The Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety on Wednesday approved $704,242.73 in claims and a package of routine contracts and intergovernmental agreements as the city prepares for holiday events.

Mayor Chris Barton called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance before the board moved through its agenda. Barton presented the claims packet totaling $704,242.73, which included payroll of $288,497.61, grant claims of $267,184.45, an apprentice payout of $6,093.59 and an item tied to Ordinance 2024-11 for $2,500. After a motion and second, board members recorded affirmative votes to approve the claims.

The board approved three professional-services agreements tied to the city's holiday activities. Barton said he was "excited" the vendors were available and moved to approve a traffic-services contract with Cynthia Neff, an MC services agreement with Matthew Preifocal for Friday's parade, and a stage-manager services contract with Kevin Price for the Light Up Logansport parade; all three motions passed.

On public-safety cooperation, the board approved two county agreements. The board approved a temporary lease so Cass County EMS can occupy the East End Fire Station while the county performs construction at its central station. Staff described the planned temporary occupancy as a way to maintain response capability during the construction project. The board also approved an automatic-aid agreement between the Logansport Fire Department and Cass County Fire District (transcript recorded as '1 8'), which staff said will add personnel on initial dispatches for structure fires, motor-vehicle crashes and first-responder calls.

The board also signed off on routine departmental reports: Mount Hope Cemetery's October report (18 burials in October; 10 traditional and 8 cremations; nine graves sold), the Parks Department's monthly update (staff reported roughly 200 people at a recent event, progress on clubhouse signage and trail cameras, and upcoming events including Breakfast with Santa), and the rental-property inspector's monthly report (28 parcels inspected in the month, 321 year-to-date; 48 letters sent last month).

Public-works actions included approval of a street-closure request for the Logansport Parks Department's Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 28 (requested 4 to 8 p.m. in specific downtown blocks) and approval of a curb/street-cut permit for QC Communications working on behalf of Comcast at 516 West Broadway to replace a broken pole between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15.

In a code-enforcement matter, the board addressed a multiple-violation case at 721 West Miami Avenue. Staff recounted two prior incidents (building materials on Feb. 6 and a mattress and trash left on Oct. 16) and a $500 fine that had been imposed with appeal rights. Owner/representative Roberto Ortiz and an interpreter said language barriers and tenant turnover contributed to the issues; staff said they had provided guidance about mattress-wrapping and the timing for curbside pickups. Mayor Barton moved to grant the appeal and waive the fine; the motion passed and the fine was rescinded.

The meeting closed with brief board comments about upcoming community events, including the Light Up Logansport parade and a Christmas market at Iron Horse Park, and then adjourned. Barton noted ADA Section 504 compliance would be considered for miscellaneous business and, finding none, moved to adjourn.