Muncie City board approves $690,122 in claims, equipment lease, street closure and housing contract amendment

The Muncie City Board of Public Works and Safety on Feb. 26 approved $690,122 in claims, a 48-month lease to buy new paving equipment, a street closure permit for a May anniversary event at The Woodland and an amendment to a landlord-liaison contract run by the Office of Community Development.

The approvals, taken during a short meeting of the board, advance a planned upgrade to in-house paving capacity, clear the way for a neighborhood event expected to draw several hundred people and increase funding for a landlord-liaison position that helps place people experiencing homelessness into housing.

The board approved the weekly register of claims after Greg, the register of claims, noted the packet included a second utilities run for payments to Kinder Morgan, Indiana Michigan Power, Indiana American Water and Comcast. He also pointed out a claim on page 9 for "$16,000 for police windshields" — described in the packet as 16 windshields installed on police vehicles. A board member moved approval of the claims for $690,122; the motion carried on an oral voice vote.

The board approved a street-closure application from The Woodland for its anniversary event on May 15, contingent on payment of a $20 fee. Connie Kiger, director of business development, said, "It We had the same event last year, so it'll be a very similar event. We have live music, food vendors…