Board of Works

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY MINUTES November 5, 2024 Regular Session: The Board of Public Works and Safety met in regular session on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. in the Common Council Chambers. Members present were: Gary Henriott, Cindy Murray, Ron Shriner, Amy Moulton and Eric Rody. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, was present at the meeting. President Henriott called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. MINUTES Mrs. Moulton moved for approval of the minutes from the October 29, 2024 regular meeting. Mrs. Murray seconded. Passed. BIDS UNDER ADVISEMENT 2025 Landscape Maintenance President Henriott stated that this item will remain under advisement. OLD BUSINESS Contract-Quotes: Small Concrete Projects (Tabled 10/22/24) Jeromy Grenard, Public Works Director, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Contract for Quotes for Small Concrete Projects with Dixon Construction. The contract is in the amount of $46,870.00 and has been determined to be the lowest responsive bidder. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Notice to Proceed- Quotes: Small Concrete Projects (Tabled 10/22/24) Mr. Grenard presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Notice to Proceed for Quotes for Small Concrete Projects. The project is set to start today pending approval. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. NEW BUSINESS Lafayette Renew Industrial User Permit-Kelly Corporation of Indiana Josh Terry, Lafayette Renew, presented to the Board and recommended approval of an Industrial User Permit for Kelly Corporation of Indiana. Mr. Terry stated that Kelly Corporation is permitted through the pretreatment program as a significant industrial user and in good standing. This is a 4 (four) year permit. Mrs. Moulton moved for approval. Mrs. Murray seconded. Passed. Board of Public Works and Safety November 5, 2024 Page 2 CLAIMS Jeremy Diehl, Controller, presented for Board approval of Claims in the amount of $6,593,931.76. President Henriott asked if there were any further questions and there were none. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Passed. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Roswarski announced that the Lafayette Public Safety Center has received two American Institute of Architects Design Excellence Citation Awards for new construction greater than $5 Million. Mayor Roswarski announced that the city also received the Greater Lafayette Commerce’s Center City Development Awards for improved or new construction in the center city area that speaks to its growth and transformation. Time: 9:07 a.m. Animal Control Appeal Hearing-Brandy Elizabeth Combs BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY ANIMAL APPEAL MINUTES November 5, 2024 Appeal Hearing: The Board of Public Works and Safety met on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 9:15 a.m. in the Common Council Chambers. Members present were: Gary Henriott, Ron Shriner, Cindy Murray, Amy Moulton and Eric Rody. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, was also present. President Henriott called the meeting to order. Animal Control Appeal Hearing-Brandy Elizabeth Combs Ms. Chosnek gave a brief description of the procedure for this hearing. Ms. Chosnek stated that the Board has received copies of incident reports by the Lafayette Police Department and the Animal Control Officers. Ms. Combs submitted is appeal in a timely manner with the Clerk’s Office. Chief Animal Control Officer (ACO), Sarah Goans, stated that Animal Control received a call on October 25, 2024 to 1324 Ferry Street regarding a black German Shepard (Bear) running at large and it had an elderly female trapped on stairs of the house next door. The ACO that arrived at the call noticed that the backdoor of the house was open and Bear was trying to get back home to that house. Another German Shepard (female) lives at that house and is friendly. ACO Goans stated Bear was displaying behavior consistent with protecting his home. The ACO on the call was able to contain both of the dogs. Ms. Combs was asleep inside the home during this call. Ms. Combs works 3 rd shift and sleeps during the daytime. ACO Goans stated that Ms. Combs was unaware that her backdoor was open. ACO stated that the neighbor of Bear sustained a bite to her forearm from Bear when she tried to get him back in his home on October 25, 2024. ACO Goans stated that this neighbor was notified of this hearing but chose not to attend. ACO Goans stated that a Dangerous Animal Agreement (DAA) was signed at that time for Bear only and signed by Ms. Combs. ACO Goans stated that there was another call to 1324 Ferry Street on October 29, 2024 regarding Bear running at large again. ACO Goans found Bear in the backyard of his residence but was not restrained by a leash, tie-out or kennel. ACO Goans stated that Bear was standing on the back deck barking at the door wanting in. ACO Goans stated that as she approached Bear he displayed behavior consistent with protecting his home but once she got closer to him and fed him treats, he was perfectly fine and went on her leash easily. ACO Goans loaded Bear into her truck and transported Bear to the Humane Society 4 Greater Lafayette. Ms. Chosnek went over the details of the DAA and what happens if any violations Board of Public Works and Safety November 5, 2024 Page 3 occur. ACO Goans stated that she impounded Bear due to the owner violating the DAA with the dog not being kept restrained and on property. ACO Goans stated that her department has had no interactions with this address or Bear until the first call on October 25, 2024. Brandy Combs, 1324 Ferry Street, is the owner of Bear. Ms. Combs stated that she recently took in Bears brother Gido about 2 weeks ago as a foster until he can be placed with a new owner because his owner is now deceased. Ms. Combs stated that she works 3rd shift and has to keep Bear on a tie-out away from Gido because the two male German Shepards don’t get along. Ms. Combs stated that Bear has an appointment tomorrow to get neutered in Lebanon at the vet clinic. President asked questions regarding why the neighbor was there helping with the dog or why the neighbor was allowed in her home Ms. Combs stated that the neighbor is not allowed in her home, and they are trying to deal with that issue. Ms. Combs stated that she had owned Bear for 4 years and cared for Gido for 2 weeks. Mr. Rody asked for clarification with the neighbor helping with Bear or coming into her home uninvited. Ms. Combs is not sure what is going on with the neighbor but has recently purchased outdoor cameras for her property. Ms. Chosnek asked Ms. Combs is she believes that the neighbor was trying to put Bear back into her home the first time, but Ms. Combs may have left the backdoor open the second time. Ms. Combs agreed with both of those statements. ACO Goans stated that the neighbor was bit on October 25, 2024 which resulted in a puncture wound and bruising to the forearm. Ms. Combs stated that her sister Melissa Combs is willing to take Bear to live with her in Zanesville near Fort Wayne, Indiana. Melissa Combs lives in the country and has another dog that gets along with Bear. Melissa Combs stated that she is willing to take Bear to her house to keep him in the family. ACO Goans recommended giving Bear to Melissa Combs but Bear has to be neutered before he is released and if the dog comes back to Lafayette it will be ceased with no appeal process. Ms. Combs will keep Gido but Gido has to be neutered as well. ACO Goans stated that the staff at the Humane Society say that Bear does not display aggressive behavior and is a friendly dog. Mr. Shriner asked about the bite victim. ACO Goans stated that the bite victim was torn/conflicted between Bear not getting taken away/destroyed and because she is scared. ACO Goans stated that the neighbor Rose did show her pictures of the dogs in their yard but all that showed was all the dogs were contained on tie-outs and/or in kennels as they should be. ACO Goans stated that this is not a typical situation for Bear and is not an aggressive dog. Ms. Combs stated that the female dog is fixed but both male dogs are intact. Mr. Shriner moved to give Bear to Melissa Combs (sister) to be taken home with her, the dog neutered before released, fees paid at the Humane Society and if Bear is found back in Lafayette he can be ceased with no appeal process. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Passed. Time: 9:35 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Gary Henriott s/s President ATTEST: Mindy Miller Riehle s/s Mindy Miller Riehle, 1st Deputy Clerk Minutes written by Mindy Miller Riehle, 1st Deputy Clerk *A digital audio recording of this meeting is available in the Lafayette City Clerk’s Office or online at http://www.lafayette.in.gov/agendacenter. **A list of all permits issued for the preceding week is available at http://www.lafayette.in.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/375