Board of Public Works & Safety Meeting - May 6, 2026
Board of Public Works & Safety Meeting
Date: May 6, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: New Albany City Hall, Room 100
The Board of Public Works & Safety convened on May 6, 2026, to consider several street and utility permits, special event requests, and a signage variance. The meeting included approvals of multiple infrastructure permits, discussion of a temporary signage request, and adjustments to an upcoming event due to construction.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of regular meeting minutes for April 21 and April 28, 2026 (unanimous).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Amanda McMonacle (owner of Whimsical Cookie, 37 Bank Street) requested temporary signage to direct customers to her hidden business. She explained that construction vehicles have reduced visibility and foot traffic. She asked for 16 square feet of temporary signage across multiple signs under city ordinance Section F. Board members expressed sympathy but noted concerns about precedent, ADA compliance, and the need for coordination with her landlord and Planning & Zoning. The board took the request under advisement without immediate approval.
Discussion Items
- Emergency Water Main Repairs (IAWC): Pat Hauersperger presented emergency repair permits for six locations: 2108 State Street, 1004 Griffin Street, 425 W. Elm/7th Street, 317 W. 7th Street, and 603 Beharrell Avenue. A repair at E. 7th and Spring streets remains pending. Motion to approve passed.
- CenterPoint Gas Service (306 Bank Street): Ralph Davenport requested to retire an existing gas service and install a new one. Approved.
- CenterPoint Curb Cut & Road Cuts: Brandon French requested a curb cut at 614 Hausfeldt Lane and two road cuts on Industrial Boulevard for a new gas line. A separate permit for a parcel near Tye Avenue was tabled pending clarification of ownership (county vs. city). Approved the curb cut and road cuts.
- Sanitary Sewer for Sazerac (3220 Creekwood Court): Chris Lawson requested an open-cut permit to install a gravity sewer line. The work will be in a cul-de-sac with minimal traffic impact. Approved.
- Duke Energy Underground Conversion (Millerwood Neighborhood): Scott Ferree presented a project to convert overhead infrastructure to buried lines on Lynnwood Drive, Millerwood Drive, and Lilly Lane to improve reliability. The request included installing facilities in road right-of-way and an easement across Millerwood Park. All affected residents were contacted. Approved.
- Fiber Optic Conduit (Barack Obama Way): Gregory Hume and Mike Montag (Hutchins Telecom, for Spectrum) requested a permit to directional drill 2,822 feet of conduit for fiber. They had previously worked without a permit due to a misunderstanding. Approved with condition that work cannot begin without an approved permit.
- Special Event Permits (Krystina Jarboe):
- Car Show (May 9): Mark Miller requested parking space closure on West 9th Street from 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM for a car show at Falls City Kitchen. Approved with restriction to business-side spaces only.
- Kids Health Fair (July 25): St. Mark's requested alley closure from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM for a health fair. Approved (same as past).
- Historical Walking Tour (August 19): Floyd County Library requested use of Fairview Cemetery from 5:45 PM to 7:15 PM with trash cleanup. Approved.
- ServPro Driveway Widening (724 W. Main Street): Mickey Thompson requested to widen an existing curb cut on the W. 7th Street side to 18 feet for truck access. Approved.
- Touch a Truck Event (May 9) – Logistics Change: Due to road construction on 4th Street, the board discussed relocating the event. After deliberation, they approved closing the alley adjacent to the firehouse and the southern half of 3rd Street (mid-block to Market) from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM, in addition to the previously approved 4th Street closure. The church’s parking lot will not be used for heavy equipment.
Key Outcomes
- All street and utility permits were approved except the CenterPoint Tye Avenue parcel, which was tabled for further ownership clarification.
- The temporary signage request from Amanda McMonacle was taken under advisement; no vote was taken.
- Special event permits for car show, health fair, and walking tour were approved.
- The Touch a Truck event was granted an amended closure involving the alley and part of 3rd Street to avoid construction hazards.
- Meeting minutes from April 21 and April 28 were approved.
- No claims were presented.
Meeting Transcript
Oh sorry. It is five. No, that's probably the same. Did you want to find it? Yeah, it's uh touch. Should we move it through our chair? I mean why? So who's gonna be here and can we do that for the meeting? Okay, she's our wheel. It's a deep as well as like it's in Let's say that was called the last one. Good morning. You wish to address the board and you're not on the agenda, there's a sign in chief sign in, we'll call in later in the meeting. Pat Hosper Dave O'Marrick for Indiana American Water Road permits. Uh first one I have is twenty-one uh two one zero eight State Street. We installed a new long service error that required us to uh cut the uh four by four out of the street. The next one is one zero zero four Griffin Street. Uh we had a water main break there that required us to cut a six by six out of the asphalt. The next one is a four twenty-five West Elm or West Seventh Street in New Albany. Uh we repaired a bowel box area and we had to cut a two by four area out of the asphalt. Three one seven West Seventh Street. We replaced the meter set there that required us to cut a six by six out of the sidewalk. And the last one I got is six oh three B Harrow Avenue. Uh we replaced the bow box there that required us to cut a two by two in the asphalt. And then there's another one on there, Mickey. It was still left on there the seventh in spring. But yeah. First one, that first remote on the seventh and spring. We're still working with the water company on. Okay. It's gonna say that restoration looks like a jigsaw puzzle. That was the that was the question, and uh we hadn't gotten uh word back for the water company yet, so that's why we need to get that all the water. Motion's been made a move by second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. No opposed water cares. Thanks for having me. Actually, Scott. Thank you so much. One that went to her and talked to him. Thanks, Pat. Jerry Bullard or someone for Center Point. I'm not sure who's going to show us. Good morning. Brandon French with Inside USA representing Center Point. Brandon French. Yes. All right. Thanks.
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