The Town of Flora agreed to list the former Brethren’s Home property with Rinehart Real Estate & Auctioneers at Monday night’s council meeting.

The decision was made after considering the merits of a letter from Bret Rinehart, dated Feb. 23, that indicated Rinehart’s “strong belief that there are other viable uses (for the facility) which can contribute substantially to the local economy thru new jobs created, enhanced goods and services, and increased tax revenue.”

Rinehart listed several ideas for the building, including institutional businesses such as call centers, educational facilities, private schools, care facilities for unwed mothers or rehabilitation centers, to name a few. He said that these types of business might qualify for state and/or federal funding.

Council member Vince Seward suggested that Rinehart do an analysis and determine a fair asking price for the property which is now owned by the town.

Plans by the town to restore the building to a healthcare facility have not been successful.

Community Park

Park board members, Gail Ennis, Charlene Davis and Lee Sorrells, attended at the request of the council who proposed that it is time to again do long-range planning for the park, looking out 10 to 20 years.

Current park projects are prompting the necessity of a master plan, said Ayres. He used the current estimates for the road and horse arena at the east end of the park as an example of placement decisions being made without a long-range plan.

All groups who use the park such as 4-H, Little League, Horse & Pony, etc., all need to be consulted when developing a plan, said Ayres.

Clerk-treasurer Joretta Tinsman was instructed to research the availability of planning grants to fund the project.

Complaint

Hassan and Molly Hussein, owners of Hoop Street Apartments, asked the council to reconsider its utilities shutoff policy. Because customers can be over 60 days past due before their utilities are shut off for non-payment, the Husseins want a quicker turn around time. They believe that the town’s current policy allows non-paying customers too much time to accumulate additional charges that their deposit does not cover. The Husseins, as the property owner, must make up the difference.

This issue has been brought up before by other property owners who have tenants, said council member David Albaugh. “We are compassionate to your concerns, but we have an ordinance that spells out our procedure for dealing with customers who do not pay their bills.”

The Husseins were told that the town has checked with other cities and towns on their collection procedures and most are similar to Flora’s.

“There just doesn’t seem to be a good answer,” said Ayres.

Mrs. Hussein said that it would be helpful if the town would cut off utilities immediately after the notice for shut-off is sent.

Grand Prix

Tony Griffin, who has been working to organize a Grand Prix in Flora this summer, said that with the current economic times it will be difficult to pull off an event this summer. His suggestion to wait to hold the event until summer 2011 was met with agreement from the council.

Compression brakes

Ordinance 2010-01 prohibiting the use of compression brakes within the limits of the town was passed on third reading. Fines were established for each violation, starting with $50 and capping with $500 for the fourth violation and each subsequent violation.

Fire department

With the April 1 deadline looming to have all paperwork complete to form a fire territory, council members decided to wait another year.

“It’s a complicated issue,” said Ayres, “and we need more time to get it done right.

By submitting the proper paperwork by the April 1 deadline in 2011, means the territory will not go into effect until 2012.

Other business

Ayres reminded residents of the importance to the town and schools that the 2010 Census forms be completed and returned in a timely manner. Questions may be directed to the town office.

The police department’s activity report for February included 10 arrests/misdemeanors, 3 felonies, 10 citations, 3 parking violations, 28 warnings, 52 calls for service, 4 accidents and 1 warrant served.

No building permits were issued in February.

The Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District’s annual Carroll County Tire/Household Hazardous Waste pickup will be July 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at Flora Community Park.

Spring trash pick up was set for May 21 and 22. All items must be set out by Friday.

The next meeting will be April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Fireside Building.