Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety to Clarify Two-Hour Parking Rule

The Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety is looking to clarify its two-hour parking ordinance.

The board held a discussion regarding the parking ordinance as applied to a citation issued for violation of the 2-hour parking restriction downtown on the square. The core conflict centered on whether vehicles can return to the same parking section after two hours. VanMeter took issue with ordinance wording that he described as vague. He said this leads to confusion about whether or not a vehicle can park in the same section again outside of the original 2-hour time frame, after leaving and returning. The parking enforcement official who issued the citation was present and said that she agreed that there needs to be clarification. The board waived the parking fee, and Mayor Craig said that the parking team and the city attorney would work to clarify the ordinance.

Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang said there is a problem with the tower truck basket, which will not rotate. This could be due to an electrical issue or a more expensive part replacement. The department is waiting on a report from American Test Center, and a mechanic will make repairs once the issue is identified. October 4-10 is Fire Prevention Week, with a parade on Sunday in Dale. This year’s theme is fire safety, with planned visits to local schools, fire drills, and activities at the fire stations.

City Engineer Chad Hurm received permission to enter into a contract with the Lochmueller Group for the Mill Street project, which has an INDOT project contract. The addition to the current agreement is not to exceed $90,000, and is eligible for an 80/20 reimbursement. The 80% reimbursement from the state would be approximately $72,000. Hurm said he expects construction to begin in 2028.

Street Commissioner Jeff Theising presented quote results for a purchase of GeoMelt, a natural, beet juice-based liquid anti-icing and de-icing road treatment. Quotes were solicited from 4 companies and 2 were received. The low quote from Bustler Enterprises was accepted.

In other business, the board approved a request for the city’s annual purchase of trash tag stickers from Trash Stickers, Inc. A quote from Carpet Warehouse was approved for a replacement of the Pfaffenweiler Room carpet. Mayor Craig presented the resignation of Gerry Miller on the Jasper Planning Commission, which was accepted, and the board approved Adam Bower as the replacement for the Board of Public Works and Safety appointment to the Jasper Planning Commission.

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.

- By Drew Hasselbring