MENTONE – K21 Health Foundation approved the town of Mentone’s application for a $200,000 grant to upgrade Mentzer Memorial Park.
Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak told the Mentone Town Council Wednesday she was recently told K21 approved the application a while ago, but Yaprak wasn’t notified until recently.
An agreement has to be signed with K21 to move forward with the grant and Yaprak said she hadn’t received it as of Wednesday’s meeting. She didn’t know exactly when she would get the agreement, but would follow up with K21.
The council approved a motion allowing Council President Jill Gross to sign the agreement when Yaprak receives it.
The grant will help pay for upgrades at the park, including a new public pavilion, upgraded playground equipment, improved basketball courts, new disc golf course, an improved walking path and parking lot improvements.
Also during the meeting, the council approved a contract for Austin Rovenstine, with Lemon, Keirn and Rovenstine LLP, for legal services as the town’s attorney, effective Jan. 1.
Current town attorney Andrew Grossnickle resigned effective at the end of the year as town attorney as he accepted a position at the Kosciusko County Prosector’s Office.
In Rovenstine’s contract, there is a $5,000 retainer. He will attend all council meetings and will provide services such as drafting ordinances or other legal papers for the town. He will provide additional services for the town, including providing any litigation services the town may need.
Yaprak thanked Grossnickle for all the help he provided to Mentone. Grossnickle thanked the council for having him and providing him lots of work to do.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from resident Sharie Davis. Davis thanked Yaprak, Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd and town utilities employee Corbin Hudson for their help in getting Davis’ waterline replaced.
• Set an executive session for 6 p.m. Dec. 17 to interview people for the deputy marshal position.
• Heard from Kristin Rude, general manager of Kosciusko Area Bus Service, about services KABS provides.
Rude said services are available to all residents in Kosciusko County.
Bus rides are available from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fares for zero to 10 miles are $1; 11-25, $2; and 26 or more, $3.
Free rides to doctor appointments are available to Medicare/Medicaid recipients. Those 8 years and younger are required to have an adult accompany them.
• Heard Commonwealth Engineering is working on maps after receiving information from the lead service line inventory the town did. A representative from Commonwealth will then present information to the town.
• Heard there will be a downtown master plan committee meeting from 5 to 7 Dec. 12. If anyone is interested in being on the committee, they can contact Yaprak.
• Heard the Mentone Chamber of Commerce and Mentone United Methodist Church will hold a free meal on Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
Councilman Tim Croy said they are planning for 100 meals to be provided. The meals will be drive-through and can be picked up at the church.
People can call 574-353-7898 or 574-353-7941 to schedule a meal be delivered.