Council moves funds for pool

Portland City Council on Monday moved another chunk of money for the Portland Water Park project.
It also discussed how the money should be represented in financial reports.
Council approved moving $340,670 for the water park project. That amount included the final portion of the city’s $2.25 million contribution as well as the most recent check from The Portland Foundation, which is handling private donations for the $3.2 million project.
Council member Mark Hedges raised an issue with the way the public and private money is being presented in council documents, saying it has caused him a “significant amount of confusion and concern.” He asked in the future he and other council members be informed about private versus public money coming in to the city.
Kip Robinette echoed Hedges’ concerns, saying dealing with private donations and tax dollars in a single account makes handling funds difficult.
Clerk-treasurer Mickey Scott explained to council which money in the account was from private donations and taxpayer dollars and said she would start distinguishing what the funds are in the future.
Council members Bill Gibson, Judy Aker, Kent McClung, Michael Brewster, Don Gillespie, Robinette and Hedges voted unanimously to approve moving the funds on first reading, and then voted 6-1 in favor on second reading with Hedges dissenting.
Scott noted that the city is currently about $262,000 short of the total cost of the project. Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman noted than the city is expected to receive another $119,000 in outstanding donations.
In response to a question from Brewster, Geesaman said construction on the water park is expected to be complete by mid-December with a grand opening planned for Memorial Day weekend.
The mayor also noted that there have been recent problems with trespassing at the water park construction site. He asked that residents stay away from the site for their own safety.
In other business, the council:
•Heard concern from McClung regarding Brooks Construction, which is the general contractor for the Indiana 26 (Water Street) project. The state is currently in dispute with the company over work it completed on  a stretch of Indiana 25 in Cass County that is crumbling. Geesaman said he doesn’t believe there is anything to worry about in regard to the Indiana 26 work.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project is slated for the second week of November.
•Approved paying Bruns Building and Development Corp. $57,050 for work completed on the north side sewer separation project.
•Agreed to pay F&S Painting $10,000 from Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds to paint and fix leaks at Community Resource Center, 118 S. Main St.
•Approved transferring $20,000 from the Motor Vehicle Highway fund to the landfill fund.
•Heard from Theresa Inman, representing Jay County Trails Club, about a bike-share program and trail connection to be based at Portland Water Park. She said it was in the original park plan but never implemented. The issue will be discussed at council’s Oct. 19 meeting.
•Learned residential trick-or-treat times will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.