The Evansville Board of Public Works approved multiple contracts, grants and event permits in a meeting that included brief staff presentations and voice votes, while tabling one NDOT railroad‑crossing grant for further review.

The board approved a second 12‑month extension for the annual price agreement with HB Warehouse LLC for janitorial supplies; staff said there have been no price increases and that approximately $72,247.67 was spent during the first extension period. The board also approved awarding the vehicle and industrial battery contract from an RFP to Batteries Plus (APA‑005‑25), which staff described as the most favorable proposal.

Members approved several Affordable Housing Trust Fund home‑repair contracts: Rhinelander Construction for work at 222 Polster Drive for $10,805; Ace Home Improvements for repairs at 1424 South Governor Street for $44,735 (amount stated at the meeting); and another Ace Home Improvements contract for work at 1411 Judson Street for $42,400.

The board approved a contract and grant with Tri‑State Food Bank to operate a mobile pantry in select Evansville areas using remaining CDBG‑CV funds. Staff identified the total contract amount as $142,918.49 and provided the IDIS reference 51472025‑64CDBGCB; a staff member said these were the remainder of COVID relief funds available to that department.

A $5,015 contract and agreement with RoadSafe Traffic Systems for NDOT’s Railroad Grade Crossing Fund, intended for warning signage and pavement markings, was tabled. Staff and Mr. Miller said several candidate crossings on the submitted list either are on private property, have been removed by Norfolk Southern, or otherwise appear ineligible; staff asked for legal review before proceeding.

For transportation work, the board approved a $346,500 professional‑services contract with United Consulting Engineers Inc. to provide construction observation and utility‑relocation oversight on the roundabout project at Division and Crosspoint. Mr. Wong, describing the scope, said United would act as the city’s on‑site representative during construction, and added, “We simply don’t have the workforce in‑staff to sit out there.” Staff said utility relocation is a critical component and is expected to begin soon.

The board approved right‑of‑way permit applications (listed as 24502468 through 2476) with no exceptions noted and reminded applicants that the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices procedures must be followed and Board of Public Safety approval is required before lane restrictions or street closures. The board also approved several event barricade and road‑closure requests, including the Jacobsville Area Community Corporation’s Christmas on North Main parade (scheduled for Nov. 23, 2025), a University of Evansville basketball education day (Nov. 7, 2025) that will stage dozens of buses, and lane restrictions for the Indiana Beta Club Convention (Nov. 13–15, 2025).

The board opened two bids for a MET project, recording KES Research LLC (d/b/a The RISE Group) at $64,900 and Lochmuller Group Inc. at $70,000. Staff noted that one bid’s quote tabulation appeared both outside and inside the sealed envelope and said they would review the procedural irregularity before recommending award.

Bills and payrolls were approved by voice vote and the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance (as stated on the record):
• Approval of Oct. 30, 2025 BPW minutes — approved by voice vote.
• HB Warehouse LLC extension (janitorial supplies) — approved by voice vote; approximate prior‑period spending $72,247.67.
• Batteries Plus award (APA‑005‑25) — approved by voice vote.
• Rhinelander Construction, 222 Polster Drive (AHTF) — approved by voice vote; $10,805.
• Ace Home Improvements, 1424 S. Governor St. (AHTF) — approved by voice vote; amount stated $44,735.
• Ace Home Improvements, 1411 Judson St. (AHTF) — approved by voice vote; $42,400.
• Tri‑State Food Bank mobile pantry (CDBG‑CV) — approved by voice vote; $142,918.49 (IDIS 51472025‑64CDBGCB).
• RoadSafe Traffic Systems (Railroad Grade Crossing Fund, NDOT) — tabled for legal/eligibility review; $5,015 (tabled).
• United Consulting Engineers (roundabout oversight) — approved by voice vote; $346,500.
• Right‑of‑way permits (24502468–2476) — approved; standard conditions applied.
• Event barricades/closures (parade, U of E event, Indiana Beta Club) — approved.
• MET project bids opened (KES Research/Lochmuller) — bids recorded; staff to review irregularity.

Approvals were taken by voice vote with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the meeting transcript. Several items had brief staff presentations and little or no public comment. The board tabled the NDOT crossing grant to resolve eligibility concerns before returning the item for action.