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Evansville council hears safety, staffing and process concerns at municipal utility; directs committee reviews
Summary
At a Jan. 6 special meeting, the Evansville Common Council reviewed safety and procedural concerns raised about Municipal Services and Evansville Water & Light, directed committee and staff reviews of grievance and permitting processes, and declined to hold a further special meeting.
The City of Evansville Common Council met in a special session on Monday to hear safety, staffing and process concerns about Municipal Services and Evansville Water & Light and to direct targeted reviews of procedures.
Mayor Dianne Duggan opened the meeting at 6:01 p.m. and said the purpose was to determine whether the issues raised should go to the full Common Council or to a particular committee. Alderperson Cory Neeley moved to approve the agenda; Alderperson Lita Droster seconded and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
During the public-comment portion, Phil Pickering recounted projects from his prior tenure with Evansville Water & Light that raised safety concerns and noted additional work completed for others that Pickering said was outside the utility’s jurisdiction. City Treasurer Julie Roberts said the incidents Pickering described did not occur under current Municipal Services Director Scott Kriebs but under the same foreperson and the City Administrator at the time.
Alderperson Neeley told the council that electrical work had been completed without inspections; Mayor Duggan said a safety inspection would be scheduled to assess the claims. Alderperson Jim Brooks asked City Clerk Leah Hurtley to add a discussion of the grievance process to the Finance & Labor Relations Committee agenda.
Former Mayor Bill Hurtley said one safety complaint had been made while he was mayor and that, during his tenure, raises of $9 and $7 were given to linepersons to bring wages closer to average levels. Hurtley also called for the removal of Alderperson Neeley from Council; that request was recorded but not acted on at the meeting.
Mayor Duggan summarized that Neeley has raised concerns about combining the utility with the city and about how money had been spent. Neeley said he believed insufficient time and funding were being devoted to the utility. Staff described the municipal timesheet process that governs Municipal Services work hours and allocations.
Chase Stiklestad, who described himself as a former lineperson, said equipment and tools between Municipal Services Director Scott Kriebs and Neeley appeared appropriate and urged the two to meet directly rather than taking immediate council action.
Council members discussed possible follow-up steps. They agreed staff should refer a review of the grievance and whistleblower process to the Finance & Labor Relations Committee and asked Municipal Services to review permitting procedures, confirm compliance with state law, and identify any locations where safety inspections are needed. Mayor Duggan and the council unanimously decided another special meeting on the matter was not necessary.
Officials also noted a Special Pete’s Inn hearing scheduled for Jan. 13, 2025, and the regular Common Council meeting on Jan. 14, 2025. The special meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
