Council Approves Using EDIT Funds For Capital Improvement Plan
SYRACUSE — During the last meeting of 2016, the Syracuse Town Council approved using economic development income tax funds to finance needed but unfunded infrastructure improvements. The council meet Tuesday night, Dec. 20.
The council approved using $125,000 from 2016 EDIT funds to be used for the new riverfront district and marketing the new technology park. An additional $400,000 from 2017 EDIT funds will be used for marketing the technology park, build a shell speculative building, as well as cover costs for marketing the park and professional services along with $30,000 for the development of the riverfront district.
The resolution also allocates $150,000 from 2018 EDIT funds for riverfront district infrastructure and continued technology park marketing.
Also approved was ordinance 2016-17 which amends and replaces ordinance 2013-3. The new ordinance basically has the Syracuse Police Department handle pier rentals and riparian rights to public right of way, rather than sharing those duties with the Syracuse Parks Department.
Police Chief Jim Layne explained pier rental begins Jan. 1 on a first come, first serve basis. In the past, the park department would handle the rentals while the police department would handle enforcement. The new ordinance would allow the police department to handle all aspects of renting pier space at public right of ways.
The council approved 2017 appointments for town attorney, town marshal, park board appointments, Syracuse Redevelopment Commission, tree board appointments and the BZA appointments. It was noted Randy Cox is still interested in being the fifth member of the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board. The council made a motion to recommend Cox to the fire territory board.
Councilman Tom Hoover asked council president Larry Siegel if he would continue to serve on the board. Siegel said no. Councilmen Bill Musser and Larry Martindale were recommended to represent the council on the fire territory board.
In department reports, Town Manager Henry DeJulia said he was still working on the comprehensive plan. A survey of council members is due by the end of the week and a meeting was scheduled for Jan. 5. DeJulia continues to work with Elkhart County regarding annexing the technology park.
Layne reported there have been complaints regarding an alleyway between Huntington and Dolan where it is hard to see traffic coming from the east. The council told him he could put a stop sign up.
Hoover asked if there was an ordinance regarding raising chickens or ducks in the area. Layne said there is an ordinance banning farm animals. Hoover said there is a house were a truck had been converted into a duck enclosure with about 20 ducks.
Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported Breakfast With Santa had a good turnout. About 100 Santa letters were answered. “You guys did an outstanding job with that,” Hoover said. Adult basketball begins in January. Pinterest parties and family movie night will resume in January as well. The ice rink at the Schrock Athletic Complex is open for use.
Robin Merchant submitted the 2017 water and wastewater budgets which were approved after discussion by the council. Most of the discussion was regarding the renovation work at the wastewater treatment plant. Merchant pointed out operating costs could be considerably higher and suggested looking for a better fix. “We need to see what we can do to get some of our money back and maybe another engineer firm,” Merchant said.
The clerk-treasurer’s office will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2.
Hoover was elected as 2017 town council president.