Board of Works

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY MINUTES March 18, 2025 Regular Session: The Board of Public Works and Safety met in regular session on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the Common Council Chambers. Members present were: Gary Henriott, Cindy Murray, Eric Rody, Ron Shriner and Amy Moulton. 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 March 11, 2025 regular meeting. Mr. Shriner seconded. Passed. BID OPENING 2025 Miller Addition CDBG Project This being the time set to open bids for the Board of Public Works and Safety for the 2025 Miller Addition CDBG Project the following bids were received and opened: Dixon Construction Lafayette, Indiana Base Bid: $170,376.00 Milestone Contractors Lafayette, Indiana Base Bid: $293,995.00 Mr. Shriner moved to take the bids under advisement for further review. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. NEW BUSINESS Purchasing Department Declaration of Surplus Property-Traffic Department Dave Payne, Purchasing Manager, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Declaration of Surplus Property for the Traffic Department that includes a 1947 Creamer & Dunlap Air Compressor Serial# 3047. Mr. Payne stated that this item will be listed on GovDeals.com. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mrs. Murray seconded. Passed. Board of Public Works and Safety March 18, 2025 Page 2 CLAIMS Jeremy Diehl, Controller, presented for Board approval of Claims in the amount of $728,304.57. President Henriott asked if there were any further questions and there were none. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Passed. MISCELLANEOUS Special Event Request-GreenFest Haylee Griffey, Event Representative, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Special Event Request for GreenFest to be held on June 7, 2025 from 10:00am-2:00pm at Riehle Plaza and the Big 4 Depot Community Room. Ms. Griffey went over the details of the event. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Passed. Banner Request-Lafayette Urban Ministry/Hunger Hike President Henriott presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Banner Request for Lafayette Urban Ministry to be hung on Columbia Street from September 2-16, 2025. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed Time: 9:06 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY ANIMAL APPEAL MINUTES March 18, 2025 Appeal Hearing: The Board of Public Works and Safety met on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 9:10 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-Graham Kennedy Ms. Chosnek gave a brief description of the procedure for this hearing. Ms. Chosnek stated that the owner of Silas is Graham Kennedy at 2610 Main Street, Lafayette Indiana. Aaron Gravely, Animal Control Officer (ACO), confirmed that the ACO’s were called on July 11, 2023 for a dog bite. ACO Gravely stated that Mr. Kennedy’s fence was open, and Silas got out and went to the neighbor’s home when a child was swinging. Silas bit at the child while on the swing and tore her sweater. As a result, Mr. Kennedy entered into a Dangerous Animal Agreement (DAA) for Silas on July 11, 2023. Ms. Chosnek went of the details of the DAA agreement with the Board and ACO Gravely confirmed that Mr. Kennedy was aware of the outcome if the DAA was not followed. ACO Gravely has determined that Silas is a dangerous animal due to its nature and attempted bite. ACO Gravely stated that they were called out on October 13, 2023 for two (2) dogs running at large off of South Street. One animal was a Beagle and the other was a brown lab mix (Silas) that appeared aggressive at the time and was put on a control stick. Both dogs were loaded in the truck, chip scanned, and it was determined that one of the dogs was Silas and was seized on his DAA at that time. Mr. Kennedy filed an appeal for that seizure in October 2023. However, Mr. Kennedy and the ACO’s were able to reach an agreement for the return of Silas prior to the hearing. Mr. Kennedy was told to correct his fence issue. ACO Gravely stated that they were called out on March 4, 2025 for a dog running at large. When they approached Silas, he seemed very defensive/ He was put on the control stick and verified that it was Silas. ACO Gravely seized and impounded Silas at that time. ACO Gravely stated that Silas is fine until approached and will most likely try and Board of Public Works and Safety March 18, 2025 Page 3 bite another person without the owner around. ACO Gravely stated that if Silas is returned, he will continue to have further violations. Graham Kennedy, Owner of Silas, stated that he has two young boys; a one-year-old and a three-year-old at home that play with Silas, around has food bowl and sleep with the children. Mr. Kennedy stated that he has never seen Silas be aggressive. Mr. Kennedy knows that because he is the owner that it is his responsibility to keep Silas on his property. Mr. Kennedy read a letter aloud to the Board regarding his ownership with Silas, efforts to keep Silas in the yard, vet records, home life with the children and ownership responsibility. Mr. Kennedy stated that they have quit leaving the dogs outside when they are not home. Mr. Kennedy stated that he has installed multiple latches on the fence to contain his dogs. Mr. Kennedy asked the Board for more one last opportunity to take Silas home and contain him on their property with an electric fence. Mr. Kennedy mentioned to the Board that he brought all of Silas’s vet records if needed. Mr. Shriner stated that he knows that Mr. Kennedy loves his pets, but this is mainly a public safety issue. Mr. Shriner stated that due to there being multiple calls for Silas there is not much that the Board can do. Mr. Shriner moved to deny the appeal. Mrs. Murray seconded. Denied. Mr. Kennedy asked the Board what will happed to Silas now and asked if he could rehome Silas himself. Mr. Kennedy was told that ACO Gravely would be able to answer those questions after the hearing. Animal Control Appeal Hearing-Jacob Griffith Sarah Goans, Chief Animal Control Officer (ACO), confirmed that the ACO’s have had contact with Jaccob Griffith, Owner of Titan, on April 16, 2024 and March 19, 2025 for dog bites. ACO Goans stated that on April 16, 2024 they were called for a woman that was walking down the street and was bit on her left calf by a black lab mix dog. The victim sustained several puncture wounds to her calf. ACO Goans stated that Titan was not up to date on his vaccinations during this incident. ACO Goans stated that a DAA was entered into on April 16, 2024. Ms. Chosnek and ACO Goans went over the retails of the agreement. ACO Goans stated that they were called out on March 10, 2025 for a woman and her husband walking down the street when a black lab mix dog came running where the lady sustained injuries on her left hip and torn sweatshirt. ACO Goans stated that ACO Hitchcock spoke to Titan’s owner Mr. Griffith about the DAA Agreement that is in place and that they would need to seize Titan as this time. ACO Goans stated that Titan at the time of this incident was not up to date on his vaccinations. ACO Goans stated that the victim was told about the vaccination status for Titan. ACO Goans stated that Titan is aggressive anytime anyone has tired to handled him in the shelter, ACO Goans stated that when ACO Hitchcock loaded Titan into his truck it took the help of the owner to get Titan to go in. Titan has to be on a control stick when being handled in the shelter ACO Goans stated that if Titan is returned, he will continue to have further violations. Jacob Griffith, 3918 Penbrook Lane and Owner of Titan, stated that got out of the yard due to workers not securing the back yard. Mr. Griffith stated that he could hear Titan barking while he was running towards the woman and husband walking. Mr. Griffith stated that he understands that Titan should not have been out running off property. Mr. Griffith stated that Titan is now in training classes and is dealing with the effects of Titan being abused as a puppy by a previous owner. Mr. Griffith confirmed that Titan had the DAA issued in April 2024 where Titan vaccinations were not and still not up to date. Mr. Henriott stated that this is a public safety issue, and the City has a responsibility to protect the community. Mrs. Murray moved to deny the appeal. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Denied. Time: 9:32 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