Auburn Board approves RFPQ for city hall and police remodel, multiple street closures, grants and equipment purchases

The Auburn Board of Public Works and Safety approved a package of routine administrative and operational items, including a request‑for‑proposals and qualifications for two renovation projects, multiple street closure requests for community events, acceptance of a public safety grant, and several vendor contracts and quotes.

Mayor's office: The board approved issuance of a combined RFPQ to procure design and construction services for separate police department and city hall renovation projects under a single procurement process that will later support two separate guaranteed maximum prices.

Police and events: The board approved a street closure request from Ninth Street Group for the "Ninth Street Brew" festival on Aug. 28, 2026, 4:00–9:00 p.m., specifying no alcohol will be permitted. The board also approved two‑phase closures submitted by the Decal County Fair Association (phase one Sept. 26–Oct. 4, 2026; phase two Sept. 21–Oct. 6 for an industrial tent) covering a list of downtown and adjacent streets, and a brief Main Street closure from 5th to 6th for Big Brothers Big Sisters' grand opening on June 4, 2026.

Grants and equipment: Police asked the board to accept a Patrick Ley Proof Vest Partnership 50/50 matching grant totaling $11,187 to purchase bulletproof vests; the board approved acceptance. The board approved a $5,250 contract with Allen County Fence for a K9 handler's fence and noted the K9 handler is responsible for fence maintenance post‑installation.

Streets and pavement: Street department quotes from Pavement Solutions were approved for crack seal material (presented at $1.40 per pound estimating 35,000 pounds) and a micro‑surface application at $4.25 per square yard estimating roughly 12,000 square yards. The board also approved a contract with INDOT for street sweeping on State Road 8, under which INDOT will pay the city $450 per curb mile (total reported as $8,721), with earlier services paid at $360 per curb mile.

Electric and water: The board approved acceptance of deeds/easements for 300, 620 and 810 Morning Star Road, an award to Brownstown Electric Supply for meter replacement in the amount of $67,000, and approval of monitoring software with Tanalyst for $56,778. Electric staff also presented results of transformer oil testing identifying excessive wear at a transformer at Grandstaff and recommended awarding a repair/testing contract; the transcript contains inconsistent dollar figures on that item, which staff should clarify in post‑meeting documentation.

All items were moved, seconded and approved by voice votes during the meeting. There were no substantive public comments and no recorded roll‑call tallies in the meeting record.

Provenance: These items are summarized from department reports and motions recorded in the meeting timeline (see timeline entries SEG 175–SEG 439 for mayoral, police, street, electric and other items).