Huntingburg Common Council meeting notes: April 24, 2014

The Huntingburg Common Council meeting was held Thursday evening. They heard or took the following actions.

Farbest Foods in Huntingburg is increasing production a number of Saturdays in April.

Those extra days, April 26th, May 3rd and May 17th, will increase water usage at the plant by about 1.5 million gallons.

Water Superintendent Todd Williams reported that the water department will be staffed for two shifts on those days to insure proper service for the business.

A fire at an Ohio plant caused a temporary shift in business to the Huntingburg Farbest plant.

Also in the meeting, Energy Superintendent John Reutepohler reported to the council that his crews are preparing electrical service to support the new work at the hospital and increase reliability to other businesses in the area.

Mayor Denny Spinner reported the work is part of a plan to prepare for Miller Valentine Group to begin the renovation work for the new senior living apartments at the former hospital site.

“They are still in a lot of the paper work process of this, getting all of their financing lined up,” Spinner said. “There’s a lot of utility work that we’re doing in preparation for that project.”

Huntingburg pledged to do infrastructure work as a way to help the project move ahead.

Also in the meeting the Council:

-Listened to City Attorney Phil Schneider present an ordinance that amends Chapter 94 of the Huntingburg Municipal code regarding regulations for obstruction of public ways. The ordinance would prevent the parking of large vehicles on streets that would obstruct the views of motorist and make intersections unsafe. The ordinance calls for the allowance of temporary parking of the vehicles if they have proper amber flashing lights. But council member Steve McPherron asked if the ordinance could include traffic cones and barriers if they include reflective tape. The council tabled the ordinance until the May 8th meeting so that Schneider could add the language for reflective devices to be used on equipment on the streets.

-Passed a motion to allow Reutepohler to purchase 6 new electric transformers as backups in case of emergencies at a cost of $6,571.50 each for a total of $39,429.00 from Cape Electric in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

-Allowed Water Superintendent Todd Williams to order a new Kubota mowing tractor for his department for a not to exceed cost of $13,925.00 for mowing purposes.

-Passed one resolution and two ordinances allowing the transferring of monies between accounts within major budget classifications as a normal annual fiscal task so that the various city departments can spend the funds.