City to try for grant again

Portland officials are hoping the second time's the charm.

At Monday night's Portland City Council meeting, city officials announced that the city had been denied its first attempt at an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant for the Steen Addition. However, officials also announced that the city is applying for the $600,000 grant again.

Ami Huffman, Jay County community developer, told council members she and other city officials met with Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs officials on Dec. 7 and discussed the city's application.

She said she learned that the city's next application needs to include more letters of support from those who live in the addition and information about future projects in the city.

"The better we can document the problems in that area, the better the chances," Huffman said. The addition, which is bordered on the east by Boundary Pike and on the north by Floral Avenue, has problems with wastewater pooling in yards during heavy rainfall. The estimated $980,000 project will separate storm and sanitary sewers.

A public hearing for the grant application was held during Monday's council meeting. No one in the audience commented on the application. The application will be due in March and grant funds will be awarded in May.

Huffman said the city was denied the grant funds the first time around because it was competing against other communities that had higher utility rates, no funds in their budgets and lower income levels.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, encouraged council members to contact city residents - especially those who live in the addition - and encourage them to write letters of support for the grant.

Also Monday, council members:

•Voted to appeal the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance's decision to cut $69,482 from the city's 2008 budget.

City clerk-treasurer Randy Geesaman said he recently learned that cities are allowed to appeal budget cuts, but must have the blessing of the city council.

He said after the meeting that city officials have no plans for what to do with the money if the request is granted. He said city officials have not made plans to appeal cuts made to the 2009 budget.

•Voted to transfer several funds to other accounts.

A total of $15,000 will be transferred from the capital outlays fund to the equipment fund for the park department; $100,000 will be transferred within the city's Economic Development Income Tax fund to the building line item from contractual services.

Also, $50 will be moved from the mayor's communications and transportation to the equipment; $35 will be moved from clerk's record perpetuation equipment to the other contractual; and $7,000 for the airport's repairs and maintenance will be moved to other contractual services.

•Learned about the Civil War at the Fort event that will be held Sept. 10-12 in Fort Recovery.

William Collins, Portland, a member of the Fort Recovery Ambassadors, told council members that his organization is organizing the event. The festival, which is in its first year, will be held at Ambassador Park. It will include battles, a ball, demonstrations and an educational day for middle school students.

Collins said he would like to put up signs in Portland to advertise the event. Hosier said Collins needs to check with city officials about the matter.

•Heard that a dedication ceremony will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project.

Hosier said the event will be held near the water plant and refreshments will follow.[[In-content Ad]]