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.
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.
The Culver Town Council members will meet tonight where they will discuss what to do about the movie theater.
The council members will discuss a proposal given by SRKM for a study to be done and a possible timeline of improvements on the movie theater. The proposal is over $8,000 and will be considered as a potential town project.
The Culver Redevelopment Commission (CRC) will meet today to consider a resolution for the Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Last year the Culver Town Council and the CRC approved resolutions to pledge money toward the projects within the program application. The CRC will review a proposed resolution provided by Town Manager Jonathan Leist today.
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.
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.
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.
The Culver Town Council held a public hearing Tuesday night to hear comments on the appropriation of funds for a new ambulance.
Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim explained that the new ambulance is arriving soon but the money wasn’t earmarked in the budget for the replacement of an older truck. Heim said the older ambulance was overdue for replacement. It will be sold with the proceeds to be split between the town and Union Township.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where discussions will continue surrounding the Stellar Communities Designation Program.
A public hearing is scheduled to gather comments on several additional appropriations. An ordinance to approve those additional appropriations will be discussed on first reading. Town Manager Jonathan Leist will have a report along with other department heads. Representatives from various boards and commissions will provide updates for the town council.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Culver Town Hall.
The Culver Town Council received an update on the progress of gathering needed paperwork for the Stellar Communities Designation Program application.
Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told the Culver Town Council this week that he is searching for yet another firefighter. He received another resignation this month.
This is the third time he’s notified the council of the need for firefighters. His first plea to accept applications came in March when his department was down to 18 firefighters. There are only 15 on the roster at this time. He said previously that the department used to see around 23 to 25 firefighters on staff. Continue reading
The Culver Town Council members addressed the issue of smoking at the Culver Town Park and beach when they met Tuesday night.
Park Superintendent Anna Campbell said the ban is difficult to enforce. She does mention to violators that smoking is prohibited, but the authority is not always met with compliance. She noted that there are several posted signs that warn residents that smoking is prohibited at the Culver Town Park and beach. A call will be made to police officers if residents are not complying with the ordinance or if there are threatening circumstances.
The Culver Town Council discussed the purchase of the Culver Movie Theater and received two proposals that will give the council and the Culver Redevelopment Commission a better idea of what to expect in terms of costs.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist presented proposals from the Troyer Group and SRKM that he said include plans for a public meeting to gather comments on the uses for the theater, a preliminary project budget for outlaying the capital costs for repairs on the building, a structural engineering assessment of the building, and a basic outline for a business plan with annual expenses versus revenue expenses for whatever concept may occupy the building.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight. Town Manager Jonathan Leist will present his report which will include an update on the Stellar Communities Designation Program grant.
Council President Ginny Bess Munroe appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners last week where the county governing body agreed to support the town’s quest in becoming a stellar community. Munroe said the Town of Culver was looking to show a united front with the county to include in their finalist packet due by Aug. 25.
