Dunkirk forms commission

DUNKIRK — The city now has a redevelopment commission.

Dunkirk City Council approved its two appointments to the redevelopment commission Monday while Mayor Jack Robbins named his three appointments.

Forming a redevelopment commission is one of the steps toward creating tax increment financing (TIF) districts for the city. Such districts capture additional property tax revenue created by improvements — the increment — and set them aside to be used to help fund initiatives related to the district. A redevelopment commission oversees those funds.

Robbins announced his appointments of Craig Faulkner, Brenda Brumfield and Pam Robbins, his wife, to the redevelopment commission. The council then unanimously approved appointing two of its members — Dan Watson and Jesse Bivens — to the remaining two seats.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur explained that the newly formed redevelopment commission will need to begin working on an economic development plan, which will set parameters for how its funding can be spent. Once complete it will go through the city’s plan commission and council for approval.

Robbins said he will provide the redevelopment commission members with a TIF handbook to help them start the process.

During its March 24 meeting, Robbins told the council that the city had closed on the purchase of about 10 acres located behind Pak-a-Sak (915 S. Main St.) and Dollar General (1001 S. Main St.). Plans are to create a residential TIF district for the property.

Robbins explained Monday that plans are to construct a street extending east from Indiana 167. The street would then turn south and run the length of the property. He said he’d like to build 32 apartment units on the east side of the street while there would be a buffer on the west side of the street.

Robbins also asked the council to consider various issues, including possibly reducing the city’s annual stormwater fee to $60 from the current $120. He also noted that it is time to think about potential changes to water and sewer rates for 2026.

Council president Jesse Bivens brought up a possible fee to help cover the cost of water meters. For informational purposes, he said a $1 monthly fee over a 20-year period would raise enough money to cover about half the cost of this year’s meter replacement.

Robbins also brought up the possibility of extending the city’s buffer zone for zoning purposes to a mile from the current half mile and consideration of instituting an ordinance regarding battery storage facilities. (Both the county and City of Portland are in the process of addressing battery storage as well.)

Also on the mayor’s mind was zoning to address plans for the Stewart Brothers building, which is being renovated with an intent for commercial space on the main floor with apartments above. Schemenaur said there is no definition in the current zoning ordinance that fits.

Bivens reported that Culy Contracting of Winchester has installed seven new fire hydrants. He said four more hydrants, which will be able to be installed by city workers, are needed at a cost of $18,163.80.

Council members Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt, Randy Murphy and Bivens unanimously approved the purchase from Team EJP of Indianapolis.

Bivens also requested that a line item be added to the water department’s budget specifically for fire hydrants. Clerk-treasurer Kara Lowe said it can be implemented for the 2026 budget.

In other business, council:

•Heard from community coordinator Darlesia Lee about a regional effort toward utilizing Safe Streets for All, a U.S. Department of Transportation program that provides grants for safety planning initiatives.

•OK’d extending the city’s property, liability and worker’s compensation insurance with Barnum Brown Insurance of Dunkirk at a cost of $123,636.88, up just over $11,000 from the current year.

•Heard from Revolt that the park board has started accepting applications for work this summer at Dunkirk City Pool.

•Approved the following: a $500 sponsorship for Glass Days, which is scheduled for Aug. 16; fire department boot drives for Fridays, April 18, May 16 and June 20; and payment of claims totaling $665,384.98.

•Learned from Bivens that Peerless Midwest recently completed its annual testing of water department pumps and wells.

•Tabled discussion of ordinances related to solicitation and golf carts.