Dunkirk grant sought

DUNKIRK — A $500,000 grant to improve buildings in the downtown area will be sought by officials here.
Council members and the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation have agreed to use $50,000 in economic development income tax (EDIT) funds as the city’s matching share, should the grant be approved.
Consultant Greg Beumer said Monday that a preliminary grant proposal application will be filed with state officials Friday. A more detailed description of the project will then be prepared and submitted in October, he said.
Beumer spoke to about a dozen local residents and business leaders Monday evening at a public hearing, prior to a meeting of the city council.
The money will be used to make improvements to building facades, as well as some structural work to repair roofs or tuck-pointing as needed, Beumer said.
Area residents Chuck Huffman, Leo Glogas and Dru Hall, along with council members Chuck Rife and Judy Garr and mayor Ron Hunt spoke in favor of the proposal.
Beumer said the more positive comments from local residents the better, as this will be a highly competitive grant process. Beumer said he was told by state officials that they only plan to award one grant of this type from the October round of applications. Twelve proposals for façade improvement grants were submitted during the last round of grant applications.
Huffman said there has been some serious deterioration in Dunkirk’s downtown buildings in the last 25 years, and such a grant is greatly needed.
Glogas agreed with Huffman, adding that having a downtown area that makes a good, positive impression is important to the viability of any community.
Beumer asked that residents send letters of support to: Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant administrator Kathleen Weissenberger, One North Capital, Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN. 46204. City officials said letters could be dropped off at the Dunkirk clerk-treasurer’s office for forwarding in one large packet to Indianapolis. Beumer said this should be done prior to the October grant application deadline date.
In action at Monday night’s regular council meeting, city officials:
•Agreed with a proposal from councilman Tom Johnson to advertise for quotes for the replacement of the large doors at the Dunkirk City Park large shelter house with sturdier ones, capable of rolling up and down, and being securely locked. Johnson said he would like to receive quotes by Aug. 23.
•Noted that the last day for the city pool season will be Aug. 22. Johnson said the pool was sponsoring a Hollywood Night theme party from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday with free food and door prizes. Admission will be $4 a person or $15 a family, Johnson said.
•Decided to change the location for the park shelter registration log book from the city clerk’s office in city hall to the park caretaker’s house at the park. This move was made in connection with the park board and Johnson’s recent decision to adopt a reservation system for the park shelter houses, as opposed to a first-come policy on the morning of an event. For more information about reserving a shelter for an event, contact Johnson at (765) 748-4629 or park caretaker Steve Curts at (765) 717-5983.
•Denied a request for a water bill adjustment from Shirley Davis, 831 S. Franklin St. She said her meter had been misread one month, making that bill too low. A correct reading was taken the next month, but overall she said her bill was $20 too high for the two months. City officials agreed that a mistake was made in reading the meter the first time, but pointed out that error should have been brought to the attention of city officials immediately. City attorney William Hinkle advised residents to check their bills as soon as they receive them so they can be corrected by the office staff, if necessary. Council members voted to eliminate any late fee penalties on the bill, but declined to make any adjustment of the billing amounts.
•Heard a report from Garr, council member in charge of the water department, that water main improvement work will begin soon in the areas of Moore, Broad and Arlington avenues.
•Approved special payments totaling $1,575 for extra legal services in connection with having two former city police officers reimburse the city for training expenses, as previously agreed upon when the officers were initially hired by the city.[[In-content Ad]]