The La Porte City Board of Public Works and Safety voted Tuesday to approve a series of routine and capital actions including a $275,922.35 first payment for the city’s solar project, the award of the Tipton Street utility relocation contract, two basement backup grant reimbursements and a one‑year refund of assessed commercial trash charges.

The board unanimously approved the solar contractor’s first pay application of $275,922.35, a payment described by staff as an upfront purchase of American‑made components and project development costs to secure a federal 30% rebate. Tucker King, who presented the payment request, said the expenditure represents about 21% of the overall project and was necessary to capture the incentive. Jerry Jackson, who operates the city’s water/wastewater utilities, told the board the city expects roughly 50% average generation over a year and cited a roughly 12‑year payback in his cost model.

The board also awarded the Tipton Street water and sewer relocation contract to Woodruff & Sons as the low, responsive bidder at $11,952,767.88. Jerry Jackson said the award will be paid from water and wastewater capital budgets; the board approved the award by voice vote.

Two basement backup grants submitted by residents on Second Street were approved. For 1534 Second Street the city’s share is $3,007.57 and the homeowner’s share is $919.25; for 1532 Second Street the city’s share is $3,981.25 and the homeowner’s share is $993.75. Jerry Jackson described the work as plumbing modifications and sump installations that will prevent sewer backups.

On utility billing, the board approved a one‑year refund by check for trash charges at 120 East Shore Parkway after staff confirmed the property has private dumpster service and had not been served by city weekly pickup. Finance staff calculated the one‑year refund amount at $497.34. Member Romine abstained from the vote due to a conflict.

Other items approved on voice votes included routine payroll and claims (civil, sewage and water), permission to execute closing documents for the sale of 2510 Monroe Street to The Learning Tree, transfers of several city parcels to the Redevelopment Commission, authorization to use Plaza 618 for the Nov. 29 Santa parade and the city employee holiday schedule for next year.

Motions recorded in the minutes were generally moved and seconded on the record; where a specific mover or seconder did not appear on the audio the minutes record only the motion and the board’s voice vote result.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Solar first pay application: approved; amount $275,922.35.
- Tipton Street utility relocation: awarded to Woodruff & Sons; low bid $11,952,767.88; approved.
- Basement backup grant, 1534 Second St.: city share $3,007.57; approved.
- Basement backup grant, 1532 Second St.: city share $3,981.25; approved.
- Trash refund (120 East Shore Pkwy): one‑year refund by check $497.34; approved (Member Romine abstained).
- Parcel transfers to Redevelopment Commission (Beachwood Lakes and Truesdale area): resolution approved.
- 2510 Monroe Street closing authority to mayor: approved.

The board’s approvals included authorization language limiting some actions to pending final engineering or legal review (for example, selection of the low quote on the downtown drainage/pedestrian quotes was conditioned on department review). No ordinance adoptions or second‑reading legislative actions were recorded in the meeting minutes for this session.

The board closed the meeting after customary unfinished business and community announcements.