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Votes at a glance: Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety approves contracts, sponsorships and dockets; two items tabled
Summary
On Feb. 16 the board approved Feb. 3 minutes, a preservation-services contract, event sponsorships, a three-year landscaping contract, temporary fire-department fundraising apparel, claims and payroll dockets, and conditionally approved a radio purchase contingent on council funding; emergency-fee approvals and a railroad-repair update were tabled to March 2.
The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety approved a series of routine motions and contracts during its Feb. 16 meeting and set several items for further consideration at the March 2 session.
Approvals recorded by unanimous vote included minutes from the Feb. 3 meeting; a one-year preservation-services contract with Indiana Landmarks for up to $7,000 plus $35 membership fees per commissioner/staff; two special-event sponsorships (Horizon Bank, $5,000 silver; Comcast Xfinity, $10,000 gold); a three-year landscaping contract with Lakeshore Landscaping LLC not to exceed $263,462 for 2026 (with 3% COLA adjustments for 2027–28); temporary duty shirts and fundraising apparel for the Michigan City Fire Department; and both the claims docket for 02/16/2026 and payroll claims dockets for 02/06/2026 and 01/30/2026.
The board also agreed to table two items to the March 2 meeting: approval of emergency fees under the Unsafe Building Act for four boarded properties (820 Buffalo St., 1914 Greenwood Ave., 1202 Tennessee St., 1504 E Barker Ave.) so certified mailings can be confirmed; and an update on cleanup of CSX railroad ties along Arthur Street and repairs at the Buffalo Street crossing, which had been pending and will be revisited.
Details and context: Staff said Indiana Landmarks has assisted the city’s Historic Preservation Commission for years and recommended renewing the service contract. Special events staffer Terry Greetham said the sponsorship approvals would bring the events fund to about $79,000 of a $100,000 goal, with additional pending contracts expected to close the gap. For landscaping, staff noted an RFP process in 2025 and recommended Lakeshore Landscaping based on quality and price; the 2026 contract includes termination provisions and a 3% COLA for future years.
What this means: Most items were routine renewals or budgeted expenses, and board members recorded unanimous aye votes on these motions. The two tabled items were delayed because property owners had not yet been served by certified mail (unsafe-building fees) and because staff had no update on railroad repairs.
Next steps: Emergency-fee approvals and railroad-repair updates will return March 2; the radio purchase request will move to the city council for appropriation before a final contract can be executed.
