|
Scottsburg councilmen were happy to see Mayor Bill Graham at their rescheduled meeting on Tuesday night, February 20, but the only item on the agenda got tabled.
An interlocal agreement drawn up by Scottsburg city attorney Kerry Thompson was considered by the Council, but no action was taken because the Mayor asked them to “…take it home and look it over. If you’ve got questions, we need to have them answered by our attorney,” Mayor Graham said. Thompson was unable to attend the meeting.
The agreement would hash out who would use and maintain a ballfield that a new company, Scottsburg Indoor Sports Academy, would. The Academy is based in Scottsburg and operated by former Atlanta Braves pitcher Nick Tisone. Tisone and his father made recent presentations before the Scottsburg Redevelopment Commission and the Scott County Visitors Commission to drum up support for developing local and area baseball and softball talent.
Use of a city-owned field as well as ballfields used and/or owned by Scott School Districts 1 and 2 for the fall tournament are being sought by the Tisones, who related that such a tournament would attract several thousand visitors to Scott County.
The interlocal agreement is expected to appear on the City Council’s agenda for its first business meeting on Monday, March 5.
Before the Council looked at the agreement, a Scottsburg resident asked permission to address the Council.
Tom Leisure has become a familiar face at Council meetings since last October. The Westside resident was among utility customers protesting a proposed 75% hike in sewer rates. The hike was to provide income for the city-owned utility as well as help finance repairs to the collection system and its aging treatment plant.
The Council voted February 5 to pass the rate increase. Leisure was there February 19 to hear what progress city officials have made toward the project.
“We’re kind of in a holding pattern right now,” explained Mayor Graham. The city’s accounting firm of H.J. Umbaugh and Associates has begun work on a financial package and the plan is being finalized, he added.
“Have you bid out the project?” Leisure asked. Not yet, the Mayor responded, turning the issue over to city engineer Bill Saegesser. Saegesser explained plans must be completed. He assured Leisure that the project will be competitively bid out once plans are completed.
Mayor Graham did have some good news for the Council that could affect the project. He said President Donald Trump is making plans to have his administration provide up to $200 billion to smaller cities and towns. The money will reportedly be used to improve utilities.
“This is real good news for us, the best we can possibly get. We can get those plans ready and have it ready to apply for a grant, and we’ve been very good at getting grants,” the Mayor announced.
Councilman John Konkler interjected, “If you do get a nice grant, will that affect the rates?” The Mayor said lowering rates would certainly be considered if a grant for half or more of the projected cost is obtained. That projected cost is between $18 and $18.5 million.
“We should be in a very good position to apply if this money comes through,” he stated.
Councilman Chuck Rose observed, “When word about this money gets out, other communities will go after it, but we’ll be ahead of them because we’ll have our plans and paperwork ready.”
Leisure addressed the Mayor one last time before the meeting adjourned. He asked if the Mayor could respond to his idea about a 15% decrease in sewer rates for senior citizens.
“I got your letter, and I took it to our attorney, but I really don’t have an answer for you at this time,” Mayor Graham told him.
-30-
|
