Dunkirk extends deal for Ardagh

DUNKIRK — The city’s largest employer has received an extension on its tax abatement.
Dunkirk City Council agreed to the abatement for Ardagh after Jay County Development Corporation executive director Bill Bradley said the tax advisory committee agreed the glass container manufacturer is in compliance with its current abatement. Ardagh has invested $27 million in the plant over the last five years and employs 415.
“The good thing is everything I hear about this plant it is the state of the art glass manufacturing facility in the western hemisphere,” Bradley said.
Council president Tom Johnson and fellow members Jesse Bivens, Lisa Street, Bryan Jessup and Jack Robbins approved ordinance 2016-2 that states political entities must report all cash losses of $100 or more and property losses of $500 or more. Clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott must report them to the state board of accounts.
Council also approved a change to the city’s curfew ordinance. The change added phrasing that states minors won’t face charges if they are out after hours exercising their First Amendment rights.
Schemenaur also presented an agreement for the park board for those who want to use Dunkirk City Park for events. The park board should be informed of events 60 days in advance and all participants must sign a release form so insurance doesn’t have to be purchased.
Mayor Gene Ritter and Jessup, who oversees the fire department, will meet with Richland, Knox, Jackson and Greene township trustees to discuss fire contracts with the Dunkirk Fire Department.
“I wanted to thank the volunteer fire department for fireworks. They did an awesome job again like they always do … the Fourth of July committee did a great job. We had a great day out there at the park,” Ritter said.
Clerk treasurer Tina Elliott said a bucket will remain in the city building throughout the year to collect money for future fireworks.
Also, Ritter signed papers to apply for an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant. The grant will be used to do an inventory of all city-owned signs to see if the meet height and other federal requirements.
In other business, council:
•Signed a one-year contract with Waste Management for trash pick-up in the city.
•Heard a report from the Dunkirk Police Department that officers drove 3,908 miles in June and handled 200 complaints.
•Agreed to pay $772.38 for brake work on the Ford Explorer for the police department, $683.05 for maintenance on the Caterpillar tractor for the street department, $1,501.71 for mower repairs to K&L Tractor in Fort Recovery and to purchase a Simplicity mower from K&L for $4,500 including a discount and trade-in and $2,760 for 20 buckets of chlorine from Spears for Dunkirk City Pool.
•Heard that zoning administrator Duane Marcum is starting the procedure to close an alley between Lincoln and Commerce streets.
•Tentatively scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. July 19 to discuss the city’s salary ordinance.
•Were reminded that Neighborhood Watch Program meetings will be held tonight at 7 p.m. for the southeast section (Railroad Street to the city limits and Main Street to the city limits) and Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the southwest section (Railroad Street to the city limits and Main Street to the city limits).