Board of Works

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY MINUTES July 15, 2025 Regular Session: The Board of Public Works and Safety met in regular session on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the Common Council Chambers. Members present were: Cindy Murray, Amy Moulton, Eric Rody and Ron Shriner. Absent: Gary Henriott Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, was present. Mrs. Murray 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 July 8, 2025 regular meeting. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. NEW BUSINESS Engineering Certificate of Completion-Woodfield Village Raised Crosswalk Project Jeromy Grenard, Public Works Director, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Certificate of Completion for the Woodfield Village Raised Crosswalk Project with Dixon Construction. Mr. Grenard stated that the warranty period began on June 1, 2025 and work has passed all inspections. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Passed. Change Order #1-Heath Street Concrete Project Mr. Grenard presented to the Board and recommended approval of Change Order #1 for the Heath Street Concrete Project with Dixon Construction. The change order is an increase in the amount of $18,520.00 which brings the revised contract amount to $149,038.00. The change order includes removal and replacement of sidewalk, curb and alley approaches along with the addition of handicap ramps. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Legal Counsel Amendment #1-Agreement with the City of Lafayette Employees Alliance (CLEA) Ms. Chosnek presented to the Board and recommended approval of Amendment #1 for the Agreement with the City of Lafayette Employee Alliance (CLEA). Ms. Chosnek stated that the Radio Operator was treated as a CLEA position. Once the position was vacated by the current employee, that would be removed from the CLEA Agreement. Ms. Chosnek stated that that position has in fact been vacated and will be removing it from the agreement. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mr. Shriner seconded. Passed. Board of Public Works and Safety July 15, 2025 Page 2 CLAIMS Jeremy Diehl, Controller, presented for Board approval of Claims in the amount of $4,823,483.88. Mr. Shriner asked a question on Page 24 regarding the LPD Case Court Orders invoices. Mr. Diehl stated that these are court orders to distribute assets that have been ceased in police operations in the past. Mrs. Muray asked a question on Page 24 regarding what the Indiana Common School Fund invoices. Mr. Diehl stated that this is a state-level fund that goes to support schools. Mr. Rody stated that that this fund is a form of school corporations with very small, assessed value and certain inabilities to obtain bond funding. Discussion ensued. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Passed. MISCELLANEOUS Special Event Request-Grow Local Block Party Margy Deverall and Ken McCammon, Event Representatives, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Special Event Request for Grow Local Block Party to be held on July 26, 2025 from 12:00noon-4:00pm located on 14th Street between Cincinnati Street and the alley to the north. The representatives went over the details of the event and the background of Grow Local. Mrs. Moulton moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Mr. McCammon reminded the Board that the Jazz and Blues Festival will be in Downtown Lafayette this weekend. Special Event Request-Destination Downtown Block Party (Y2K Theme) Nolan Willhite, Event Representative, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Special Event Request for Destination Downtown Block Party (Y2K Theme) to be held on July 25, 2025 from 4:00pm-9:30pm located on Main Street from 4th-9th Streets. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Time: 9:12 a.m. Animal Control Appeal Hearing- Lee Smith BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY ANIMAL APPEAL MINUTES July 15, 2025 Appeal Hearing: The Board of Public Works and Safety met on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. in the Common Council Chambers. Members present were: Ron Shriner, Cindy Murray, Amy Moulton and Eric Rody. Absent: Gary Henriott Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, was also present. Mrs. Murray called the meeting to order. Animal Control Appeal Hearing-Lee Smith Ms. Chosnek stated that this is the appeal hearing filed by Lee Smith regarding the impoundment of his dog Bear. Board of Public Works and Safety July 15, 2025 Page 3 Spencer Hitchcock, Animal Control Officer (ACO), stated that he received a call on March 2, 2025 regarding a dog bite at 1116 S. 20th Street. ACO Hitchcock stated that had made contact with the victim of the dog bite, James McKinney, also took pictures of the injuries, along with the victim’s statement. ACO Hitchcock then went across the street to 1113 N. 20th Street to make contact with the owner of Bear. At that time, he was made aware that Bear was still running loose in the neighborhood. ACO Hitchcock spoke with Lee Smtih, owner of Bear, stated that Bear has bitten a person and let Mr. Smith know about the Dangerous Animal Agreement (DAA). ACO Hitchcock gave Mr. Smith a copy of the DAA to look over and read while ACO Hitchcock tried to catch Bear. ACO Hitchcock stated that he was unsuccessful in catching Bear at that time. In the meantime, Mr. Smith filled out the DAA to which ACO Hitchcock asked if Mr. Smtih had any questions, to which he had none. ACO Hitchcock stated that Mr. McKinney was worried about his bit and vaccination status of Bear. ACO Hitchcock stated that he advised Mr. McKinney to go to urgent care to get the wounds tended to and to let they know that he did not know the status of the vaccination. ACO Hitchcock stated that he told Mr. McKinney that he would let him know as soon as he could find out. ACO Hitchcock stated that he was told that Bear slipped off property then ran across the street at the victim, Mr. McKinney, reached down to grab his collar and that’s when Bear whipped around and bit his wrist with his teeth. ACO Hitchcock stated that Mr. Smith’s version of the event was similar, however he added that Mr. Smith told Mr. McKinney not to grab Bear. ACO Hitchcock stated that he finally got in contact with Bear’s vet and Mr. Smith. ACO Hitchcock found out that Bear’s rabies vaccination was expired and told Mr. Smith about the quarantine procedure for Bear. ACO Hitchcock then contacted Mr. McKinney to give him the update. ACO Hitchcock went over the purpose, procedure and requirements for all Dangerous Animal Agreements. ACO Aaron Gravely stated that he received a call from Mr. Mckinney on June 3, 2025 stating that he has a video showing Bear was running loose in the neighborhood again. ACO Gravely stated that there were other calls regarding bear running at large. ACO Gravely stated that he received an email from Mr. McKinney with 2 videos and pictures of Bear running at large. ACO Gravely confirmed from the pictures in front of him that Bear was running loose. ACO stated that on June 3, 2025 he spoke with Mr. Smith regarding the video of Bear running loose but Mr. Smith itinually claimed that Bear has not run loose since the DAA was issued. ACO Gravely told Mr. Smith that he had video of Bear and Mr. Smith then admitted Bear was running loose but got Bear back in the house. Bear was off property due to a broken fence board. ACO Gravely attempted to impound Bear at this time as a result of Bear running loose while on a DAA and then issued an Ordinance Violation Ticket to Mr. Smith for Running at Large. Mr. Smith claimed that he did not ever receive the DAA. Ms. Chosnek stated that the Legal Department prepared a document addressing Bear’s violation of the DAA that included a Notice of Violation of a Dangerous Animal Agreement letter that ACO Gravely issued to Mr. Smith. ACO Gravely stated that he gave the letter to Mr. Smith with an explanation. ACO Gravely stated that Mr. Smith was under the impression that once he paid is Ordinance Violation, the DAA would go with it. ACO Gravely stated that Mr. Smith had additional questions for him. ACO Gravely stated that when he returned to talk to Mr. Smith, he allowed ACO Gravely to cease Bear at that time. ACO Gravely stated that Mr. Smith has no recall over Bear and this is an issue. Chief ACO Sarah Goans stated that on March 17, 2025 she spoke with Mr. Smith regarding Bear running at large. ACO Goans stated that Mr. McKinney called in to report that Bear was running loose on March 16, 2025 later in the day. Bear was off property dragging his leash and without a muzzle around midnight. ACO Goans stated that in the video, it can be seen, that Bear is pacing Mr. McKinney’s fence and appears to be trying to play with his dogs through the fence. There was no aggression displayed at that time. ACO Gravely stated that she made contact with Mr. Smith regarding this situation, and he admitted that Bear has got loose from him while visiting a friend. ACO Gravely explained to Mr. Smith that the biggest issue was that Bear did not have a muzzle on. Mr. Smith claimed that Bear only had to wear a muzzle during his 10-day quarantine period. ACO Goans told Mr. Smith that was incorrect and that it stated as such in his DAA. Mr. Smith claimed that he did not receive a copy of Board of Public Works and Safety July 15, 2025 Page 4 the DAA. ACO Goans issued another copy of the DAA to Mr. Smith, and they went over the agreement in detail with each other. ACO Goans stated that she is familiar with the DAA process and is familiar with the events that lead up to the issuance of the DAA on March 2, 2025, was personally involved in the March 17, 2025 interaction and the Notice of Violation of the DAA letter. ACO Goans went of the details and procedure of enforcing the DAA. ACO Goans recommended not returning Bear back to Mr. Smith and the concern with overall control of Bear, the fencing and tie-outs not being adequate. ACO Goans answered questions from the Board. Lee Smith, 1113 S. 20th Street and owner of Bear, stated that Bear grew up in the neighborhood with another lady down that street. Mr. Smith stated that he took ownership of Bear for him to have a better life. Mr. Smtih stated that Bear is part husky/part lab and is a very friendly dog. Mr. Smith stated that Bear is not fond of men but does well with women and kids. Mr. Smith stated that during the incident he yelled out to Mr. McKinney not to grab Bear. Mr. Shriner stated that it is the tendency of people that see a loose dog to try and help by getting ahold of the dog’s collar. Mr. Shriner stated that he is concerned with Bear and kids. Discussion ensued. James McKinney, 1116 S. 20th Street and victim of Bear’s bite, stated that it is clear that Mr. Smith is not able to handle this dog. Mr. Mckinney stated that he will be dealing with problems with his wrist from the bite for years to come. Mr. Smith stated that he had installed cameras around his property after the DAA so he could record the fact that Bear runs loose around the neighborhood. Mr. McKinney stated he is not in favor of the dog being returned to Mr. Smith. Mr. Shriner stated that there are ordinances in place and there is a DAA on Bear and it is very clearly laid out. Mr. Shriner moved to deny the appeal. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Denied. Time: 9:37 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Cindy Murray s/s President Pro-Tem 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