The Culver Town Council members opened bids for surplus equipment at the street department and the ambulance during their meeting last week.
The highest bids were approved which included $2,900 for a 1999 leaf vac machine, $2,500 for the 1964 grader, $150 for the 1993 Patchman trailer, $1,500 for the 2000 Ford F-150, and $1,500 a 2000 Leeboy 300 roller. Utility Superintendent Bob Porter was pleased with the bids as they came in higher than he expected.
The Culver Town Council members adopted two ordinances this week.
An ordinance was approved on second and third reading that allows a retiring police officer, who has served at last 20 years in law enforcement, the ability to retain his or her service weapon, badge and identification cards.
New lighting will be installed at the Culver-Union Township Fire Department.
Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told Culver Town Council members this week that he’s been working for a long time to update the lighting to include LED lights. He said the cost for the 51 lights needed for the project is $7,896.30. NIPSCO will review the work and reimburse the town $80 per light. He said it works with the lighting package they have through NIPSCO.
Construction on the Lake Maxinkuckee Amphitheater could be complete by the Memorial Day holiday in 2018.
Mike Reese from the Troyer Group gave the Culver Town Council members a timeline for the bidding process and construction.
The Culver Town Council members considered a proposal from Mike Reese with the Troyer Group to assist the town in the many aspects required within the town’s designation as a Stellar Community.
Reese said there are a lot of components to the grant and other requirements to be considered.
The Culver Town Council members discussed a proposed traffic ordinance during their meeting Tuesday night.
The 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 will discuss several ordinances when they meet tonight for their regular business meeting.
Two ordinances will be considered on second and third reading. One ordinance includes changes to the Code of Ordinances. The ordinance allows the current Code of Ordinances manual to be updated to current regulations. The second is a service weapon ordinance that allows a retiring police officer, who has served at last 20 years in law enforcement, the ability to retain his or her service weapon, badge and identification cards.
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 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.
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!”
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.
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 Culver Town Council members revisited quotes for a new truck for the utility department.
During the Oct. 24 meeting, Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained that the sewer plant truck is no longer in working order so a request was made by Utility Superintendent Bob Porter to purchase a new truck.
The Culver Town Council members held a public hearing this week to hear comments on a proposed additional appropriation ordinance.
Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim said it was hard to guess what money would be spent toward efforts going for the Stellar Communities Designation Program in 2017 when the budget process was conducted in late fall of 2016.
Culver Town Council members will soon tackle an issue surrounding semi truck parking in residential areas.
A citizen brought forth issues during the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday night stating that it’s difficult to maneuver around the semis parked in residential areas. He’s fearful for the safety of the residents and children, in addition to it being an eyesore. Some trucks are parking on narrow streets like Ohio Street and Mill Street. Continue reading
The Culver Town Council members revisited a request this week from Becca Pazin with the Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee Visitor’s Center to move her office from the bank building downtown to the Culver Beach Lodge.
She explained that the change in location would create better visibility of the office for tourists. Her office would be located on the third floor of the beach lodge. The move also allows more space for her especially in terms of meeting space. She could have more private conversations with visitors to the visitor’s center or clients to discuss business. There would be more space to display brochures available to attractions in Culver and Marshall County. Continue reading
The Culver Town Council opened a public hearing Tuesday night for comments concerning several zoning ordinance changes recommended by the plan commission.
The Lake District, or L1, zoning amendments drew a crowd of residents in that district who spoke out against changes to front and rear yards and side yard setbacks.
The Culver Town Council members will hold a public hearing tonight to gather comments on an amendment to the Culver Zoning Ordinance.
The proposed changes include lowering the number of parking spaces for general commercial businesses in the C2 district, changing the sign ordinance to allow lighted signs, 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. Additionally, the ordinance creates permit requirements for solar power systems and building permits for roof and shingle replacement. Continue reading
Culver town officials, county representatives, Housing Developer Kevin Berger, and other dignitaries helped break ground on the Sand Hill Farm workforce housing development in Culver Wednesday afternoon.
The housing development includes 24 apartments that will feature affordable one, two and three bedroom units at 540 W. Jefferson Street with hopes of the project complete in 2018. Elkay, one of Culver’s largest employers, will provide the cabinetry for the units in an extensive project partnership. Continue reading
