Carmel Board approves multiple contracts and event permits, tables Automobili street closure

CARMEL, Ind. — The City of Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety on Wednesday approved a series of contract awards, purchase orders and event permits and formally tabled a request to close streets for the Automobili/Artemobilia car showcase.

The board voted to award construction and professional-services contracts, approve vehicle and equipment purchases for public safety, accept county surplus equipment and appoint several city firefighters and medics as special police officers. The item to close West Carmel Drive for the Automobili/Artemobilia Supercar Showcase was tabled after fire and police officials recommended finding a location that would not require closing streets.

The actions move multiple capital and operating purchases forward and clear a schedule of community events for spring and summer; the Automobili item drew most of the meeting's discussion because public-safety staff urged alternative locations to avoid street closures that would limit emergency access.

Most significant contract votes

The board approved a construction contract for the Clay Center Road path construction and culvert replacement project, awarding HIS Constructors the low, responsive bid of $1,638,855. Brad Pease, director of engineering, recommended the award after the bid opening and the board approved the accompanying purchase agreement.

The board also approved a contract award for CityWorks support services to NV5 (NV5 Global, Inc.), which staff identified as the lowest responsive bidder for that service. An add-on utilities bid award for a 120 First Street main replacement was awarded to Yardberry in the amount of $182,070.

Public-safety equipment and services

Carmel Police Chief Drake Sterling presented multiple purchase requests that the board approved, including an amendment with Axon Incorporated for $60,118.83 to supply body-worn cameras and tasers for eight new police hires, and a $293,452.73 equipment purchase from Safety Systems for vehicle equipment for 32 vehicles. On the Axon amendment, Major Ryan Meyer said, “The monies involved are not city funds. They are forfeiture funds, so it's not taxpayer dollars that are involved.”

Other construction and change-order votes

The board approved a negative change order for All Star Paving reducing the contract by $36,496.97 for miscellaneous path connections and crossings; approved Crossroad Engineers PC for construction inspection services on the 140 First Street project ($222,000); and approved additional professional services from Lochmueller Group for two roundabout design packages ($873,800 for Ironwood Drive; $696,675 for 116th Street and River Road).

Utilities and escrow

The board approved an escrow agreement using an escrow account mechanism for a utilities project (no money exchanged at signing); the board also approved a $6,000 change order for TPI Utility Construction on the 6 Points Road water-main extension after staff explained the work paid for unforeseen utility relocation (fiber) encountered during construction.

Events and public-space permits

A large slate of event and public-space permit requests were approved, including recurring Midtown Plaza programs, the Homeplace block party, Monon Trail events (Bike to Work Day and Walk on the Monon with the mayor), multiple Civic Square gazebo reservations, and other neighborhood and nonprofit events. The proposed Supercar Showcase (Artemobilia) request to close streets for May 3 was tabled after the fire and police chiefs said they preferred a location that would not close roads. Fire Chief Joel Thacker told the board, “our recommendation is to try to work with them to find another location where we're not closing the roads, where they could have that event.” Plans chief Joel Heffner added, “It's a good event, but based on the reevaluation we've done of our city events and our safety and security of our events ... we would recommend another location that isn't gonna close streets and limit access.”

Appointments and donations

The board accepted a surplus Kohler generator from the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency for use by Carmel Fire Department and approved a batch of special-police-officer appointments that will integrate county and fire/EMS medics into the city's SWAT/response teams; the newly appointed special officers were sworn in at the meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Approval of meeting minutes, April 2, 2025 — approved (voice vote). - Clay Center Road path construction contract, HIS Constructors — award and contract approved; amount $1,638,855 (motion carried; voice vote). - CityWorks support services contract award, NV5 — approved (voice vote). - 120 First Street main replacement (add-on bid award), Yardberry — approved; amount $182,070 (voice vote). - Axon Incorporated amendment (body cameras/tasers) — approved; $60,118.83 (voice vote). - Safety Systems vehicle equipment purchase — approved; $293,452.73 (voice vote). - All Star Paving change order (final balancing), negative $36,496.97 — approved (voice vote). - Crossroad Engineers PC, inspection services for 140 First Street — approved; $222,000 (voice vote). - Lochmueller Group professional services (Ironwood Drive roundabout) — approved; $873,800 (voice vote). - Lochmueller Group professional services (116th Street/River Road roundabout) — approved; $696,675 (voice vote). - Thinman Construction escrow agreement — approved (voice vote; no funds exchanged at signing). - TPI Utility Construction change order #2, 6 Points Road water main — approved; increase $6,000 (voice vote). - Dineman Construction change order #1, 106th Street pump station expansion — approved; $31,124 (voice vote). - Multiple event and public-space permits (Midtown Plaza, Homeplace block party, Monon events, Civic Square gazebo events, etc.) — approved (voice votes); Automobili/Artemobilia street-closure request tabled for further public-safety review. - Acceptance of Hamilton County generator transfer — approved (voice vote). - Appointment of special police officers (listed at meeting) — approved and sworn in (voice vote).

What the board did not decide

The Automobili/Artemobilia request to close West Carmel Drive for the May 3 Supercar Showcase was tabled to allow police and fire staff to work with the applicant on location alternatives that would avoid closing streets and limiting emergency access.

Upcoming steps and context

Several construction projects approved at the meeting include follow-up steps such as permitting, utility coordination, and construction inspection; staff said some contracts include subsequent change-order authority within statutory limits. For events, permit approvals carry the usual public-works and public-safety conditions and require coordination with police and fire when street impacts or road closures are involved.

(For a full list of motions, award amounts, vendors and associated agenda codes, see the actions array and provenance attached to this article.)