OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Evansville Board of Public Works Meeting – May 21, 2026

City Council — Thursday, May 21, 2026
BodyEvansville, Indiana
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, May 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 14:16
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

To order.

0:02

Could we begin with a motion for approval of the May 14th BPW minutes?

0:07

So move.

0:07

I will second that.

0:08

All in favor?

0:09

Aye.

0:09

Aye.

0:10

Moving on to new business.

0:11

The City of Evansville Computer Services requests approval of a contract with a stowned business solutions LLC and the total contract amount of six hundred seventy-three thousand seven hundred and seventy-six dollars.

0:25

This is a renewal of a stowned VPLS services for the extension of the existing service.

0:31

Cost allocations are based on the government office at the location of the city and county.

0:37

Monthly cost is $18,716 split based on office assignment between city and county.

0:45

Spectrum and ATT also provide quotes, provided quotes, but a stown provided the best option for the government.

0:53

Note that readiate holdings LP is the parent company of a stown business solutions LLC.

0:59

And I see Vernon Lutz, Chief Information Officer.

1:02

What else can you tell us?

1:03

Good afternoon.

1:04

Um you said it perfectly.

1:06

This is just a renewal of existing services, but I would like to point out one thing that's uh beneficial to this contract.

1:13

I did work with um uh this uh Spectrum and ATT.

1:19

They could provide similar services, but the the pricing for our basic services was best through a stown.

1:26

Okay.

1:27

Uh there was a another thing that a stown added to the um quote that's really gonna improve our resiliency of our network, and that's a uh carrier diverse um fiber ring between our public safety units, so dispatch, jail, and a civic center.

1:46

So that way if one of those sites go down, we can jump off onto that other carrier's uh fiber network and uh provide services.

1:56

So it's a redundant connection for uh really for public safety for dispatch.

2:01

We've had a lot of outages and we're trying to solve that problem within our network.

2:05

So we've added um they they were able to add a career and I I specifically wanted a carrier verse.

2:11

That way if a stown's fiber was cut, dug into um having two connections to a stown does us no good because they're fibers now.

2:22

So now we have a stown and then a stown contracts with uh ATT to provide a second re uh diverse route.

2:31

So that's a real win for the city and county public safety.

2:35

Thank you for the further information.

2:37

Are there any questions?

2:38

No, can I get a motion for approval?

2:41

So move.

2:41

I'll second that.

2:42

All in favor?

2:43

I thank you.

2:45

Thank you, Brian.

2:46

Next up, the city of Evansville DMD requests approval of a contract and an agreement with Hope of Evansville Incorporated to receive funds to assist the trailer park residents at 701 Oak Hill Road with relocation expenses up to $1,000 per resident and the total contract amount of $15,000.

3:05

Expenses such as utility deposits, rent deposits, and reasonable moving expenses will be considered.

3:12

Grant funds will be dispersed upon execution.

3:15

Any remaining grant funds will be returned to DMD upon completion of the agreement on December 31st, 2026.

3:23

All documentation and return of funds are due no later than March 1st, 2027.

3:28

This is 2026-22 grant.

3:31

Lisa Foster, anything further?

3:34

I don't have anything further.

3:35

If you guys have any questions, any questions from the board?

3:37

No, I appreciate you uh doing this for them.

3:40

This was this came from the mayor's office, and so we're this was a request, so we're taking care of it.

3:46

I'm happy to see us able to help.

3:48

Can I get a motion for approval?

3:49

So move.

3:50

Second, all in favor?

3:51

I thank you.

3:52

Thank you.

3:54

The city of Evansville next up, the human relations requests approval of a contract with assembly software LLC for software for the Human Relations Commission, and the total contract amount of $4,566.

4:08

A total of $2,283 to the EEOC account and $22,283 to the EEOC account.

4:17

Is that a typo?

4:18

Those two different accounts that have the same exact name.

4:22

Totaling five thousand four thousand five hundred sixty-six.

4:25

So I guess a question on uh clarification of those EEOC accounts.

4:30

Um we have a representative from the human relations commission here.

4:34

Um, so I thank you, I'm Shadrach.

4:37

Um, thank you.

4:38

I do not have answers to that clarification yet, but what I note is that this is going to be a software upgrade um that we're requesting approval for.

4:49

So as you said, I think that might be a typo.

4:52

Um, that should be HUD.

4:59

But they said that eventually uh the HUD clarification isn't needed.

4:58

All of the funds are going to come out of the EELC when they sent that to me, that's the way it was said, but it should have said HUD.

5:13

So we're saying that was the best clue that uh when this initially came to our attention, $2,283 was going to be to the EEOC account, and another $2,283 was going to be a HUD account, and now it's all the same account.

5:27

Yes.

5:27

Okay.

5:27

So we'll let the record reflect that all $4,566 from the HUD account or to the HUD account.

5:36

To the EEOC account, not the HUD account.

5:38

Okay, we'll say that one more time for the record correctly.

5:42

What was going to be two disbursements?

5:44

It's now a total of four thousand five hundred and sixty-six dollars to the EEOC account.

5:53

Okay.

5:56

No.

5:56

Can I get a motion for approval as read?

5:58

So Matt.

5:58

So moved.

5:59

I'll second that.

6:00

All in favor?

6:01

Aye.

6:01

Aye.

6:01

Thank you, Shadrach.

6:02

Thank you.

6:03

Thank you.

6:04

And thank you, Kimberly.

6:06

Next up, the city of City of Evansville City Engineers requests approval of a bid opening.

6:12

And do we have any further information from Brian Mundy?

6:17

Um, filling in for Brian.

6:18

I'm Jennifer Blankenship, the traffic engineer.

6:21

Thank you, Jennifer.

6:22

Um, this is project 26-001 for the 2026 mill and overlay phase one project.

6:30

Okay.

6:30

And so we should have two bidders.

6:33

That submitted a bid.

6:35

All right.

6:35

Yeah, that you're gonna open that now.

6:37

We need a motion to tell me about open test.

6:41

So we have requested approval of a bid opening.

6:43

We've got them to open.

6:45

Can I get a motion for approval?

6:47

Uh motion to approve that opening.

6:49

I will second that.

6:50

All in favor?

6:51

Aye.

6:51

Aye.

6:52

Thank you.

7:16

So we have there was two, appears to be two responsive bidders.

7:20

We've got J.H.

7:22

Rudolph and Company Inc.

7:53

And their uh total of base bid A is one million one hundred and ninety-nine thousand four hundred and five hundred and thirty dollars and sixteen cents.

8:04

I'll read that again.

8:05

Base bid a one million one hundred and ninety-nine thousand five hundred and thirty dollars and sixteen cents.

8:13

Are there multiple?

8:14

Yeah, there's there's a bid for each street, and then there should be a last page that has the grand total.

8:21

Okay.

8:22

We have to bid them out individually by street.

8:25

You say I do or I don't.

8:26

Yeah, there should be the last page that has the grand total that can be read.

8:32

Okay, I'll I'll just go to the grand total.

8:34

Yeah, okay.

8:35

All right.

8:39

Okay, sorry.

8:41

So the grand total of all bids by J.H.

8:45

Rudolph is two million.

8:49

18,710 and 53 cents.

8:54

So again, it's two million eighteen thousand seven hundred and ten dollars and fifty-three cents.

9:02

So that's their total.

9:06

Okay, the other is E and B paving.

9:09

Is the other bidder?

9:22

Okay.

9:23

So their grand total is the E and B paving.

9:26

Um I guess it's LLC.

9:29

Uh their grand total of all bids is two million ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven dollars and ten cents.

9:38

Again, two million ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven dollars and ten cents.

9:47

And uh we would like to take these under advisement.

9:51

Understood.

9:52

Having read the bids for opening, can I get a motion for approval of the city engineer to take these bids under advisement?

10:00

So move.

10:01

I'll second that.

10:02

All in favor?

10:02

Aye.

10:03

Aye.

10:03

Thank you.

10:07

Next up, the city of Evansville.

10:09

City engineers request approval of the preliminary drainage plans with River Valley 4.

10:23

And Jennifer, is there anything further on that?

10:26

Um our department has uh reviewed the preliminary drainage plans, and we have no objections to them.

10:34

Um this is just preliminary, and once this allows them to advertise for the plat, and then there will be a final um set of drainage plans and street construction plans that we will review.

10:46

So, okay.

10:49

Can I get a motion for approval?

10:51

So move.

10:51

Second, all in favor?

10:53

Aye.

10:53

Aye.

10:55

Thank you for that clarification.

10:57

The City of Evansville City Engineers requests approval to advertise project 26-011 2026 pavement crack ceiling.

11:07

The advertisement will run on Friday, May 29th, 2026, and Friday, June 5th, 2026.

11:16

Anything further?

11:17

No.

11:17

Can I get a motion for approval?

11:18

So move.

11:19

Second, all in favor?

11:20

Aye.

11:21

Aye.

11:21

Next up, the city of Evansville City Engineers request approval to advertise project 26-012, 2026 pavement preservation.

11:30

The advertisement will run on Friday, June 5th, 2026, and Friday, June 12, 2026.

11:37

Jennifer, anything further?

11:38

No.

11:39

Can I get a motion for approval?

11:40

So move.

11:41

Second that all in favor?

11:43

Aye.

11:43

Aye.

11:45

Next up, the City of Evans will request approval of appendix A right-way permit applications with the following recommendations.

11:51

Right-away permit applications.

11:58

As submitted.

11:59

Exception is taken on application 2944, as the movement of 12 feet of public rideway is not in the best interest of the city of Evansville.

12:10

Compliant maintenance of traffic procedures for the Indiana M U T C D should be implemented as required for each site specifics.

12:17

Board of Public Safety approval may be required prior to any lane restriction or street closure.

12:22

Any open pavement cut repairs shall adhere to the current city engineering utility cut detail requirements.

12:30

Jennifer, anything further?

12:32

Um to clarify on permit 2944.

12:44

That currently serves as an alleyway.

12:54

Yeah.

12:54

So that's why it's being denied.

12:57

Thank you.

12:57

Thank you for that further.

12:59

Can I get a motion for approval?

13:01

Motion to approve with exception of 2944.

13:05

I'll second that.

13:06

All in favor?

13:07

Aye.

13:07

Aye.

13:08

And other board business, we have a note about the bid opening for fire station EMS upgrades.

13:20

Good afternoon.

13:21

Jared Brown, Deputy Chief of Finance, Logistics, Feversville Fire Department.

13:24

Thank you, Jared.

13:25

In reference to IFB 011-012026, the original plan was to have a bid opening at this meeting due to some addendums and changes.

13:38

We're going to postpone that until the Board of Public Safety meeting on the 27th.

13:42

Just need to inform the board.

13:43

Get approval to make that change.

13:48

Understood.

13:49

Any questions from the board?

13:50

No.

13:50

Can I get a motion for approval of that change?

13:53

So move.

13:53

I'll second that.

13:54

All in favor?

13:55

Aye.

13:55

Aye.

13:55

You'll have a good afternoon.

13:56

Thank you.

13:56

Thank you, Jeremy.

13:58

Is there any other board business or any public business to come before the board?

14:03

Seeing none, can I get approval of bills and payrolls?

14:06

So move.

14:06

I'll second that.

14:07

All in favor?

14:08

Aye.

14:08

Aye.

13:59

Can I get a motion for adjournment?

14:11

So move.

14:11

I'll second that.

13:59

All in favor?

14:13

Aye.

14:13

Aye.

14:14

This meeting is adjourned.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████████████████████65%
Procedural███████████████21%
Affordable Housing██████████14%
Summary of Proceedings

Evansville Board of Public Works Meeting – May 21, 2026

The Board of Public Works (BPW) held a regular meeting on May 21, 2026, to consider several contracts, bid openings, and routine approvals. All items on the agenda were approved, with one exception noted on a right-of-way permit.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The May 14, 2026, BPW minutes were approved by a voice vote (all ayes) without discussion.

Discussion Items

  • Contract with Stowned Business Solutions LLC (VPLS Services): The City of Evansville Computer Services requested approval of a renewal contract for VPLS services with Stowned Business Solutions LLC (parent company: Readiate Holdings LP) in the total amount of $673,776. Monthly cost is $18,716, split between city and county based on office assignments. CIO Vernon Lutz noted that quotes from Spectrum and AT&T were considered, but Stowned offered the best pricing and a carrier-diverse fiber ring for public safety units (dispatch, jail, civic center) to improve network resiliency. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • Contract with Hope of Evansville Inc. for Trailer Park Relocation : The City of Evansville DMD requested approval of a $15,000 contract (2026-22 grant) to assist residents of the trailer park at 701 Oak Hill Road with relocation expenses up to $1,000 per resident. Eligible expenses include utility deposits, rent deposits, and moving costs. Funds must be used by December 31, 2026, with any unspent balance returned by March 1, 2027. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • Contract with Assembly Software LLC for Human Relations Commission Software: The Human Relations Commission requested approval of a $4,566 software upgrade. Initially the staff read that $2,283 would come from the EEOC account and another $2,283 from a second EEOC account, but a representative clarified that originally one portion was intended for a HUD account. After discussion, the board recorded that the entire $4,566 would be paid from the EEOC account. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • Bid Opening for 2026 Mill and Overlay Phase One (Project 26-001) : The City Engineers requested approval to open bids. Two responsive bidders submitted: J.H. Rudolph and Company Inc. (grand total $2,018,710.53) and E&B Paving LLC (grand total $2,099,997.10). The city engineer took the bids under advisement. Motion to approve the bid opening passed unanimously.
  • Preliminary Drainage Plans for River Valley 4: The City Engineers requested approval of preliminary drainage plans for River Valley 4. Traffic Engineer Jennifer Blankenship stated the department had no objections and that final drainage and street construction plans will be reviewed later. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • Advertising for 2026 Pavement Crack Sealing (Project 26-011) : Approved to advertise on May 29 and June 5, 2026. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Advertising for 2026 Pavement Preservation (Project 26-012) : Approved to advertise on June 5 and June 12, 2026. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Right-of-Way Permit Applications : The city engineer recommended approval of all submitted right-of-way permits except for Application 2944, which would have moved 12 feet of public right-of-way (an alleyway) and was deemed not in the best interest of the city. Motion to approve with the exception passed unanimously.
  • Postponement of Bid Opening for Fire Station EMS Upgrades (IFB 011-012026) : Deputy Chief Jared Brown requested moving the bid opening from this BPW meeting to the Board of Public Safety meeting on May 27, 2026, due to addendums. Motion to approve the change passed unanimously.
  • Approval of Bills and Payrolls: A motion to approve bills and payrolls passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • All contract approvals, bid openings, advertising authorizations, and permit decisions were approved by unanimous voice votes.
  • The bid for the 2026 mill and overlay project (J.H. Rudolph and E&B Paving) was taken under advisement for further review.
  • Right-of-way permit 2944 was denied.
  • The fire station EMS upgrades bid opening was rescheduled to May 27, 2026.
  • The meeting was adjourned following approval of bills and payrolls.

Meeting Transcript

To order. Could we begin with a motion for approval of the May 14th BPW minutes? So move. I will second that. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Moving on to new business. The City of Evansville Computer Services requests approval of a contract with a stowned business solutions LLC and the total contract amount of six hundred seventy-three thousand seven hundred and seventy-six dollars. This is a renewal of a stowned VPLS services for the extension of the existing service. Cost allocations are based on the government office at the location of the city and county. Monthly cost is $18,716 split based on office assignment between city and county. Spectrum and ATT also provide quotes, provided quotes, but a stown provided the best option for the government. Note that readiate holdings LP is the parent company of a stown business solutions LLC. And I see Vernon Lutz, Chief Information Officer. What else can you tell us? Good afternoon. Um you said it perfectly. This is just a renewal of existing services, but I would like to point out one thing that's uh beneficial to this contract. I did work with um uh this uh Spectrum and ATT. They could provide similar services, but the the pricing for our basic services was best through a stown. Okay. Uh there was a another thing that a stown added to the um quote that's really gonna improve our resiliency of our network, and that's a uh carrier diverse um fiber ring between our public safety units, so dispatch, jail, and a civic center. So that way if one of those sites go down, we can jump off onto that other carrier's uh fiber network and uh provide services. So it's a redundant connection for uh really for public safety for dispatch. We've had a lot of outages and we're trying to solve that problem within our network. So we've added um they they were able to add a career and I I specifically wanted a carrier verse. That way if a stown's fiber was cut, dug into um having two connections to a stown does us no good because they're fibers now. So now we have a stown and then a stown contracts with uh ATT to provide a second re uh diverse route. So that's a real win for the city and county public safety. Thank you for the further information. Are there any questions? No, can I get a motion for approval? So move. I'll second that. All in favor? I thank you. Thank you, Brian. Next up, the city of Evansville DMD requests approval of a contract and an agreement with Hope of Evansville Incorporated to receive funds to assist the trailer park residents at 701 Oak Hill Road with relocation expenses up to $1,000 per resident and the total contract amount of $15,000. Expenses such as utility deposits, rent deposits, and reasonable moving expenses will be considered. Grant funds will be dispersed upon execution. Any remaining grant funds will be returned to DMD upon completion of the agreement on December 31st, 2026. All documentation and return of funds are due no later than March 1st, 2027. This is 2026-22 grant. Lisa Foster, anything further? I don't have anything further. If you guys have any questions, any questions from the board? No, I appreciate you uh doing this for them. This was this came from the mayor's office, and so we're this was a request, so we're taking care of it. I'm happy to see us able to help.

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