Dunkirk to use planning grant

DUNKIRK — A grant from the Affordable Housing and Community Development Fund will soon be available for use in the city.
Dunkirk City Council passed a resolution Monday allowing Dunkirk Mayor Dan Watson to process claims and submit payments to use the $10,000 planning grant from AHCDF administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
The planning grant will be used to develop a strategic investment plan for the Stellar Communities Grant funding in Dunkirk.
The mayor reminded council about a visit by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann at 4 p.m. May 19 at Webster Depot Park to talk about the Stellar Communities program and tour the area.
A project to replace signs in the city also moved forward Monday.
Council members Tom Johnson, Jesse Bivens, Judy Garr and Jack Robbins, absent Lisa Street, approved $30,000 for the project that will check all signs in the city for reflectivity, with 90 percent being reimbursed. Also approved was $10,000 to purchase equipment for the Dunkirk Fire Department.
In other business, council:
•Learned Watson hired Steve Sargeant as the new animal control officer.
•Agreed to advertise for a part-time/seasonal employee at the Dunkirk Water Department and Dunkirk Wastewater Treatment Plant for about 28 hours per week.
•Heard from Bivens that a final walk-through of the wastewater treatment plant will be at 9 a.m. Friday with Dave Harvey of Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering.
•Gave a six-month water bill extension for a resident at 107 Rick Drive with the bill to be completely paid in that time.
•Tabled a possible water bill adjustment for residents who ruined their pool pump after filling the pool with 1,500 gallons of tap water. Water department employees will also check their water.
•Were reminded that hydrant flushing will begin May 18.
•Agreed to purchase six meters for $199 each from Utility Supply to be used for the water and sewage departments.
•Hired Marcum Maintenance to install two commercial fans in the Dunkirk City Building at a cost of $1,348.42.
•Heard the Dunkirk Police Department activity report for April that included police handling 182 complaints and driving 3,813 miles.    
•Agreed to cancel the May 25 meeting, because it falls on Memorial Day, and to allow clerk treasurer Phonnie Kesler to pay claims until the June 8 meeting.
•Paid claims totaling $105,058.69.