Muncie board approves claims including $41,000 utility payment, grants flex space for Vera Mae’s Bistro; cameras draw questions

The Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety on June 10 approved the June 3 meeting minutes, accepted the register of claims — which included a roughly $41,000 claim to Indiana Michigan Power for street lights and signals and purchases of Smart View 360 street cameras — and granted a request for flex space for Vera Mae’s Bistro.

City Controller Craig Wright presented the register of claims and told the board he had distributed the claims in advance. "We had a claim for over 41,000 for street lights and signals to Indiana Michigan Power," Wright said, and he noted the list also included purchases for streets and a set of what he described as "high-tech cameras." Wright offered to answer questions from the board and the public.

During public comment, newsman and author Rick Yencer asked whether the cameras were Flock devices and "what's the intent of these cameras?" A city staff member replied the equipment is operated by the street department and identified the units as Smart View 360 cameras, saying they are for traffic/streets use and "not surveillance for the police." The board then moved to approve the claims by voice vote; the motion carried.

Board member Lola Mauer disclosed she serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club in connection with an item listed on page 12 related to summer programming; the disclosure was noted and did not block the claims vote.

On new business, restaurateur Ron LaHody asked the board to grant flex space for Vera Mae’s Bistro, saying a lease had been signed about a month earlier and that interior updates were planned but no outdoor seating initially. "I'm looking maybe first week of July," LaHody said when asked about timing, adding the project must still clear the county board of health, the fire inspector and occupancy checks. The board approved the flex-space request by voice vote and indicated city staff would provide the applicant with the signed document to proceed.

In further public comment, Rick Yencer said he had heard that a local recreation facility, Twoey’s, will reduce open days to four per week and urged the city to expand summer options for children. He also mentioned that the city recently hired Rondale Earnsberger for park planning at "almost $100,000," urging that planning lead to action to help neighborhood children.

With no further business, the chair closed the meeting and adjourned.

The board took no formal roll-call vote tallies in the transcript; actions were recorded as carried by voice vote. Next procedural steps noted in the meeting record: Vera Mae's Bistro must complete required health, fire and occupancy approvals before opening.