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Gary Board of Public Works approves claims, payroll, contracts and $4,000 snowplow settlement
Summary
At its July 1 meeting the Board ratified claims and payroll, accepted a police resignation, and approved contracts including a $20,000 marketing services agreement and a building-department services contract not to exceed $65,000; the board also approved a $4,000 settlement for vehicle damage from a city snowplow.
The City of Gary Board of Public Works and Safety on July 1 approved a series of routine financial and operational items, including ratification of claims and payroll, acceptance of a police resignation, and several contracts and a settlement.
The board ratified previously paid claims (the clerk read amounts that varied during the roll-call exchange; the clerk recorded a total read as $1,138,652.73 while a motion referenced $1,038,652.23; the chair announced the ratification as approved). The board also ratified pension payments of $694,583.69 and approved payroll totaling $2,621,032.14 after a short clarification on the figure.
The board accepted the resignation of Patrolman Zachary Burleson from the Gary Police Department. A board member offered well-wishes for Burleson’s future.
The board approved a marketing-services contract with Marketing Partnership International of Ithaca, Illinois, described by the law department as a plan to promote city events (Greater Gary Fest, Wind Down Wednesday, the Independence Day parade and a 2300 Jackson Street block party). The contract was described as effective immediately through Dec. 31, 2026, not to exceed $20,000.
The board approved a resolution to settle a damage claim by Haley Haven Stiff related to a snowplow striking her parked car on Jan. 21, 2026. Attorney Hayes said the law department negotiated multiple estimates and agreed to a settlement of $4,000. In discussion, Hayes noted the city maintains GPS and location records for plows; the board voted to approve the settlement.
Under unfinished business the board approved a professional services contract to assist the building department (data collection, process observation and recommendations) with compensation not to exceed $65,000 and a term through Dec. 31, 2026. Commissioner Hawkins—introduced by the chair as the building commissioner—said attorney Morgan had explained the arrangement.
The meeting concluded with announcements about an Independence Day parade on July 2 and thanks for the recent Greater Gary Community Festival. The sign-in sheet for public comment was empty and no comments were taken.
The board conducted each vote by roll call with the clerk announcing 'yes' votes from members recorded in the transcript as Member Beck, Secretary Morgan and a presiding officer; each contested item listed above passed on recorded 3–0 votes where roll call was recorded.
