Evansville Board of Public Safety OKs traffic safety changes, equipment contracts and a slate of fall events; takes several construction items under advisement

The Evansville Board of Public Safety approved a package of traffic-safety measures, departmental equipment and service contracts, and a set of community event permits at its meeting; the board also denied a request to close a roadway for a protest and took two construction-related lane-closure requests under advisement for additional review.

The board voted to allow the city to erect no-parking signs and paint a curb yellow at the intersection of the Lloyd Expressway and South Barker Avenue after the Indiana state highway department gave the city permission to proceed on state-controlled right-of-way. Curtis (city staff) presented photos and described parked vehicles obstructing the on-ramp and sight lines. “They gave us an email from the state highway department that said whatever we need to do to make that intersection safe, go ahead and do it,” Curtis said. The motion to install signs and paint the curb passed without recorded opposition.

The board accepted several public-safety items brought by the Evansville Police and Fire departments. The police department accepted a donation from the Evansville Police Foundation of five simunition-rated defensive headgear units for training, and the board approved declaring a list of older police vehicles surplus so they can be removed or traded. Fire department requests approved included a contract with Stryker Sales for EMS medical equipment, a contract with Sonitrol (security service) for department buildings, and approval to surplus a Mini Ray unit that is beyond service life. Deputy Chief Kim Garrett presented the fire items; the board approved the contracts and surplus actions by voice vote.

A series of special-event permits for fall were approved. Approved requests included: - Tiki on Main: pedestrian overflow for a Zach Top concert closing Main Street (Oct. 11, 2 p.m.–10 p.m.) - City Church of Evansville: outdoor movie night closing Market Street (Sept. 27, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.) - University of Evansville: Ace Care 5K closing Walnut and adjacent streets (Oct. 25, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.) - Dirty Dog Productions: arts and music event closing Adams (Oct. 17, 3 p.m.–11 p.m.) - Signature School: Main Street attraction (Oct. 3, 2 p.m.–10:30 p.m.) - FJ Wright Instrumental Music Booster Club: "Drill on the Hill" band competition (Sept. 13) - Evansville Rescue Mission: Drumstick Dash route permitting (Nov. 8, 8 a.m.–10 a.m.) - Ali Smith Art LLC / University South Neighborhood Association: Boo La La at Lock Park (Oct. 31) — approved pending a valid certificate of insurance - University of Evansville: Winter on Walnut (Dec. 3–4) — approved

The board denied a request from the Sierra Club to close Vine Street in front of the CenterPoint Energy building for a rally (Sept. 21). The Evansville Police Department had recommended denying that closure because it would block the business driveway and because the department said roadway closure for a protest had not been done in the past; staff told the group they could use an available wide sidewalk instead.

Other routine items approved or ratified included several dumpsters-in-the-street requests, approval of precious-metal/gold-dealer business applications (Tri State Gold & Silver; Evansville Coin Club; Kay Jewelers), renewal/approval for an e-scooter operator (Joy Punks LLC, 100 e-scooters), approval of claims, and approval of board minutes from Aug. 13, 2025.

The board handled building-commission bid openings for three demolition projects (2218 W. Columbia St., 1519 W. Missouri St., and 911 E. Powell Ave.). Bids were read publicly from multiple vendors. The low bidder overall was listed as Demilly Excavating (Demilly) with low bids reported of $8,314 (2218 W. Columbia), $8,224 (1519 W. Missouri) and $11,713.56 (911 E. Powell). The board took the bids under advisement to allow staff review and to follow up on one bidder’s notation that asbestos abatement might be required for 911 E. Powell.

Two lane-restriction requests were tabled for further paperwork or clarification: 805 S. Green River Road (water service connection; original permit said no lane closures) and 1277 N. Saint Joseph Avenue (water and storm sewer connection; right-of-way permit not yet applied for). The board approved a short morning closure at 323 Main Street to set a crane for rooftop materials, conditioned on 72-hour advance notice to adjacent property owners and the Evansville Economic Improvement District.

Board members emphasized safety and administrative compliance throughout the meeting. Chair (unnamed) moved multiple items and asked staff to follow up where paperwork or additional coordination with city engineering and the police department was required. The board set a return date in two weeks for the Empire Contractors/Bowen Engineering downtown parking request; Jake Martin, president of Empire Contractors, requested that the city delay enforcement of a two-hour parking restriction and consider a 10-hour parking allowance while his company uses a nearby lot as a laydown area during a downtown building addition.