Jasper Council meeting: Beaver Lake levels

The Jasper Common Council heard about the contract with Morley and Associates to study the Beaver Lake Dam project approved by the Utility Service Board on Monday.

The contract with Morley and Associates is not to exceed $8000 for the completion of the study.

City Utilities Manager Bud Hauersperger informed the council that Morley and Associates plans on studying historical documentation to determine past levels of the lake. They will also conduct a survey of the current height of the spillway as well as the water levels around the lake. The goal is to determine what the lake levels should be currently.

Councilman Earl Schmitt asked if the city has any recourse if Morley and Associates finds that the engineering firm of Christopher B. Burke Engineering of Indianapolis had anything to do with the current water level situation.

City Attorney Renee Kabrick stated the city would have to look at the contract with the contractor to determine the city’s course of action. “I don’t even know that there is anything in the contract that specifies the new level was supposed to be what the old level was,” Kabrick said. “It is really very difficult to say what we can do without having more information.”

The council also took the following actions:

-Held a public hearing on a tax abatement request by Jasper Chair Company. There were no comments from anyone in attendance.

-Confirmed the resolution designating the economic revitalization area and approve the real and personal property tax abatement statement of benefits for Jasper Chair Company.

-Becky Hickman for the Jasper Arts Commission reported that ticket sales for performances at the center are going strong. Hickman also informed the council the Actors Community Theater production of Tom Sawyer opens this Friday.

-Appointed Stan Jochum to the common construction wage committee as the water utility ratepayer for the Third Avenue Water Main project.

-Approved Ordinance No. 2013-20 annexing 19.66 acres of Brookstone IV on Jasper’s westside.

-Approved Ordinance No. 2013-21 amending the city’s weed abatement ordinance. The amendment adds definitions of rank vegetation to the ordinance. It also changes the requirements to notify property owners by certified mail to allow the city to send notices by First-Class Mail. Additionally, the city no longer has to notify property owners for each occurrence of the property being out of compliance. They can consider the property under a continuous abatement and have it taken care of when there are complaints.

-Councilman Randy Buchta stated he had a free home energy inspection conducted by Energize Indiana. “Does anyone know how many lightbulbs you have in your home,” he asked. “I have 68.” Buchta stated the response to the free program that awards $25 to area non-profits has been low compared to other areas. Here is a story on how non-profits can promote the program and receive up to $25,000.

-Reported CityVisions will hold a public session about the Downtown Riverfront Masterplan at the Cabby O’Neill Gym on August 20.