Evansville Board of Public Works approves multiple contracts, opens city app and drainage bids

The Evansville Board of Public Works met Sept. 19 and approved a series of routine contracts, bid openings and administrative actions, including a $26,000 contract with Morley & Associates Inc. to design and bid new and renovated bus stops.

The board’s president (Speaker 1) opened the meeting at 1:31 p.m. and the board first approved the minutes from its Sept. 5 meeting. The board then moved through a set of new‑business agenda items, voting to approve contracts and to open solicitations needed for upcoming public‑works projects.

Why it matters: These decisions authorize design work, public outreach and procurement steps that lead to capital projects and neighborhood repairs — including ADA curb ramps, drainage improvements and pavement maintenance — which will shape public right‑of‑way work that affects residents and local contractors over the coming months.

Key approvals and actions

- Bus‑stop design contract: The board approved a contract with Morley & Associates Inc. for design and bidding services to place new bus stops and renovate existing stops, with a total contract amount of $26,000. Speaker 3 summarized the agreement as matching the terms presented and recommended retention of Morley & Associates.

- City app RFP: The board authorized opening the RFP for the City app. Staff later reported the city received one proposal from Nerds World LLC; the board voted to take that proposal under advisement while staff evaluates it.

- Housing and community needs assessment: The board approved a contract (IDIS #5027) with Transform Consulting Group Inc. for a citywide housing and community needs survey for $19,980.60. Speaker 2 said the survey is intended to reach Evansville residents and inform priorities for the next five years as part of the consolidated plan.

- Owner‑occupied rehabilitation: The board approved a contract allowing the Community Action Program of Evansville and Vandenberg County Inc. (CAPE) to contract with Ace Home Improvement to rehabilitate an owner‑occupied residence at 1305 East Franklin Street for $24,469.

- Pavement and paving change order: The board approved Change Order No. 1 with E & B Paving LLC for the 2024 mill‑and‑overlay Phase 1 project, increasing the contract by $2,922.48 to a new total of $1,090,335.24. Speaker 6 said the increase covers material allowances to address differing field conditions.

- Right‑of‑way permits: The board revisited appendix A permit requests. One previously tabled permit (No. 1733) was continued again while staff reaches the applicant; permits 1930–1936, 1938–1940 and 1942–1955 were approved with no exceptions; permit 1941 was noted as an exception because the work location is not in the public right‑of‑way and requires no action.

- Advertising for bids: The board approved advertising dates for the 2024 ADA curb ramp improvements and for project 24‑016/2025 (pavement crack sealing) after staff noted minor date revisions.

- Walker Avenue drainage bids: When the board reconvened consideration of the Walker Avenue drainage improvement project, staff reported three bids (Blankenburger Brothers Inc. for $345,200; Sam Trucking & Excavating Inc. for $389,741.20; and Koberstein Contracting Inc. for $380,811.50). The board voted to take the bids under advisement for further review.

- Barrett Law sidewalk program: The board approved a notice of hearing and a preliminary resolution under the 2024 Barrett Law sidewalk program to certify and mail notices to affected property owners and to set the required public hearing date.

- Special event barricades (Shriners): A late request from the Shriners asked for four additional barricades for a Sept. 22 toy‑run event. Staff and police confirmed the applicant provided a certificate of insurance and an application but had not requested barricades originally; the board approved the barricade request conditioned on receipt of any required waiver.

- Administrative items: The board approved bills and payroll and adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

Votes at a glance (outcomes summarized)

- Approval of Sept. 5 minutes — approved - Morley & Associates Inc. contract ($26,000) — approved - Open RFP for City app — approved; Nerds World LLC proposal taken under advisement - Transform Consulting Group Inc. housing survey (IDIS #5027, $19,980.60) — approved - CAPE / Ace Home Improvement owner‑occupied rehab ($24,469) — approved - E & B Paving LLC Change Order No. 1 (+$2,922.48; new total $1,090,335.24) — approved - Right‑of‑way permits (multiple) — select permits approved; 1733 tabled; 1941 exception noted - Advertise ADA curb ramp improvements and pavement crack sealing — approved - Walker Avenue drainage bids (three received) — bids taken under advisement - Barrett Law notice of hearing and preliminary resolution — approved - Shriners barricade request (4 barricades) — approved pending required waiver - Bills and payroll — approved

Who spoke (selected)

- Speaker 1 — Board president (chair), presiding over motions and votes - Speaker 3 — Staff who summarized several agreements and bid results (first cited for Morley & Associates and later for bid tallies) - Speaker 6 (Mr. Waugh) — staff associated with the City Engineer’s office who explained project date revisions and the paving change order - Speaker 2, Speaker 4, Speaker 5, Speaker 7 — board members and staff who moved/seconded motions and participated in discussion - Speaker 8 — applicant/contact on the special‑event (Shriners) barricade request

What’s next

Staff will proceed with evaluation of the city app proposal from Nerds World LLC and further review of the Walker Avenue drainage bids. Notices and mailings required under the Barrett Law program will be prepared and a public hearing date will follow as part of the sidewalk assessment process.