MJS asks for changes to alleys

DUNKIRK — MJS Mortuaries is in the process of building a new funeral home in the city.

Representatives had several questions for Dunkirk City Council.

MJS owner Mike Shannon and others from the business visited council Monday, making requests to change alleys to one-way traffic and asking other questions about their project.

Randy Storie, who handled most of the discussion for MJS, 221 S. Main St., requested that a north-south alley that runs between Washington and Commerce streets be made one way going north. He also requested that a half-block of an east-west alley between Main and Indiana streets be made one way going west. (The thrust of the request is to create an L shape in the quarter block around the funeral home.)

The requested changes will need to go through the ordinance process with adjacent property owners being notified for possible comment.

Storie also asked questions regarding drainage, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, a grease separator drain and funding that may be available to help with the project. (He pointed out that a sprinkler system is required for the new building.)

Mayor Jack Robbins responded regarding ADA compliance, noting that any sidewalk changes along Main Street (Indiana 167) are under the jurisdiction of Indiana Department of Transportation because it is a state highway. He also said the grease separator drain is something that will require approval from the county health department.

Robbins told those in attendance that they could apply for a downtown revitalization loan of up to $25,000 for the project. He also suggested talking to Jay County community coordinator Nate Kimball regarding other possible grant opportunities.

Also Monday, council members Jesse Bivens, Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Kevin Hamilton and Christy Curts approved updates to city ordinances.

They OK’d a change to trash service rates to reflect the three-year contract they approved with Best Way in July. The rate will go up to $12.58 on Jan. 1 with increases to $13.20 in 2025 and $13.86 in 2026.

Also approved was a change to modify the requirements for the city’s board of works. The new ordinance requires that the board be made up of the mayor and two city residents. (The previous ordinance, which was updated in 2018, called for one of the board of works members to be a city council member.)

A third ordinance was approved to create a non-reverting fund for the parks department for capital improvement projects.

Council will not meet again this year as its next scheduled meeting would fall on Christmas Day. Its next meeting will be 7 p.m. Jan. 8.

In other business, council:

•Rescinded a previous motion and approved a total of $31,100 in roof repairs for Dunkirk Police Department. Robbins explained that some additional work on walls was needed, which increased the total cost from Goodhew's Roofing & Metals, Ridgeville, by $1,400.

•Approved the following: updates to the city’s handbook to bring it into compliance with Indiana Code; water bill adjustments of $487.44 for 321 Arlington Ave. and $74.44 for 357 W. Jay St. because of leaks; a resolution approving the transfer of $18,635 to avoid having negative balances in any funds at the end of the year; the cancellation of outstanding checks; payment of claims totaling $349,896.95; 

•Tabled discussion of a golf cart ordinance.

•Heard a question from Johnson regarding signs that previously pointed visitors to The Glass Museum. Robbins said he doesn’t have any information about where the signs went after they were taken down.