The Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety met Tuesday and:

• Received a year-end report from Jasper Police Chief Nathan Schmitt. Arrest numbers were lower in 2020 than most years, especially during months earlier in the year when people were quarantining more at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. This meant issues such as traffic stops decreased, but crimes such as domestic battery increased, which may be because people are at home more than usual, Schmitt said.

• Approved the police department’s junking of a shredder and the junking of a console after the new one is installed.

• Approved the purchase of approximately 375 D.A.R.E. shirts at about $4.51 per shirt.

• Received the fuel maintenance report and code enforcement report from Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Hochgesang. The reports showed nothing out of the ordinary, he said.

• Approved the purchase of a $1,004 laptop from Cale Knies, director of personnel/safety/loss control.

• Heard that City Engineer Chad Hurm talked with Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools about installing a crosswalk near Jasper Middle School and Elementary School.

• Heard that 2020 tree and yard waste grinding costs came out to $20,496.75, which was under budget.

• Approved a change order of $3,000 for the city’s agreement with Universal Design for the interior redesign at City Hall.

• Discussed issues with parking on Cathy Lane. Trucks parking on the street are making it difficult for customers to get out near the businesses. City Attorney Renee Kabrick said she will mail letters to businesses along the street to notify them that the board intends to formally declare the area a no-parking zone sometime in the future.

• Approved the purchase of two new compressors for City Hall for $15,340.