A second property along Wayne Avenue threatened by creek erosion will be purchased by the city.
On Wednesday, members of the Board of Public Works & Safety approved a purchase agreement for 512 Wayne Ave. The city will pay the property owner, Kandis Roger, $56,500. Last week, the board agreed to purchase the property at 700 Wayne Ave. from James and Brenda Belcher for $96,500. Three other properties along Wayne Avenue are in imminent danger due to the high-bank erosion caused by Sugar Creek.
Funding to purchase the properties is being made possible by a state grant and local matching funds.
Participation in this program is voluntary. Affected property owners are given the option of selling their property for the appraised amount. If an owner chooses to participate, the property is purchased with the grant funding and all structures on the property will be razed. A permanent deed restriction will prohibit future sales or building on the property.
Once the real estate transactions are finalized, the city has 90 days to raze the structures.
The board also voted to approve a resolution giving the mayor authority to sign closing documents for these properties.
In other real estate matters, the board accepted the following right-of-way land purchases for the Purple Heart Parkway extension project. The board agreed to purchase 1.5 acres from the Ruth Leaming Trust in the amount of $19,800; less than 3 acres from Garry McCutchan in the amount of $59,800; and just over 3 acres from Wayne McCutchan in the amount of $60,950. The city anticipates making three additional land purchases for the necessary right-of-way, while the county is expected to make three land purchases for right-of-way.
The board also approved an amendment to a memorandum of understanding between the city and county regarding the Purple Heart Parkway extension project. The first change recognizes the county has hired Crider & Crider to construct the new $2 million road. The second change outlines that the city will pay VS Engineering 100% of the construction inspection costs. That amount previously agreed upon is not exceed $350,000.
In other business, the board:
• Entered into a housing strategy agreement with Thrive West Central of Terre Haute. It is an organization that provides consulting and technical advice for housing related endeavors. The contract cost is $75,000 and will be split evenly between the city and the county, each paying $37,500. The partnership will create a housing development program intended to fit within the scope of the READI 2.0 program.
• Approved an agreement between the city, county and Butler, Fairman and Seufert Inc. for services related to the second phase of the landfill grading project. The firm will be paid an hourly rate, not to exceed $96,700. All fees will be equally split between the city and county.
• Authorized code enforcement litigation against the property owners at 313 N. Grant Ave., 408 Binford St., 608 E. College St. and 805 Mill St.
• Approved a request from the street department to declare eight pieces of equipment and two salt spreader boxes as surplus. The board also approved a request to purchase two salt spreader boxes at a cost of $17,100 from Clark Truck Equipment, Crawfordsville.
• Approved a request from the wastewater department to declare a 2006 John Deer garden tractor as surplus.
• Approved a request from Erica Frazier to place a moving box container on the street at 202 S. Pine St. from March 19-21.
• Approved a request from Joe Kolger to partially close the street to allow for the trimming of a tree at 709 S. Elm St. The work is expected to take about four hours and will take place on a date to be determined during the week of March 25-29.
• Approved a request from Amy Spencer to place a dumpster in front of 601 S. Green St. for 10 days, effectively immediately.
