Evansville Board of Public Safety approves police equipment donations, contracts and multiple permits

The City of Evansville Board of Public Safety on Feb. 5 approved acceptance of donated police equipment, contracts for departmental services and a series of special‑event and roadway permits during a meeting that moved through routine business with minimal debate.

The board voted to accept donations from the Evansville Police Foundation and to approve a contract with Deaconess Clinic for the police department’s annual physicals and lab work. The board also approved a three‑year contract with Firecat LLC for hose and ladder testing for fire apparatus and voted to surplus two dive masks and two regulators.

The items from the Evansville Police Foundation listed by Captain John McQuay included 16 canine vests (two types), 40 handheld "pepper ball" launchers, 80 refills for those devices, one surveillance pod and a total of 12 ballistic shields across three types. "We're requesting permission to accept the following items from the Evansville Police Foundation," McQuay said when presenting the list to the board.

Deputy Chief Kim Garrett asked the board to approve a three‑year testing contract with Firecat LLC for hose and ladder testing. "We would like to request approval of a contract with Firecat LLC for hose testing and ladder testing for the apparatus. This is a 3 year contract," Garrett said. The motion to approve carried with the board's routine voice vote.

The board handled a cluster of special event permits and temporary traffic or parking impacts: Bethel Temple's Java Joint 5K (March 1), the Fifth Third Bank Turkey Day 5K presented by Evansville Goodwill Industries (Nov. 27), the Rise Up and Run events and a Saint Patrick's Day on Main (both March 15), and the Evansville Mac and Cheese Festival (March 28–30). Sergeant Adam Will’s items were read into the record in his absence, including required insurance and barricade contingencies for some events.

City engineering and public‑works related items approved included multiple road closures and utility work: a new 12‑inch water main installation at the intersection of North Fourth Avenue and East Eulehorn Street (approx. March 17–April 18), a water‑main tap at 8204 Spry Road (Feb. 11), repair work on Court Street to address a sinkhole and storm sewer (Feb. 12–March 5), and a February 13–14 tap by Allstate Hoffman Plumbing. The city clerk read the project descriptions and closure windows; Jennifer Blankenship of City Engineering told the board she had no items to add that day.

Other administrative approvals included a dumpster permit for 2605 West Virginia Avenue following a fire (Feb. 4–April 4), truck permits for Superior Ag Resources Cooperative on Riverside Drive and Veterans Memorial Parkway, a parking permit for Allstate Hoffman Plumbing tied to a vault project, a horse‑drawn carriage permit for Riverwind Carriage Company (up to four carriages, six seats each, $30 per carriage for up to six passengers), and a massage therapy business license for Salty Rewaxation Spa at 320 Eagle Crest Drive, Suite B (owner listed as Amanda Carter; three employees; three massage tables; zero shower stalls).

Board business items approved included claims, the minutes from the Jan. 22, 2025 meeting, and scheduling the next meeting for Feb. 26, 2025. The board adjourned shortly after 1:15 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Accept donations from Evansville Police Foundation (equipment list specified by Captain John McQuay): approved (voice vote). - Approve contract with Deaconess Clinic for annual police physicals and lab work: approved (voice vote). - Approve three‑year contract with Firecat LLC for hose and ladder testing: approved (voice vote). - Surplus two dive masks and two regulators: approved (voice vote). - Bethel Temple Java Joint 5K (March 1): permit approved (pending valid insurance). - Fifth Third Bank Turkey Day 5K / Evansville Goodwill Industries (Nov. 27): permit approved. - Rise Up and Run events / Saint Patrick's Day on Main (March 15): permits approved. - Evansville Mac and Cheese Festival (March 28–30): permit approved. - Road and utility closures for water‑main installation, taps and sinkhole/storm sewer repairs (multiple permits with dates and locations read into the record): approved. - Dumpster permit, truck permits, parking permit, horse‑drawn carriage permit, and massage business license (Salty Rewaxation Spa, owner Amanda Carter): approved. - Approve claims and minutes (Jan. 22, 2025): approved.

The meeting record shows routine, procedural action on items presented by department representatives; the board did not request additional staff reports or set conditions beyond those noted in the permit readings (for example, pending valid insurance for some special events).