Hours of operation at the Culver Beach will change this summer.
Park Superintendent Anna Campbell Nowalk told the Culver Town Council last week that people want to get out on Lake Maxinkuckee in the morning when the water is calm. The extra activities with additional rentals plus activity with the sailing group left the staff struggling to keep up with visitors first thing in the morning.
A task force will come together to research the possibility of utilizing space inside the First Farmers Bank and Trust building on Main Street in Culver.
The Culver Town Council members, along with officials from the Culver Redevelopment Commission, Marshall County Economic Development Corporation and Utility Superintendent Bob Porter previously toured the building and thought there may be a benefit to using the space.
The Culver Town Council members will open bids for the Sand Hill Farms workforce housing development project in March.
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained to the council members last week that Engineer Mark Sullivan will have design plans ready for bidders on Wednesday, Feb. 28. A notice will be published so bidders have time to get them in by the deadline.
The Culver Town Council members reviewed an interlocal agreement between the town, Marshall County and Marshall County Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt.
It was the same document presented to the county commissioners last week for approval. Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained then that the agreement allows DeWitt to assist Culver with needs during county business hours on an annual basis. The fee was increased to $3,000 to bring it in line with the same services to the Town of Argos.
The Culver Town Council members held the first reading of an ordinance that would annex 71 acres of property into the town.
The five contiguous parcels include 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10 owned by Thomas Beste. The annexation is for the purpose of a planned unit development (PUD).
The Culver Town Council members opened bids Tuesday night for the proposed Damore Amphitheater project in the Culver Town Park.
Four bids were received with the lowest bid coming in with a base bid of $131,450. The separation between the lowest bid and the next lowest bid was merely $25. The highest base bid was $189,355.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where council members are expected to open bids for the Damore Amphitheater. Amphitheater plans call for a covered stage and four rows of tiered grass seating with concrete retaining walls to be constructed in the Culver Town Park. Additional open seating areas would be available around the stage and under trees. The project was the recipient of a crowdfunding grant as well as grant funds from the Marshall County Community Foundation and state grant funding.
The Town of Culver reached “stellar” status late last year with the Stellar Community Designation Program designation and with that comes several large projects to increase tourism and overall appeal to the lake town.
There is a four-year timeline in which to complete the projects outlined in the Culver’s strategic investment plan.
The Culver EMS, Fire Department and Police Departments are still looking to fill positions.
Culver Police Chief Wayne Bean told the Culver Town Council last week that he received five applications for an open officer position. He will be reviewing those with a recommendation soon.
The Culver Town Council reorganized for the year when they met Tuesday night. They were unable to do this action during their first meeting of the year as President Ginny Bess Munroe was unable to attend that meeting.
Munroe was elected to serve another year as the council president and the council members voted to retain Sally Ricciardi as the vice president.
Culver’s WinterFest event is set for February, but the possibility of a beer garden was brought before the Culver Town Council Tuesday night.
Organizer Tony Sellers told the town council members that he has shortened the operation time of the beer garden to 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There was concern about having spirits available until 9 p.m. in the Culver Town Park. Alcohol will be available during the highly-anticipated ice sculpture fights during the same time period. The vendor will also be set back from any children’s activities and other family-oriented events.
The Marshall County Council on Aging is stepping up efforts to gather funds for transportation services for the county’s veterans, disabled, and older population.
Jackie Wright from the Marshall County Council on Aging explained to the Culver Town Council members Tuesday night that the organization wants to meet the growing needs of the public and more funding can help expand routes and possibly add another route to service community members. She said that they had over 600 denials last year as not all requests could be handled due to availability.
The Culver Town Council members will meet in regular session tonight where they will hear a presentation from students on park improvements.
WinterFest organizer Tony Sellers gave the Culver Town Council an update on tentative plans for the event during the weekend of February 9-11.
The winter weather has put a dent in the Town of Culver’s road salt supply.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist told the Culver Town Council members Tuesday night that half of the town’s salt supply has been used to help clear roads in town so far this season. He assured the council members that the town’s contract with the salt supplier allows the town to purchase more at the current rate if the supply reaches a critical level.
The Culver Town Council members heard public comments concerning the proposed traffic ordinance.
Council Vice President Sally Ricciardi read a citizen’s letter into the record that discussed safety concerns for emergency vehicles and residents maneuvering around the streets that are narrow. One street mentioned was Ohio Street and portions of that street will have no parking as part of the ordinance. The resident also mentioned the noise level of semi truck idling in residential neighborhoods and parking of the tractor trailers on residential streets.
The Culver Town Council will hold a public hearing tonight to consider comments on the town’s proposed traffic ordinance.
The traffic ordinance designates a congested motor vehicle traffic and pedestrian area on Lakeshore Drive and signage will be placed between 508 Lakeshore east to 824 Lakeshore Drive. The ordinance also creates a no parking zone for 50 feet from the intersection on both sides of the street on Batabano and South Plymouth Street.
The Culver Town Council members discussed grant funds that were appropriated during the year at their meeting this week.
Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim commented that the town was fortunate to receive several grants in 2017 that weren’t recognized in the budget. She recommended that the list be available to inform the public of all funds awarded and spent, and on the record for the Department of Local Government Finance.
The Culver Town Council members took action Tuesday night to make sure budget funds will be balanced at the end of the year.
A resolution to transfer funds within departments and department funds was unanimously approved.
An ordinance to encumber funds for 2017 was also considered. A lot of the money to be encumbered is for paving.
The Culver Town Council members approved the second reading of the proposed traffic ordinance when they met Tuesday night.
The traffic ordinance designates a congested motor vehicle traffic and pedestrian area on Lakeshore Drive and signage will be placed between 508 Lakeshore east to 824 Lakeshore Drive. The ordinance also creates a no parking zone for 50 feet from the intersection on both sides of the street on Batabano and South Plymouth Street.
