July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Council helps move jail project (02/03/2009)
Portland City Council
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
The expansion of the Jay County Jail took another step forward Monday night.
A request for the city to vacate, or abandon, a portion of an east-west alley got the nod from members of the Portland City Council. But the request will have to go through more steps before it can officially be approved.
A public notice on the petition to vacate the alley must be published and a public hearing must be held before the request to vacate the alley can be approved.
Jay County Commissioner Milo Miller Jr., Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton and an architect working on the project attended Monday's council meeting.
"This is one of our steps that we have to complete," Miller said. The alley is located north of the existing jail, running parallel to Main and Water streets.
If the request is approved, a portion of the alley located just north of the existing jail would be vacated. The jail addition would be built over that portion of the alley and continue north to Main Street.
Newton said after the meeting, he feels that vacating part of the alley would not impede on other businesses in the area. He said making sure business owners have access to their properties is of utmost importance.
Miller added that he has been in contact with area utility companies about the project and plans to discuss the project with members of the Portland Historic Preservation Commission, of which he is a member.
Also Monday, council members:
•Commended city employees on their efforts to clear snow from city streets during last week's heavy snowfall.
Council member Judy Aker said the street employees did excellent work.
Kent McClung echoed her sentiment. "I think they've done a great job and it's been a lot of snow," he said.
Miller also complimented the city for a job well done.
Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, also thanked city residents for their patience during the snowstorm.
•Voted to close a portion of a city street for this summer's Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show.
Al Confer, president of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association, asked for a portion of the street near the association's grounds to be closed from Aug. 21-31. The show will be held Aug. 26-30.
Morton Street will be closed to through traffic from Pearl Street to the entrance to the association campgrounds across from the fairgrounds.
[[In-content Ad]]Portland's mayor will be traveling oversees and to our nation's capital this year, thanks to a decision made by the city council.
Members of the Portland City Council voted Monday night to allow up to $10,000 in Portland Economic Development Income Tax funds to be used to pay for Bruce Hosier to travel to Japan and Washington D.C.
The Portland Economic Development Income Tax Advisory Committee met earlier in the day Monday and voted to recommend the council approve the request. Hosier is a member of the EDIT committee.
He will be traveling to Washington D.C. in April to lobby for funding for the Hudson Family Park project and other city projects.
He also plans to make a trip to Tokyo this fall to attend the U.S Midwest Japan Economic Development Conference. He will attend the event with other community leaders and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. Hosier attended the same event two years ago.
Linda Kennedy, city clerk-treasurer and member of the EDIT Advisory Committee, said EDIT funds "can be used for any lawful purpose," which includes a "promotion" fund.
Hosier said the goal of his travels is to promote the city of Portland and encourage economic development.
Hosier said the conference in Japan is typically held in September. While there, he plans to meet with officials from F.C.C. The main headquarters for the company, which also has a factory in Portland, is located in Japan.
He plans to travel to D.C. in hopes of securing funds for the remaining work on Hudson Family Park. The remaining work - which includes a pond and an amphitheater - is expected to cost $2.75 to $3 million.
Earmark funds are grants that are distributed through an appropriations bill. Communities have to submit plans for the projects for which funds are being requested.
The requests are submitted to U.S. Representatives or Senators.
A request for the city to vacate, or abandon, a portion of an east-west alley got the nod from members of the Portland City Council. But the request will have to go through more steps before it can officially be approved.
A public notice on the petition to vacate the alley must be published and a public hearing must be held before the request to vacate the alley can be approved.
Jay County Commissioner Milo Miller Jr., Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton and an architect working on the project attended Monday's council meeting.
"This is one of our steps that we have to complete," Miller said. The alley is located north of the existing jail, running parallel to Main and Water streets.
If the request is approved, a portion of the alley located just north of the existing jail would be vacated. The jail addition would be built over that portion of the alley and continue north to Main Street.
Newton said after the meeting, he feels that vacating part of the alley would not impede on other businesses in the area. He said making sure business owners have access to their properties is of utmost importance.
Miller added that he has been in contact with area utility companies about the project and plans to discuss the project with members of the Portland Historic Preservation Commission, of which he is a member.
Also Monday, council members:
•Commended city employees on their efforts to clear snow from city streets during last week's heavy snowfall.
Council member Judy Aker said the street employees did excellent work.
Kent McClung echoed her sentiment. "I think they've done a great job and it's been a lot of snow," he said.
Miller also complimented the city for a job well done.
Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, also thanked city residents for their patience during the snowstorm.
•Voted to close a portion of a city street for this summer's Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show.
Al Confer, president of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association, asked for a portion of the street near the association's grounds to be closed from Aug. 21-31. The show will be held Aug. 26-30.
Morton Street will be closed to through traffic from Pearl Street to the entrance to the association campgrounds across from the fairgrounds.
[[In-content Ad]]Portland's mayor will be traveling oversees and to our nation's capital this year, thanks to a decision made by the city council.
Members of the Portland City Council voted Monday night to allow up to $10,000 in Portland Economic Development Income Tax funds to be used to pay for Bruce Hosier to travel to Japan and Washington D.C.
The Portland Economic Development Income Tax Advisory Committee met earlier in the day Monday and voted to recommend the council approve the request. Hosier is a member of the EDIT committee.
He will be traveling to Washington D.C. in April to lobby for funding for the Hudson Family Park project and other city projects.
He also plans to make a trip to Tokyo this fall to attend the U.S Midwest Japan Economic Development Conference. He will attend the event with other community leaders and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. Hosier attended the same event two years ago.
Linda Kennedy, city clerk-treasurer and member of the EDIT Advisory Committee, said EDIT funds "can be used for any lawful purpose," which includes a "promotion" fund.
Hosier said the goal of his travels is to promote the city of Portland and encourage economic development.
Hosier said the conference in Japan is typically held in September. While there, he plans to meet with officials from F.C.C. The main headquarters for the company, which also has a factory in Portland, is located in Japan.
He plans to travel to D.C. in hopes of securing funds for the remaining work on Hudson Family Park. The remaining work - which includes a pond and an amphitheater - is expected to cost $2.75 to $3 million.
Earmark funds are grants that are distributed through an appropriations bill. Communities have to submit plans for the projects for which funds are being requested.
The requests are submitted to U.S. Representatives or Senators.
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