Grant application delayed

DUNKIRK — The city’s application for funding to demolish a downtown building will have to wait until next year.

Mayor Jack Robbins updated Dunkirk City Council on the status of the Green Building, noting Monday that despite efforts it is not possible for the city to make this month’s application deadline for state funding.

Monday’s council meeting had been scheduled as a public hearing to seek support for the proposal to tear down the building at 303 S. Main St.

Robbins reported that there are additional steps that need to be taken before the decision can be made to demolish the structure. The process involves hiring a structural engineer to determine whether the historic structure can be saved.

He said he will continue to work with Jay County Development Corporation and HWC Engineering toward applying for $275,000 in grant funding through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The next deadline is in April.

Robbins also told council members that he has a meeting with Jay County Development Corporation officials Wednesday (today) regarding a new residential blight removal program. He said he will work toward acquiring some of those funds for Dunkirk. (Robbins has led blight removal projects for decades during his time as safety officer, a council member and now mayor, utilizing both local and state funding mechanisms as they have been available.)

Council members Jesse Bivens, Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt and Randy Murphy also approved fire protection contracts for Richland ($6,556), Jackson ($3,673.74) and Knox ($1,955.48) townships in Jay County and Niles Township ($2,674.52) in Delaware County. The Niles Township contract also calls for an additional $1,000 to be paid into the non-reverting firefighters’ equipment fund.

Murphy reported that street paving through the most recent Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grant is slated to begin today (Wednesday). It will involve paving Pleasant Street on the west side of the city, Fourth Street, D Street and Lincoln Avenue between Main and Angle streets.

In other business, the council:

•Heard from Robbins that his State of the City address will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at West Jay Community Center.

•Learned from Revolt that the city’s annual Feel the Warmth of Christmas celebration is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1. It will include a tree lighting, hot chocolate and snacks at city hall and a visit from Santa to Glass Capital Motors.

•Approved the following: a $200 sponsorship for the Jay County Junior-Senior High School choirs; a $100 sponsorship for the city’s annual turkey drop, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Webster Depot; updates to the city’s handbook to conform with new state laws; an additional appropriation of $37,200 in economic development income tax funds for Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation; payment of claims totaling $294,526.51; and vacating an alley at property owned by Michael Bubp at 220 E. Commerce St.

•Received a thank you card from Secret Families Christmas Charity of Jay County for the city’s sponsorship of the organization.