Dunkirk takes step toward grant

DUNKIRK — City officials moved closer to the goal of submitting a grant to build a senior housing complex in the city.
Dunkirk City Council agreed Monday to approve resolutions to acquire two properties, previously owned by Douglas Howard and Richard Stewart, that are located where the housing project is slated to be built on the west side of Main Street between Center Street and the railroad tracks.
The county acquired the properties through a tax title deed.
Jay County Council passed resolutions on Oct. 6 to transfer the properties to the City of Dunkirk. City attorney Bill Hinkle said council members needed to pass identical resolutions to transfer them to the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation.
Council members Tom Johnson, Judy Garr, Lisa Street and Jack Robbins unanimously adopted Resolutions 2014-9 and 2014-10, with Jesse Bivens absent at the time of the vote.
Jay County development director Ami Huffman is working with the City of Dunkirk and Buckeye Community Hope Foundation to apply for a grant that would pay for three quarters of the proposed $4.3 million facility. Dunkirk council had already pledged $110,000 toward the project if it becomes a reality.
Watson said the grant application should be ready to submit by the first week of November.
The 2015 budget of $1.54 million was adopted after council member Judy Garr questioned why the amount advertised was higher than the amount to be adopted. Watson said it was advertised 10 percent higher, which is common practice before presenting the budget to Indiana’s Department of Local Government Finance.
Also Monday, Watson received a letter from Jay County Commissioners stating that $19,702 is available to the city from its infrastructure fund and asked for a motion for clerk-treasurer Phonnie Kesler to submit a request asking for the money.
Members agreed to the motion that will use the funds to make repairs to the Dunkirk City Pool.
In other business, council members:
•Adopted resolution 2014-8 for additional appropriations of $1,600 to help pay for the roof on the V.F.W. building.
•Approved paying $788 to Peerless Midwest for checking media in the filtration system and $5,519 to have pump No. 6 updated, both at Dunkirk Water Treatment Plant.
•Heard from Garr that hydrants will be flushed Oct. 20 to 24. There may be low water pressure, and residents should watch for discolored water.
•Agreed to let the Dunkirk Volunteer Fireman Women’s Auxiliary have a boot drive Nov. 8 to collect money to buy toys, clothes and food for a family at Christmas.
•Heard from Health and Safety officer Jack Robbins that 15 pounds of drugs were collected during the Drug Take Back at CVS Pharmacy and that a drug collection unit was installed in the lobby of the Dunkirk Police Department that was purchased through a grant from CVS Pharmacy.
•Heard from Kesler that a new sump pump and dehumidifier have been installed at Dunkirk City Building after recent flooding. A new furnace has also been ordered.
•Agreed to pay $5,747 to Marcum Maintenance to finish the computer room and bathroom at Dunkirk Police Department.
•Learned the house donated to Dunkirk City Park, north of West Jay Community Center, is ready to be demolished.
•Heard that Phonnie and Tim Kesler donated decorations to Dunkirk City Park for its Christmas display.
•Agreed to pay $4,325 to MK Betts Engineering and Contracting for recent work done at the Dunkirk Wastewater Treatment Plant.
•Agreed to pay claims of $474,236.99.
•Heard from Bivens that temporary help is needed at the wastewater treatment plant. Watson said he would get another city employee to provide assistance.
Bivens also said the city website, which is being created by Dynamic Business Solutions in Portland, should be completed by Nov. 17.