Scottsburg Board schedules public hearing on private developer deal, approves payouts, change orders and several hires

The City of Scottsburg Board of Public Works and Safety on April 23 accepted a recommendation to publish notice and hold a public hearing on a proposed public‑private agreement with Haberman Group Inc., approved multiple contractor payments and change orders for local infrastructure, and confirmed several staff hires and a patrol promotion.

Board members said the board received one proposal for the project from Haberman Group Inc. and that the city’s RFP/Q committee — Mayor Amick, Clerk‑Treasurer Pardee and a committee member identified as Baker — recommended proceeding to the public‑notice stage. The board was told that, under Indiana law, the next step is publication of notice and a public hearing before the board may enter a public‑private agreement. The hearing was scheduled for May 14; no final contract was approved at the April 23 meeting.

The board approved “Temple payout No. 3,” a contractor payment described in meeting materials as $122,922; staff clarified the packet also showed $116,775.90 on the first page and that the larger figure includes a 5% retainage that will be held until project completion. An engineer signed the partial pay application, and board members said the retainage will be withheld until project closeout.

The board also approved a change order on an Elm Street sewer/lining project, funded by American Rescue Plan (ARP) money, to add two manholes so the city can line the pipe. City staff said the two manholes add roughly $24,000 to the work and that the lining covers about 800‑plus square feet; staff said this adjustment modifies quantities rather than increasing the project budget. The board voted to treat the work as an emergency and approved the change.

A stormwater fix on Grand Boulevard near Moon Glow Road — described as installing a catch basin in a homeowner’s yard and directing the flow under the street toward the city’s storm system — was approved; the packet lists an amount that appeared as “$21.50” in the meeting discussion. City staff said the work includes curb replacement connected to the catch basin installation.

The board approved an agreement for legal services related to a contemplated bond for infrastructure at Maple Run and associated TIF district work. Staff said the legal services agreement would only be paid if the bond closes and that the agreement relates to redevelopment commission/TIF infrastructure; the funding source for the legal fees was described in the meeting as not yet finalized.

The board approved the promotion of an officer identified as Jeremy, who is completing the police academy, to first‑class patrolman. The board also approved four new hires presented by HR director Emily Keller: Sean Collins as a street truck driver/laborer (start date April 28, 2025, with prorated cell‑phone and clothing stipend for May), Jesse Kenny as mechanic (start date April 24, 2025, with prorated stipends), Brianna Harold as a mayoral intern (start date May 2025) and Marla Ingram as a part‑time parks caretaker (start date May 2025).

Jan Hardy presented a request to return a deposit for an event at Mass Park to Christina Knaebel; the board approved the refund after staff confirmed inspection procedures for damage. At the close of the meeting the board moved to approve claims as presented.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to publish notice and schedule public hearing on the proposed public‑private agreement with Haberman Group Inc.; outcome: no final action taken; public hearing scheduled for May 14 (per staff). (Recommendation accepted; hearing to follow.)

- Motion to approve Temple payout No. 3 in the amount shown in packet ($122,922 including 5% retainage); outcome: approved. Retainage to be held until project completion.

- Motion to approve change order for Elm Street lining (adds two manholes, ARP‑funded); outcome: approved as an emergency. Staff said the manholes add about $24,000 and lining covers roughly 800+ square feet; quantity, not budget, was adjusted according to staff comments.

- Motion to approve stormwater/curb work at Grand Boulevard/Moon Glow Road; outcome: approved. Packet amount discussed in the meeting appeared as “$21.50” (see clarifying details).

- Motion to approve legal services agreement for bond/TIF infrastructure at Maple Run (contingent on bond closing); outcome: approved. Payment to be made only if the bond closes; funding source not specified in the meeting record.

- Motion to approve promotion of officer Jeremy to first‑class patrolman; outcome: approved. (Promotion and oath to be scheduled.)

- Motion to approve four personnel hires presented by HR Director Emily Keller (Sean Collins, Jesse Kenny, Brianna Harold, Marla Ingram); outcome: approved. Start dates and prorated stipends as noted above.

- Motion to refund deposit to Christina Knaebel for a Mass Park event; outcome: approved following staff inspection confirmation.

- Motion to approve all claims as presented; outcome: approved.

Why it matters

The board’s decision to move the Haberman Group proposal to public notice starts a formal public process required under Indiana law before the city may enter a public‑private agreement; any final contract and related TIF or bond financing must return to the board after the hearing and required notices. The approved payouts and change orders affect current public works projects (sewer lining, catch basin/curb work) that directly serve residents near Elm Street, Ray Street (across from the high school) and Grand Boulevard. The legal services agreement and references to TIF and bond financing signal continuing work to fund infrastructure tied to the Maple Run development.

What remains unresolved

No final public‑private agreement with Haberman Group Inc. was executed at the April 23 meeting; the board will hold a public hearing after publishing notice. The legal services agreement is contingent on a bond closing; meeting remarks did not specify the final funding source for those legal fees. The Grand Boulevard packet amount discussed in the meeting appeared in discussion as “$21.50”; the board did not clarify that figure during the discussion recorded in the transcript.

Sources: meeting transcript, April 23, 2025, Board of Public Works and Safety, City of Scottsburg.