Downtown parking sparks City Council discussion

Parking around the courthouse square -- not really a major issue since a concerted effort has been made by county employees to park in nearby lots instead of around the courthouse -- popped up as a topic at the recent October Greencastle City Council meeting.

Councilman Russell Harvey, whose day job is shepherding the Main Street Greencastle program as executive director, asked City Police Chief Chris Jones about the reported 131 parking tickets issued during September and highlighted in his monthly report to the Council.

“Is the number of tickets on par with what we’re seeing each month?” Harvey asked.

“That’s about where we should be,” Jones replied, indicating the monthly parking ticket average is 100 to 130 citations.

Jones also noted that a greater percentage of tickets are being paid more promptly, thanks to the new system of payment that is in place.

Meanwhile, City Attorney Laurie Hardwick offered that “we’ll be seeing some changes in the (parking) ordinance soon.”

“We need a follow-up meeting with the county,” she added, “about where they want their spaces to be.”

She explained that an agreement with the county allows it five reserved spaces on the inner circle of the courthouse parking area.

Meanwhile, with the recent restriction of courthouse entry to only the east side doors and the three reserved judges’ spaces in the city lot north of the Banner Graphic being removed and transferred to the square for security reasons, a new arrangement is likely necessary.

Upon questioning by Councilor Veronica Pejril, Hardwick also addressed the status of the 10-minute parking space on the north side of the square.

That parking spot, located between Almost Home and Don Julio’s Mexican restaurant, was created during the COVID pandemic to provide a space for persons to park and get take-out meals. Another 10-minute spot was provided on the east side, south of Bridges Craft Pizza and Wine Bar. It, however, was rescinded earlier.

It was wondered aloud whether the surviving 10-minute space was really necessary or a regular space would be more valuable.

“I’ve seen it empty a lot,” Hardwick acknowledged of the space on the north side. “But a lot of people violate it and stay longer.”

Councilman Harvey noted that a couple of parking tickets have been issued for that space.

“Every space does matter,” Hardwick commented.

No action was taken on the parking space or parking issue at the October Council session.

In other business, the City Council:

• Heard Mayor Bill Dory report that Indiana Department of Transportation officials have assured him construction on Bloomington Street/U.S. 231 “will be done by the end of the month.” The contractor, Rieth-Riley is bringing in “a big curb machine” to facilitate finishing touches, Dory said.

• Heard Dory report that one thing that has come up during the ongoing community housing study being undertaken is “providing a better connection between the community and the (DePauw) Nature Park.” He noted that the nature park proved to be a safe haven for many residents during the pandemic as they were able to go out there “and keep a safe distance” from other persons while getting exercise and enjoying the outdoors. Final draft of the study is expected in late November or early December with DePauw working on putting together the application for a potential $25 million Lilly grant after that.

• Heard Dory also note that concrete footing work is ongoing at the YMCA/community center site. The elevator pit has been poured, he added, and masonry work is expected to start at the end of this month. “We’ve certainly been grateful for the weather,” the mayor added.

• Heard Council President Mark Hammer question the need for concrete work along State Road 240 between Bloomington Street and Indianapolis Road. “That road has been there for 30 years now,” Dory said to the surprise of most councilors. “That’s how you make it last. Our side (the west of Bloomington Street) is in much better shape, but we don’t see as much traffic on it.”

• Heard Police Chief Jones report that his department has picked up its three new Tahoe Police Interceptor vehicles from around Fort Wayne that were “ordered about this time last year.” Currently being outfitted with lights, sirens and other amenities and the first of them should be on the streets of Greencastle patrolling early next month. Jones noted that the department will keep its Ford Expeditions that are being replaced but the Dodge Chargers in the GPD fleet “really need to go” since they are costing money for repairs. “We got our money’s worth out of them,” Jones said.

• Heard City Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar offer praise for local first responders after an incident at the Elks’ Club during a recent Greencastle High School 40th class reunion. One of the classmates apparently had a heart attack and”literally fell and flat-lined,” Dunbar said. City firefighters and Putnam County EMS responded and saved his life. “The good news is he was in surgery a half-hour or 45 minutes after he went down,” she added. “I’m very proud of them. We appreciate what they did for the Class of ‘83.” The classmate is reportedly out of the hospital, back home in Fort Wayne and undergoing rehab.

• Listened as Clerk-Treasurer Dunbar explained that a new state statute is requiring municipalities to livestream all public meetings. While Greencastle currently does that with City Council sessions, it will mean adding the Board of Works, Redevelopment Commission, Zoning Board, Plan Commission and Park Board. Dunbar said the Council will likely be asked during the December or January meeting to approve an equipment purchase to make the additional streaming process possible.

• Learned that 29 city streetlights did not get changed out in the recent 627-light Duke Energy switch to LED lighting. They are scheduled to be switched out during the first week of December, Mayor Dory said. Meanwhile, estimates are being gathered for adding street lights along the extension of Calbert Way to the community center site.

• Heard Councilman Harvey suggest that someone is still needed to clean up the downtown area. Mayor Dory said there had been four applicants for the position but the person the city wanted took another job. The position will be readvertised with a pay rate of $20 an hour but no benefits since it is a part-time job.

• Granted a noise waiver for a DePauw family weekend event at Phi Delta Theta fraternity on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Councilors Hammer, Harvey and Pejril were joined by Stacie Langdon and Cody Eckert for the October meeting. Councilmen Dave Murray and Darrel Thomas were absent.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at City Hall.