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Votes at a glance: Board of Public Works and Safety, March 17 — parking, claims, contracts, PACE grants
Summary
The board approved routine claims and payroll, a water/sewer adjustment request, a 10-minute parking space, several resolutions including street closures, a professional services agreement for a Main Street reconstruction project, event contracts, and multiple PACE rehab grants; one street-closing resolution was tabled.
The Board of Public Works and Safety took a series of routine and project votes at its March 17 meeting. Key outcomes are listed below.
• Minutes and claims: The board approved the meeting minutes and both general and payroll claims as submitted.
• Water/sewer adjustment, 708 West Fourth Street: The board approved a customer request for a water/sewer bill adjustment related to a leak discovered after the property changed ownership. Staff cited an adjustment figure during discussion; the board approved the proposed adjustment. (Amount recorded in meeting discussion contained inconsistent readings; see clarifying details.)
• 10-minute parking, 108 East Main Street: The board approved a permanent 10-minute parking space in front of 108 E. Main to accommodate the golf-simulator business (owner Aaron Ehler) and nearby takeout restaurants; the board discussed making the restriction 24 hours to benefit drop-offs and pick-ups and asked staff about whether a resolution or formal documentation would be required for sign installation.
• Food truck parking/permit (Resolution 2025-9b): The board voted to approve a request from Chuck (Paco on his Poke Wagon) for two parking spaces for a March event tied to a downtown anniversary; board approved by voice vote.
• Street closings (Resolution 2025-10b), Life Choices Clinic Walk for Life: The board approved street-closing requests for the annual walk; organizer Lisa Perry said the group expects 250–300 participants and will begin at the Heritage Trail, finishing near the Fairfield Inn; the group will submit an event safety plan and coordinate final closure details with parks/staff.
• Street closings (Resolution 2025-11b), Molly Datillo 5K: The board tabled this item until a representative could attend.
• Vacant/abandoned structures (Resolution 2025-12b): The board voted to forward the proposed registration and abatement ordinance to the Common Council for consideration (covered in a separate article).
• Professional services agreement (Jacobi/Toombs & Lawns) for Main Street CCMG project: The board approved a professional services agreement with Jacobi Toombs and Lawns for engineering and inspection services on a Main Street corridor project tied to a CCMG award. Staff said the overall construction is a roughly $3,000,000 CCMG award and the services agreement is up to $75,000 and includes part-time inspection; the contractor will have an 18-month window to close out per INDOT requirements but staff expects 4–5 months of active construction.
• BYB event services contract (harvest festival): The board approved a contract with BYB Event Services (annual vendor) for the harvest festival; staff said sponsorships should cover the fee increase.
• PACE program: The board approved eight new rehab grant applications (each listed with requested city grant amounts or final disbursement), one amendment to a prior application, and one final disbursement. The board-approved round totaled $59,732.88 in new awards plus an amendment request of $1,137.50; staff said these projects leverage significant private investment (presenters cited an approximately 8:1 leverage ratio across the round).
The board closed the meeting with announcements about upcoming council items, construction timelines for Main Street and Bicentennial restrooms, and the next board meeting scheduled for Monday, April 7.
