Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Beautification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bid board OKs up to $300 for stain, discusses Indiana Avenue repairs and tree concerns
Summary
The board approved a not‑to‑exceed $300 purchase of stain to restore downtown benches and trash cans, discussed Indiana Avenue concrete repairs under INDOT right‑of‑way and reported a lost tree grant and pending arborist review for a bank‑front tree.
La Porte City — The board authorized a modest, volunteer‑supported push to restore downtown benches and trash receptacles and received updates on Indiana Avenue repairs and tree care at its June 8 meeting.
Jamie, a city engineering staff member, told the board she contacted Sherwin‑Williams to color‑match stain for benches and trash cans and proposed purchasing up to six gallons of stain, not to exceed $300, and organizing volunteer crews to sand and restain fixtures on Lincoln Way ahead of July 4. "I'm gonna get some volunteers together," she said, and requested supplies be dropped off at City Hall.
A board member moved to approve the stain purchase and volunteer plan; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Jamie also updated the board on Indiana Avenue, saying the planned work will likely use concrete rather than brick banding because of cost and maintenance concerns and noting that the area is INDOT right‑of‑way. "Those were in their right of way... those are not going back in," she said referring to raised planters removed for the project.
On trees, Jamie said a PNC Bank representative reported a possibly dead tree; she asked an arborist to inspect. She also said a tree grant previously available to the city has been lost, so there is currently no municipal tree crew to perform removals or major pruning without outside funding.
Board members discussed prioritizing sidewalk safety and trip hazards against beautification work; one member suggested focusing on functional repairs first and using volunteers for staining and light restoration. The board confirmed plans to start stain work on Lincoln Way and to expand to side streets as supplies and volunteers allow.
The board adjourned and set its next meeting for July 13.
