The Starke County Commissioners held a public hearing Monday night on the proposed UTV Ordinance.
The county’s ordinance authorizes and regulates the use of Recreational Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs or side-by-sides) and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on certain county roads.
Culver Utility Superintendent Bob Porter told the town council members last week that several surplus items are available for bid.
Sealed bids will be accepted until Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. ET, by Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim on a 1999 leaf vac machine, a 1964 grader, a 1993 Patchman trailer, a 2000 Ford F-150, and a 2000 Leeboy 300 roller.
The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight where a public hearing is set for the UTV Ordinance. The county’s ordinance authorizes and regulates the use of Recreational Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs or side-by-sides) and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on certain county roads. A copy of the ordinance is available in the Starke County Auditor’s office in the Starke County Annex Building No. 1 on 53 E. Mound Street in Knox.
The Culver Town Council is looking for volunteers to serve on several boards and commissions that have seats available for service in 2018.
The Culver Redevelopment Commission has five seats on the board and those members are appointed annually. Three candidates are chosen by the town council and two by the town council president. The Culver Redevelopment Commission meets every third Monday of the month. The applicant must be a Culver resident. Continue reading
The Knox City Street Department is ready for winter. Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works members last week that the city has plenty of salt to start of the winter season due to last year’s mild winter.
The Culver Town Council members took action this week to discuss several ordinances that were up for consideration.
An ordinance allowing additional appropriation requests to be carried out was adopted. It authorizes the expenditure of $17,500 toward the Stellar efforts. Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim previously explained that they couldn’t foresee expenses related to the efforts because it was unknown if the town would achieve the designation. These additional funds that are available in the budget are needed to fulfill needs.
Culver Police Chief Wayne Bean discussed pay for the officers within the Culver Police Department with the Culver Town Council members this week.
He explained that with a shortage of part-time officers, there are a lot of full-time officers who will not get to use their vacation, personal or holiday time because they will need to fill shifts through the end of the fiscal year.
Starke County Treasurer Kasey Clark approached the Starke County Commissioners last week to discuss an opportunity to create a website to make property records available online.
She explained that the county could have a website designed to grant taxpayer access to information from the treasurer’s office, assessor’s office and auditor’s transfer history. The information could include the property owner’s tax bill, property assessment information, or how much in taxes has been paid or how much is owed. Tax bills could be reprinted for records or for information for payment.
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist delivered some “stellar” news Tuesday night to the town council members pertaining to funding for projects within the town’s designation as a Stellar Community.
“We had our first meeting with the grant administrative staff from the state and found out for our Community Development Block Grant funding through OCRA that they basically set aside $2 million for us,” said Leist. “A lot of that we’ll use at the Culver Beach Lodge and Cavalier Sports Park. That is a significant chunk of change that won’t require a local match at all. It’s very good news!”
Starke County Treasurer Kasey Clark discussed with the commissioners last week a tool that is being pushed by AIC (Association of Indiana Counties) officials to help collect delinquent property taxes.
According to Clark, the organization members came up with the idea of capturing state income tax refunds to pay delinquent property taxes. She said $1.5 million is not collected in the county every year and believes it could be a good tool to gather the funds.
The Culver Town Council members passed an amended zoning ordinance on second and third reading during their regular business meeting Tuesday night.
At the last meeting, the council members voted to exclude the L1 District zoning changes from the other changes proposed within the recommended zoning ordinance amendment after it drew several opposing comments from L1 District residents. The omitted section addresses changes to the height and visibility requirements for fences in the L1 District, also changes in the side yard setback area in the L1 District. That portion of the original ordinance will be discussed by Culver Plan Commission members and a few volunteers from the L1 District residents.
Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith is looking to hire a new full-time officer for the department.
Officer Chad Dulin reported to the Knox Board of Public Works on Wednesday that Detective Dave Combs submitted his resignation in November after serving 11 years with the department. He served the Starke County Sheriff’s Department for several years as well. He is now the Town Marshal for the Town of Medaryville.
The Koontz Lake Conservancy District members are looking to improve conditions in Koontz Lake.
Representative Matt Wolfe told the Starke County Commissioners last week that they are looking into watershed management by controlling water runoff from farmland, golf courses and residences into the lake. This will help curb the weeds and algae that are killing native plants in the lake. District members will discuss ditch maintenance with County Surveyor Bill Crase.
The Culver Town Council members will take part in two work sessions prior to their regular business meeting tonight.
At 5 p.m. ET, the members will discuss the salary ordinance and at 5:30 p.m. ET they will review possible changes to the traffic ordinance to include semi-trailer parking, speed control and pedestrian crossing. The public is invited to attend these work sessions.
The SYSCO property in Hamlet is still up for sale.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Director Charlie Weaver told the Starke County Council members last week there are some issues with the broker and he’s written a letter to the business to address needs on the property that should be done. Weaver told the county council last week that he’s shown the property a few times and he’s willing to show it in order to bring tax dollars into the county and put people to work. The broker has not shown the property to Weaver’s knowledge, but he calls on progress every week. Continue reading
The owner of two storefronts in downtown Knox will be making repairs to the building, as ordered by the members of the Knox Board of Public Works.
A public hearing on the matter was held on Wednesday morning as the owner, Pete Milev, has failed to repair any of the issues cited by Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost. Pfost said the buildings at 1 and 3 N. Main Street have several major issues including brick falling out of the exterior walls, missing mortar in other exterior bricks, an unsafe door leading to the basement of the building in the sidewalk, boarded up windows, an old sign that needs removed, drywall that is replacing two windows above the front door, and many interior code violations. Continue reading
Pulaski County Coroner John Behny has released the name of the victim who died in an apparent stabbing and shooting incident in Medaryville on Tuesday afternoon.
Behny says 41-year-old Kenneth Ray Henry was pronounced dead at a home in the 200 block of S. Maldron. The coroner said the determination of a cause and manner of death is still pending. The results of the autopsy conducted on Wednesday and toxicology tests will assist in making a ruling in Henry’s death.
The Starke County Commissions and Starke County Council members discussed a few items during their meeting this week.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler asked for fund transfers with extra money in the gas, oil and lube fund in order to update and maintain gravel roads, buy more road equipment and cover a shortfall in the liability insurance. He said this action is usually done every year. About $57,500 was transferred toward road equipment and other line items to support liability insurance and other maintenance.
The Salvation Army needs bell ringers to help collect funds to help neighbors in need.
Salvation Army Major Gerald Smelser said volunteers are on site for about two hours at a time, but can donate more time based on personal preference. Kettles are stationed Walmart and Kroger in Plymouth, Five Star in Knox, Bailey’s Discount Center in Knox, and additional sites in Bremen and Culver.
Members from church organizations, residents, business organizations, or school groups are welcome to participate. Bell ringers can volunteer from Saturday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 24 in two hour shifts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a certain location. Hours during the weekend usually need filled, but if there are more volunteers, time slots may open during the week.
