The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Rushville met on Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. Present were Mayor Mike Pavey, Brad Berkemeier, Gary Cameron, Phil King, Maria Bridges and city attorney Julie Newhouse. 

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

Street

Superintendent Land reported the following:

•The department is trying to determine the cause of a sinkhole in the 600th block of Spencer Street.    

•Another sidewalk has been completed, and two more will be done.

•Tree and bush trimming has been completed after bus drivers reported they were blocking traffic.  

Utility 

Superintendent Shook reported the following:

•The leak on 3rd Street was scheduled to be fixed the following day.

•Intat used about 1.4 million gallons less of water last month due to shut down. 

Animal

Director Hanna reported the following:

•Due to the staff shortage, most of the activities for August have been put on hold.  

•At the time of the meeting, two transports had been completed. 

Park 

Director Shaw reported the pool was closed and was being emptied.   

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The following project updates were discussed:

•The 8th Street ribbon cutting was held directly after the meeting.  

•The 15th Street Parking and Sexton project is delayed and expected to be done during the school’s fall break, Oct. 15-23.    

•The Willow Street mill and resurface is expected to be completed by the end of August.

NEW BUSINESS

The following topics were discussed:

Animal Control 

Director Hanna said Justin Wright is interested in the Animal Care Tech position. He currently works part-time for the park department. Cameron made a motion to hire Wright for the Animal Care Tech. Berkemeier seconded the motion. Motion carried.      

Planning/Zoning/

Code Enforcement  

A second interview was held the night before with the prospective final candidate. The department will take it before the APC & BZA for approval.

City Utilities 

•The open position in the utility department has been advertised for the position. There have been inquiries, but the position has been turned down due to the wage.    

Street Department 

Superintendent Land asked to hire Chad Martz from the park department. Martz has his CDL and can start Aug. 28. Berkemeier made a motion to hire Chad Martz as a truck driver. Cameron seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Parks Department

Berkemeier made a motion to reopen the hiring process for the park department. Cameron seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Fire/Rescue 

Chief Justice presented David Muterspaugh’s resignation. Berkemeier moved to accept Muterspaugh’s resignation effective Aug. 26. Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. Cameron made a motion to give Terry Dance a conditional offer of employment. Berkemeier seconded the motion. Motion carried.  

Mayor Pavey had the honor of swearing in Moriah Moore, as the Rushville Fire Department’s first female firefighter, at the Board of Works meeting. “Moriah is from Rushville and comes to us as a certified Firefighter and an Advanced EMT.  Help us welcome her to the department.”

The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.