Milford Council Partners With KEDCo, Redevelopment To Bring More Housing To Town
June 10, 2020 at 12:48 a.m.
By Denise Federow-
Tio introduced the housing initiative in May and the council appointed Councilman Kenneth Long to represent the council on a committee. The redevelopment commission appointed chairman Dan Brown, and the three men met and went through the draft of the MOU.
Tio explained that they worked together on a predevelopment project and “developed the framework for how we work together to develop one or more sites for housing.”
Brown said at the redevelopment commission meeting that morning, they made an additional change to give the town council another touch point of whatever project is developed. The term was extended from 12 to 24 months.
The redevelopment committee attorney was present and he said after a concern brought up by Council President Doug Ruch about voluntary annexation, he said they made it clear that the town would approve request for qualifications (RFQ), the developer and the project.
Brown reiterated what they were asking council to approve. “This is an agreement for predevelopment service assisting with location, land and identifying a developer. They’re asking the town to contribute $25,000 to be matched by KEDCo.”
The council approved the MOU and Ruch said, “This project is of interest to the town, especially with (the news) of the expansion of Polywood and knowing they’ll be bringing workers in and they’ll need a place to live.”
Tio wanted the council to be aware of other initiatives beside the housing initiative offered by KEDCo. The Entrepreneurship Initiative is offering small business relief funds, where they can offer a revolving loan fund with 0% interest up to 24 months.
The small business relief fund can help maintain jobs and recovery. They can offer up to $10,000 per loan. Tio said there is an online application/registration and he encouraged small businesses to apply as there may be up to $400,000 in funding for loans.
The other part of the entrepreneurship initiative is a Summer Innovation Series, which offers six hour-long Zoom sessions to help build businesses with innovative approaches, whether it’s with a new product, new service or a unique way to approach one’s business. The sessions will start June 24 and there is a small fee.
The third initiative is a talent initiative. KEDCo has partnered with TMap in Indianapolis, which helps to develop talent pipelines by recruiting out-of-state using LinkedIn and other sources. Tio said Kosciusko County is the first in the state to partner with them. He said, for example, if they find 20 people willing to relocate and two get hired from a company, KEDCo will capture the other 18 and work with other companies to place them.
Tio said, “With COVID-19, we’re hearing people are looking into moving to smaller communities.”
Also, as part of the initiative, is a dual-career initiative where if they place one member of a couple, they’ll work to find a job for the spouse or partner as well.
“We want them both to be happy,” he said.
Tio wanted the council to be aware of these initiatives and spread the word about the “menu of services” that KEDCo is offering.
Ruch told Tio, “I’ve been here a long time. I’ve never seen a county development (person) who’s an aggressive leader as yourself. I commend you.”
Tio thanked him and said it was team effort. For more information about these initiatives, visit KEDCo’s website at www.kosciuskoedc.com
In other business, the council approved the purchase of security systems for two locations – one at the wellfield and recycling center and the other at the park. Water, Streets and Park Superintendent Steve Marquart said they received three quotes for the system for the wellfield and recycling center. Micro Byte submitted a quote for $1,612.98 plus eight hours labor for a total of $2,404.98, Bontrager Security’s quote was $3,794.55 and Cottage Watchman’s quote was $2,667.33.
Marquart said he called KC Recycling about moving the sign so they can mount the cameras on it and be able to group the bins closer together for better security. He said the system was wireless and could be viewed on an app on their phone.
The council approved purchasing through Micro Byte.
Marquart also received quotes from the same three companies for a security system at the park and lake. Micro Byte submitted quotes for both wired and wireless systems but the wireless was $9,238, Cottage Watchman’s quote was $11,447.65 and Bontrager Security’s quote was $18,393.
The council approved purchasing the wireless system from Micro Byte. Long thought it wise to purchase the systems through the same company.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon gave a report on two properties owned by Ron Davidhizar at 605 Kinwood Drive and 105 Maple Street that town building inspector Tom Bulger recommended condemning in March.
Rigdon reminded the council that Davidhizar and his attorney suggested giving them the chance to deal with the issues before litigation. “So we took them up on it,” Rigdon said, and met with them.
Rigdon said after the meeting, Bulger inspected the properties again and admitted there has been some improvement that indicated clear efforts are being made to deal with the issues. Rigdon suggested scheduling a hearing for 90 days, giving them the chance to continue making improvements. The council agreed.
In other business, the council:
• Responded to a notice on a public hearing by the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals. John and Julie Ward want to put in a concrete plant and supply store and move a driveway. The council expressed safety concerns with traffic coming off and on the Ind. 15 overpass.
• Approved ordinance 2020-3 transferring funds. The clerk will transfer $61,402.23 from the wastewater construction fund to wastewater bond fund, transfer $5,967.76 from wastewater depreciation to wastewater operating and move money from riverboat fund to community building non-reverting, which has a negative balance.
• Advised Marlin Miller, who was present for input on his potential plan to purchase the Lakeland Rehabilitation Center building and turn it in apartments, to put a plan on paper and present it to the area plan commission.
• Heard there will be police presence at the lake during the weekends.
• Approved rehiring Sergio Soto as a reserve officer.
• Approved $5,223.75 in sidewalk and curb work.
• Scheduled the first of budget meetings with department heads on June 23-24.
• Heard town clean-up days is Thursday through Saturday at 600 N. Main St. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 8 to 11:30 a.m.
• Heard hydrant flushing will be July 8.
• Heard from Town Marshal Derek Kreider who reminded residents and visitors to Waubee Lake to pay attention to and abide by the posted signage – especially at the boat launch.
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Tio introduced the housing initiative in May and the council appointed Councilman Kenneth Long to represent the council on a committee. The redevelopment commission appointed chairman Dan Brown, and the three men met and went through the draft of the MOU.
Tio explained that they worked together on a predevelopment project and “developed the framework for how we work together to develop one or more sites for housing.”
Brown said at the redevelopment commission meeting that morning, they made an additional change to give the town council another touch point of whatever project is developed. The term was extended from 12 to 24 months.
The redevelopment committee attorney was present and he said after a concern brought up by Council President Doug Ruch about voluntary annexation, he said they made it clear that the town would approve request for qualifications (RFQ), the developer and the project.
Brown reiterated what they were asking council to approve. “This is an agreement for predevelopment service assisting with location, land and identifying a developer. They’re asking the town to contribute $25,000 to be matched by KEDCo.”
The council approved the MOU and Ruch said, “This project is of interest to the town, especially with (the news) of the expansion of Polywood and knowing they’ll be bringing workers in and they’ll need a place to live.”
Tio wanted the council to be aware of other initiatives beside the housing initiative offered by KEDCo. The Entrepreneurship Initiative is offering small business relief funds, where they can offer a revolving loan fund with 0% interest up to 24 months.
The small business relief fund can help maintain jobs and recovery. They can offer up to $10,000 per loan. Tio said there is an online application/registration and he encouraged small businesses to apply as there may be up to $400,000 in funding for loans.
The other part of the entrepreneurship initiative is a Summer Innovation Series, which offers six hour-long Zoom sessions to help build businesses with innovative approaches, whether it’s with a new product, new service or a unique way to approach one’s business. The sessions will start June 24 and there is a small fee.
The third initiative is a talent initiative. KEDCo has partnered with TMap in Indianapolis, which helps to develop talent pipelines by recruiting out-of-state using LinkedIn and other sources. Tio said Kosciusko County is the first in the state to partner with them. He said, for example, if they find 20 people willing to relocate and two get hired from a company, KEDCo will capture the other 18 and work with other companies to place them.
Tio said, “With COVID-19, we’re hearing people are looking into moving to smaller communities.”
Also, as part of the initiative, is a dual-career initiative where if they place one member of a couple, they’ll work to find a job for the spouse or partner as well.
“We want them both to be happy,” he said.
Tio wanted the council to be aware of these initiatives and spread the word about the “menu of services” that KEDCo is offering.
Ruch told Tio, “I’ve been here a long time. I’ve never seen a county development (person) who’s an aggressive leader as yourself. I commend you.”
Tio thanked him and said it was team effort. For more information about these initiatives, visit KEDCo’s website at www.kosciuskoedc.com
In other business, the council approved the purchase of security systems for two locations – one at the wellfield and recycling center and the other at the park. Water, Streets and Park Superintendent Steve Marquart said they received three quotes for the system for the wellfield and recycling center. Micro Byte submitted a quote for $1,612.98 plus eight hours labor for a total of $2,404.98, Bontrager Security’s quote was $3,794.55 and Cottage Watchman’s quote was $2,667.33.
Marquart said he called KC Recycling about moving the sign so they can mount the cameras on it and be able to group the bins closer together for better security. He said the system was wireless and could be viewed on an app on their phone.
The council approved purchasing through Micro Byte.
Marquart also received quotes from the same three companies for a security system at the park and lake. Micro Byte submitted quotes for both wired and wireless systems but the wireless was $9,238, Cottage Watchman’s quote was $11,447.65 and Bontrager Security’s quote was $18,393.
The council approved purchasing the wireless system from Micro Byte. Long thought it wise to purchase the systems through the same company.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon gave a report on two properties owned by Ron Davidhizar at 605 Kinwood Drive and 105 Maple Street that town building inspector Tom Bulger recommended condemning in March.
Rigdon reminded the council that Davidhizar and his attorney suggested giving them the chance to deal with the issues before litigation. “So we took them up on it,” Rigdon said, and met with them.
Rigdon said after the meeting, Bulger inspected the properties again and admitted there has been some improvement that indicated clear efforts are being made to deal with the issues. Rigdon suggested scheduling a hearing for 90 days, giving them the chance to continue making improvements. The council agreed.
In other business, the council:
• Responded to a notice on a public hearing by the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals. John and Julie Ward want to put in a concrete plant and supply store and move a driveway. The council expressed safety concerns with traffic coming off and on the Ind. 15 overpass.
• Approved ordinance 2020-3 transferring funds. The clerk will transfer $61,402.23 from the wastewater construction fund to wastewater bond fund, transfer $5,967.76 from wastewater depreciation to wastewater operating and move money from riverboat fund to community building non-reverting, which has a negative balance.
• Advised Marlin Miller, who was present for input on his potential plan to purchase the Lakeland Rehabilitation Center building and turn it in apartments, to put a plan on paper and present it to the area plan commission.
• Heard there will be police presence at the lake during the weekends.
• Approved rehiring Sergio Soto as a reserve officer.
• Approved $5,223.75 in sidewalk and curb work.
• Scheduled the first of budget meetings with department heads on June 23-24.
• Heard town clean-up days is Thursday through Saturday at 600 N. Main St. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 8 to 11:30 a.m.
• Heard hydrant flushing will be July 8.
• Heard from Town Marshal Derek Kreider who reminded residents and visitors to Waubee Lake to pay attention to and abide by the posted signage – especially at the boat launch.
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