City hires BSU for planning

Ball State University students are coming to the city to help create a redevelopment plan and gain experience while doing it.
Portland City Council approved Monday afternoon a fee of $5,193.63 for the school to conduct a study for the downtown redevelopment plan.
BSU students and faculty will use the funds for transportation, supplies and equipment, presentation and report materials and other expenses. They will come for fall semester from Aug. 1 to Dec. 10.
In April, associate professor of urban planning Scott Truex talked to local officials about the importance of creating a plan for downtown redevelopment, telling them the university could help with creating a guide for revitalization.
Council member Mark Hedges had initial concerns, wondering how much an independent engineering company would cost for the same study. Former local banker Barry Hudson said at Monday’s meeting that independent companies cost a lot more money. Hedges also wondered where the money would come from and whether the city could maintain the commitment to the project.
Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman said the funds will come out of the “other contractual services” account and the study will be the first step toward applying for Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grants. Hudson added it would be better having ideas and do nothing than have no vision at all. Another Portland resident, Jim Sanders, said he has studied the city and government bodies like council since the city was established. He expressed his concern to council and the lack of initiative to move forward with projects.

“(You’ve) got to stop the bleeding somehow,” he said.
Council member Kent McClung said the $5,000 would be money well spent and that the city is fortunate to have a resource as close and cheap as BSU.
In other business, council — Michele Brewster, Bill Gibson, Don Gillespie, Janet Powers, Judy Aker, Hedges and McClung:
•Sent a tax abatement request from FCC, 555 Industrial Drive, to the tax abatement committee for review. The abatement is for an investment of about $15.8 million for new equipment including an 800-ton die press line.
The abatement would save the company about $580,000 over a five-year period. The city would reap about $370,000 in tax benefits from the project over that length of time.
•OK’d several street closures: High Street in front of Portland Elks Lodge for a block party from noon to midnight June 4; Alexander Street next to Evangelical Methodist Church, 930 W. Main St. for Friday Fun Nights on the evenings of May 20, July 22, Aug. 19, Sept. 23 and Oct. 21; and Walnut Street between Harrison Street and the alley west of the MainSource Bank parking lot from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday for Arts Place’s Arts in the Park kickoff event.
•Heard Hedges express concerns about several properties in town.
Hedges requested the status of the Sheller Globe south building at 510 S. Bridge St. Geesaman said the information is still on his desk, but said the city could use the northern part of the building and raze the rest but nothing is set in stone.
Hedges also asked about a report from Brad and Pat Daniels for Jay County Antique Mall. Geesaman said Brad apologized for not having a report available, but will have one by the end of the week. Two reports will be read by the June 2 meeting. Hedges was distressed that the couple isn’t showing promise in the second month of its grant but Geesaman added the couple has made many renovations to the mall so far.
Hedges also asked why a payroll ordinance from the last meeting was not on Monday’s agenda. Geesaman told him it will be presented June 2.
•Heard Powers ask for an update on the former book bindery property. Geesaman told her there will be an update sometime during mid June.
•Heard from Geesaman say he was pleased with supporters for Run for the Fallen that arrived in Portland on Friday afternoon and departed Saturday morning.
•Learned the city is examining the 2017 budget for each department for review in June.
•Heard the city is still bound by it’s 2008 agreed order with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to remove combined sewer operations in the city as well as update the plant by 2028. IDEM requested the city move forward with the plan.