MINUTES OF
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
BRAZIL, INDIANA
FOR MAY 13, 2026
A meeting with the Board of Public Works was held on May 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Brazil City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Ruthann Jeffries. The Pledge was led by Ruthann Jeffries.
ROLL CALL: Linda Messmer, Ruthann Jeffries, Deputy Clerk – Treasurer Jill Bennett, City Attorney—Lou Britton, and Mayor Brian Wyndham–absent
OTHERS PRESENT: Jake Bennett – Fire Chief, Susan Patterson – Mayor’s Secretary, Clint McQueen – Police Chief, Cathy Hunter – Planning and Zoning Assistant, Planning and Zoning Administrator – Janet McClellan, Code Enforcement Officer – Benny Boes, Steve Bender – Midwest Engineering, Shawnette Szekely – Water Superintendent, Dallas King—Wastewater Superintendent, Tony Akles—Strand
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Linda Messmer made a motion to approve the minutes from April 22, 2026, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. The motion passed 2-0.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve an application for payment for Strand Associates, the engineer on the Colony Acres sewer project, for B&T Drainage, Inc, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. Motion passed 2-0.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve the Cleanup list that is attached for May 13, 2026, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. Motion passed 2-0.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve the Mow list that is attached for May 13, 2026, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. Motion passed 2-0.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve change to phone stipend list for city employees, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. Report attached. Motion passed 2-0.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve a final change order for the Colony Acres Sewer project in the amount of $46,928.28, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. This was a decrease in the project. Motion passed 2-0.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve a submission to SRF in the amount of $1,754,088.07 for Plant Brothers for the water main project, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. This is subject to receipt of proof of insurance by Lou Britton, City Attorney. There was a change order presented by Steve Bender for this project in the amount of $7,477.00 that was included in this amount. Motion passed 2-0.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve a submission to SRF in the amount of $350,001.53 for Graves Construction Services for the water main project, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. This is subject to receipt of proof of insurance by Lou Britton, City Attorney. Motion passed 2-0.
- Steve Bender indicated that CHA recently acquired Midwest Engineers.
CLAIMS:
- Clerk’s Office – Linda Messmer made a motion to approve the claims from the Clerk’s Office, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. The motion passed 2-0.
- Utilities’ Office – Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve the claims from the Utilities’ Office, seconded by Linda Messmer. The motion passed 2-0.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
- The next meeting will be held May 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.
- Agreement between Strand and the City of Brazil for the I-70 Lift station project.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Linda Messmer seconded
by Ruthann Jeffries. The motion passed 2-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 a.m.
