CARMEL, Ind. — The Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety on Jan. 7 approved a series of routine procurements, technical waivers and personnel actions, including the purchase of an ambulance and related equipment, vehicle‑graphics and engineering services, and two add-on agenda items requested during the meeting.

The board voted to approve minutes from its Dec. 17, 2025 meeting, then moved through contract approvals. Fire Chief Joel Thacker told the board the department added a fifth front-line ambulance this year by returning a reserve unit to service and is replacing that reserve. “So we'll likely receive this ambulance the end of this year,” Thacker said, noting industry-wide production delays and that the department was moved up in the manufacturer’s production line.

The board approved the purchase of an ambulance from Penn Care Inc. for $389,690 and separately approved a Stryker power-load cot system for $68,395.22 that Thacker said will be installed in the new unit and reduce physical strain on staff.

Other contracts approved included a vehicle‑graphics continuation with Turbo Images Inc. to outfit 46 additional vehicles (contract amount ~ $80,000) and a professional services amendment with Crossroad Engineers PC for $120,000.53 to assist with design and consulting on Range Line Road improvements. Crystal Edmondson of the Carmel Street Department described the Crossroad agreement as a consultation and said the city requested the firm’s help with design questions.

Engineering staff recommended and the board approved two stormwater waivers — for 4455 West 126th Street and for 03rd Avenue Southwest — and an area‑waiver request for small‑cell modifications on existing poles. Brad Deese, director of engineering, said staff reviewed aesthetics and fit and recommended approval on these items.

The board also approved Resolution BPW01072601 to transfer and present a pistol and badge to Lieutenant Charles Fisher in recognition of more than 20 years of service, including 18 years on the SWAT team and prior roles as a K‑9 officer and range master. Board members praised Fisher’s service during the resolution presentation.

Two add‑ons were added to the agenda and approved. Benjamin Lehi asked the board to add and approve a purchase of 2026 Ford vehicles for the police department because the Ford ordering window is closing; Lehi said the vendor used a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract that would provide savings. The board also added and approved a resolution to remove the special‑police appointment for Samuel Brown after Brown moved to a different city role; Lehi cited Indiana code and a July 2023 board resolution as the basis for removing the appointment.

The meeting adjourned after the votes.