Town tables utility bill issue, searches for deal
CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council voted to table consideration of Ordinance 2016-18, which concerns placing utility bills in the landlord or property owner’s name, during its Nov. 1 regular meeting.
A committee of landlords headed by Vice President Don Sublett is expected to come to a compromise between property owners and the utility office. The motion was made by President Coweta Patton, seconded by Larry Fidler and approved unanimously.
In other developments:
-- Animal Control: The council approved appointing Interim Marshal Charlie Hallam to serve as a representative on the Putnam County Animal Care and Control Advisory Board.
-- Claims: The council approved claims at a total of $148,610.58, a decrease from last month of $167,870.85 and of $146,956.45 from the year’s average.
-- Lou’s Diner: Building Inspector Mark Cassida reported that Lou’s Diner, currently located at the Mill Grove Gas Station, has bought Pizza, Spuds and Sticks and will open there before Thanksgiving.
-- Ordinance 2016-19: The council voted to table consideration of Ordinance 2016-19, which clarifies Ordinance 2014-17, so a better understanding of both ordinances could be reached.
The motion was made by Fidler, seconded by Gary Bennington and approved unanimously.
-- Ordinance 2016-16: The council passed Ordinance 2016-16, which increases credit card convenience fees to cover merchant fees, in a 4-1 vote with Gary Bennington opposing.
The motion was made by Fidler and seconded by Vice President Sublett. The new fees are: $3 for bills of $0 - $100; $4 for bills of $101 - $150; and $5 for bills of $151 - $200.
-- Resolution 2016-17: Town Manager Wayne Galloway reported that the Redevelopment Commission passed Resolution 2016-17, which authorized the execution of lease between the Redevelopment Authority and the Redevelopment Commission for the construction of Star Dust Road.
-- Revitalization Planning Grant: Kristy Jerrrel of Jerrell Consulting announced that Cloverdale had been approved for the Revitalization Planning Grant in the amount of $40,000.
The council approved her contract, which amounts to $4,000, as well as a match payment of $4,000 to be paid out of the cumulative capital fund. The council also approved a contract in the amount of $36,000 with R & B Architects so long as funds from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (IOCRA) are released.
The Cloverdale Town Council will have special meeting Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Hall.