Muncie Board approves claims and two contracts; member flags animal shelter budget shortfall

The Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety on June 24 approved meeting minutes, a register of claims and two contracts, and heard a warning that the city animal shelter is nearly out of its institutional and medical funds.

City Controller Craig Wright presented the register of claims, saying he "sent out the claims yesterday afternoon" and that there was "nothing really out of the ordinary." The transcript records the claims amount as "530,877,771 cents." The board approved the claims by voice vote.

Board member Ellen raised concern about the animal shelter budget during the claims discussion, telling the board she had "$9,000 left out of a $190,000 dollar budget for the rest of the year," and asking whether funds could be moved to cover ongoing institutional and medical costs. Board members indicated they would "move money around" to address the shortfall.

City Engineer Adam Leach asked the board to authorize an award related to Anna Park. He said the solicitation produced a lone respondent whose bid was within the engineer's estimate and below the $150,000 formal-bid threshold; the amount presented for the award was $100,953. The board approved the award by voice vote. The contractor in spoken remarks appears as "Flatland Construction" and is also referred to as "Flatland Resources LLC" in the exchange; the engineer said the city will negotiate schedule details after award.

Gretchen Cheeseman of Community Development presented an agreement with Pathstone Housing Corporation of Indiana for a homebuyer rehabilitation project at 103 East Maple Street. Cheeseman said Pathstone will purchase the property, rehabilitate it and sell it to an income-eligible buyer; the contract amount is $148,262. The board approved the agreement by voice vote.

With no further business, the board adjourned.