LEESBURG - An informational presentation by the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission led to much discussion in Leesburg Monday evening.
Assistant Area Plan Director Matt Sandy spoke at the regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council Monday, explaining what the Kosciusko Area Plan Commission does and what it would mean if the town decided to join.
Sandy said that the plan commission oversees zoning, planning and building outside town limits, and if the town joined the plan commission, the same services would be provided for Leesburg.When a town joins the plan commission, zoning classifications are established in town, and the ordinances of the plan commission are adopted by the town. However, if the town already has ordinances regarding some zoning, those are still in effect in the town.
The Area Plan Commission establishes land uses in the town, documents them and then works to establish zoning areas. The plan commission also handles permits and variances within the towns it serves.
The plan commission is not involved in interior renovations, building codes and other land-use issues.
While board members Doug Jones and Tom Moore asked Sandy to come to the meeting, no decision was made about the town's participation.
The presentation was for informational purposes, and some residents present at the meeting were not in favor of joining the plan commission.
Some asked why the board asked if there was an issue that prompted the consideration of joining the plan commission, to which Jones and Moore replied that they were just getting more information. Some residents said they like things the way they are and did not see a problem with the current situation where the town has no zoning ordinances. Others supported joining the plan commission to help keep the town from deteriorating from the level it already is in.
The board decided to seek public input on whether to join the plan commission at its next regular meeting July 12. The location of the meeting will be moved to a location bigger than the town hall so more people can voice their opinions on the issue. Once the location is decided, it will be announced on the town Web site, in the town clerk's office and in the newspaper.
"It's all about conversation, folks," Moore said.
A book of the plan commission's current ordinances was left with Clerk-Treasurer Jan Carter so anyone interested may look at them before the next meeting. Information about the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission may also be found on the county's Web site, www.kcgov.com
There is no deadline for the town to join the plan commission, and there is no charge to join the plan commission since it is paid for by county taxes.
Another issue that was brought up during the meeting was change. Town resident Tonya Wood asked the council if they would vote to change the way the town council is selected and have an election. She was told that an election would be held in 2011 if more than three people decided to run for the town council. If there are not more than three people, there is no election because those who file for the positions will automatically be on the council. In order to run for a council position, a resident must fill out paperwork and turn it in to the county clerk's office before the set filing deadline.
In other business, the council:
n Named Brandon Queen the town's new street commissioner. Queen replaces former street commissioner Ed Riordan, whose employment was terminated in a special meeting May 24. Queen was chosen from 14 candidates and he will begin his duties June 28. The town will provide Queen with a cellular telephone and the number will be posted on the town's Web site.
n Heard the town's Web site is up and running at www.leesburgindiana.com The site is a work in progress and includes board member e-mail addresses, town information and a news page. Residents are encouraged to visit the site and send photos and suggestions to Jones.
n Gave information about joining utility marking company USIC to town attorney Vern Landis. The company would mark sewer, utility and other lines for anyone wanting to dig in the town. Currently, the town's sewer system is not on the locator maps. USIC charges $38 to the town for each locator request it receives. There is no other charge to join USIC. Landis will look over the paperwork and the issue will be revisited at a later meeting.
n Heard a presentation about services for the elderly in Kosciusko County. Kosciusko County Senior Services Director April Baxter and Carter are working to possibly bring some special senior services to Leesburg, and the Grace Brethren Church is on board to help as well.
n Approved an ordinance which rescinds raises that were improperly approved earlier this year. The ordinance states that yearly salaries cannot exceed the following amounts: town attorney, $2,500; town trustees (board members), $2,000; clerk-treasurer, $8,250; wastewater clerk, $15,600; and street commissioner, $34,989.
n Heard an update on the storm water system. A pre-construction meeting was held May 18, and the project should begin soon. Substantial completion of the storm water system will be in November, and final completion is scheduled for December.
n Heard that parts and equipment ordered for the sanitary sewer have been ordered and much of it has arrived.
n Signed conflict of interest statements.
Leesburg Town Council members are Rick Stookey, president; Doug Jones and Tom Moore. Clerk-treasurer is Jan Carter. Stookey was absent from Monday's meeting.
