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Board hears reports on sewer leak, sinkhole, parks upgrades and police staffing ahead of July 4
Summary
City department heads told the board about a force-main leak caused by a corroded air release valve, a repaired sinkhole over an old cistern, parks ADA work at Joe Shafer, and police hiring and training plans — including 12–13 dispatcher interviews from about 20 applicants.
At the June 15 meeting the Board of Public Works and Safety heard routine department reports that highlighted a recent sewer-line problem, a repaired stormwater sinkhole, parks improvements and police staffing plans for summer events.
Chris Toothman, wastewater, told the board the collection system experienced a force-main leak near 8th and Lafayette caused by an air-release valve that had corroded. "It was a air release valve that was buried about 3 inches under the pavement ... it corroded out the bottom. We're just going to replace it with a plastic one and pave it back," Toothman said, and staff planned to restore pavement after replacing the valve.
Toothman also reported a sinkhole repair near 16th (or 6th) and Franklin adjacent to the railroad; crews found a cistern likely used historically for fire suppression at a former chair factory and repaired the roadway. He said Lockmiller Group has started soil testing for a roof project at the plant, and noted the floodwall reached about 33 feet recently, prompting crews to work on the response.
Parks and Recreation Director Steve Barker described ongoing work at the new sports complex, including parking-lot painting, new concrete signs and the installation of an ADA ramp at Joe Shafer Park. Barker said a Cash Wagner parking survey helped staff repaint stall markings to better organize roughly 360 parking spaces.
Assistant Chief David Beaver briefed the board on police staffing and training. He said the department "partnered up with a firearms instructor from Evansville PD to do some more firearms training," that a reserve program class is proceeding, and that the department received "20 some odd" applications for a dispatcher position and planned to interview "somewhere between 12 [and] 13" candidates; the department has two full-time dispatcher vacancies. Beaver said staff are planning officer assignments and vehicle coverage for the Fourth of July parade.
Jim Holmes, solid waste and streets, told the board Tim Holmes' position was posted due to retirement and noted that spring cleanup produced more pickups though less material hauled to the drop-off; exact tonnages were not specified.
The reports gave the board operational updates that inform short-term scheduling and staffing for infrastructure repairs and for public-safety support during upcoming events.
