City seeking grant $

Although it is a long-shot, Portland officials have thrown the city’s hat in the ring for a chance of up to $5 million in grant funds.
Kristi Sturtz of Sturtz Public Management Group announced Monday night that the city has submitted a letter of interest for the Indiana Steller Communities grant program. City officials are hoping to use the grant funds for the north side sewer separation project and other projects.
Sturtz said no formal application has been submitted. “We’re just merely throwing the hat in the ring.”
About 40 communities submitted letters of interest for the pilot program. Of those 40, the group will be narrowed down to 10. Those 10 must submit formal applications, explaining the projects for which the grant funds would be used. Two communities will be awarded the grant money early next year, Sturtz said.
The program is being funded by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and Indiana Department of Transportation.
Sturtz said the bill for the grant program was passed by the U.S. Senate and is aimed to provide more transportation choices, expand energy-efficient housing choices, improve economic competitiveness in communities, align federal policies and enhance the unique characteristics of all communities.
Sturz said the north side sewer separation project is the main reason why the city submitted a letter of interest for the grant funds.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said that if the city was awarded the funding, the financial burden on the city’s tax payers would be lessened. The project is expected to cost $5.8 million.
“If the federal government and the state government want to give money away like this, I think we should be in there,” said council member Kent McClung.
If awarded the grant, city officials would also like to use the money for a bikeway/walkway project, to rehabilitate homes in the north side of the city and to construct a sidewalk along West Votaw Street. The sidewalk project would have to be coordinated with Indiana Department of Transportation officials.
Sturtz said some of the projects might require matching grant funds.
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She said she wasn’t given many details because the program is so new.
In other business Monday, council members learned that Hosier will travel to Japan and China in November for the 2010 Economic Development and Jobs Mission.
Hosier said he has again been invited by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to accompany the governor on the trip. Other mayors, officials with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and state delegates will be making the trip Nov. 6-17.
The mayor said his goal for the trip is to create new job opportunities in the county and city and improve relationship with officials from those countries. Hosier said he has received private contributions for 75 percent of the cost of his trip and hopes to get more.
Also Monday, council members:
•Learned that a line has been painted to differentiate between the parking lot at East Jay Middle School and River Road.
Hosier said people had been parking right next to the river path, which runs east and west next to the parking lot at the middle school.
•Heard that residents of Portland Place Apartments, 430 W. Lafayette St., have asked for the city to erect stop signs at the entrances/exits of the apartments and Katelynn Place apartments.
Hosier said he didn’t believe the city could do that because the signs would be placed on private property and violations could not be enforced by city police.
Hosier recommended that council members look at the area and discuss the matter at the next council meeting.
•Heard Hosier report that some residents who live along South Wayne Street have asked for the speed limit to be reduced between Water and Seventh streets because of the potential increase of traffic in the future after Hudson Family Park is completed.
The mayor said the residents asked for the speed limit to be reduced from 30 mph to 25 or 20 mph. Hosier again asked council members to look at the area and discuss the matter at the Nov. 1 meeting.
•Learned that the resurfacing projects on High Street, Wayne Street and Water Street/Tyson Road will begin soon.
Council member Todd Nichols said construction crews brought their equipment to the city on Monday, so work could begin any time.
High Street is being paved between Middle and Meridian streets; Wayne Street is being paved between Water and Votaw streets; and work on Tyson Road/Water Street will be done between the western city limits and Meridian Street. Those who live along these streets should refrain from parking on the streets while the work is being done. Federal stimulus money is funding the projects.[[In-content Ad]]