Delphi to see two new annual events

Two local groups have made plans to spur activity in the downtown Delphi area this summer. Both received approval from the Delphi City Council and one received financial support at the Monday night meeting.

A newly-formed group, the Carroll County Arts Council, will sponsor an invitational fine arts fair around the courthouse square in May. Representative Julia Leahy explained the event is an effort to raise money for grants to be given to further art interest throughout the county. Artists will pay $50 for a booth space.

City council members agreed to close Washington St. between Main and Franklin May 8 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Leahy said it is desirable to close Washington St. rather than another street so that the group can utilize the Delphi Opera House Gallery.

Delphi Preservation Society will host a 5K run, called the “Delphi Diamond Dash” through the city in September. Representative Karyl Traeger explained various streets might need to be closed and the route would have to be marked.

City council members voted unanimously to support the event financially with a $500 donation. Together with another $500 pledged from Delphi Main Street the city will be recognized on banners and materials that promote the run. Participants will pay a $25 registration fee.

Funds generated from the event will be used for a new roof for the Delphi Opera House. Traeger said the group expects 500 participants and plans to make it an annual event.

Veteran council member Pearson was nominated by Germond for 2010 president of the council. The vote to seat Pearson was unanimous.

Other business

City council members made progress toward a proposed purchase of a portion of the Globe Valve property on N. Washington St. in order to house the street department, which will then make room in the city building for the fire department to expand.

Mayor Randy Strasser announced that the developers of the Globe Valve property are “ready to make a proposal” for the sale of property to the city. Strasser also announced that a planning grant for $48,600 from the state was awarded for renovation of the city building. According to Strasser, the total cost of the planning project is $54,000.

Strasser said an executive session will be held to discuss possible property purchase details.

Clerk-treasurer Leanne Aldrich reported that the 2010 budget was not approved by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance because information provided for publication by the former clerk-treasurer was incorrect. Strasser said the budget will have to be advertised as an additional appropriation into the line items for utilization.

Aldrich also reported that council members have not received accurate financial reports in the past. She explained that a $1 million investment was incorrectly reported as $2 million last year. She said she is working diligently to provide the most accurate information possible.

Street commissioner Aaron Lyons reported that he has made alternate plans for a recycling truck to use in the event that the one normally used is not available.

Utilities superintendent Dick VanSickle presented his department’s end-of-the-year report. He noted that funds spent to find water leaks in the city system “was money well spent.”

Parks superintendent Anita Force announced the department received a REMC Operation Round-Up grant which will be used to replace kitchen equipment in the Stone Barn.

Airport manager Brian Stirm provided 2009 Delphi Trolley statistics. He reported that, as the volunteer driver of roughly 200 hours, he drove the trolley 1,288 miles, carried 1,318 passengers, spent $436 for fuel, $325 for insurance and $257 for repairs. Income received was $1,272.

Strasser provided an oral report of what stage various city grant applications had reached.

Strasser said he will hire a part-time community development worker. It was noted that money for the position was approved in the 2010 budget.

Strasser said he will provide monthly written status reports about various issues and projects to council members in binders placed on their council desks.

Police chief Justin Darling reported the department issued 19 traffic summons, 29 warnings, investigated 13 crashes, made six felony arrests and four misdemeanor arrests in January. Two hand-gun applications were issued.

Fire chief Denny Randle’s report indicated volunteer fire fighters responded to 16 incidents and a total of 41 activities.

The council will meet for a work session Feb. 15 at 5.

Board of Works

Delphi Board of Works approved the purchase of two water pumps for $9,885 from Peerless Midwest for the booster station. The 50-gallon unit was installed in 1990 and was rebuilt in 2003.

Board appointments

Strasser announced the following board 2010 appointments: Board of Works - Brian Garrison and Bob Conner; Area Plan – Nelson Smith and Kirk Germond; Board of Zoning Appeals – Nelson Smith; Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District – Kyle Germond; Carroll County Economic Development Corp. – Joe Mayfield, Brad Burton and Bonnie Maxwell; Alcoholic Beverage Board – Donald Burkhalter; Parks Board – Chris Neumann, Gretchen Walker, Carla Bradshaw and Lorraine Weckerly.

Strasser said he will announce board members for the Delphi Airport, Forestry Commission and Utility Rate Advisory Board in March.