Red Gold plans more migrant housing (07/12/06)

GENEVA — As Red Gold in Geneva continues to provide new housing for its seasonal workers, Steve Austin, governmental affairs representative for the company explained plans for the next phase of construction of living units.

Austin presented detailed drainage plans as well as construction plans to Geneva Council members Lew Wingler, Jim Timmons, and Mike Schwartz for their approval Tuesday night, explaining that plans call for constructing 18 new units on the south side of the tomato processing industry designed to house 80 additional residents.

He said Red Gold is seeking a grant of $500,000 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Red Gold will be adding $50,000 to that figure. Additionally, Red Gold will be paying to have the area raised and readied for construction at a cost of about $40,000 to $60,000, he said.

The grant application is due Aug. 1 with an announcement to be made by the middle of that month, Austin said, about the company’s request. He added that Red Gold’s request for a grant will not affect any other grant applications the town may be seeking.

“I’m all in favor of this,” said Schwartz.

Praising the council’s approval of the plans, Austin said, “We can’t do this without the support of the local government.”

Additionally during Tuesday’s lengthy meeting, council members discussed a proposed budget for 2007 that included a 3 percent increase for all town employees, including council members. Currently the town council president is paid $2,173 and council members receive $1,924 annually.

Council members discussed at length the financial needs for the town in 2007, and passed the first reading of a budget that calls for a general fund total of $492,149.

The budget is expected to pass the second reading at the council’s Aug. 1 meeting.

Also Tuesday night the council learned from Rose Bryan, Geneva Library director, that the library’s request for a $500,000 renovation grant from the Indiana Office of Rural Affairs had been turned down, and that the application would be resubmitted.

The council also agreed to a three-year contract with OnlyInternet to attach radio equipment on the town’s water tower to provide residents with Internet service. The town, in turn, will receive free Internet service to all town offices and departments.

The council also learned from Penny Briggs, that “Lost Crafts at the Limberlost,” a one-day festival sponsored by the Geneva Festival Committee, will be held Aug. 5. Most activities will take place along Decatur Street, she said, and the day will begin with a breakfast at 6 a.m. with activities throughout the day at the cabin.

In other business Tuesday night the council:

•Agreed to study a request from current Bluffton resident Julie A. Myers to rent the library annex for her business. Myers is moving to the Geneva area soon along with her husband.

Myers, the owner and president of Advanced Collection Services, Inc., courthouse research specialists, told the council she would like to rent the whole building.

“I can’t think of any objections,” Schwartz said. “It’s just sitting idle.”

However, town attorney, Chris Harvey, explained to the council the complicated process the state requires when renting municipally-owned property and that her request would have to be formally accepted after an appraisal and bidding process.

•Discussed at length with town marshal, Rob Johnson, a contract to be offered to any new policeman hired by the town.

The council agreed by a 2 to 1 vote that when an uncertified officer is hired and the town must pay for the 14-weeks of police training, that the officer must work for the town for three years from the date of the hiring or pay the town for part of the cost of the training. Wingler opposed the timeline of the contract, saying he felt it should be three years from the time the training was completed.

The contract was considered recently by the council following the departure of patrolman, Jason Oswalt, who accepted a position with the Berne department.

•Agreed to pay Crosby Construction the balance of the Winchester Street project. Council members had kept $11,337.74 as a retainer fee until the project was completed to their approval.

•Heard several residents commend park board president Jason Wilkie for the June 30 fireworks display at the Geneva Park.

Someone noted that fireworks had not been a part of the town’s holiday celebration since the 1950s.

“It was a great, great event,” Briggs said. “Jason worked very hard at it. It was very successful. I hope for it to continue.”

Wilkie also praised the efforts of donors who gave to the fireworks fund.[[In-content Ad]]