Logansport board approves $526,974 in claims, two emergency condemnations and multiple transfers

The Logansport City Board of Public Works and Safety on Feb. 11 approved $526,973.65 in claims, several property transfers and two emergency condemnations, and accepted monthly reports from the city’s fire, police, street and code-enforcement departments.

Mayor Chris Martin moved to approve the claims, which the board recorded as totaling $526,973.65 and including $484,387.24 in unspecified claims, an item listed as Ordinance 2024-11 for $500, a combined TIF claim of $17,000 and a TIF discretionary claim of $25,086.41; the motion passed unanimously. "I'll make a motion to approve the claims as presented," Martin said before the roll-call vote.

The board voted to sign an $800 agreement to prepare a National Register nomination. Dave Morris described the agreement as a step toward placing local sites on the National Register of Historic Places and said the designation could "open us up to historic grant funding" and "help Bob out quite a bit at the cemetery." The board approved immediate signature on the agreement.

City staff also presented two property actions tied to housing and cemetery issues. The board approved a transfer of city-owned lots on Astor Street to Habitat for Humanity; staff said the lots could support approximately six homes in the coming years. The board approved an "Angela B. Miranda" release and transfer intended to resolve a newly discovered issue at the cemetery; Kelly introduced that item and the board voted in favor.

Community development staff reported two emergency condemnations. Rob told the board a Jan. 28 furnace fire and associated water damage left the residence at 712 West Miami Avenue unsafe and uninhabitable; the board approved emergency condemnation. Staff also reported a Jan. 29 electrical fire at 228 Wheatland Avenue caused by unlicensed wiring work; staff ordered repairs limited to licensed contractors and recommended emergency condemnation, which the board approved.

Fire Chief Miller presented January activity: 139 calls in January, including four structure fires, one vehicle fire, two vegetation/trash fires, 102 first-responder calls, four vehicle extrications and five motor-vehicle accidents. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries at the Jan. 29 Wheatland Avenue fire and were treated and released at Parkview Hospital, Logansport. Police Chief Heichman reported 631 calls for service in January, 47 arrests and 322 traffic stops, among other metrics. Chad presented street-department activity and a request to close 2nd Street for All Saints Parish’s mobile food pantry on March 9; the board approved the closure. Randy approved the weekly code-enforcement report, which recorded 35 trash notices sent and 46 properties cleared over the prior week.

All motions presented in the meeting were approved by recorded voice votes. The meeting adjourned after routine board comments and a brief reference to ADA Section 504 compliance.

Votes at a glance: approve claims ($526,973.65) — approved (3–0); National Register nomination agreement ($800) — approved (3–0); approve minutes (02/04/2026) — approved (3–0); Habitat for Humanity Astor Street transfer — approved (3–0); Angela B. Miranda release and transfer — approved (3–0); emergency condemnation 712 West Miami Ave. — approved (3–0); emergency condemnation 228 Wheatland Ave. — approved (3–0); fire department monthly report — approved (3–0); police department monthly report — approved (3–0); street department monthly report — approved (3–0); All Saints Parish street-closure request (March 9) — approved (3–0); code enforcement weekly report — approved (3–0); adjournment motion — approved (3–0).

The board did not receive public comment. Mayor Martin closed the meeting after the adjournment vote.