Richmond City board approves series of contracts for corridor study, trail design and fire department hires

The Board of Public Works and Safety of Richmond City approved a package of contracts and addenda at its Oct. 23 meeting, moving forward work on street and trail design and confirming several firefighter training agreements.

Matt Keller, director of public operations and engineering, asked the board to approve contract 1572025, a consultant engagement not to exceed $174,000 to produce a development plan for the Northwest 5th Street corridor—from the I‑70 ramp into town—intended to examine zoning, sidewalks and entryway improvements. Keller said the study would “come up with some ideas for the Northwest 5th Street corridor” and noted similar work had been done about 27 years earlier. The board approved the contract by voice vote.

Keller also presented contract 1582025, a design agreement not to exceed $153,100 to create a multiuse trail connecting Fort Wayne Avenue/7th & D to the Cardinal Greenway. Keller said the project would include traffic-signal considerations, curb ramps and pavement replacement and would focus on multimodal connections between the Depot District and the Greenway trailhead. Board members asked whether intersection work would be handled in the same study; Keller said the intersection work would likely be a separate but closely timed effort. The contract was approved.

Assistant Chief Clark of Richmond Fire presented a set of employment contracts (1622025–1672025) for probationary firefighters who will pursue paramedic certification within five years; each agreement includes a prorated reimbursement clause requiring employees who leave before completing the period to reimburse the city. Clark said the appointments cover the current school year for instructional support and training; the board approved the contracts.

The board also approved other items tied to public safety and maintenance: change order #1 to contract 522025 (safety systems) to cover modifications related to new lighting on a staff vehicle, and addendum #2 to several existing service agreements, including electrical services with Cummins Electric, Biocare medical/fitness services, overhead-door maintenance, Lexapol policy-licensing services and Evapar generator maintenance. During discussion about Evapar’s generator maintenance, a board member asked whether a $600 warrant test was included in a stated $2,500 fee; the board approved the addendum conditionally with the attorney asked to confirm contract language.

The board voted to refer bids for property work and roofing to the appropriate departments for tabulation and consideration and approved routine items including claims and minutes.

The board did not set implementation dates for the corridor and trail studies beyond contract timelines; Keller noted the corridor study’s target completion date of Sept. 6, 2026. The meeting concluded after a brief miscellaneous discussion about a closed animal-welfare facility that is for sale and could merit administrative follow-up.