Winona OKs Bond for New Grace College Residence Hall
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE -- Winona Lake Town Council approved a resolution for an economic development bond issue Tuesday night.
The resolution is for a new residence hall to be built at Grace College.
A public hearing will need to be held for the bond issue.
Grace College will need to come before the council asking for a bond ordinance to be passed authorizing the bond to be issued.
The vote for the resolution was unanimous, with councilman John Boal abstaining because he is employed with Grace College.
“We are very glad to see this development in the town and the financial impact will be good with the extra students spending money here,” Council President Randy Swanson said.
Town attorney Jim Walmer said there needs to be a public hearing on the $3 million economic development bond.
The proposal is to build a new residence hall on Grace College campus between the science building and Beta Hall that would house 56 students. There also will be two to three employees hired for the building’s upkeep.
Grace College submitted an application to the Economic Development Commission requesting the commission to issue a bond that will provide tax-free interest income to the purchaser of the bond.
Students who live in the dorm will bring $400,000 per year to the community, according to Walmer.
Tom Dunn, Grace College chief operating officer, said plans are once the bond issue is approved construction on the dorm will be completed in Fall 2013.
“We have more students than we have beds for on campus and anticipate increased enrollment next September,” Dunn said.
“If we continue to have increased enrollment we will fill these beds as quickly as we open the doors.”
The town has no liability or legal obligation to the bond, Walmer said.
He said the bond is the responsibility of the borrower.
In other business, the council approved an agreement between the town and Wayne Township. The agreement is for the township to provide $12,000 to the Winona Lake Parks and Recreation Department for services the township receives from the parks department.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach provided the council with an update on hiring a building commissioner.
Allebach announced at the March 28 meeting that Dick Leaf, building commissioner, would be retiring April 26 after 16 years.
The job is 21 to 22 hours per week, and two to three days per week.
Allebach said he has received six resumes, and the town will begin the interview process next week. Plans are to make a recommendation for hiring to the council at its next council meeting.
Also during the meeting, Town Marshal Paul Schmitt introduced Winona Lake Reserve Officer Danielle Adams. Walmer swore in Adams.
Town Engineer Larry Long provided an update on road and street projects.
Long said he is working on design plans for the Prestwick Street reconstruction project, and will have the design plans to the council in two weeks to advertise for bids.
The Prestwick Subdivision pumping station improvement materials have been ordered, and the contractor will begin work next week.
The council approved a $54,130 contract between the town and Indiana Department of Transportation for a Safe Routes to School grant.
Schmitt informed the council the police department will apply for grant funding from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for six laptops for police cars and a server and one desktop for the department.
Clerk Treasurer Kent Adams informed the council the Department of Local Government Finance will electronically report budgets using a Gateway system.
Upcoming events in the town include a Kosciusko County 4H 5K starting at the fairgrounds Saturday at 9 a.m., and the Warsaw Police Victim Services 5K at Winona Lake Park April 21 at 9 a.m.
