New Albany Board of Public Works & Safety Meeting - September 29, 2026

The Board of Public Works & Safety met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Room 100 of New Albany City Hall. The meeting addressed multiple encroachment permits for Duke Energy and AT&T fiber optic installations, an amendment to a car show special event permit, vendor permits for the Harvest Homecoming Parade, street closures for tree trimming and cleaning, and updates on city infrastructure projects. Several votes were taken, and a discussion occurred regarding unapproved door-to-door solicitation.

Discussion Items

• Duke Energy Encroachment Permits (Todd Donahue): The board considered four permits. One involved relocating a pole at 2113 Grant Line Road for the new sanitation site. A second required boring across an alley to serve new townhomes at 319 East Main Street, with the applicant noting possible alley blockage. Two additional permits supported Lumos fiber cable box boosters, including a pole replacement at 1032 Meadowview Drive and a new service connection at 106 South Bohannon Lane. Board member Cheryl Cotner-Bailey raised concerns about debris left from previous pole replacements; the applicant agreed to address the issue. All four permits were approved unanimously.
• AT&T Fiber Optic Permits (Michael Boone, BOI for AT&T): Three permits were requested for new aerial and underground fiber optic cable installation between Dewey Street and Spring Street from East 9th to Vincennes Street. City engineer Nicholas (first name not given) had pre‑vetted the plans, confirming that AT&T would adhere to restoration standards for decorative sidewalks and landscaped medians. The applicant noted that work would avoid interfering with the upcoming Harvest Homecoming festival. The board approved all three permits unanimously.
• Car Show Rain Date Amendment (Mark Miller): Mark Miller, organizer of the October 10 Mark Miller: In Memory of Ralph Hines Car Show, requested an amendment to add Sunday October 11 as a rain date. The board expressed concern about the last‑minute request (less than two weeks before the event), the feasibility of holding the show on wet grass, and potential damage to the riverfront. After discussion, the board approved the rain date with stipulations: all activities (including parking, a DJ setup on the amphitheater stage, and a sponsored flag display) must remain on hard surfaces, a dumpster must be provided, and the organizer must ensure no vehicles park on grass. The approval was unanimous.
• Williams Novelties Vendor Permits (Vicki Glotzbach): A request for six vendor permits to sell novelties at the Harvest Homecoming Parade was presented. The applicant has participated since 2012 and has a history of compliance. The board approved the six permits unanimously.
• Street Closures (David Heeke): Two requests were presented. First, closure of parking spots on Market Street between Pearl Street and Bank Street on Wednesday, September 30 from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM (amended from 8:00 AM to allow time for blocking off spots) for tree trimming. Second, closure of East 6th Street between Spring and Market on Friday, October 2 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM for cleaning and weeding before the parade. Both were approved unanimously.
• Aptel Solicitor Permits (No‑Show): Adriana Nowrouzi of Aptel was scheduled to request solicitor permits for Figspire Management but did not appear. Board members noted past issues with door‑to‑door solicitation by AT&T without permits and expressed concern that the company had not followed procedures. The board stated that no permission for solicitation has been granted.
• City Engineer Project Updates: Larry reported on ongoing projects: concrete work on Greenview, line striping on Eakin, pavement repairs on Cavill Street and Division block, milling and resurfacing on East Ridge of Chadwood, paving on South Freedom Trail and 4th Street, and curb and sidewalk work on Oak Street between Spring and Elm. Signal components for the Oak Street project are expected soon. The next segment of the trail was also awarded.
• Dumpster Request (1301 East Market Street): A dumpster request that arose after the previous meeting was retroactively approved for 1301 East Market Street (13th Street side) for one week. The water company had recently completed work in the area. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Duke Energy Permits: Four encroachment permits approved unanimously.
• AT&T Permits: Three encroachment permits approved unanimously.
• Car Show Rain Date: Amendment approved (October 11) with stipulations: hard surfaces only, dumpster provided, flag and DJ on hard surfaces, no grass parking.
• Williams Novelties: Six vendor permits approved unanimously.
• Street Closures: Market Street (Sept 30, 6–10 AM) and East 6th Street (Oct 2, 8 AM–12 PM) approved unanimously.
• Minutes: Regular meeting minutes for September 22, 2026 approved unanimously.
• Dumpster Approval: Retroactive approval for 1301 East Market Street (one week) approved unanimously.
• Solicitor Permits: No action taken due to no‑show; board noted lack of permission for solicitation.