COLUMBUS, Ind.–At Tuesday night’s meeting, Columbus City Council unanimously passed the second reading of an ordinance to establish a public funding board, along with an advisory and accountability committee. These two bodies will provide governance for the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress (ASAP) of Bartholomew County.
A second ordinance also created a non-reverting fund to establish a “war chest” for city money devoted to ASAP. Deputy mayor Mary Ferdon presented the ordinances before the city council and now will present them to the Bartholomew County commissioners for their approval.
In other action, Redevelopment director Heather Pope, along with Hitchcock Design Group’s Randy Royer, asked council for $496,900 to fund the design development plan for the Columbus Riverfront Project. This plan would be sent to regulatory agencies within the state in order to secure the proper permits and approvals for the design to be built. Barring any complications, Royer anticipates the city hiring a contractor to draft construction documents within 6-12 months.
Many in the audience and on the council felt the public has failed to understand the need for the Riverfront Project, as various regulatory agencies in Indiana have implored the city to remove the hazardous low-head dam. The finished venture will mean water flow will be properly controlled through the area, while a recreational element will also be added to attract revenue. TIF money being used to fund the project is also designated by state law to be used only for this project.
Other requests heard by council included a rezoning request by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church to change part of their property (4th Street between Chestnut and California Streets) from residential to public use to organize for long-term expansion plans of their campus. Also, the city established a non-reverting fund to collect extra income tax revenue that, by state law, is required to be devoted to public safety. The tax increase passed by the county last year has yielded nearly $250,000 per month for the city. Clerk Treasurer Luann Welmer said that a balance of $515,000 is ready to be placed into the new fund.
