Huntingburg Board of Public Works meeting notes

The Huntingburg Board of Public Works and Safety met Thursday, August 6, 2026 and took the following actions.

Event approval

Approved an event, Hops and Chops Stampede, hosted by Yard Goat and Butcher & Barrel that involves a 0.5-kilometer fun run/walk with your drink from Market Street Park to the restaurant and brewpub for an anniversary party. Amy Maxey, representing the two businesses, said it was “The world’s most achievable endurance event.”

Street projects and 19th Street sidewalk progress

Work on the Community Crossing supported projects is expected to begin in the first part of the month, though a firm schedule has not been confirmed. The contractor’s scheduling contact was on vacation at the time of the meeting, so a precise start date was unavailable. On 19th Street, the crew is actively completing the sidewalk pour a section crossing a resident’s driveway with one more property to cross before the concrete portion of the sidewalk is complete. The dirt work and grading will be deferred until fall, as planting grass now would be pointless given the season. The board was comfortable with that approach, and no concerns were raised about the timeline.

Street department roof and interior repair planning

The roof on the street department building is essentially complete. The contractor is finishing gutters and edge tie-ins, and while their attendance has been intermittent due to other commitments, the board had no issue with that given the overall quality of the work. The roof no longer leaks, which was described as the main objective. Of the $300,000 appropriated for the project, approximately $252,000 was spent, leaving roughly $48,000. That remaining amount was always intended to cover interior work, including insulation and drywall. A structural engineer is scheduled to inspect the floor joists and ceiling above the break room at the end of August before quotes are sought from three contractors.

Demolition, surplus declaration, and clarifier infill

The board approved seeking bids for a tow handler for sludge handling at the wastewater plant, with costs expected to be reimbursable through the project’s existing funding structure. Also, the board approved declaring all equipment at the old treatment plant surplus, with most of it being scrap, though aluminum and any items of interest to neighboring towns will be separated out first. Commonwealth was authorized to prepare a demolition bid package for $9,800. Separately, a 50-foot-diameter, 14-foot-deep clarifier sitting in front of the plant office is to be demolished and filled in-house using millings, clay, and a compactor. The board approved proceeding with a cap of $15,000, with the intent to eventually pave the area as a parking lot.

South side pump station capacity and potential development near the airport

Mayor Neil Elkins told the board that multiple inquiries have come in from developers interested in land near the airport, with at least three separate parties making contact. Two of the three appear to be aviation-related, and the likely use is described as light industrial, including possible warehousing or small-scale production. The current wastewater infrastructure can handle flows in the near term, but if development proceeds and demand grows beyond year three, four lift stations in that area would need upgrading. A SCADA system for those stations is also being considered. There are no funds available internally for those upgrades, but federal grant funding may be available given the economic development angle. The board approved investigating costs and needs and bringing a proposal back.

Police department activity and new programs

The department recorded 749 interactions for the month, which was noted as a busy period with some officers away for training. The first citizens firearm safety course was completed and received strong feedback, with more registrations continuing to come in via social media. A second course is planned before year-end. Officer Mitchell Eckert is halfway through Drug Recognition Expert training, with a final certification week in Florida fully funded by ICJI, including transportation, meals, and call-out costs at time-and-a-half. The field training program is also being updated, extending from 16 to 18 weeks with a modified structure that has shown better outcomes elsewhere. Newly approved reserve officers are being outfitted and trained, with deployment expected by year-end.

Fire department rescue truck replacement and staffing

Fire Chief Don Heim sought approval to go out for bids on a new rescue truck. The current vehicle is 27 years old, has unresolvable electrical faults, and is the department’s most-used truck, attending fires, rescues, car accidents, and medical runs. The replacement being considered is deliberately basic but will include items regularly used by the department with its current truck. Heim said it won’t have a pump or custom cab, which removes roughly $200,000 from the cost. He is targeting under $650,000 for the new vehicle. The board approved investigating costs and establishing a replacement timeline, with financing still being discussed. Heim also sought and received approval to advertise for two open positions on the department to maintain full staffing capacity.

Planning, code enforcement, and the UDO review

The planning report showed 98 notice violations issued in the prior month, with the current month tracking similarly. Untagged parked vehicles were flagged as a growing issue. On the broader planning side, a review of the Unified Development Ordinance is underway, funded through Dubois Strong, with a goal of completing updates by year-end. The focus includes land uses that did not exist when the UDO was adopted in 2020 and 2021, such as solar fields and data centers. City Planning Director Paul Lake expressed that a flat moratorium against these developments would likely not survive a legal challenge, and that a considered, definition-based approach is more appropriate. The group also noted the need for a dedicated code enforcement officer to handle day-to-day compliance work.

Citizen concerns about speeding on South Chestnut Street

Resident Danny Houchins of South Chestnut Street addressed the board about persistent speeding and stop sign violations at the four-way intersection with First Street Avenue. He described the street as being used as a cut-through to avoid the main highway, with heavy traffic between 5:30 and 7:30 in the morning and again in the afternoon. He noted that police presence does produce compliance in the moment, but the behavior returns. He said he is not looking to consume police resources and would prefer infrastructure solutions such as an additional four-way stop or a speed camera. A meeting between the resident and the mayor was already scheduled for that afternoon. The board also noted that improved street lighting at the intersection is being looked at.

Hoarding ordinance and ongoing property compliance

Resident Janet Schnell raised concerns about a neighboring property subject to a hoarding ordinance, noting that items are slowly returning to the property, mowing between houses is not being done, and a skunk had been sheltering in an unsecured shed before moving into her garden that they had to pay to have trapped and removed. She noted she has been taking weekly photographs and has given permission for officers to access her property to document conditions. Fire Chief Heim confirmed the property has an outstanding citation to seal a building. The broader discussion noted several other properties in the northeast quadrant at various stages of compliance, with the city holding approximately $10,000 of an insurance settlement from one property owner pending cleanup.