Noblesville Common Council awards ‘Stake in the Ground’ to city engineers

The Noblesville Common Council recognized Assistant City Engineer Jim Hellmann and Project Manager Andrew Rodewald as the 2024 Stake in the Ground honorees at its meeting Tuesday night.

The “Stake in the Ground” Award recognizes city employees – typically at the director level – who go above and beyond in their roles by “putting a stake in the ground” and significantly impacting the community. Each councilor makes a nomination, and then all members vote on the award.

“It was very well deserved,” said Council Member Mark Boice, who nominated the duo. “City Engineer Ali Krupski won the award in 2022, and she gave all the credit to her team, including Jim and Andrew. When Ali went on family leave to have a baby earlier this year, both did a phenomenal job, and we took it for granted how well they did while she was gone.”

(From left) Noblesville Common Council Members Darren Peterson, Megan Wiles, Evan Elliott, Todd Thurston, Assistant City Engineer Jim Hellmann, Project Manager Andrew Rodewald, Mark Boice, Aaron Smith, Pete Schwartz, David Johnson, and Mike Davis pose together after the council announced their “Stake in the Ground” recipients Tuesday night. (Photo provided by City of Noblesville)

Boice identified several significant infrastructure projects the engineering department completed over the past year. The city opened the first phase of the Reimagine Pleasant Street project and continues the work on phases 2 and 3. Hellmann’s work with private development was pivotal in supporting the city’s success in housing and economic development. Rodewald oversaw a majority of the city’s capital projects that are in design and construction and led the Noblesville Safety Action Plan and the city’s annual resurfacing programs.

“I am so proud of and thankful for Jim and Andrew,” City Engineer Ali Krupski said. “Their leadership and support within the engineering department, city hall, and public are unmatched. The city and engineering department have completed major goals and milestones these last five years, and it would not have been possible without them.”

Combined, the two have worked for the city for 41 years – 22 for Hellmann and 19 for Rodewald.