The meeting began with 3 Public Hearings with no public comment at any of the hearings
Public Hearings were Resolution 2024-12 Confirming Resolution 2024-10 and Tax Abatement, Resolution 2024-25 for water rate, and Resolution 2024-26 for wastewater rate.
The regular meeting began with the approval of the November 12 meeting minutes.
Mike McNealy, Police Chief received unanimous approval to add back 2 officers to the Greensburg Police Department. This will take the force from 22 officers to 24 officers. Chief McNealy said that adding these two officers will help the department continue to be a police department that is focused on preventing crime vs. reacting to crime.
Brooke Chaille, Reedy Financial presented the Ordinance 2024-25 for water rate, and Ordinance 2024-26 for wastewater rate. After conversation among the council these ordinances were unanimously approved.
Whitney Koelling, ARA received approval to move forward with applying for the Owner-Occupied Rehab Program. The council approved utilizing $50,000 of riverboat funding to use as the match that is required for the project if approved. Whitney stated that if the cities application was approved notification would come March 2025. The project is for owner-occupied homes only and will assist with mostly outside repairs to your home if you qualify as low income. As the application process and grant moves forward more information will be made public.
Bryan Robbins, Economic Development Corporation presented Resolution 2024-14 for a 10-year tax abatement for Northern Land Company LLC, and this was approved by council. Matt Whitaker was representing Whitaker Construction and stated that a Fairfield Inn & Suites with 100 rooms would be built on Veteran’s Way. The project is estimated to be a 14-million-dollar investment with approximately 15-20 ongoing jobs that will average $20/HR.
Bryan Robbins presented Resolution 2024-12 Confirming Resolution 2024-10 and Tax. This abatement would be for a 10-year abatement 60% real property tax abatement. The company that is requesting this abatement is Jumping Bison LLC and they are a Data Center. This abatement was approved. Jumping Bison LLC has agreed to a yearly economic investment payment for 1.3 million per building due to the Data Center Tax Abatement Legislation stating that Data centers investing over $400 million and creating 20 jobs with an average annual compensation of $40,000 can receive tax abatements for up to 30 years. The project is expected to have two phases with approximately a $400 million dollar investment for each phase. They also agree to pay all staff at 125% of the average hourly pay in Decatur County.
Amy Bornes, City Clerk Treasurer received unanimous approval for Resolution 2024-13 for transfer resolution and encumbrances for 2025.
Zach Wirrig, Public Projects Director received first reading and second reading approval for Ordinance 2024-27 for flood damage prevention. The last update for the Flood Insurance program was 2013. Zach provided an update on the Washington Street project by stating that the intersection at Monfort Street and Washington Street is scheduled to open by the end of the year. He also said that work on 421 is on schedule and hope to be completed by next week.
Mayor Joshua Marsh received approval for making the Greensburg Daily News the city’s print media outlet.
The meeting was adjourned.
