Abatements, $2M grant, more discussed at Jasper Common Council meeting
The Jasper Common Council heard the city had received a Next Level Trails grant for $2 million to be used to connect the Riverwalk from Buffalo Trace to St. Charles through 30th Street and Northwood Avenue.
Not many details were available but this 1.6-mile addition is a continuation of a project that will culminate in more than seven miles of trail that eventually connects the Riverwalk to The Parklands.
The program requires a minimum 20 percent project match, which can include monetary contributions, land value, and in-kind donations of materials and labor.
Further down the road, the city has stated it would like to connect the St. Charles walkway to the Riverwalk entrance near the former Ruxer Golf Course by way of possibly crossing U.S. 231 at Division Road or 12 Avenue, but that route hasn’t been determined yet. This would also potentially connect to the Jasper Sports Complex but again, this is a long-term project that began in 2014.
Once completed, the city will have a walking/running/biking path loop between 11 and 12 miles long.
The council also took the following actions:
Found several Jasper companies in substantial compliance with the terms of their tax abatement agreements at Wednesday’s regular meeting.
Those companies included Kimball Furniture Group, Kimball Hospitality, Cash Waggner, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Jasper Chair Company, Park Place Estates I and II, Meyer Distributing/Transit Properties and Braun Family Properties, Vine Street and Jasper Lofts (MVAH), and German American Bank. (The article originally referenced Miller-Valentine Group as the operator for the Vine Street and Jasper Lofts, this has been corrected to reflect MVAH operates those facilities.)
Gave Mayor Dean Vonderheide permission to make a favorable recommendation to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for a new liquor license for Café Pina. This is a special license that is only available at the River Centre property and cannot be transferred.
They also heard an update from Jasper Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang on code enforcement. He told the council he averages about 80 to 85 notices annually — mostly for weeds/tall grass and trash. If the property doesn’t comply, the city will take on the remediation of the property and then bill the property owner for the work.
“We do continue to attempt to work with property owners,” City Attorney Renee Kabrick said. “We do not want to fine them.”
The council also heard about a potential application that would streamline the process of tracking violations. It could also provide an app for residents to report issues of code violations.
Councilwoman Nancy Eckerle offered that she and her husband, Gil, are attempting to form a volunteer group to help with the remediation of homes for individuals (elderly and disabled) who are unable to keep their homes within the city code.
Hochgesang explained that it is a matter of the property owner allowing the volunteer group on the property.
Approved an ordinance revising the city’s natural gas operations.
Approved a gas contractor’s license for Mark Messmer who scored 96 percent on his license exam.
Approved the resolution for the use of the $3,556,700 in funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The city has not approved a plan for the use of the funds however it is slatted for revenue replacement. Under the guidance for ARPA funds, up to $10 million can be designated for revenue replacement.
The mayor pointed out they are looking to leverage those funds to be used for other grant programs for projects in the city.
A spending plan is being created by the city and 30 percent of the ARPA funds have been dedicated to be used with the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program through the Indiana Office of Rural and Community Affairs.
HELP is a year-long program that offers guidance for communities in spending allotments of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, which was created under the American Rescue Plan Act. The HELP process will culminate in a community-focused Strategic Investment Plan.
HELP culminates in a dynamic Strategic Investment Plan rooted in four pathways: Advancing e-Connectivity, Promoting Community Wellness, Enhancing Quality of Place and Strengthening Local Economies.
Recognized Mark Nowotarski for his work to help Jasper win the Strongest Towns contest. A celebration for being named the strongest town by popular vote is planned for May 11.
