Jasper Board of Public Works June 26 meeting report

The Jasper Board of Public Works approved several requests during its July meeting, including safety improvements for Wood Capital Pizza and training for police officers, while addressing ongoing code enforcement challenges throughout the city.

Wood Capital Pizza received approval for two encroachment requests related to its upcoming restaurant opening. The board unanimously approved the installation of a limestone step on the southeast corner of the building to address a 12-inch drop from a fire exit to the sidewalk.

“Our project manager and architects want to know if we can put a limestone step there to step down onto to make it safer for people for that exit if we need to use it,” said Kyle Jahn, co-owner of the restaurant and food truck.

The step measures approximately 48 inches in length and extends 11 to 12 inches from the foundation. While the fire marshal does not require the step, the architect and project manager recommend it for safety purposes.

The board also approved his request to place a three-yard dumpster in the city’s utility easement on the north side of the building for a period of six months. The temporary placement allows the business to demolish part of the building and create additional parking spaces.

Jahn hinted at the restaurant’s status, saying, “Hopefully, we’re going to open very, very, very soon.”

Police Chief Chad Dick received authorization to send two officers to Close Vehicle Quarter Battle training in Newburgh from July 7 to 11. The train-the-trainer program costs $1,800 and enables the officers to return and train other department personnel.

The training focuses on tactics and safety procedures for traffic stops. Traffic stops are considered one of the most hazardous activities for police officers, and the training will provide an alternative approach to traditional academy training methods.

Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang presented the monthly weed violation report, showing mixed results in property maintenance compliance. Several properties have resolved violations, including locations on West 9th Street, Park Street, Newton Street, and Jackson Street.

However, ongoing issues persist at some locations. The northside Dollar General Store has remained in violation since June 12, with aluminum racks full of cardboard and trash accumulating outside the building.

Maple Grove Mobile Home Park presents another challenge following the loss of its maintenance person. The property management company, located in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, has left multiple sites in violation. The city is attempting to make contact with management to determine how it can ensure the properties are maintained.

Chief Hochgesang also reminded residents about the upcoming Fourth of July fireworks safety, emphasizing the proper disposal of used fireworks and restrictions on the use of city property. The city website provides guidelines for safe fireworks use and designated areas for discharge.

The city street department spent an entire day with three workers addressing one particularly problematic property on Timberbrook, resulting in significant costs for the municipality.

Parks Department Superintendent Tom Moorman announced the fourth annual Prairie Walk scheduled for July 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Native plant and wildlife experts Will Drews (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer for the Indiana DNR Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology), and Olivia Fry (Wildlife Biologist with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever) will lead this guided nature walk that will highlight the returning vegetation after last year’s controlled burn.

“Since we did our control burn last year, it’s really replenished nicely. So it’s interesting to see how that worked out,” Moorman said, noting the event typically attracts about 50 participants.

The guided walk begins at the pavilion, with experts flagging native flowers and species throughout the area. The program expanded from one hour to two hours due to participant interest and engagement at the previous walks.

The board also approved Heart of Jasper’s request to close Astra Alley running north and south during the week of July 7 for paint touch-ups. Weather conditions will determine the exact duration of the closure.

City Clerk-Treasurer Kirsten presented a school resource officer agreement with Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools for the 2025-2026 school year. The agreement covers two positions – one for the primary middle school and one for the high school – with the school corporation reimbursing the city 80% of each officer’s salary.

The total reimbursement amounts to $86,499.60 per officer, totaling $172,999.20 for both positions. The agreement awaited school board approval at their meeting the previous evening.

The board tabled discussion of trash sticker price increases pending further analysis. Current stickers cost $1.50, but city officials acknowledge the price has not increased since 2010 or 2011 and does not cover actual service costs.