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Logansport board approves $1.0 million in claims, multiple contracts, equipment purchase and a cleanup order
Summary
At its April 2 meeting the Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety approved $1,003,922.13 in claims and a package of contracts and agreements covering tree work, sidewalks, a tractor purchase, event parking and an emergency property cleanup; an electrical license was also granted.
The Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety on April 2 approved claims totaling $1,003,922.13 and a slate of contracts and administrative actions ranging from tree pruning and sidewalk repairs to an equipment lease and an emergency property cleanup.
The board, chaired by Mayor Chris Martin, voted unanimously with Board Member Levi Jones present; Jacob Palmasol was recorded absent. The claims package included payroll payments of $289,350.39, pension pay of $37,869.26, fire pension pay of $70,862.05, a McGovern payout of $6,235.02 and a first payment to UA Bank of $151,500. The claims list also cited industrial park claims of $5,200 and TIF discretionary claims of $4,606.
Why this matters: the approvals authorize routine operating payments and small capital and maintenance projects that affect public works, parks and downtown events. The meeting also set procurement steps for a larger road resurfacing contract advertised under the Community Crossings program.
Votes at a glance:
- Approve minutes (03/26/2025). Motion approved (Mayor Chris Martin moved; Levi Jones seconded). Vote recorded: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve claims totaling $1,003,922.13 (includes payroll and pension items and line items listed above). Motion approved (Chris Martin moved; Levi Jones seconded). Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve translation-services contract for Irvin Crews. Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Small's Maintenance & Electrical Install Services professional services agreement (time clock wiring for both fire departments). Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Heartland Tree Service tree pruning agreement (additional pruning/cleanup beyond a prior contract). Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve BEC Memorial Center change order No. 1 for additional asbestos sampling, $1,487.50. Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Tremendous Designs gathering table services agreement for Ethan Clubhouse. Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve MR Loudon sidewalk and ramp agreement (sidewalk repairs adjacent to city pool, includes bump out and driveway work). Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve John Deere equipment purchase/trade-in: trade-in value cited as $15,000, purchase price $41,909, with lease payments discussed of about $9,600 spread over five years. Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve parking-lot use request for Logan's Landing to host the Celebrate Logansport event on Fourth Street and East Market Street (vendors and activities such as bounce house, music, food and family activities disclosed). Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve code enforcement weekly report (staff reported notices, citations, cleanups and vehicle tag/clearance numbers). Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve emergency property cleanup at 400 Howard Street (staff reported extensive trash/debris, water issues and repeated prior complaints). Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
- Approve electrical license for Aaron Swigart doing business as Bleak Electric. Motion approved. Vote: Chris Martin — yes; Levi Jones — yes; Jacob Palmasol — absent. Outcome: approved.
What the board discussed and directed: staff explained that Heartland Tree Service performed additional pruning and hauling beyond the earlier contract and that a small change order was needed at the BEC Memorial Center to cover additional asbestos sampling. On the MR Loudon sidewalk item staff said the work responds to resident complaints and includes a bump-out and driveway repairs adjacent to the pool. On the John Deere purchase staff and board noted the purchase is charged to the golf-course budget and includes a trade-in allowance.
Code enforcement report and cleanup order: Code enforcement officer Randy reported sending 37 new notices the prior week, clearing 44 properties, leaving 20 pending, issuing 12 citations and conducting seven cleanups. He told the board the 400 Howard Street property was being brought in as an emergency cleanup after repeated enforcement actions and that the property appeared vacated with 15–20 trash bags and debris outside and overflow from a garage; Randy said, "We're actually bringing this in as an emergency cleanup." The board approved cleaning the site.
Procurement notice: Mayor Chris Martin said the advertisement for bids under the Community Crossings pavement program (mill, patch and resurface) went out the same day. Bids are due by 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Logansport Clerk Treasurer's Office, Room 203, City Building, 601 East Broadway.
The board adjourned after routine member comments.
