MINUTES OF
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
BRAZIL, INDIANA
FOR AUGUST 12, 2026
A meeting with the Board of Public Works was held on August 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Brazil City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brian Wyndham. The Pledge was led by Mayor Brian Wyndham.
ROLL CALL: Linda Messmer, Ruthann Jeffries, Deputy Clerk – Treasurer Jill Bennett, City Attorney—Lou Britton, and Mayor Brian Wyndham
OTHERS PRESENT: Susan Patterson – Mayor’s Secretary, Clint McQueen – Police Chief, Cathy Hunter – Planning and Zoning Assistant, Planning and Zoning Administrator – Janet McClellan, Jake Bennett – Fire Chief, Tony Akles – Strand, Shawnette Szekely – Water Superintendent
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Linda Messmer made a motion to approve the minutes from July 22, 2026, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. The motion passed 3-0.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None
OLD BUSINESS:
- CHA invoice for $144,156.14 to be approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-1 adopting a Purchasing Policy for the City of Brazil, Indiana for Purchases of Supplies and Equipment and Services, seconded by Linda Messmer. Purchases less than $50,000 do not require Board of Works approval, only approval by designated purchasing agents who are the Mayor and Department Heads. Purchases between $50,000 and $150,000 require informal bids. Purchases over $150,000 require formal bids. City Attorney Lou Britton will make the necessary adjustments to the Resolution and is also striking the 3rd paragraph in the small purchase section on the original Resolution for the Board of Works to sign. Motion passed 3-0.
- CHA invoices were tabled to next meeting due to Steve Bender not being present to explain the invoices.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve Strand Associates with an agreement in the amount of $87,500 for Design Services, Bidding Related Services, and Construction Related Services for Forest Park Golf Course and Craig Park Paving, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. Tony Akles was present to explain the agreement. Motion passed 3-0.
- Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve the Sewer BOT project with Bose McKinney and Brenda De Vries for the I-70 Lift Station project, seconded by Linda Messmer. Motion passed 3-0.
- Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve the Mow list that is attached for August 12, 2026, seconded by Linda Messmer. Motion passed 3-0.
- Linda Messmer made a motion to approve the Cleanup list that is attached for August 12, 2026, seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. Motion passed 3-0.
- Shawnette Szekely expressed the concern with Volunteer Fire Departments in the County using the city hydrants filling up their trucks with water. She is concerned with the amount of loss water she has to report to the state when they do not notify her of hydrant usage on the unaccountable water audit she submits every 2 years. Fire Chief Jake Bennett will get the contact information for the volunteer departments and give them to Shawnette. The Mayor’s office will work on sending out a letter to all departments to notify Shawnette when they are using a hydrant to fill up their truck.
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 3-0.
- Utilities’ Office – Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve the claims from the Utilities’ Office, seconded by Linda Messmer. The motion passed 3-0.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
- The next meeting will be held August 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.
- CHA invoice for $144,156.14 to be approved.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Linda Messmer seconded
by Ruthann Jeffries. The motion passed 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
