Culver Economic Development Commission Approves Resolution

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Don Fox, Jonathan Leist, Kevin Overmyer, Attorney James Clevenger at the conclusion of the initial meeting

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.

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Culver Town Council Accepts Street Deed of Dedication

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council Establishes Economic Development Commission

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council Supports Petition Against Proposed J-Turns

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council Considers Formation of Economic Development Commission

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council, Stellar Committee Prepare for Site Visit

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver-Union Township Fire Department Seeking Firefighters

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council Passes Ordinance for Additional Appropriation

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Culver Town Council Holds off on Movie Theater Project

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council decided Tuesday night to hold off on moving forward with any plans for the Culver movie theater.

Town Manager Jonathan Leist recommended waiting to see what the budget outlook will be in 2018 and pick up the conversation then. The property is for sale and it could sell by the time the council feels comfortable in revisiting a proposal to study facility and rehabilitation needs for the building.

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Lake Maxinkuckee Amphitheater Project Closer to Construction

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Lake Maxinkuckee Amphitheater project in Culver is nearing the construction phase.

Town Manager Jonathan Leist told the Culver Town Council members last week that $47,501 was transferred from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority for this project. The town was able to get a $30,000 state grant along with additional online crowdfunding for the project. That money, along with the first half of the Marshall County Community Foundation grant, will allow the council to move forward with the construction phase.

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Culver Town Council Discusses Crosswalks

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council will be looking at an ordinance that reviews the enforcement of the brick-paved crosswalks in town.

There are several crosswalks on Lake Shore Drive and on Main Street that are designated by a brick walkway. Residents are concerned about confusion between drivers and pedestrians as to which party has the right-of-way and if they are a legal crosswalk.

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Culver Town Council Receives Stellar Update

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist updated the Culver Town Council this week on work being done toward being designated a stellar community with the Stellar Communities Designation Program.

Leist said he and Utility Superintendent Bob Porter met with Marshall County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters to review details for the walking/biking trail. The Marshall County Commissioners agreed to pave one mile of the walking/biking trail as an in-kind contribution for this project within the town’s Stellar plan.

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