Ferdinand Town Council meeting: Drainage problems revealed through lens
In all probability, engineer Steve Grundhoefer will keep his day job and not decide to become a cinematographer.
Nevertheless, the Ferdinand Plan Commission member took a camera (and an umbrella) to the Dollar General Store property on Main Street during the last heavy rain event so he could record just where the water goes after it hits the ground.
Turns out the place it doesn’t go is the shallow ditch along the north side of the building. An orifice designed to channel and hold the water does not retain it and the flow spills over the hill.
Which is why, in all likelihood, that during a huge rain earlier this year, Holiday Foods flooded for the first time in its history.
Grundhoefer’s film may have been what prompted Dollar General officials to hire Cash Waggner Associates, an engineering firm from Evansville, to resolve the problem, Town Council members learned at their Tuesday night meeting.
Stay tuned for further updates.
This was the council’s first meeting since school is back in session, so the 10 students in attendance received a real indoctrination in town government as problems were discussed, resolutions reached and business taken care of.
One item of business was an ordinance to resurrect the Economic Development Commission, which was adopted unanimously.
This is a necessary step if the council wishes to utilize Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a residential tax abatement, or other economic development tools. The ordinance revitilizes the commission, outlining terms of office and who appoints whom.
This body would also deal with the request from Brad Brosmer, who wishes to expand his apartment complex on 9th Street, using a residential tax abatement.
According to Attorney Bill Shaneyfelt, one appointment is approved by the Town Council after nominations are made. This term would end February 1, 2015. Another is made by Town Council President Ken Sicard and would expire February 1, 2016. The third member is appointed by the County Council, usually at the recommendation of the Town Council. This appointee’s term would expire February 1, 2018.
To expedite the process Councilwoman Debbie Johnson nominated — and board members approved — submitting the name of Dan Collignon to the County Council.
Brosmer, whose development is called Promising Properties, currently pays property taxes on 20 feet of 9th Street along the southern boundary of his property. The council agreed to accept a warranty deed for the strip as a condition for removing it from the tax rolls.
They also agreed to exchange an existing blanket easement covering the entire property for a more finite, 50-foot easement bisecting the property where both sanitary sewer and a storm drain are located. It was made clear to Brosmer that if he builds over the easements he does so at his own risk.
The council also:
• Learned Town Manager Chris James and Shaneyfelt are working with e.gov to make the town’s website handicap accessible. Watch for details and access information when they become available.
• Heard that after 19 years, David Nord has resigned from the Fire Department. During his tenure he was a First Responder, a certified training officer and certified in scuba water rescue. Fire Chief Dan Lindauer said Nord will be missed and his service was greatly appreciated.
• Learned the Park Board is currently installing an adult exercise facility and tiny tot playground at 18th Street Park.
• Heard Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer will meet Friday with the owner of Circle A and a representative from Active Environmental Services concerning a fuel spill a year and a half ago.
• Heard the town’s fire insurance rating stayed the same and is comparable to Jasper and Huntingburg’s.
• Signed a contract with Commonwealth and learned Schaefer is meeting with their engineers on August 20 to gather information needed for a phosphorous abatement plan.
• Heard J.H. Rudolph is close to completing street repairs for 2014.
• Heard a request for blacktopping from resident Mark Oser who lives on Alabama Street, which should rightfully be called 3rd Street as it extends east from 3rd. Oser said it has been a platted street since 1875 but Shaneyfelt disagreed, noting the gravel street is essentially a driveway and, while a platted right-of-way, has never been a town street and is not in the town’s street inventory. The street serves three homes with a fourth under construction. Council members agreed to see what could be done, but admitting the cost to make improvements would be exorbitant.
•Adopted an ordinance on first reading for permits, inspections and connection of sanitary sewers for apartment complexes with related fees.
• Learned the town’s assessed valuation is $89,526,000 and the 2015 budget is being advertised in this issue. The advertised tax rate is .7640 per $100 assessed value, but that will likely come down with final approval from the state.
• Will have a busy meeting September 9, with a public hearing on the budget at 7:30 p.m., a Flood Plain Regulations Hearing at 8 p.m. and a Sewer Connection Hearing at 8:15 p.m. where additional language may be added for nursing home connection.
