Logansport Board approves bids, service contracts and monthly departmental reports

The Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety on Dec. 17 approved a package of routine business including annual bid awards, service contracts and monthly departmental reports.

Mayor Chris Martin opened the meeting and the board unanimously approved minutes from Dec. 10 and claims totaling $458,887.18. Martin listed subitems included in the claims packet, and the motion passed on a three-member roll call (Chris Martin, Jacob Palmasol and Levi Jones voted yes).

Staff presented annual bid recommendations for concrete and paving. After reviewing the bid tabulation, staff recommended awards to Laufeng for concrete work and Central Paving for paving and materials. "Looks like everything is in order," one staff member said before the board voted to accept the bids.

The board also approved a negotiated settlement and release agreement with Waste Management to resolve outstanding tipping fees and related county payments. Kelly summarized the agreement, saying it "had been negotiated for quite a while" and that the deputy mayor signed the agreement earlier to expedite payment. The meeting record does not specify the settlement amount.

Several vendor contracts were approved for 2026 operations. The board approved a professional services agreement for translation services submitted for Devilma Wagdala; a cleaning-services contract with Army of 5 Cleaning Services for the Logansport Police Department; and an annual digital advertising agreement with Existential Media to promote Parks Department programming.

Parks staff reported a range of updates for November and plans for 2026, including that the driving range remains on hold with a target to open in spring, clubhouse signage has been ordered, trail cameras are nearly complete, Spencer Park lighting is pending arrival of poles, and the park’s storage barn is nearly finished. Parks staff said Christmas in the Park drew about 2,500 vehicles through the park and Breakfast with Santa had 145 attendees. The board approved the parks report.

Mount Hope Cemetery reported five burials in November (four traditional, one cremation), seven grave sales and routine maintenance; the board approved the cemetery report. Community Development reported 55 actions in November, including 28 building permits, two demolition permits and two variances; the report was approved.

Fire Department and Police Department monthly reports were presented and approved. The fire report noted 140 alarms in November, including two structure fires; staff described a Nov. 10 residential attic fire at 214 17th Street in which occupants were evacuated and there were no injuries. The police report listed 663 calls for service, 38 arrests, 35 citations and animal-patrol activity resulting in 18 animals taken to the shelter.

Police leadership also described a proposed surplus trade with Acme Sports in Seymour, Indiana, to exchange older duty and off-duty pistols for new pistols equipped with red-dot optics; the board approved the surplus trade. The Street Department reported seasonal work and snow/ice removal hours and noted 23 emergency callouts related to the first snowstorm; that report was approved.

The board approved a NIPSCO application to cut a 45-foot, 2-inch diagonal trench across an alley at 401 East Market Street to install a gas pipeline serving a new building near the Farmers Market. Board members offered closing comments and thanked outgoing staff member Tyler for his service. Mayor Martin moved to adjourn and the meeting ended following a unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: all motion votes recorded in the meeting (including minutes, claims, bids, settlement with Waste Management, translation services, cleaning services contract, Existential Media advertising, departmental reports, pistol surplus trade, street-department report and NIPSCO curb/street cut) were approved on unanimous recorded votes by the three members present (Chris Martin, Jacob Palmasol, Levi Jones).