Hydraft fee discussed

DUNKIRK — The city has some more research to do if it plans on eliminating an annual rental fee paid by its fire department.

Dunkirk City Council continued discussion Wednesday about a fire hydrant rental fee paid by the fire department to the water department, considering a hike in water rates as a potential solution, but did not take any action.

Also Wednesday, the mayor issued a proclamation regarding the state’s bicentennial, residents were invited to a drug addiction awareness event and staffing for the city’s police department was discussed.

The council got more information about the $61,500 that Dunkirk Fire Department pays annually to rent fire hydrants from the city’s water department after first discussing the issue last month.

Council member Jesse Bivens explained to Ritter and fellow council members Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Jack Robbins and Lisa Street that rental began being charged to help pay for government issued bonds.

Jessup asked if the $61,500 could be paid by raising monthly water bills.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur suggested having a rate study done before taking any action on raising water bills.

Meanwhile, Mayor Gene Ritter proclaimed Dec. 11 as Indiana Statehood Day in the city in honor of the 200th anniversary of Indiana becoming the 19th state. He showed a flag that the city was given and asked council to check out the bicentennial bison at West Jay Community Center.  

Deb and Randy Storey, leaders of the Dunkirk chapter of A Better Life - Brianna’s Hope, invited the public to a Meet the Addicts event to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at First American Baptist Church.

“I am inviting everyone of you there so you can actually see and hear some of their stories and see what’s going on,” Deb Storey told council.

Jessup also again petitioned for the city to find funds to hire a new police officer. Council originally included the addition of two officers in the 2017 budget, but one of those was cut in order to save money.

“In my opinion the city’s going to have to decide priorities,” said Jessup, adding that he thinks the public supports hiring a new police officer. “I’m trying to look for ways that we can have what we want and looking for ways to pay for it.”  

In other business, council:

•Gave permission to Schemenaur to move forward on collection action on city loans defaulted on by Lois Ridgeway, Andrea Weekley, George Site LLC and Steve George.

•Heard clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott extend an invitation to council, from the Glass Days committee, to help them work concessions at Indianapolis Colts games for fundraising purposes. Workers would be gone for approximately 12 hours on game days.   

•Approved a resolution to include police officer Tracy Layman in the Indiana Public Retirement System. Layman was accidentally omitted from the retirement plan when he was hired.

•Appointed Brenda Wise, Larry Stultz and Zack Johnson to West Jay Community Center board and Al Curts and David Flowers to Dunkirk Park Board. Flowers will be a non-voting member.   

•Approved paying $300 to HJ Umbaugh and Associates for the yearly bond for the sewage department; $700 to TN Technical LLC to calibrate meters; $936.45 to Lowe’s Heating and Cooling for three heater motors for the water department; and $17,703 to Peerless Midwest for work on a well house.

•OK’d spending $1,157.35 for new chairs for council chambers.

•Paid claims totaling $363,695.35.