Charlestown Board of Public Works approves donated mural, temporary Founders Day stage and several event permits

CHARLESTOWN — The Charlestown Board of Public Works on May 21 approved a series of event contracts and maintenance actions aimed at preparing the city for its June and July community events.

The board unanimously authorized a contract for a 610-square-foot mural on the side of City Hall, approved rental of a temporary stage and equipment for the Founders Day festival, signed off on event permits including a modified street-closure plan for a June car show, and approved several small maintenance and reimbursement items.

The mural contract, presented to the board by staff, authorizes a not-to-exceed payment of $7,980 and a 10% non-refundable deposit of $798. The mural description in the contract calls for full lower coverage of greenery with three to four native Indiana flowers and integrated lettering that "reads 'good things grow here,'" plus two interactive butterfly wings for photo opportunities. Chair of the Board of Public Works said the mural would be paid from the board’s beautification donation fund and is scheduled to be painted June 11–15 so it will be in place for the Founders Day festival on June 19–20.

The board also approved a $9,500 agreement with Kentucky Indiana Productions to supply a temporary stage, lighting and sound for Founders Day after staff reported weather and supply-chain delays made the permanent commons stage unlikely to be fully ready. Board members said Mac Construction agreed to sponsor the event at a level the board described as covering the additional stage cost; a board member stated the rental will be covered by sponsors and donations and will not require city tax dollars. The board authorized staff to finalize the agreement.

Staff presented a parks proposal to rent two inflatable water slides for the Family Activities Park opening weekend (May 28–31); the packet listed rental, staffing and setup/tear-down and indicated the expense will be paid from the parks revenue fund. The board approved the inflatables rental unanimously. The transcript lists the rental price in a way that appears truncated; the exact dollar amount was not clearly recorded in the meeting audio transcript.

For the Backyard Classics car show scheduled June 27, the board approved a street-closure plan with an amendment to limit closures near businesses during peak hours. A board member asked that barricades be moved to preserve access to nearby restaurants and shops; the board approved the event pending that amended map.

The board agreed to sponsor $2,500 up front for the Clark County Farmers Appreciation group's farm-to-table dinner on July 25 to cover tables, chairs, tents, porta-potties and golf carts, with the group set to reimburse $2,000. Staff confirmed the group provided insurance and a W9; the board approved the closure of Short Street for set-up (July 24–26) and the sponsorship.

The board approved a $1,500 quote from Cemetery Craftsman LLC to repair a broken marble monument at House Hill Cemetery (near the Spring Street basketball court) after the damage was flagged during Founders Day preparations. The board also approved a sanitation reimbursement of $426.93 to an owner at A208 Hidden River Trace for a mailbox replaced after a prior plow incident.

All motions on the published agenda and the additional claims read into the record passed unanimously. The board adjourned after completing the agenda with no public comment recorded.

What happens next: the muralist is expected to begin work after final contract execution, the temporary stage rental will be secured for Founders Day, and staff will coordinate the revised street-closure plan with event organizers and affected businesses.