Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Board of Public Works and Safety met on September 15, 2026, to consider several permits, project updates, and routine approvals. All motions passed unanimously. Attendees included board members, city officials, and representatives from utility companies and development firms.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the previous meeting (amended to correct name spelling from "Howard Furman" to the correct name).
• Approval of bank reconciliation worksheets for May 2026, presented by the controller.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chase Blakeman (Prima Bear Associates) requested signatures on plats for two subdivisions: Rock Ridge (23 lots off Mel Smith Road) and Ma Shareed Reserve (58 lots off Glen Mill Road). Discussion clarified that Mel Smith Road is a county road; the City can sign the plat but Floyd County Commissioners must approve the connection. The board approved the plats.
• A representative from Duke Energy (unidentified) requested two permits:
  1. A smart-grid reliability project on Spicker Knob Road and Glen Mill Road, adding a wire and replacing nine poles, scheduled to begin January 2027 and take about three months. The board approved after discussing resident notification for new down guys.
  2. An emergency permit to replace a damaged pole on State Street across from Dairy Queen (State Street and Daisy Lane), with work planned next Monday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. using flaggers. Approved.
• Pat Houseburg (Naval American Tractors) provided updates: East 13th Street work nearly complete; Spring Street paving expected by next Friday. Shelby Street still has 13-14 services to tie in. He requested approval to proceed with the Lynn Street project (Lynn Court) – the board noted it is outside the utility policy and paving rating, but approved moving forward. He indicated East 14th Street would be presented next week.

Discussion Items

• City Engineer Larry McWilliams' report:
  • Fenwick and Connor Street work completed; Bono Street began; Gary Street being worked on.
  • Concrete work continuing on Greenview Drive and Jaffrey Drive.
  • Milling and resurfacing expected on Lone Oak Drive, followed by striping for trail project.
  • Excavation between Elm and Culbertson for underdrain installation, concrete pours for sidewalk and curb between Spring and Elm, and pipe installation between Market and Elm.
  • Oak Street trail project: surface completed; storm and sanitary sewer work ongoing at Oak and Bank Street.
  • Meeting with USPS about a permanent mail drop-off location on Bank Street due to Oak Street conversion to two-way.
  • Charlestown Road and Slate Run Road project on schedule.
• Additional items added by city officials (not on original agenda):
  • Amendment to a previously approved permit for an event on Sunday to add portable restrooms (at foot of ramp to floodwall) and two tables with a tent near the amphitheater due to larger expected crowd and weather. Approved.
  • Amendment to a permit for contractor Marvell (not Martin) to widen a residential driveway entrance to 20 feet (homeowner requested extra room for pickup truck turning). Approved.
  • Permit request by Indiana American Water to replace a fire hydrant at 4917 Grant Line Road and replace valve box top at Mount Tabor and Industrial Boulevard. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All motions were made, seconded, and carried unanimously (no opposed votes recorded).
• The board approved two subdivision plats, two utility permits, three permit amendments, the Lynn Street project, and various routine items.
• The meeting adjourned following approval of minutes and claims.