Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Albany public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
24 issues with medium priority
One Southern Indiana funding appropriation
The council is scheduled to consider a second-reading ordinance directing EDIT, General, and Riverboat funds to One Southern Indiana, the regional economic development organization. Residents may weigh in during the scheduled public comment window before any vote.
2026 Street Paving Program Progress
Paving has moved to Wellington Drive, North Pearl Street is getting milled and paved this year, and contractors were reminded the street project must be wrapped up before Harvest. Landscaping on the trail is under one-year warranty after some plants struggled.
Trail connection to animal care facility
The commission is spending up to $25,000 on engineering design for a trailhead linking the new animal care facility on Grant Line Road to the trail. It will mainly serve volunteers walking dogs, plus accessible parking spots.
UV project fund shortfall and $141,824.91 transfer
The Sewer Board was scheduled to act on a contractor payment for the UV Disinfection Improvements project, work that upgrades how the utility disinfects wastewater. Paying the contractor keeps the project moving.
2027 Sewer Budget Review Schedule
The board will get its own budget in a workshop format soon, after the city council wraps its budget October 15. There's still time to finish before the end of the year.
Other potential new district designations
Neighbors are split on whether Silver Hills should get a local historic or conservation district. Supporters see it as the only way to stop teardowns; opponents don't want new restrictions on their property. No consensus yet — the ball is in residents' court.
Door-to-door solicitor permits for AT&T vendor
Board members flagged ongoing door-to-door solicitation on behalf of AT&T without permits, even after solicitors were told to stop. Figspire Management's permit request died when its representative didn't show, and the board put its concerns on the record.
Retention pond and erosion control at new subdivision
A neighbor asked that the water retention pond be finished before more development proceeds, after a heavy rain overwhelmed erosion controls and sent muddy water downstream. The developer gave a direct commitment to prioritize the pond, including seeding it before winter.
Fraudulent wire-transfer email targeting developer
Someone sent a sophisticated fake email pretending to be from a Plan Commission member, demanding the developer wire nearly $5,000 for hearing fees. It was caught, reported to police, and staff are warning everyone: the city will never ask for money by wire.
Slate Run Road geotechnical investigation
The city's federal-aid project to rebuild Slate Run Road from the elementary school to Eakin moves forward with soil borings and pavement cores in early November — done during school hours limits to avoid pickup-time traffic.
Oak Street reconstruction and water main relocation
The Oak Street contractor is relocating the water main before resuming sewer work; a rough gravel stretch near Pearl and Oak is left open with no barricades, raising safety worries.
Lafayette Drive sidewalk heaving
A constituent complained a tree was lifting the sidewalk near 1111 Lafayette Drive. Turns out the tree was already removed, so the fix is a sidewalk repair referral to the Board of Works plus a check for other problem trees.
Home ownership and down payment assistance
Two new local homebuyers received assistance through redevelopment funds, and staff noted strong interest in the program.
Pageant site Bank Street closure and access
The big Pageant development will close part of Bank Street through December 2028 to use it as a construction entrance while raising the road for a new water main. The board is requiring updated detour plans since Oak Street is also closed nearby.
Playground and flood-zone park planning
The river is at 19.58 feet and dropping, and crews are testing equipment and turning gates ahead of flood season, which starts November 1. The district says it's in good shape going in.
riverfront RV park development
New Albany is converting an old petroleum storage site on the riverfront into a city-run RV park. It’s a new public amenity on land that was formerly contaminated, so the big question is whether cleanup and costs pencil out.
Ditch repair behind apartment complex
An apartment developer had filled in a drainage ditch, and residents' yards were flooding. The stormwater department had contractors re-bridge the ditch, which should fix the problem.
Sewer easement for large residential development
A developer's engineer wants the board to approve a sewer easement serving a housing development of several hundred units. Capacity was already certified, but the board held off until staff and the Board of Works review it.
City claims totaling $2.49 million
The board approved two weeks of city bills — about $2.49 million covering September 22 through October 5.
Cherokee Drive closure for water leak repair
CenterPoint needs to close Cherokee Drive at Grant Line for a day to dig up a leak in the crosswalk, with a detour via Navajo and Wahoo. Two residents at the dead end must be notified.
New water main on E. 14th, Grant and E. 15th Streets
Indiana American Water is replacing an aging, break-prone water main, with no parking along the route for about four weeks starting around October 9 or 12. Residents face a one-day water shutoff when the new main is connected.
Harvest Homecoming safety and street restrictions
Main Street will again run the State Street garage during the festival, keeping 75% of revenue. A commissioner questioned whether paid parking should start before noon on setup Thursday, since festival-goers may slip in while downtown workers still need spots.
Silver Street park soccer field renovations
The council approved a request for $250,000 in tourism bureau money toward a roughly $2 million synthetic turf soccer field project at Silver Street Park, with lacrosse striping and an auxiliary building planned.
Homelessness and lack of permanent housing options
Council members said New Albany lacks adequate housing for homeless people, and discussed how a man slept outdoors for a week before getting an apartment. Members hope the episode sparks broader conversation about connecting services and resources.