Middlebury council approves contracts, appropriations and accepts petition for Lamar digital billboard

The Middlebury Town Council on April 20 voted on a series of contracts, appropriations and invoices and accepted a petition from Lamar Advertising to pursue a digital billboard on US 20.

Key votes at the meeting included the following actions and outcomes. All motions below were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote unless noted otherwise.

• Minutes: Council approved the April 6 meeting minutes and executive‑session certification (motion passed by voice vote).

• Expense vouchers: Council approved disbursement of expense vouchers (voice vote).

• Chamber of Commerce funding: Council approved a $10,000 allocation to the Chamber of Commerce. One council member registered a recorded 'nay' during the voice vote.

• Sidewalk partial funding request (303 East Lawrence Street): Resident Abraham Jones requested 25% funding on a contractor estimate of $3,763. Council moved to table the request to allow for further documentation; motion to table passed.

• Lamar Advertising petition (electronic billboard on US 20): Council accepted the petition as submitted; staff said a sign committee review and public hearing will be scheduled before any final permit is issued.

• Ordinance 07/25/2026 (1st‑quarter additional appropriations): Council opened and closed the public hearing and moved to adopt the ordinance pending clerical corrections to packet totals.

• Contract award — Wayne Street Trail resurfacing and drainage: Council approved awarding the Wayne Street Trail resurfacing and drainage improvements contract to Milestone Contractors, not to exceed $126,480. Staff said grant funding and local funds will cover portions of the cost.

• Change Order #2 — Powell Lift Station (Niblock Excavating): Council approved Change Order #2 in the amount of $220,038.50. Staff said the change order extends sewer service to a neighboring homeowner, removes now‑unnecessary bid items, and extends the contract completion date to June 30, 2026. The change order brings the total contract to $1,891,166.50.

• Invoice approvals: Council approved Invoice #4 to Lori Shipman Consulting LLC for $5,000 (labor standards) and JPR invoice #52876 for $38,438.64 (water system improvements). Both require council approval before submission to the Indiana Finance Authority for SRF funding.

• Phoenix Fabricators pay applications: Pay application #8 for $22,921.83 was approved; pay application #9 was tabled for additional review.

• Real estate purchase agreement — 205 East Warren Street: Council approved the Middlebury Redevelopment Commission's $240,000 purchase contingent on receipt of a pledged $10,000 donation, and approved Elko Title to handle the closing/title work.

• Personnel actions: Council granted Kent Kaufman authority to hire for a vacant public works labor position at the established pay ranges (with $25/hr for non‑CDL and $26/hr for CDL‑qualified hires). The council also approved hiring Gary Klopfenstein as a part‑time seasonal public works employee at $20/hr.

What happens next: Several items accepted at this meeting still require follow‑up actions noted by staff — the Lamar petition must be reviewed by a three‑member sign committee and scheduled for a public hearing before final approval, the tabled sidewalk funding and Phoenix pay application #9 will return for additional documentation, and the ordinance adoption was approved pending clerical corrections to packet totals.

Sources: motions, staff presentations and votes recorded at the April 20, 2026 Middlebury Town Council meeting.