Carmel Board approves slate of contracts, grants and permits including siren replacements and major utility work

The Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety on Wednesday, Jan. 22 approved a series of contracts, professional‑service amendments, permits and grants, including a $239,317.10 contract to replace five tornado sirens, multiple road and water‑system contracts and a $100,000 grant to a local nonprofit.

The actions resolve short‑term infrastructure needs and authorize longer‑range planning work the city says will support traffic, storm‑water and public‑safety systems. Several items were routine contract signings for projects previously awarded; one construction award was tabled because of outstanding federal funding conditions.

Board action and highlights

- The board approved a $239,317.10 purchase from Emergency Radio Services LLC to replace five tornado sirens as the first phase of a multi‑year replacement program for the city’s roughly 21 sirens. Kevin Cusimano, director of Information and Communication Services, said, “So while that says new here, that is the replacement of 5 tornado sirens,” and that the city plans to replace about five sirens per year until the full system is updated.

- The board approved awarding and contracting for several road and roundabout projects, including a contract with Calumet Civil Contractors Inc. for the 106th and Westfield Boulevard roundabout. Brad Peace, director of engineering, recommended Calumet as “the lowest responsible bidder.” The board also approved multiple professional‑services amendments for design and inspection work by Crossroad Engineers PC for Town Road roundabouts, the 116th Street thoroughfare study and the 106th & Lakeshore Drive roundabout.

- The board approved utility contracts and add‑ons: contract signings for 2024 water main improvements and the River Road Water Main Extension with TPI Utility Construction LLC (amounts on the agenda $705,675 and $917,450 respectively), and accepted three utility add‑on contracts for booster pump station and storage tank work and Well 29 that were presented as add‑ons during the meeting.

- The board approved a professional‑services amendment of $70,500 for Yard Group LLC (doing business as Yard & Company) to continue the Homeplace planning project. Mike Hollobaugh, director of Community Services, said the work involves a resident and business working group and “creating a framework for a plan that we think will have great acceptance in the neighborhood.”

- The board approved a $100,000 grant agreement for Prime Life Enrichment Inc. (recorded as a council‑allocated grant) to fund operational expenses.

- The board approved a memorandum of understanding describing roles for the Board of Public Works and Safety and the city council related to the city’s 2024 lease rental bond process and authorized a $200,000 parking study in the central core with Indianapolis Parking LLC as part of longer‑range redevelopment planning.

- The board approved an amendment to CL Coonrod & Company for the annual comprehensive financial report (estimated at $108,561), an additional services amendment for AVI Systems Inc. for preventive audiovisual maintenance ($131,473), and American StructurePoint for inspection services related to 106th & Keystone repairs ($102,060).

- One construction contract for Almond and Newark Neighborhood work with William Charles Construction Co. LLC was tabled because federal funding and related contracts need to be executed before award.

- The board approved routine permits for special uses and events including live music at Midtown Plaza (March–November 2025), the Sam Costa Marathon route (March 22, 2025) and Civic Square/Carmel Fest operations and fireworks July 2–5, 2025.

Votes at a glance (selected agenda items)

- Approval of minutes (Dec. 18, 2024) — approved (motion carried).

- Bid openings/readings for multiple paving and repair bids (25‑STR‑02; 25‑STR‑1 106th bridge repair) — informational; bids recorded on the record.

- Award: 20‑ENG‑13, intersection improvements (106th & Westfield roundabout) — Calumet Civil Contractors Inc.; recommended by Brad Peace; approved.

- Contract: Calumet Civil Contractors Inc., 106th & Westfield roundabout — $2,307,500; approved.

- Contract/signing: TPI Utility Construction LLC, 2024 water main improvements — $705,675; approved.

- Contract/signing: TPI Utility Construction LLC, River Road water main extension — $917,450; approved.

- Add‑ons approved (three utility contracts previously awarded): Filimon Construction Inc. (booster pump station) — base bid $5,497,000 (plus alternate); Preload LLC (west ground storage tank) — $6,288,000; National Water Services (Well 29) — $848,848; all approved as add‑ons.

- Professional services: Crossroad Engineers PC — $430,000 (Town Road roundabout/pedestrian crosswalk improvements) — approved.

- Professional services: Crossroad Engineers PC — $279,000 (116th Street thoroughfare study) — approved.

- Professional services: Crossroad Engineers PC — $494,850 (106th & Lakeshore Drive roundabout design/inspection) — approved.

- Professional services: American StructurePoint Inc. — $102,060 (106th & Keystone repair inspection) — approved.

- Purchase of goods/services: Emergency Radio Services LLC — $239,317.10 (replacement of five tornado sirens) — approved.

- Purchase of goods/services: PKS Construction Inc. — $85,509 (City Hall dumpster enclosure additional services amendment) — approved.

- Professional services: Yard Group LLC (Yard & Company) — $70,500 (Homeplace project, additional services) — approved.

- Agreement/grant: Prime Life Enrichment Inc. — $100,000 (grant for operational expenses per council allocation) — approved.

- Professional services: CL Coonrod & Company — estimated $108,561 (annual comprehensive financial report) — approved.

- Professional services: AVI Systems Inc. — $131,473 (2025 service plan, AV preventive maintenance) — approved.

- Professional services: Indianapolis Parking LLC — $200,000 (central‑core parking study) — approved.

- Memorandum of Understanding: City and Board roles for 2024 lease rental bonds — approved.

- William Charles Construction Co. LLC — Almond and Newark Neighborhood contract — tabled (federal funding contracts outstanding).

- Consent to encroach items (113695 Autumn Lake Overlook and items 6a–6d) — approved subject to conditions recommended by engineering.

- Uniform conflict of interest filings (items 6e, 6f, 6g) — approved.

- Resolution BPW01‑08‑25‑01: presentation/transfer of pistol and badge to Lieutenant Jonathan Allen Foster (retirement) — approved.

- Nomination: Susan Westermeyer to Carmel Plan Commission — approved.

- Permits/uses: Midtown Plaza live music Wednesdays (Mar–Nov 2025); Sam Costa Marathon (March 22, 2025); Civic Square/Carmel Fest (July 2–5, 2025) — all approved.

What board members and presenters emphasized

Presenters framed several approvals as either routine contract signings for previously awarded bids or as follow‑up phases of ongoing programs. Brad Peace presented multiple engineering and construction items. John Duffy, director of utilities, and Sergei Grichuk of the office of corporation counsel presented the utility add‑ons as related projects that had been previously awarded and were now before the board for contract signatures. Mike Hollobaugh, director of Community Services, described the Homeplace project as a multi‑stage public‑input process to produce a neighborhood framework. Kevin Cusimano explained the tornado‑siren replacements as phased replacements of aging equipment.

Closing note

The board finished its agenda in under an hour and added three utility contracts as add‑ons for immediate action. The meeting included routine housekeeping, vendor agreements and planning studies; the one tabled item was paused specifically to complete required federal funding contracts before final award.