le informaremos si es necesario hasta que se haya resuelto el problema del agua potable. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el problema del agua potable, po ngase en contacto con el departamento de agua al 574-534-5306 

Un consejo de ebullicio n no es tan malo como parece. Siempre que se produzca una interrupcio n del servicio de agua, es siempre una medida de precaucio n emitir un aviso de ebullicio n que permita a nuestros clientes to-mar una decisio n informada basada en su situacio n par-ticular. Existe un riesgo inherente de contaminacio n cuando el suelo alrededor de la tuberí a es perturbado debido a la ruptura principal y posterior reparacio n de las tuberí as de agua. 

Tomamos todas las precauciones para minimizar el riesgo de contaminacio n. Luego se prueba el agua en ciclos de 24 horas para asegurarse de que no hay conta-minantes presentes. Dos conjuntos de muestras se to-man a intervalos de 24 horas, cuando ambas muestras vuelven limpias se levanta el aviso de ebullicio n. 

La presio n normal del agua para el servicio de la ciu-dad es de 60 libras de presio n. Durante un orden de ebullicio n, la presio n puede bajar hasta que el problema se arregle. 

Elkhart County Pay Dirt 2024

Where cultivation and construction meet.

Tuesday, March 5th 2024 at 6 PM – 8 PM

Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds 17746 CR 34 Goshen, IN 46528

The evening of Tuesday, March 5th the City will hold its annual Flood Resilience Public Meeting. This event is free and part of the paydirt conference. The public meeting will be an opportunity for city and county residents to hear details of Goshen’s Flood Resilience Plan, the impacts of flooding in the City, efforts to both adapt to and mitigate flooding, and to interact with experts and displays.

The second event will be a complimentary municipal breakfast that will provide required training on good housekeeping and pollution prevention to municipal employees. 

Municipal Breakfast

Thursday, March 7th 2024

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

The City of Goshen is one of four municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) communities in Elkhart County and together we are the Greater Elkhart County Stormwater Partnership. The MS4 communities are the City of Elkhart, the City of Goshen, Elkhart County, and the Town of Bristol. 

The Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been a supporting partner of the Greater Elkhart County Stormwater Partnership since the Partnership was formed in May of 2005. The SWCD is an integral partner in implementing public education, outreach, and involvement, as well as reviewing stormwater pollution prevention plans and conducting construction site inspections. 

The city of Goshen supports the Conference as part of the Greater Elkhart County Stormwater Partnership.

Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, Goshen’s Environmental Resilience Department head is one of the speakers in the Urban Conservation Path breakout session on Wednesday, March 6 and the city’s Stormwater Department will be there to help moderate sessions as needed. 

Breakout Session

PDH Credits pending ACEC approval

Design Path

  1. Rob Beck, IN Department of Environmental Management
  2. Donovan Wilczynski, Keramida Inc.
  3. Kate Barret, St, Joseph River Basin Commission

Contractor Path

  1. Chad Montgomery, IN Ready Mix Concrete Association
  2. Joe Moore, Erosion Construction Services
  3. Rob Beck, IN Dept. of Environmental Management

Urban Conservation Path

  1. Jenna Wait, Soil & Water Conservation District
  2. Krystofer Yacks, Aquascapes of Michiana
  3. Aaron Kingsley, Goshen Department of Environmental Resilience

Learn more about the Pay Dirt conference and events here: https://www.elkcoswcd.org/pay-dirt/

Community Relations Commission to host International Women’s Day Luncheon

The City of Goshen Community Relations Commission is hosting a luncheon on International Women’s Day, Friday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goshen Theater to celebrate and honor women in the Goshen community. 

“I’m looking forward to celebrating the women of Goshen and am grateful to the Community Relations Commission for organizing this event,” said Mayor Gina Leichty. “Creating opportunities like this luncheon encourages a spirit of engagement, which leads to a stronger and more connected community.” 

This is the first International Women’s Day event hosted by the City of Goshen and the Community Relations Commission and aims to create a space for women in Goshen to gather and celebrate one another.  

Tickets for the event are $45 and include lunch catered by Bread and Chocolate and presentations from prominent local women.  

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit goshenindiana.org/womensday.  

About International Women’s Day 
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The annual event has occurred for over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. March 8, 2024, marks the first International Women’s Day event hosted by the City of Goshen and the Community Relations Commission.  


About the Community Relations Commission  
The Community Relations Commission (CRC) is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Goshen by creating programs and initiatives that benefit all community members. The Commission is committed to establishing a city free from racism and discrimination. It fosters strong bonds among residents and within neighborhoods, addresses complex issues, advocates for health, safety, and wellness, and encourages courteous and respectful interactions among Goshen’s diverse population.  

City of Goshen announces new firefighter training program in partnership with Goshen Community Schools

The City of Goshen and Goshen Community Schools announced a new Fire and EMS Pathway Program during Monday’s joint City Council and Goshen School Board meeting to enable students from Goshen High School to complete fire and EMS training. 

“This exciting new partnership between the City of Goshen and Goshen Community Schools is the result of the innovative thinking and dedication of individuals from both organizations,” said Mayor Gina Leichty. “I’m looking forward to the continued partnership with Goshen Schools and helping provide opportunities for students to develop marketable skills for life after high school.”  

This two-year program allows students to gain the necessary certifications through Ivy Tech to fulfill all requisite skills required to be hired as a firefighter or an EMT. Recruitment for the program will begin immediately, with plans for the program to start at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. This new pathway program will be housed in the Chandler building.  

The Fire and EMS Pathway Program will not only provide students who aren’t planning on attending college the opportunity to pursue a well-paying career straight out of high school but also fulfill a need for new recruitment avenues for the Goshen Fire Department.  

“I am so excited for Goshen High School to work with the City of Goshen on the new Fire and EMS pathway,” said Jim DuBois, Goshen Community Schools Superintendent. “This new opportunity for our students fits neatly with my belief that the education of young people is really a community responsibility. Our students and our community both benefit when we work together.” 

While a similar program is available at the Elkhart Area Career Center, transportation to and from the facility in Elkhart has, at times, proved difficult. Having this program housed in Chandler will remove barriers to student participation.  

“The new pathway will not only provide valuable career opportunities for our students but will also contribute to the community by increasing the pool of qualified firefighters and emergency medical personnel,” said Cathy DeMeyer, Goshen High School Principal. “Having GHS alumni already serving as Goshen firefighters and paramedics adds a meaningful connection for us, and we hope it will serve as an inspiration for our students.” 

Goshen Fire Department has selected Travis Peak as the instructor and recruiter for the program. Peak has led the Fire Academy for the Goshen Fire Department for the last five years. Goshen Community Schools will also provide a mentor teacher to help guide students through the program.  

“The Goshen Fire Department is extremely excited to partner with Goshen Community Schools in offering this new pathway program,” said Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink. “We always look for opportunities to serve the Goshen community beyond our daily emergency response, and being able to provide education to Goshen students has been a dream of ours.” 

With the creation of this new training facility, the Goshen Fire Department will also have the potential to offer EMS training to the public, expanding medical training opportunities for everyone.  

Public Notice: South Wellfield Drive – Notice of Intent

The City of Goshen (204 E. Jefferson Street, Suite #1, Goshen, Indiana 46528) will be submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) letter to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) of their intent to comply with the requirements of the Indiana Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSGP) to discharge stormwater from construction and land disturbing activities associated with the construction of a drive for the testing of the future wells at the City of Goshen South Wellfield.

The project is located off the southeast corner where County Road 27 turns west, south of the intersection of Dierdorff Road (County Road 27) and Waterford Mills Parkway (County Road 40). Located in SW 1/4 of Section 35, Township 36 N, Range 6 East, in Elkhart Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.

Runoff from the project will soak into the underlying soil with an eventual release to the Elkhart River to the southwest.

Questions or comments regarding the project should be directed to Jason Kauffman, Stormwater Coordinator, by calling 574-534-2201 or sending an email to jasonkauffman@goshencity.com.

Community Relations Commission kicks-off third essay contest

Calling all students in grades 7-12! The Community Relations Commission is once again kicking off its annual essay contest.

This essay contest is designed to challenge the City’s future leaders to rethink what it takes to build a community where every neighbor can live, work, and learn to their fullest potential. This year’s prompt encourages students to imagine how to create communities that are safe and welcoming for everyone.

Any student in grades 7-12 who lives in Goshen is eligible to participate. The contest will be divided into two age groups, 7-8 grade and 9-12 grade. First, second, and third place will be awarded cash prizes during the March 25th City Council meeting. The first-place winner from each group will also have the opportunity to present their essays at the Goshen Chamber of Commerce’s Founder’s Day Celebration.

Students interested should answer the following prompt:

Imagine you are a member of a group working to make your community safe and welcoming for everyone. Write an essay that explores at least three of the following:

  1. What does it mean for a community to be safe and welcoming for all? Describe the important things that make people feel safe in their community.
  2. Share a story about a time when you or someone you know didn’t feel safe in your neighborhood or community. Explain why they felt that way and what could be done to make things better.
  3. Think of three ideas or actions that this group could do to make your community safer and more welcoming for everyone. Describe these ideas and why they are important.
  4. Talk about any challenges the group might face when trying to create a safer community. How do you think these challenges can be overcome?
  5. What do you think people who live in the community can do to help make it safe and welcoming for everyone? Share your thoughts on what individuals can do to support the group’s efforts.

Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on March 1, 2024. To submit your essay and for more information, visit goshenindiana.org/crcessays.