Cloverdale council continues talk of land development

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council met on Wednesday evening for a special session to focus on several issues that were left on the table during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Once again, the council focused on the development of the land at 2007 N. Main St., the old Morrison property.

The new owners of the property, Fresh Start, recently came before the council to seek help with financing the project.

Council President Don Sublett started the discussion by informing the public of two options to help out the new owners. The first one, a yard sale of items that were left on the property and the second, being a loan.

Sublett informed the public that both Jeff Rich as well as Brett Hurley, who may possibly work on the project, are not interested in the items. Therefore, the town has the right to sell the items and will likely hold a yard sale to help raise money.

"If the community buys something we can collect the money and give it to Fresh Start," Sublett said.

Sublett continued by saying that the town may help the owners by giving them a $10,000 in hopes of helping move the project along.

"It's just a loan to help them get going on the project," Sublett said. "It'd be paid back in one year."

Once again, the issue of loaning the new owners money was met with a lot of resistance from council members, Gary Bennington and Larry Fidler, as well as Cloverdale residents.

"I don't think so. Those people have had enough money to buy 70-some properties in the state," Bennington said. "I can't see giving them any town money."

Town Attorney Alan Yackey informed the council that they could use its EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) fund, which has close to $20,000 left in it, for the loan that must be paid back under certain conditions or can be forgiven if conditions are met.

Yackey also stated that the new owners have been in touch with the Indiana Restaurant Association and have found a realtor, who has direct ties with major restaurant developers.

"You're really interested in a restaurant because if a restaurant goes in you have a one percent piece of the gross," Yackey said. "For kinds of restaurants that you're talking about, for one of those restaurants they have to have a gross receipt level of about $2 million."

Yackey advised that he spoke to Development Center Director Bill Dory, who informed Yackey the town should require a minimum of a phase one environmental study before moving forward with any sort of loan. Also adding that no developer would move forward on the property without a phase one.

"As a council member I think you guys brought up a good point about a phase one. I'd love to have a clean bill of health for the property before starting anything," board member Dennis Padgett said. "Alan's explained it's not money that is tying us to the property. It's just a loan to the property. Local people or outside people, people are people."

Padgett went on to add that the town has become very divided over the years about the development over the town, even making what he called a clique.

"This has been going on for years and it's really destroyed this town," Padgett said. "It needs to stop. We need to all work together. We've all got to eat. My vote is to give $10,000 to anybody. Let's develop that ground up there."

Following the discussion, the council was told to take everything under advisement for the time being and the issue would be further discussed during the December meeting.

Utility Manager Rich-ard Saucerman also came before the council to give an update on the status of the construction on Market and Grant streets.

In the process of digging the hump out of the road some unstable soil has been found. In order to correct the issue rocks have been put down as well as some geo-tech cloth.

"After doing the south end of it and bringing his trucks in the north end of Grant Street has started moving too," Saucerman said. "You can walk on it and the whole ground just moves."

Saucerman advised the council that Brett Hurley, who is doing the construction, would be meeting with the town's engineer Lori Young to discuss what needs to be done. It is likely that another section will be taken out to install some geo-tech cloth with rocks over it.

At the time of the meeting, Saucerman was not aware what the cost to the town would be. The initial process of correcting the soil on the south end was estimated at an extra $2,000.

Although, the unstable soil has delayed the progress of the project, Hurley was expected to begin the paving process as soon as possible.

"He was really wanting to get it paved tomorrow, but the conditions just aren't allowing it," Saucerman said. "He did mention going ahead and paving the south side where he's got it stable."

It was suggested that the town leave it as a gravel road for a while, however Saucerman advised that it'd be best if the road was paved, but will follow the engineers recommendation.

"We want to make sure we get it right before we manage this extra cost," Saucerman explained. "It's a busy intersection. It would be best if it was (paved)."

The issue of bridge weight limits at Doe Creek and Lafayette streets was also once again brought up to the council.

Saucerman recently spoke to the Putnam County Highway Supervisor Mike Ricketts and was informed that the two bridges in question have a 20-ton weight limit.

"There's been a lot of use on that bridge as far as several trucks going over it. Loaded." Padgett said. "There's abusing it. If you don't have a weight limit sign over it, the law enforcement won't know. Enough's enough. It's been going on for a long time."

The issue was tabled until the next meeting so Yackey can find more information on if the town is allowed to put weight limit signs at the bridges in question.

In other business:

* The council previously approved to dissolve the Redevelopment Commission during its previous meeting. Yackey clarified that the town will still have a Redevelopment Commission, however it will include all new members.

* The council was also advised by Saucerman that a lift station pump, in lift station three in Stardust Hills, needs replacement. The council approved the replacement of the pump at a cost of $1,711 through Service Pump of Indianapolis.

* Saucerman also received approval to purchase tire rods for the 2004 pick-up truck. The cost will be $290 from Don's Garage.

* Council approved Resolution 2013-11 for the transfer between funds to make Keystone negatives into positives.

* Ordinance 2013-11 was also approved by the council to make the Market and Grant street intersection a four-way stop instead of a two-way.

* James McKee was appointed to the Planning Commission.