Huntingburg Common Council Meeting June 14
The council met for their first June meeting on Thursday of last week.
Chamber of Commerce Director Nick Stevens requested an appropriation of $10,000 to help with expenses for Huntingburg’s 175th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff (story here).
Utilities Superintendent Tony Traylor requested permission to have two appraisals conducted on an approximately 11 acre parcel of land near Huntingburg Lake. Traylor informed the council the land could be used for the storage of the materials dredged from the settlement pond on the lake’s south side. Traylor told the council the land is easily accessible from the city property if the weather conditions were good.
Councilman Glen Kissling stated he didn’t feel the county would allow the easement for an entrance to be built from 630 South if the city was unable to move the material without using county roads. He also stated the city should not be in the business of purchasing land.
Traylor is concerned about locating land to place the material. Farmers that lease land for the material will not be able to do anything with the land for a year. At the end of the year, the material will be tested for heavy metal and other toxic residue and depending on the content, the city may be forced renegotiate a lease with anyone that agrees to the first lease. Traylor advised the council that purchasing the land would forgo that potential expense. Traylor also informed the council the he felt the asking price was very reasonable.
Councilman Steve McPherron and Councilwoman Summers voted for the approximately $700 to pay for the appraisals of the land to explore the option. Council-members Lehr, Kissling and Alex Blackgrove voted against.
The council also approved the introduction of the new grass and weed ordinances to reduce the height of allowable growth from 12 inches to nine inches. A member of the audience informed the council that nine inches was too strict for certain types of grass.
Along with this the council approved the introduction of new fines and administrative fees for violations. The fines were increased to $50.00 for the first offense and $100.00 for a second offense.
The council adopted increases in Huntingburg Transit Fees as well. The fees increase to $1.00 one-way, to $2.00 round trip and .50 for each additional stop.
They also passed the introduction of an ordinance approving additional appropriations for the 2012 Budget to the Unsafe Building Fund to pay for the demolition of dilapidated houses and buildings in the city. A public hearing will be held during the July 12th meeting with adoption of the ordinance possible at that time.
The council also heard of the upcoming adoption of anti-nepotism ordinances required by the state. The law requires that each city conform to these by the next budgetary process. (Story to come)
