Board approves routine items: Lowe’s card resolution, rehab invoices, event street closings and other actions

At its March 16 meeting, the Board of Public Works and Safety approved a series of routine items and departmental updates.

Old business: The board approved Amended Resolution 2026-02 to authorize use of a Lowe’s credit card by the Department of Public Works clerk/treasurer with a sign-out sheet approach and three administrators instead of naming specific individuals; the superintendent remains responsible for monitoring purchases.

Housing and events: Whitney Cooley reported about 14 participants in the Franklin owner-occupied rehab program and roughly $100,000 remaining for construction; the board approved invoices and two homeowner forms. Chip Horner, director of parks and recreation, presented maps and asked the board to close Jackson Street and portions of West Court Street for several 2026 Parks & Rec events (festival country kickoff, cruise-in, Firecracker Festival and fall festival); the board approved them and asked staff to coordinate with the county on West Court parking.

Contracts and equipment: The board approved Supplement 2 with USI Consultants for the Foresight Street culvert replacement project — a not-to-exceed supplement of about $206,000 that brings the total contract to $505,950 to cover additional utility coordination, right-of-way work and inspection fees. The board also approved retiring a service weapon for Rich Whitaker (a Gen 5 Glock 17) as a routine retiree benefit and approved a new standard operating procedure (SOP 2.3) for a newer taser model after discussion of training and use constraints.

Other approvals and reports: The board accepted public right-of-way dedication for 2100 Earlywood Drive as part of a site modification, approved transfers of a 2016 PJ trailer and a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 between departments, and authorized payment of unkept-property liens. Department heads gave brief updates on park cleanup, a recreation center roof issue, a new GIS hire and construction fencing at the new Utility Services Admin building. The meeting adjourned by voice vote.