Culver Community School Corporation is currently in the process of installing a new sign that better represents the school corporation. Back in September, the Culver Community School Board discussed the design of the sign.
At the Culver Town Council meeting last Wednesday, Superintendent Karen Shuman alerted the board that the old sign was taken down that day and they are planning to have the new one up within the next week. Continue reading
Culver Town Manger Jonathan Leist informed the board last week that the town is one of the few communities in the area who received all the Community Crossings grant funds they requested this year. He said the $206,000 received will go a long way to assist with projects they have in the works.
Leist mentioned that work on College Avenue, parts of Jefferson Street and the entrance at the Sand Hill Farm are the three priority projects. He told council members that in their grant proposal they utilized estimates that came from E&B paving. However, since those numbers were calculated several months ago, Utility Superintendent Bob Porter is looking into quotes. Leist said he is expected to present those quotes at the next town council meeting. Continue reading
A public hearing was held over the proposed 2018 Budget at a Culver Town Council meeting on Wednesday. Council President Ginny Bess Munroe acknowledged that the council held a number of work sessions and departmental meetings over the budget. She handed things over to Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim who provided a basic synopsis of the budget to the public.
Heim said the proposed general fund is at $1,840,530 and the expected income is set at $1,815,437. She continued that with the proposed tax caps coming in at $29,135 that leaves a deficit of $54,228. She advised that she low-balled the income and the difference will not be as substantial. Continue reading
Town administrators and community members in Culver have been preparing for the upcoming Stellar Communities Designation Program site visit. On Wednesday evening, the Culver Town Council received an update about what has happened so far and what is yet to come.
Culver is one of three finalists in District 2 of the program, competing to be designated as a Stellar Community. In an effort to ensure they are aptly prepared, the Stellar Committee has been meeting on Tuesdays during the month of September. The night before the town council meeting, the committee met and did a practice run for the site visit. Continue reading
An area in Culver known commonly as “Sand Hill Farms” located at 540 W Jefferson Street received economic revitalization area and economic target area status as a result of a resolution passed by the Culver City Council Wednesday night.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained that the recently created Culver Economic Development Commission is permitted to grant tax abatement for residential property under state law. Earlier this week, the Culver EDC met for the first time and passed a resolution recommending that the city council classify this entire parcel on Jefferson Street as both an economic revitalization area and an economic target area to allow for future residential tax abatement.
Leist added that the approval of this resolution would only grant abatement on phase one, on the personal property investment of approximately $2.7 million that is listed in section one of the resolution. He said if they receive any applications for future tax abatements, the whole process would need to be completed again. Continue reading
The Culver Town Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and the first reading for their proposed 2018 budget. Council members will also receive an update on the Stellar Communities Designation Program plan when they meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. EDT in Culver Town Hall.
Council members will address an ordinance that will amend and restate a past ordinance which establishes fees or costs for the Town of Culver Park and Recreation Department. Continue reading
The Culver Economic Development Commission met for the first time Monday night with Jonathan Leist voted as the president, Don Fox as vice president and Kevin Overmyer as secretary.
With the organization of the commission complete, Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jerry Chavez explained the purpose of residential tax abatement. If a developer is seeking residential tax abatement, a resolution must be approved by the Culver Economic Development Commission creating the site as an economic revitalization target area. It differs slightly from a commercial tax abatement.
The Culver-Union Township Fire Department will have three new firefighters soon.
Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told the Culver Town Council last week that one member has passed all of the background checks and testing so he’s able to be added to the roster. Wakefield added that two others have applied and will enter several months of training.
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist presented the town council this week with a deed of dedication for the streets for the Sandhill Farm workforce development housing project.
The proposed housing project will be constructed on W. Jefferson Street. The streets in the project may be extended as needed. The housing development will include 24 apartment units. It is part of the town’s Stellar Communities Designation Program application.
The Culver Town Council approved the formation of the Culver Economic Development Commission.
A public hearing on the matter was held Tuesday night where a question about the purpose of the commission was raised. Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe explained that the commission would be able to deem a residential project eligible for tax abatement. She further explained that a residential tax abatement differs from a commercial tax abatement, but the financial incentive is the same. A recommendation for a residential tax abatement has to be presented by the commission to the town council for approval.
The Culver Town Council members are in support of a petition against INDOT’s proposed J-turn intersection at U.S. 31 and State Road 10 and Dewey Street and another at U.S. 31 and State Road 110.
The J-turn intersection would not allow a vehicle to turn left at a crossroad. Instead, the driver has to travel quite a distance in order to turn left, or the opposite direction to go back past the crossroad to turn left again to the desired location. INDOT feels that the construction would create a safer way for traffic to maneuver.
The Culver Town Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that establishes the Culver Economic Development Commission. The three-member commission will be formed to consider a residential tax abatement in the proposed workforce housing development. One appointment will be made by the town council president, one from the town council and one from the county council.
The Culver Town Council this week adopted an ordinance that rezones two parcels.
The ordinance proposes the rezoning of 1213 Hoosier Lane and 1201 West Shore Drive from Residential (R-1) to Lake District (L-1). This action would combine two lots into one lot and grant lake access.
The Culver Town Council met in a work session Tuesday afternoon to discuss the 2018 budget.
Council President Ginny Bess Munroe commented that every department worked hard to trim $17,000 from next year’s budget. The budget will be published with the public hearing on the budget set for a modified meeting date of Wednesday, Sept. 27.
The Culver Town Council considered the first reading of an ordinance that creates the Culver Economic Development Commission, a board that can approve residential tax abatements.
The commission will have three members: one appointed by the Marshall County Council, the second appointed by the Culver Town Council President and the third appointed by town council. The years are staggered with the town council president appointee serving three years, the county council appointee serving two years and the town council appointee serving one year. After those terms expire, the successor will serve a four year term. Qualified members can be a county resident, a business owner in Culver or work in town of Culver.
The finishing touches are complete on the Stellar Strategic Investment Plan for submission to the Stellar Communities Designation Program committee for the Town of Culver.
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist said Union Township submitted a letter of support toward the project along with a $40,000 contribution toward the effort. The Marshall County Community Foundation, in coordination with the Vonnegut Fund through the organization, contributed $80,000 toward the bike and pedestrian trail project and Elkay Manufacturing is partnering with the town to provide cabinetry and plumbing fixtures for the proposed Sandhill Farm workforce development housing project.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where a few items will be discussed.
The council is expected to approve the second and third reading of a rezoning ordinance for 1213 Hoosier Lane and 1201 West Shore Drive. The ordinance that previously passed on first reading would change the zoning from Residential (R-1) to Lake District (L-1). This would combine two lots into one lot and grant lake access. A public hearing on the matter was held at the council’s last meeting with no comments given. The adoption of the ordinance is expected tonight.
Another firefighter left the Culver-Union Township Fire Department and the fire chief is attempting to hire more to keep a healthy roster.
Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told the Culver Town Council last week that one other firefighter submitted his resignation recently which leaves the department at 14 firefighters. This makes four firefighters who have left the department since March.
The Culver Tree Commission members will plant 25 trees this fall. Several trees were removed due to the Safe Routes to School sidewalk replacement project, while other areas around town could use new plantings.
The Culver Town Council approved the second and third readings on an ordinance this week authorizing an additional appropriation of funds for a new ambulance.
During the council’s last meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim explained that the money wasn’t earmarked in the budget for the replacement of an older truck. The appropriation is in the amount of $63,932.50 which is the town’s portion of the purchase. The other half is coming from Union Township for the same amount.
