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 and, community vendors setting up booths. Right. Was well attended. We estimated 300 plus people walked through that day." Kevin Spah, executive director at The Woodland, confirmed the neighborhood supports the event and that the city police and fire chiefs had approved the closure. The requested closure covers the property frontage described to the board; the mover specified approval would be "pending the payment of the fee." The board approved the permit on that condition.

Public Works staff presented a proposal to lease a larger paving machine from Callister Equipment (the Caterpillar dealer) to expand in-house paving operations. The department said the lease would likely be 48 months at about $106,000 per year and that a substantial discount through Sourcewell reduced the machine—s cost to roughly $448,000 plus interest; the speaker contrasted that with an undiscounted price of about $578,000. A Public Works staff member said the new machine is needed for 30- and 36-foot-wide roadways and boulevard work and that the department may keep, sell or auction its existing machine if trade-in values remain low. A board member moved approval of the lease agreement; the motion passed on a voice vote. When Board member Jerry Weiss asked, "Is there a, lease option to purchase?" Public Works staff answered, "Yes. We'll own it at the end of the April."

Nikita Adams of the Office of Community Development described an amendment to a Better Ways Landlord Liaison Home ARP contract that went into effect in January 2024 with an initial one-year term and options to renew up to four additional times over five years. Adams said the amendment increases the amount paid under the contract for the current year because the liaison "really showed a strong connection with the, community that he's serving and he just, connects homeless with, landlords to create places for people to live." A board member moved approval of the contract amendment; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

Procedural items handled at the start of the meeting included approval of the Feb. 19 minutes. The board heard no unfinished business and adjourned after new-business items were concluded.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Feb. 19 minutes: motion moved and seconded; approved on voice vote. - Approval of register of claims ($690,122): motion moved and seconded; approved on voice vote. Packet noted a $16,000 claim for 16 police windshields and a second utilities run including Kinder Morgan, Indiana Michigan Power, Indiana American Water and Comcast. - Street-closure permit for The Woodland anniversary event (May 15): approved pending payment of $20 fee. Organizers estimated 300+ attendees; city police and fire chiefs had approved the plan. - Public Works lease agreement for paving machine (48 months): approved on voice vote. Department stated lease ~ $106,000/year for 48 months, total approximately $448,000 plus interest after a Sourcewell discount (undiscounted price cited as ~$578,000). Board was told the city will own the machine at the end of the lease in April. - Amendment to Better Ways Landlord Liaison Home ARP contract: approved on voice vote. Contract began Jan. 2024 with renewals available; amendment increases this year—s payment to the liaison who connects people experiencing homelessness with landlords.

What was not specified - Exact dollar amount of the contract amendment for the landlord-liaison position was not specified on the record. - Exact start and end times for the street closure (hours of closure) were not recorded in the discussion.

Next steps and implementation notes - The street-closure approval is conditional on payment of the $20 fee; organizers said they would pay through the usual city office (Kilgore was referenced as where the fee had been paid previously). - The lease agreement requires the finance/administration steps consistent with a lease-to-own purchase; staff said ownership is expected at the end of the lease term in April. - The landlord-liaison contract amendment takes effect as approved and remains subject to the original contract—s renewal schedule.