Board of Works

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY MINUTES September 2, 2025 Regular Session: The Board of Public Works and Safety met in regular session on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the Common Council Chambers. Members present were: Gary Henriott, Cindy Murray, Amy Moulton, Eric Rody and Ron Shriner Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, was present. 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 August 26, 2025 regular meeting. Mrs. Murray seconded. Passed. NEW BUSINESS Lafayette Renew Amendment #2 to Task Order #3 for Sanitary Inflow/Infiltration Field Investigations with Wessler Engineering Brad Talley, Renew Superintendent, presented to the Board and recommended approval of Amendment #2 to Task Order #3 for Sanitary Inflow/Infiltration Field Investigations with Wessler Engineering from the 2021 agreement. The scope of the amendment includes schedule flow monitoring continuing through December 2025 and compensation for the extended flow monitoring services in the amount of $10,000.00 bringing the amended not-to-exceed total compensation to $100,000.00. Mr. Talley answered questions from the Board regarding the project including the current and previous task order. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Task Order #8 for 2025 Smoke Testing with Wessler Engineering Mr. Talley presented to the Board and recommended approval of Task Order #8 for 2025 Smoke Testing with Wessler Engineering. This task order is to provide smoke testing of approximately 63,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers in the City of Lafayette wastewater collection system to identify sources of infiltration and inflow and prepare a report of findings. Mr. Talley stated that the fee for this task order is a not-to-exceed amount of $58,000.00 without the owner’s written approval. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mrs. Murray seconded. Passed. Task Order #9 for Sewer Rehabilitation 2025 with Wessler Engineering Mr. Talley presented to the Board and recommended approval of Task Order #9 for Sewer Rehabilitation 2025 with Wessler Engineering. The task order is to provide services including the design phase and bid phase for the work included in the 2025 sewer rehabilitation project for the priority sewers previously identified by the owner, including approximately 15,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer ranging in size from 8-inches to 10-inches in diameter. Mr. Talley stated that the fee for this task order is not-to-exceed amount of $45,000.00 without the owner’s written approval. Mr. Shriner moved for approval. Mrs. Moulton seconded. Passed. Board of Public Works and Safety September 2, 2025 Page 2 Contract for Durkees Pond Drainage Investigations-Task Order 2025 with BF&S Mr. Talley presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Contract for Durkees Pond Drainage Investigations-Task Order 2025 with BF&S in the not-to-exceed amount of $23,700.00. Mr. Talley stated that this contract includes work that involves investigating sources of contributing drainage as well as analysis of the existing outfall of the drainage pond near Durkees Run and the old Durgan School, west of 18th Street. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mrs. Murray seconded. Passed. CLAIMS Jeremy Diehl, Controller, presented for Board approval of Claims in the amount of $4,527,454.96. President Henriott asked if there were any further questions and there were none. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mr. Shriner seconded. Passed. MISCELLANEOUS Special Event Request-Isaiah 117 House Ribbon Cutting Holly Hess, Event Representative, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Special Event Request for the Isaiah 117 House Ribbon Cutting to be held on September 5, 2025 from 2:00pm-3:00pm located on Bonny Lane between 27th Street and 28th Street. Mrs. Moulton moved for approval. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Special Event Request-Lafayette Urban Ministry Press Conference Jen Bushore, Event Representative, presented to the Board and recommended approval of a Special Event Request for Lafayette Urban Ministry Press Conference to be held on September 3, 2025 from 10:00am-11:00am located at Riehle Plaza. Mr. Rody moved for approval. Mr. Shriner seconded. Passed. Time: 9:10 a.m. Animal Control Appeal Hearing-Virginia Medrano BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY ANIMAL APPEAL MINUTES September 2, 2025 Appeal Hearing: The Board of Public Works and Safety met on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 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-Virginia Medrano Board of Public Works and Safety September 2, 2025 Page 3 Ms. Chosnek gave a brief description of the procedure for this hearing. Ms. Chosnek stated that the appeal was filed by Virginia Medrano regarding Luna and Sammy. The animals were ceased on August 23, 2025 for violation of a Dangerous Animal Agreement (DAA) and the appeal was filed on August 27, 2025. Animal Control Officer (ACO) Mitchell Burchfield stated that he responded to a call on August 8, 225 regarding two (2) dogs running at large and biting someone. ACO Burchfield stated that the call was for the two dogs that were off their own property and had bit the victim, Ed Roll, who resides at 1817 N. Creasy Lane. Another call came in where the same caller, Mr. Roll, stated that the two dogs are out front of their home and not allowing them to leave the house. The dogs were acting aggressive towards the people when they tried to leave their house. ACO Burchfield stated that there was also technicians/lawn care company at the home of the two dogs at 1813 Beechwood Drive. ACO Burchfield stated that when we arrived at the scene the victim stated that the dogs ran east back into the neighborhood towards Beechwood Drive and they were still running at large. ACO Burchfield stated that he then drove around the area looking for the two dogs but was unable to find them. However, ACO Aaron Gravely, who was also on scene, found out that the dogs returned home. Ms. Chosnek confirmed that ACO Gravely then proceeded to Hospital ER to check on the victim of the dog bite, Mr. Roll. ACO Burchfield stated that Mr. Roll sustained a puncture wound on the top of his hand and also on the palm of his hand. Mr. Roll told ACO Burchfield that he sustained those injuries while reaching down to the dog to check the collar tags. ACO Burchfield confirmed that the bite did occur at his home at 1817 N. Creasy Lane. Ms. Chosnek stated that there are photos to show the injuries to Mr. Roll. ACO Burchfield confirmed that those photos were of Mr. Rolls’ injuries. ACO Burchfield stated that he issued a DAA for both Luna and Sammy on August 8, 2025 during this incident. ACO Burchfield went over the details and requirements of the DAA and why it is issued. ACO Burchfield stated that the victim was unable to tell which one of the dogs did bite him because they look so much alike. Therefore, both dogs have a DAA as a result. The owner signed the DAA at that time and the ACO’s answered any questions they had at that time. ACO Burchfield stated that he inquired about the vaccination status of the two dogs. He was advised that both dogs were up to date on vaccines at the scene but followed up the next day with the vet on August 9, 2025 and found out that records on file with 2 years overdue for vaccines on Luna. Sammy is not old enough to have vaccines next so there are no records currently. ACO Burchfield reached out to Mr. Roll to update him on the vaccine status of each dog. ACO Burchfield reached out to the dog owners as well to inform them that the dogs would need to be quarantined due to the vaccination status. ACO Burchfield stated that the dogs were able to get loose because the lawn care company did not latch the gate correctly. Ms. Chosnek stated that there was another call on August 23, 2025 for both the dogs running at large and another person was bitten. ACO Burchfield stated that he was called out for two dogs running at large in the area and the dogs were identified as Luna and Sammy. The dogs were running around and bit the next-door neighbor on his elbow. ACO Burchfield stated that the dogs were out running at large for at least an hour before charging into the neighbor’s backyard and biting the victim, Akhunuv Marat, who resides at 1809 Beechwood Drive. ACO Burchfield stated during this call another neighbor came up to him and stated that he was bit by these dogs previously but did not report it to Animal Control. ACO Burchfield stated that the dog owner blamed the lawn care company for not closing the gate correctly. ACO Burchfield stated that Mr. Marat was in his backyard gardening and saw the dogs running at large but had never had an issue with them prior. Mr. Marat told ACO Burchfield that 30 minutes after both dogs ran into his backyard and the larger of the two dogs (Luna) bit him on his left elbow. Ms. Chosnek stated that there are photos for this bite as well. ACO Burchfield stated that he would classify these injuries as puncture/tear and significant injuries. ACO Burchfield stated that he did not return to the scene when the medics were treating Mr. Marat because he was still out looking for the dogs that were still running at large. ACO Burchfield stated that the medics radioed in that they saw the dogs running around matching their description. ACO Burchfield met up with the medics, where his body worn camera was activated, and saw Luna only. Sammy had returned home. ACO Burchfield stated that when he met with the medics, Luna was standing in front of the ambulance and when one of the medics that had a leash went to approach Luna, the medic put his hand out with his leash and Luna jumped on his chest and attempted to bite him. ACO Burchfield Board of Public Works and Safety September 2, 2025 Page 4 stated that he would classify this as aggression. ACO Burchfield stated that if the dogs were returned home there would be further violations of the city animal control laws. ACO Burchfield answered questions from the Board regarding the vet follow up and the situation with the medic. Sammy was new to the household and her vaccination status was unknown. ACO Burchfield stated that he estimates Sammy as under a year old and Luna is around 4 years old. Chief Animal Control Officer, Sarah Goans, stated that she is familiar with the incidents on August 8th and August 23rd, 2025 involving Luna and Sammy. ACO Goans stated that Luna tends to show more aggression that Sammy and Luna does not need much to be provoked. ACO Goans stated that the medic that was jumped on did not do anything out of character towards the dogs. ACO Goans stated that there is a level of negligence on the owner’s behalf because after the DAA is issued the ACO’s make it very clear that the dogs are not to be outside unsupervised. If the dogs were in their backyard and got loose for over an hour with the owner not aware, this demonstrates that the dogs were in fact unattended. ACO Goans stated that they could not prove that the lawn care company was the reason the gate was open both times. ACO Goans stated that if Luna was returned home there would be further violations. ACO Goans stated that Sammy is young and according to the animal shelter, has not shown any signs of aggression. ACO Goans stated that she would be comfortable with Sammy being returned home, but not Luna due to her aggression. ACO Goans stated that DAA were issued on both dogs because it was uncertain which dog was the one biting people, however based on all of the evidence and interactions with the dogs, it most likely is Luna who is biting people. ACO Goans recommended not allowing Luna to return home but allowing Sammy to return home with a final DAA with no chance of appeal if she is ever ceased again. ACO Goans stated that Luna’s behavior and aggression is escalating as time goes on. Virginia Medrano, 1813 Beechwood Drive, stated that one of her sons stays with her at her house because both her husband and other son have passed away recently. The son that stays with her has a home at 1014 S. 14th Street. Mrs. Medrano stated that she has reinforced the backyard gate lock. Mrs. Medrano stated that Luna is going through mourning because she was Mr. Medrano’s dog. Mrs. Medrano stated that Luna has Addison’s Disease that costs $300 per month for medication. Mrs. Medrano stated that her dogs are not aggressive. Sammy is only 3-4 months old, so she has not had her vaccines yet. Luna goes to West Lafayette Veterinary Clinic where she gets her shots every month. Mrs. Medrano stated that the medic that Luna jumped was a very large man and the dogs are not used to being outside with random people. Mrs. Medrano stated that the dogs were not running at large and is willing to relocate them to the country if needed. Mrs. Medrano stated that her son signed the DAA, not her, so she is not the dog owner. Mrs. Medrano stated that Luna is 5 years old and Sammy is 4 months old. Mrs. Medrano stated that it has been a very traumatic time for her family. Ms. Chosnek asked Mrs. Medrano to confirm that Sammy and Luna were outside of their yard running and that there were bites that occurred to individuals. Mrs. Medrano confirmed that is true. Mrs. Medrano stated that she works in Indianapolis and had to work late the day that the dogs were running at large for over an hour. Ms. Chosnek asked ACO Goans if the DAA are a requirement of the animal control laws or an option to allow owners another opportunity to show that this was a one-off behavior of animals. ACO Goans stated that this is an option that is offered. A DAA is not required and the ACO’s could look at animals on a first violation basis and choose to impound them at that time. President Henriott stated that there is an opportunity to separate the dogs for returning home. Ms. Chosnek stated that if there was a recommendation to separate the dogs it would be beneficial to have a final DAA where an animal is returned home in lieu of being impounded. The final DAA has all of the same requirements as the original DAA but these agreements are a last chance opportunity. If the final DAA is violated there is no further right of appeal. ACO Goans stated that Luna does appear to be the aggressor, and dogs fall into pack mentality and stated that Sammy was barking and growling but there is nothing to support that Sammy has done any actual biting. Mrs. Murray moved to approve the appeal for Sammy to be returned home with a Final DAA. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Mrs. Murray moved to deny the appeal for Luna. Mr. Rody seconded. Passed. Mr. Shriner stated that this is a risk because the two dogs were together and neither one was clearly identified. Mr. Rody Board of Public Works and Safety September 2, 2025 Page 5 confirmed that if the Final DAA was issued there would not be another appeal process. Ms. Chosnek confirmed and went over the details. Time: 9:42 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