Richmond City Board approves minutes, payments, permits, contracts and hiring list

The Richmond City Board of Public Works and Safety on Jan. 15 completed routine business and approved a series of procedural items, contracts and an employment list.

The board opened by approving the minutes of its Jan. 8 meeting and claims for Jan. 16 totaling $127,900.30.

Aaron Stevens, Administrative Resource Officer with the Richmond Police Department, presented four handicap parking sign renewal requests at 720 South 12th Street, 617 South 7th Street, 407 North 17th Street and 210 North 5th Street. "I've personally checked those and the conditions do warrant that a handicap sign be permitted or renewal of the permit as requested," Stevens told the board. The board approved the renewals unanimously.

Stevens also asked the board to approve two service signs: a "hidden driveway" sign to be posted at 4211 Bachmeier Road because sight lines are limited there, and two parking spaces on South 3rd Street, west of the courthouse, designated for the Wayne County coroner to be closer to their office. Board members asked whether planned driveway work might affect placement; Stevens said he would coordinate with city staff and return with updates if needed. The board voted separately to approve the South 3rd Street request and the Bachmeier Road request.

Chris Becker of Rosie Transit requested approval of contract 3-2026 with Integrity Testing and Safety Administrators to provide federally required drug and alcohol testing. Becker said the grant manager tied to Rosie Transit determined vendor selection and that the proposed vendor may be less expensive than the previous vendor. The board approved the contract and then approved a separate motion authorizing Becker to sign the agreement.

Lindsay Darnell, community development coordinator, and Pat Smoker, Director of Sanitation, presented Addendum No. 1 to contract 192-2024 with Guide Studio. The addendum would expand the city's 2025 rebranding work to create a sub-brand and public-education campaign for the Sanitation District's recycling initiative; Darnell said the sub-brand would "have the same color palette and same design" as the overall city branding while remaining distinct. The addendum amount was listed as "not to exceed $18,720." Darnell said the recycling effort is supported by a recycling market development grant, with the sanitary district receiving 50% reimbursement from the grant and providing the remainder from district funds. The board approved the addendum.

City Controller Tracy McGinnis presented an addendum to contract 144-2025, a fire services agreement with Spring Grove, telling the board the town's payment must be reduced because expenses included in the calculation have pushed the town to its max levy. McGinnis said the reduction is $13,185 and results in a revised payment of $65,404; she said Spring Grove makes two payments a year. The board approved that change.

The board also accepted a final plat that reconfigures property lines in the Midwest Industrial Park to simplify marketing by the county economic development corporation; Sarah Mitchell from the EDC was present. Finally, the board approved a hiring list of candidates from the Richmond Fire Departments 2026 application process. James Clark, assistant chief, said the list will be effective Jan. 1, 2026 "until exhausted." The board adjourned after voting on these items.

All listed motions were moved, seconded and approved with no recorded opposition in the meeting record.