Redkey rejects funding request
Portland had sought help to pay for bicycle master plan
Redkey rejects funding request
REDKEY — The third largest municipality in the county has opted not to contribute money to the Jay County Bicycle Master Plan.
At its meeting Thursday, Redkey Town Council members voted to turn down the City of Portland’s request for funding for the master plan, which lays out a network of bike and pedestrian trails throughout the county.
Council members also tentatively approved the first reading of the budget.
The master plan was created this year by Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering and ChoiceOne Engineering to plan solutions and trails to make Jay County more bike and pedestrian friendly. Council voted in April to accept the plan, which in Redkey focused on connecting the Key Palace Theater, Redkey Elementary and the downtown area. It also included a trail connecting Redkey and Dunkirk.
Clerk-treasurer Debbie James read a letter from Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman asking Redkey to pitch in for the grant. Portland received a $20,000 grant last year from the Indiana Department of Health to pay for the plan, and the final cost of the project was $47,000. Jay County
Commissioners agreed to pay $10,000 and Portland has committed $5,700.
“So he’s saying now each of the other towns contribute $500 to $1,000,” James said.
At its August 28 meeting, Dunkirk City Council tabled a vote on the same request.
Council president Doug Stanley took issue with being asked for money after the project was already completed. Other council members agreed and voted to deny the request.
“They didn’t notify us up front,” Stanley said.
Also Thursday, council members Charles “Red” Coons, Mike Wright and Stanley, absent Ted Friddle and David Dudelston, voted to approve the first reading of the town’s budget — as long as Coons’ vote is eligible.
The proposed 2019 budget is $551,493, up about 3.2 percent from 2018’s estimated and approved budget of $534,577.
Coons’ eligibility to vote is in question as he serves as a volunteer firefighter for the town. However, as only two other council members were present, his vote was necessary to pass the first reading according to the proper timeline.
“We have it advertised that way and our next meeting is Oct. 18,” James said. “If we don’t do this as the state has it scheduled, we could revert back to last year’s budget.”
James told Coons it should be fine since he doesn’t benefit monetarily from the budget as a firefighter. However, she said she would check into the legitimacy of his vote and report back to council.
In other business, council:
•OK’d the purchase of two portable radios for the Redkey Police Department. The total cost is $720 and the radios will be purchased from TNT Electronics.
•Discussed how to handle properties with overgrown weeds and tree limbs. Wright reminded residents that if the town has to clean up their property, they will be billed for the work.
•Learned the hours for Halloween events. Lineup for the costume contest will begin at 5:15 p.m. Oct. 31 at the fire station, with judging at 5:30. Trick-or-treating hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m.
•Were reminded of a few upcoming events in the town. The Fun for Kids back to school street dance is from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 29 in front of the fire station. Flashlight Candy Kraze is at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Redkey Park, while Redkey Fall Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 27.
•Discussed some of the complaints with recent repaving of roads by Milestone Contractors. Randy Young, Redkey’s wastewater operator, pointed out uneven seams in roads, problems with manholes and damage to water valves. Stanley said he’d ask Jay County director of community development Ami Huffman, who coordinated the grant to pay for the repaving, to contact Milestone.
•Decided to refer a case involving damage to a water meter to the Redkey Police Department. James told the council that a resident had damaged the water meter in front of their house, making it unable to record gallons used. The resident was billed and paid $150 as a penalty for opening the water meter but council members decided further action is necessary.
•Scheduled flushing of fire hydrants for the week of Oct. 8 through 12.
•Agreed to pay to inspect a pump and motor at the wastewater plant that is pumping at 64 percent capacity.
•Heard about a 5-by-3-foot sinkhole on Burr Street that occurred after heavy rains earlier this month. Young said the 21-inch storm drain line that runs through the area had been damaged, possibly by the addition of a sanitary line in the same area. Jay County is providing the line to replace the broken sections.
•Approved the purchase of four skids of salt in preparation for the winter months.
•Paid claims of $256,937.92.
•Approved paying Crosby and Co. $169,719.06 and Fleis and VandenBrink $1,516.66 for work on the sewer separation project.
•Approved a water adjustment for Stuart Phillips at 258 E. High St. and Shelby Phillips at 910 W. High St. Council denied adjustments for Steve Reece at 101 N. Ash St. and Anthony Owens at 4 S. Oak St.
