Pennville seeks funds for park

Pennville is seeking funds to make several improvements to its park.

Tanner McClain of Pennville Park Board requested a $35,000 match Monday from Jay County Commissioners for the town’s park revitalization project.

The park board’s plan is separated into three phases, with the first aimed at removing the park’s baseball diamond and converting it into three soccer fields as well as renovating basketball courts on the north side of the park and installing a pump track.

The total cost to complete phase one of the plan comes to $100,800. Pennville Park Board is looking into an agreement with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and Patronicity, a crowdfunding business that would match up to $50,000 toward the project for a $2,500 administration fee. 

(The partnership is a part of the CreatINg Places program available through the state for various projects, such as those related to playgrounds, public plaza development, park creation or improvements, bike and pedestrian pathways and public space enhancements.) Plans are also to apply for a $10,000 grant through Church of Brethren, which McClain noted hosts a church in the park program throughout the summer.

So far, the park board has raised $35,530.43 in less than a year. Approximately $5,000 of that amount has been spent on architectural fees.

Phase two of the project would include making renovations to the community pavilion, establishing pedestrian walks, building picnic shelters, renovating concessions and restrooms, developing play areas for children and plaza spaces, connecting Broadway Street to the park on the eastern edge of town and adding street parking. The park board’s hopes for phase three would involve developing a splash pad or other water-related amenity, such as installing bubblers and jets or a rock water wall and pool.

Commissioners all spoke in support of the project.

“I think this is ideally the projects we like to see,” said commissioners president Chad Aker. “You guys are making the effort, you guys have put in countless hours doing this, you’re getting community buy-in in this, you guys are raising these funds … you guys are doing everything that we want to see.”

He suggested Pennville Park Board approach Jay County Council — it meets next at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 — to request release of the funds.

Also Monday, commissioners gave Sheriff Ray Newton permission to purchase a $1,795 shock band and $1,695 sound shield from APB Consulting Solutions of Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Newton explained Jay County Jail has been utilizing shock gloves from the same company as an alternative to using tasers on violent inmates. He noted $2,500 in damages in the last year sustained on a county van by inmates, as well as another $1,000 in damages in one of the jail cells. The ankle band is remote-controlled and is intended to keep officers safe in altercations, he explained.

“It’s happening a lot where these inmates are getting combative, and correction officers need more tools instead of using a taser,” said Newton.

Commissioners approved the purchase with Brian McGalliard abstaining, saying he would like to do more research on the equipment.

Also, commissioners allotted $1,500 to mail information about broadband speed tests to all county residents. 

Jay County Purdue Extension Office director Allison Keen explained the county has one month left to gather data and update the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband availability map. Aker noted the county’s $3.9 million commitment toward a project to bring nearly 400 miles of fiberoptic broadband to Jay County. The project will target households or businesses designated as unserved or underserved per the FCC’s speed standards.

Residents may visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov to ensure the information about broadband availability — location and speed — is correct for their address. The website also includes links to challenge that information. (Speed tests may be conducted at connectingindiana.com.)

Commissioners also OK’d, with McGalliard dissenting, Jay County Development Corporation to renew a one-year agreement with the Yodel calendar website for $4,800. Per commissioner Rex Journay’s motion, the decision is subject to creating a marketing plan for the website moving forward.

In other business, commissioners:

•OK’d treasurer Paula Miller to enter into a nearly $6,000 agreement with L and D Mail Masters for tax bill mailings. Miller noted 63 counties in Indiana utilize the out-of-house service, and commissioners approved the agreement subject to county attorney Wes Schemenaur’s review of the contract.

•Approved a decision to increase Loblolly watershed fees by 25%, or from $2 to $2.50 an acre and from $20 to $25 a plot. It will be effective in May.

•Granted right-of-way access for electricity work along portions of county roads 500 North, 550 East, 650 East, 700 East and 300 North.

•Heard a request from adjoining property owners Randy Fisher and Greg Bailey to vacate the portion of Second Street between county road 200 South and Ruth Street in rural Portland.

•OK’d LifeStream Services’ purchase of four new buses for $473,780. (The program is mainly funded by dollars from the state.)

•OK’d assessor Robin Alberson to switch a 2015 Ford Explorer used by Jay County Sheriff’s Office over to her department. The vehicle has just over $149,000 miles on it. Newton originally planned to trade in the vehicle.

•Approved claims, including $111,582.80 for the new Stryker Power Cot at Jay Emergency Medical Service.

•Agreed to move the April 22, Oct. 14 and Oct 28 meetings to 5 p.m. in Jay County Courthouse auditorium instead of the usual 9 a.m. time. The decision was made to avoid scheduling conflicts with early voting, which will be available in the auditorium beginning April 9.

•OK’d paying a $958.21 garnishment order. First deputy clerk Missy Elliott explained the wrong case number had been issued on the order and the refund had been issued to the wrong individual. Elliott noted after several attempts to contact the man, he spoke with the clerk’s office and agreed to pay back the money in $100 increments. Commissioners will be reimbursed for the funds as they are paid back.

•Gave permission to Newton and new highway superintendent Bob Howell to apply for new county credit cards.