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Board of Public Works and Safety approves contracts, grants and service agreements
Summary
At its meeting the Auburn City Board of Public Works and Safety approved a package of contracts and grants, including a $50,000 one‑year contract with Auburn Main Street, a $5,000 animal rescue agreement, a $100,000 IDEM recycling grant (with a local match), insurance renewals and several utility agreements; electric items were approved after executive‑session discussion.
The Auburn City Board of Public Works and Safety approved a slate of contracts, service agreements and grants at its meeting. The board carried motions to approve utility agreements, an Auburn Main Street contract, animal‑rescue contracts, an IDEM recycling grant, and city insurance renewals.
The board approved a utility service agreement allowing encroachments for a planned Dutch Brothers Coffee at 1110 West 7th Street after Building and Planning reported departmental review and sign‑offs. A separate utility permit agreement with the DeKalb County Drainage Board to extend infrastructure along County Roads 46A, 37 and 39 (crossing seven regulated drains) was also approved.
The clerk presented two items: an amendment to the shredding contract to reduce the number of totes from four to two at $300 per month (plus fuel surcharge), and the city's 2026 insurance renewals with Walker Hughes. The chair summarized the renewal as producing an approximate total reduction of $116,599 across policies, with the transcript reporting a general liability decrease of $49,586 and a workers' compensation (IPEP) reduction of $69,855 while the cyber policy increased about $1,842; the board approved the insurance package.
The board approved a one‑year, $5,000 agreement with Shataroba Horse Rescue (which also provides K9 rescue services) to assist law enforcement with loose or stray animals. The record contains a garbled prior payment amount for this vendor that is unclear in the transcript. The board also approved an agreement with K9 Haven for trapping, transport and intake services; the transcript lists unit rates for specific services.
A one‑year contract with Auburn Main Street for $50,000 was approved; the agreement, as described in the meeting, is intended to cover the executive director's salary to maintain the organization’s national Main Street status and provides for a city voting member on the Auburn Main Street board.
The street department announced the city was selected for a $100,000 Community Recycling Grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The grant was presented as a match program with $100,000 from the grant and a stated minimum $25,000 local match; officials said the funds are intended for new leaf‑collection equipment. Department staff noted earlier estimates around $200,000 for a unit, that an option was found near $150,000 with trade‑in, and that the department’s net outlay would be approximately $50,000; the board approved acceptance of the grant and authorized the mayor to sign the contract when ready.
The electric utility representative presented three items: a 2026 support agreement with Tantalus for $68,493.30, an amendment to the city's wholesale power agreement (citing Indiana Code provisions), and a sales/transfer agreement for renewable energy credits (RECs). The board approved all three items; the presenters stated that substantive details were discussed in executive session due to confidentiality and proprietary concerns and thus were not disclosed on the public record.
Water Pollution staff presented three sewer‑abatement requests — at 2211 Chandler Way (broken spigot), 1000 Powder Drive (faulty backflow preventer) and 1302 Troon Court (outside hose) — each determined not to have reached the wastewater treatment plant; the board approved all three abatements.
Votes at a glance: approve minutes; utility service agreement (Dutch Brothers Coffee); DeKalb County drainage utility permit; shredding contract amendment; 2026 insurance renewal with Walker Hughes; Baker Tilly municipal advising agreement for 2026; Shataroba Horse Rescue agreement ($5,000); K9 Haven agreement (rates as described in minutes); Auburn Main Street contract ($50,000 for 2026); acceptance of IDEM recycling grant ($100,000) with local match and mayoral signature authority; Tantalus 2026 support agreement ($68,493.30); wholesale power agreement amendment (details discussed in executive session); REC sales/transfer agreement; three sewer abatements for the properties listed above.
The board announced that the State of the City presentation will occur Feb. 17 at the Common Council meeting at 6 p.m., and noted the next Board of Works meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 01/20/2026 at 9 a.m.
