Logansport board approves contracts, event permits and conditional property‑maintenance appeal

Mayor Jacob Hammons called the Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety to order at 3:00 p.m. on May 27 and the board moved through routine business, approving claims and a slate of contracts needed for summer programming and city operations.

The board approved $572,944.45 in claims, including payroll and TIF disbursements, and voted to hire consultant Vicky Bird on a not‑to‑exceed 33‑hour contract for $2,500 to assist with a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for Riverside Park. The board also approved a $2,200 radio advertising agreement with Iron Horse Broadcasting to promote pool programming, July 4 activities and related summer events and accepted a short‑term rental agreement for a loaner rescue truck while the department’s vehicle is repaired in Alexis, Illinois.

Why it matters: the consultant and advertising contracts aim to support grant applications and increase community participation in city recreation programs; the truck rental preserves emergency response capacity while repairs proceed.

Chief Miller told the board that the rescue truck will be transported out of state for repairs and a loaner truck will be provided; the board voted to accept the short‑term rental agreement.

Code enforcement and property‑maintenance matters took significant meeting time. Randy, the city’s code‑enforcement officer, summarized the week’s activity: “our total inspections for the week was 132,” and he listed 24 trash notices issued (24 cleared), 29 pending cases, six citations issued and two cleanups completed. The board accepted the weekly report.

Three multiple‑violation property cases were heard. Alejandro Mora appeared for 210 East Linden Avenue and said the garbage issues were partly the result of confusion after he bought the property in September: “I bought it in September,” he told the board, and said he had paid a $150 fine and was working to enroll in city trash service. After discussion, the motion called to vote on further action at this meeting did not advance to additional enforcement.

Caitlin Martinez, appearing for 717 Race Street, said she was moving and arranging a dumpster to finish cleanup; the board voted to table that matter until the next weekly meeting and asked for visible cleanup by the return date. Tenant Berelyn Ayala and owner Jesus Perez appeared to appeal a $250 multiple‑violation fine at 2105 East Market Street; staff said earlier notices had explained the rules for curbside items. The board accepted the appeal and waived the $250 fine on the condition that no additional violations occur within 12 months (the previously billed $150 fine remains in effect).

The police chief, Chief Heishman, reported a personnel change: reserve officer James Klepinger resigned his reserve status after accepting a full‑time teaching position at the high school; the board accepted the resignation. The board also approved a noise variance and street‑closure requests from the Logansport Shrine Club for its Shrine Frolic (August 14–15 events), a curb/street‑cut repair at 1480 Holland Street for NIPSCO work, and a grouped slate of electrical license renewals and new licenses.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of May 20 minutes — approved (roll call affirmatives).
- Approval of claims totaling $572,944.45 — approved.
- Dismissal of unsafe citation for 1626 East Broadway — dismissed.
- Agreement with Vicky Bird (Riverside Park/LWCF support), not to exceed $2,500 — approved.
- Radio advertising agreement with Iron Horse Broadcasting ($2,200) — approved.
- Addition and approval of Alexis (loaner) rental agreement for rescue truck — approved.
- Acceptance of reserve officer James Klepinger’s resignation — accepted.
- Noise variance and street closure for Logansport Shrine Club Shrine Frolic — approved.
- Curb/street‑cut request for 1480 Holland Street (NIPSCO repair) — approved.
- Code‑enforcement weekly report — accepted.
- 210 East Linden Avenue (multiple violations) — no additional enforcement action taken at this meeting.
- 717 Race Street — tabled to next week for required cleanup.
- 2105 East Market Street — appeal accepted; $250 fine waived conditional on no violations for 12 months; $150 prior fine remains due.
- Electrical licenses (multiple applicants) — approved as a group.

Board members closed the meeting after brief remarks on the recent Memorial Day parade and adjourned.

Officials and other participants quoted in this report are identified by their statements during the May 27 meeting of the Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety. The meeting was conducted at Logansport City Hall and followed the board’s routine agenda.