CVB representation concern for Cloverdale Town Council

CLOVERDALE -- With a much smaller audience than usual attending its regular meeting for November, the Cloverdale Town Council discussed various issues on this month’s agenda.

An issue which had the council working through its options was appointing new representatives to the Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

At-large councilman Gary Bennington volunteered to go onto the board. However, this was met with reservations by Town Attorney Daniel Hofmann, who expressed fear that such an appointment would too closely tie the municipal government.

He based this on unspecified litigations that have been brought previously against the town, thought they were unsuccessful because the appointed member’s decisions were not found to have been influenced. However, he added that he was unaware of any rule which prohibited a council member from being appointed.

Hofmann further stated that appointing Bennington would put more onus on the town in any future lawsuits, though he believed Bennington was capable of being a representative.

The council did signal approval for Steve Fouty of the Robert McDermond Center for Management & Entrepreneurship at DePauw University to fill one of the seats. While the council has preferred locals to represent the town, a representative need only be a Putnam County resident appointed by the municipality.

Stardust Hills developer Don Gedert also opined that Cloverdale should be represented by management of its hotels, as he felt they were a considerable draw for outside business. Still, Clerk-Treasurer Cheryl Galloway responded that they had not shown interest, but could reach out again.

Councilman Greg Jay nonetheless believed that the council needed to reach outside of the council and into the public to mitigate Hofmann’s concerns, while Fidler suggested that administration and faculty at Cloverdale Schools could be interested.

Another issue which elicited discussion, especially between Hofmann and Bennington was the approval of Ordinance 2019-10, which amends the timeline of holding a building permit from two years to one year.

Bennington claimed that the ordinance contained mistakes in its wording, specifically stating that it read as if the town grants permits, rather than sells them. Hofmann responded that the ordinance correctly stipulates exchanges of money, but also acknowledged a clerical error found in a section subhead.

Comments from the audience provided that the one-year permit would encourage quicker construction, as well as accountability on the business owner to not sit on it. Though Gedert believed the shorter timeline was not “user-friendly,” Hofmann stated that extensions could be granted as a case provides.

The council passed the new ordinance with Bennington being the dissenting vote.

In other business, Hofmann said that “positive steps” were being taken concerning the damaged facades on Main Street. He added that he believed it would take three to four weeks before plans could be approved by the state, and that the business owners should use the same contractor for brick work.

Hofmann also briefly shared that the town needed to update its website. He believed that it could be a place were local businesses could be highlighted. He added that a new website designed through Squarespace would cost $18 a month to maintain. As such, the council approved for Hofmann to begin setting it up.

In his monthly report, Town Marshal Steve Hibler opined that the town’s ordinances were unclear on multiple issues concerning upkeep of property, and that they needed to be “tightened up.”

He referenced the Appliance Guy business on Market Street, brought up at the meeting because of concerns about the owner living in the business, as well as “stuff” being left outside. He also said that vehicles with multiple flat tires were not being moved, but legal procedures on removing them were unclear.

Hibler added that the Cloverdale Police Department was looking to add more reserve officers to force in order for it to become “24/7” throughout the town.

The council also introduced Ordinance 2019-11, which would cover employees, projects or properties which would require performance bonds. These are issued as a kind of guarantee against failure to complete work.

Galloway provided that she was currently working on bonds payed out for wastewater, and that remaining claims for recent roadwork done through the Community Crossings Matching Grant had been paid.

Coweta Patton was also reappointed to the planning commission with one seat still open. Patton, Wayne Galloway, Bob Anderson Matt Nichols and Scott Bailey were also reappointed to the Redevelopment Commission, with one more seat open. Council President Larry Fidler was also reappointed to the town’s storm board.

Lastly, Galloway announced that bids for demolition of the Bates home will be due by Tuesday, Dec. 17. Hofmann advised that the family members who could be reached had been contacted and informed of the project.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17, instead of the normal date of Tuesday, Dec. 10. It will still take place at 7 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Hall.