Evansville Board of Public Works approves drainage, sidewalk, housing and public Wi‑Fi contracts

The Board of Public Works for the City of Evansville approved a series of contract awards and amendments Tuesday, including a $33,800 award for a drainage repair at Mount Vernon and Riggs avenues, a $82,864.60 sidewalk contract under the Barrett Law program and two affordable‑housing rehabilitation contracts and extensions. The board also approved one‑year internet service and maintenance agreements supporting nine public Wi‑Fi beacons in the city.

City staff presented the Mount Vernon and Riggs Avenue joint repair drainage project (Project 24‑021) and recommended award to the apparent low bidder, Blankenberger Brothers Inc., at $33,800; the board moved, seconded and approved the award. Staff said bids had been opened and evaluated in prior meetings and the low bidder was found to be qualified to begin work.

The board approved a contract with Rivertown Construction LLC for the Barrett Lehi sidewalk replacement (Project 24‑017) to serve six property owners who enrolled in the Barrett Law program, at a contract amount of $82,864.60. City staff said the solicitation was opened as a bid and that the low bid met state bidding requirements. "This is the Barrett Law program for this year. We had six participants," staff summarized.

In housing actions, the board approved a contract with HOPE of Evansville Inc. to rehabilitate a four‑bedroom home at 618 East Delaware Street and provide down‑payment assistance for sale to an income‑eligible buyer; the total contract amount is $316,000. Staff said buyer eligibility generally requires household income below 80% of area median income and that the sale price is set by appraisal within program limits.

The board approved contract amendment #2 with Advantech Development Corporation to extend the expiration for the 818 Madison Avenue project to March 5, 2025, and to permit the use of set‑aside down‑payment assistance; the amendment amount reported was $272,397. The board also approved amendment #5 with Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County Inc. to extend work on two properties at 1106 and 1108 Cody Street to May 5, 2025, at a total contract amount of $293,271.84. Staff said the Cody Street units are complete but sales have been delayed by appraisal and lender issues associated with container homes.

On digital access, the board approved a one‑year agreement with RCN Telecom Services of Illinois LLC (doing business as Astound Business Solutions) to provide internet service for nine public Wi‑Fi beacons at a total cost of $88,800. DMD staff said the program began with COVID‑era funds to support remote learning, has expanded from roughly 4–5 beacons to nine and targets high‑traffic community locations. The board separately approved a $21,706.80 contract with Advanced Network and Computer Services Inc. for monitoring and troubleshooting the Wi‑Fi beacons.

Other routine items approved included Appendix A right‑of‑way permit recommendations (with site‑specific implementation of the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) and a right‑of‑way permit for a county contractor on Oak Hill Road involving a waterline extension across Williams Brooks Drive, which lies in a county jurisdiction within the city's annexation boundary. The board approved bills and payrolls as presented and set meeting dates: a meeting scheduled for December 26 at 1:30 p.m., no meeting on January 2, and resumption of meetings on January 9 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 1:43 p.m.

Votes at a glance: approval of the 12/12/2024 minutes (voice), award of Project 24‑021 to Blankenberger Brothers Inc. ($33,800) (voice), contract with Rivertown Construction LLC for Project 24‑017 ($82,864.60) (voice), amendment to Donna Bailey contract (extend to 06/30/2025; $14,000) (voice), HOPE of Evansville contract for 618 E. Delaware ($316,000) (voice), Advantech amendment for 818 Madison (extend to 03/05/2025; $272,397) (voice), Community Action Program amendment for 1106/1108 Cody St. (extend to 05/05/2025; $293,271.84) (voice), RCN/Astound one‑year internet service for nine beacons ($88,800) (voice), ANCS monitoring contract ($21,706.80) (voice), approval of Appendix A ROW permits and county contractor ROW for Oak Hill/Williams Brooks (voice).

The board's actions were procedural approvals and contract authorizations; staff flagged program details where relevant (Barrett Law participant count, HOME program eligibility, appraisal requirements and market timing for home sales). No contested motions or roll‑call votes are recorded in the transcript; approvals were taken by voice. The transcript records staff explanations but does not show dissenting votes.