Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Albany public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Home ownership and down payment assistance
Two new local homebuyers received assistance through redevelopment funds, and staff noted strong interest in the program.
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.
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.
City claims totaling $2.49 million
The board approved two weeks of city bills — about $2.49 million covering September 22 through October 5.
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.
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.
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.
Downtown fiber optic expansion
AT&T is replacing copper with fiber across downtown New Albany, running new aerial and underground lines through alleys and along decorated Main Street. The board secured commitments on restoration standards and a post-festival start date.
Sidewalk and curb replacement projects
A resident says his neighborhood's crumbling brick sidewalk is dangerous while the city is busy laying new brick sidewalks elsewhere. The commission suggested a neighborhood petition to the council member, code enforcement, and community development.
Lynn Court water main replacement
A long-delayed water main replacement on Lynn Court got the green light since it now falls outside the utility and paving policies — work could start next week.
Ma Cherie subdivision final plat
Two subdivisions totaling 81 lots — Rock Ridge and MaCherie Reserve — got the board's final plat sign-off. They still need county approval for the Mel Smith Road connection.
Duke Energy transformer upgrade at 1920 Indiana Ave. / 2401 Fairmount Ave.
Duke is replacing nine poles and upsizing wire along Spickert Knob Road starting January 2027 — about three months of work with flaggers on hand. It's a reliability project meant to cut outages.
New Albany Police Department report
Resident John Fouts asked the council for help with alleged identity theft, mail tampering, and a police report he calls falsified. Council members agreed to safeguard his documents and follow up individually rather than debate in the meeting.
Resident Complaint of Identity Theft and Police Report Dispute
Resident John Fouts asked the council for help with alleged identity theft, mail tampering, and a police report he calls falsified. Council members agreed to safeguard his documents and follow up individually rather than debate in the meeting.
2025 federal program performance (CAPER)
The commission's annual report on how 2025 redevelopment and community development money was spent. Silver Street Park public facilities funding will be fully spent once that project starts.
Utility pole replacement on Spickert Knob Road
CenterPoint Energy and Duke Energy both had work requests before the board — a new gas line on Mt. Tabor Road, an emergency gas main repair on Grant Line Road, and Duke pole replacements at E. Main and 13th. These approvals affect how quickly utility work can proceed in residents' neighborhoods.
Daisy Wayne Road Extension debt retired
The commission paid off the final installment on the Daisy Wayne Road Extension purchase contract, freeing that obligation from the city's books. A council member noted residents in his district were satisfied with the road project.
Mt. Tabor ("Dike") Park groundbreaking
A groundbreaking for the park project at the former QRS site is set for September 16 at 10 a.m., with the boat ramp lot serving as primary parking.
Sewer Cleaning Combination Truck Purchase
Quotes for a sewer cleaning combination truck were to be reviewed — the heavy equipment crews use to clear and maintain sewer lines citywide.
Padgett Development District Capacity Certification
The board was to certify sewer capacity for the Padgett Development District, a step that affects whether new development there can connect to the city's sewer system.
Street department staffing and MVH funding gap
The street department is one worker short and state motor vehicle highway money no longer covers its staffing, so the city plans another ~$300,000 general fund transfer.
Police staffing shortfall
The Police Merit Commission oversees hiring for the New Albany Police Department. This meeting was to cover new hire testing and whether one candidate stays in the process — decisions that shape future police staffing.
Riverfront access and floodwall improvements
The river is at 14.2 feet and expected to jump to 38 feet by Saturday. The director says it's likely upstream lock releases and nothing to worry about yet, but the board is keeping an eye on it.
Monon South Freedom Trail utilities
The trail connecting Eighth Street down Fourth Street and through downtown is nearly done in spots, with pavers going in along Main Street. Work is now visible between the flood wall and the downtown corridor.
Potholes in private parking lots
A resident asked the council to study an ordinance letting the city repair dangerous potholes in private parking lots and driveways — then bill owners through liens, like the tree ordinance. Big potholes on State Street properties have gone unfixed by out-of-town owners.
Head Start federal guideline changes
Council Member Murphy flagged proposed federal changes to Head Start that would mean fewer teachers, bigger classes, and fewer services for local kids. She urged the public to weigh in at headstart.gov.
Stormwater operations and inspection updates
Dickey is working with the administration on a stormwater presentation expected by the next meeting, and budget hearing scheduling with the clerk's office is underway. September's tight meeting calendar may compress business.
Shelley Street waterline project
A new 1,300-foot waterline is going in, requiring brief closures of Shelby/Thomas and an alley to pull pipe. Residents may see 4-6 hour water shutoffs when connections are made, with advance notice.
Wastewater Utility Monthly Report Summary for April 2026
Mike Wallace was scheduled to walk the Board through the wastewater utility's monthly report summary for December 2025, covering system operations and performance.
Tax incentive compliance filings (CF-1 forms)
Four companies — Clark Foods, Logandarby, MP Global and PAAR — fell short of job projections under their abatements, prompting the council to require written explanations while approving all 26 compliance forms.
Tourism bureau funding request
A resolution would ask the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau to fund a project promoting tourism in New Albany. If granted, it could bring visitor spending downtown. The outcome is not on record.
2025 Paving Contract Closeout
The city wrapped up its 2025 paving program, approving a final change order and releasing $92,067.52 in held retainage. Paving on State Street should be done by the end of the week, with Eakin Avenue concrete work continuing.
Town Clock Church restoration
The Town Clock Church — a downtown landmark with Underground Railroad history — has a broken clock, and repairs are estimated at $35,000. The commission is putting in $15,000, with a foundation and private donors covering the rest.