Valparaiso City Board of Works approves claims, wayfinding signs, ambulance financing and downtown streetscape final change order

The Valparaiso City Board of Works met for a short session and unanimously approved a slate of administrative and capital items, including the city's 2025 year-end summary and the January 2026 claims register.

The board approved two internal wayfinding signs for the Journeyman attraction as part of an NDOT-sponsored program. City staff asked the board to authorize placements on Horse Prairie north of U.S. 30 (routing through West Street to Campbell) and at the Napoleon and Lincoln Way intersection; staff noted NDOT likely authorized signage on U.S. 30 and State Route 49 and said they would work with Mr. Oetting to place constrained Lincoln Way signage on existing signal infrastructure. “They do like to have the signage 200 feet away from the intersection where they would be making the turn,” a city staff member said. The board approved the two locations and directed staff to finalize exact placement.

The board also approved distribution of a two-page outdoor dining standards pamphlet for local restaurants. The guide summarizes layout, ADA distances and updated materials standards (including allowance of recycled plastic lumber for certain furniture and changes to planter-height guidance) and points restaurant owners to the full standards document.

A representative of the fire department asked the board to approve adjusted financing terms for ambulances the city contracted from Braun Corporation after a delivery delay. The representative said the payment start date will shift and that the interest rate dropped to 4.96%, yielding modest savings. The board approved the revised financing arrangement.

Maxwell, the project representative for the downtown streetscape work, presented Change Order No. 5—the project's final change order—to settle final quality balances and extend the contract to reflect a November completion. Maxwell recommended approval of the change order in the amount of $139,298.38; the board approved the payment and finalization. “We recommend your approval in the amount of $139,298.38,” Maxwell said.

The board cleared several routine planning items as well: it accepted an annexation waiver for 302 Apple Grove Lane, approved two 'no parking' sign installations in the Mistwood subdivision to improve intersection sight lines, and accepted a pathway easement along the south side of 500 North between Brigada Hills and Froeburg to allow pedestrian reconnection between Irongate and Froeburg Road.

The board also approved a neighborhood-engagement expense: a Schaefer Leadership Academy Premier Essentials membership to support neighborhood workshops and a community conference, with payment split (half now, half in July).

All motions were approved by voice vote with the board answering 'aye.' The meeting concluded without public comment and was adjourned.