Scottsburg Board approves paving contract, broadband upgrade, lake treatment and staff safety appointments

The Board of Public Works and Safety for the City of Scottsburg on Jan. 29 approved a series of routine contracts and personnel appointments, including a $361,989.51 low bid for a city paving project under the Community Crossing program, a Smithville service agreement to increase the city’s backhaul from 3 gig to 10 gig, an annual aquatic control contract to treat the city lake, and stipend appointments for the safety director and assistant safety director.

The board’s action on the largest item came when Jill Baker, a city staff member who opened the bid tabulation, recommended awarding the 2024-2 Community Crossing (CCMG) contract to the lowest responsive bidder, E and B Paving, at $361,989.51. Baker said the project covers about 10 streets, including Moonglow, Community Way, 1st Street (Railroad) and Woodstone Court, and described the work as a two-inch overlay with milling on curves for the full width of the roadway. Board members asked whether the contractor will adjust manhole covers and provide required testing; Baker and Joe Baker (city staff) confirmed those items were included in the bid scope. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote.

The board also approved a Smithville Master Service Agreement presented by Stacy Skinner (city staff). Skinner said the agreement would increase the city’s backhaul capacity from 3 gig to 10 gig and would reduce the monthly rate by about $100. She asked the board to authorize her to sign the contract electronically via DocuSign; the board approved that authorization by voice vote.

On parks maintenance, the board voted to approve an annual aquatic-control proposal to treat the city lake for algae and nuisance vegetation. The meeting record includes a colloquial exchange in which a meeting speaker said, “Is it gonna be a swimming pool? Absolutely not,” while describing the lake treatment as intended to keep nuisance growth away. The amount read during the discussion was unclear in the transcript; the board approved the treatment contract by voice vote.

Emily Keller (human-resources staff) asked the board to approve stipend appointments for the city’s safety director and assistant safety director, effective in February. Keller said the safety director role will be filled by herself and the assistant safety director by Joe Baker; she described the duties as employee training and ensuring use of required personal protective equipment. The board approved those appointments by voice vote.

The clerk-treasurer, Jan Hart, presented claims and the minutes of the Jan. 15 meeting; the board approved both by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after routine department reports and no public comments requiring additional action.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Jan. 15 minutes — motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote. - Aquatic-control proposal for city lake — motion to approve; approved by voice vote (amount as read in transcript unclear). - Smithville Master Service Agreement (increase from 3G to 10G; authorize electronic signature) — motion to approve and authorize signature; approved by voice vote. - Award 2024-2 CCMG paving contract to E and B Paving, $361,989.51 — motion to approve lowest responsive bidder; approved by voice vote. Work described as 2-inch overlay with milling on curves for full road width on approximately 10 streets. - Appointments: safety director (Emily Keller) and assistant safety director (Joe Baker), stipend positions beginning in February — motion to approve; approved by voice vote. - Claims as presented — motion to approve; approved by voice vote.

Board discussion focused on technical and implementation clarifications rather than policy debate. Members asked for confirmation that contractors would adjust manhole frames and perform required testing for the paving work, and staff confirmed those items were included in the bid specifications. No formal roll-call vote totals were read aloud; approvals were recorded by unanimous voice assent where the minutes show “all in favor say aye.”