Redkey to try for more grant funding

REDKEY — The town is applying for another grant to pave more streets.

Redkey Town Council approved a list of streets to apply for in a Community Crossings grant from Indiana Department of Transportation this year.

Hopes are to pave Union Street between Main and Lake streets as well as between High and Mitchell, Mitchell Street between Union Street and Meridian Avenue, Oak Street between Main and Railroad streets, Delaware Avenue between Meridian and Washington Streets and Washington Street between Delaware Street and Bell Avenue.

The total cost of the project would be $218,249, with Redkey’s match at $54,562.25.

Council also learned Brooks Construction of Fort Wayne is expected to start paving streets Aug. 15. Streets on the schedule include Boyce Street between Sycamore and Meridian streets, Bell Avenue between Meridian and Washington streets, Sycamore Street between Indiana 67 and Main Street and all of Morgan Drive through Redkey Morgan Park.

The bulk of the cost is covered by a Community Crossings grant secured in 2022, and the cost to pave the park’s drive was donated by Redkey Economic Development Corporation. The project came in at $158,131, well under initial estimates.

“We’re getting close to a million dollars in paving (over) the last five years,” noted town employee Randy Young. “Redkey wouldn’t do that in 55, 100 years without the grants.”

Dottie Quakenbush, resident and former council member, voiced some concerns with Redkey Police Department. She asked when police officer Zach Moser — he started working for Redkey in June — would be switched to a later shift. 

Marshal Kyle Denney noted he has been training Moser, but he should be switching shifts in a few weeks.

She also said officers have been taking home vehicles and said she thought the town’s ordinance does not allow it. Clerk-treasurer Mary Eley said officers are allowed to take vehicles home while they’re on call and confirmed the marshal is allowed to take a vehicle home. Denney asked for the most recent version of the town’s ordinance, with council president Erik Hammers saying he should have the latest version.

Quakenbush also asked Moser or Denney to cite a resident violating the trash ordinance and noted residents who own chickens — they are not allowed in Redkey — on Oak and Sycamore streets.

In other business, council members Gary Gardner, Floyd Life and Hammers, absent Chance Retter and John Pierce:

•Heard Portland Police Department donated two radios to Denney to use at Redkey Police Department

•Were reminded Gas Boom Days is set for Aug. 12 and Aug 13. Eley pointed out a need for volunteers.

•Approved 2024 contracts for Redkey Volunteer Fire Department to service the town of Redkey ($24,808), Richland Township ($6,242), Jefferson Township ($4,172), Knox Township ($1,844) and Greene Township ($242). Eley noted contract costs increased by 3%.

•Heard from “Watermellon” Jim Phillips, who had asked council March if the town could name bridges in honor of Redkey veterans killed in action. (At the time, council gave him the OK to move forward with creating signs for the bridges.) Council told Phillips on Thursday they thought he meant plaques, with Phillips saying he meant he planned to put up pictures. Council members and visitors explained to him how to get to the INDOT office in Albany to request permission to name the bridge located on Indiana 67 in Redkey.

•Signed a contract for grant administration with Jay County Development Corporation. JCDC recently helped Redkey secure a $81,000 grant from Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for a master utility study, with Redkey contributing $9,000 of its own funds. Choice One Engineering will inspect Redkey’s water, wastewater and stormwater utilities and put together a plan for tackling utility issues Jodi Hayes of JCDC noted she’s still waiting on a grant agreement from OCRA, which will be required before moving forward with the study.

•OK’d Denney to pay Emerald Business Solutions $475 to connect police vehicles and computers on a server

•Approved $234,764.71 in claims.