The council opened the Public Hearing for Ordinance 2025-03 for annexation of territory. This annexation request was for the property owned by Christan & Karen Rust located at 1200 S County Rd 60 E Greensburg, IN 47240.
Matt Griffin, Attorney for Mr. & Mrs. Rust spoke first stating that this is what is commonly referred to as a Super Voluntary Annexation because a majority of the property is surrounded by city of Greensburg property. Matt stated that this development would bring revenue to the city. He said that his clients are willing to document that if approved for R4 zoning that they would not construct multi family or manufactured homes on the property and that the Rusts are willing to work with the city to ensure that everything is done correctly. The planned use for the property is single story duplexes for senior housing. Matt stated that a major concern voiced in the meeting last week was traffic and that the road does have the capacity to deal with minor traffic increases that they would see. He also stated that there is external data that shows that decreased property values and safety concerns are not correct. Matt added that the proposed use is consistent with the City of Greensburg Comprehensive Plan.
Approximately 50 meeting attendees were present in the meeting room. Residents were given the opportunity to stand and speak of their concerns with the annexation of the property. Some of those concerns were- the safety and security for St. Mary’s school, concerns for safety of the neighbors of the project, increased traffic, change of current aesthetics of the area, Road access issues, drainage issues, and concerns about requirement for a retention pond and the safety concerns that come with that. One resident stated that during the meeting last week the attorney for the petitioners stated that the home was in good shape, this evening they brought a copy of the real estate listing stating the following- “Home is not currently livable and will require a Hold Harmless to be signed prior to entering home.” This same resident also showed the council a screenshot of a post from Karen Rust looking for trailers online.
Scott Mangles said that once this property is sold to developers, they can do whatever they would like. He said that this is a classic bait and switch. Scott said that this development should be put in an area that is meant for R4 which an example is Veterans Way. A 106-signature petition in opposition to the annexation and rezoning was presented to Chris Stephen for the council.
The Public Hearing for Ordinance 2025-3 was closed.
The Public Hearing for Ordinance 2025-4 was for Randall Street alley vacation was opened. This was for the alley part that is between property that is owned by Five Star Fab & Erectors LLC.
One property owner in the area spoke and stated that his concern is that the owners of Five Star Fab & Erectors LLC will try to buy all the homes in that small area.
The Public Hearing for Ordinance 2025-4 was closed.
The regular City Council meeting began with the approval of the January 14, 2025, Public Hearing 2025-01 Shortridge Alley Vacation meeting minutes and the January 14 meeting minutes.
Sarah Hamer, Building Commissioner presented Ordinance 2025-3 for annexation for territory. After discussions by all council members, it was motioned and seconded to table Ordinance 2025-3 until after the Plan Commission recommends a zoning classification for the property. When taken to a vote 4 voted no with 3 voting for tabling. Further discussion was held about what to do. A few council members voiced concern about the development, and it was motion and seconded to approve Ordinance 2025-3 for annexation of territory. When a roll call vote was taken it was 5 voted no and 2 voting in favor of the ordinance. Due to 5-2 vote the Ordinance failed.
Leigh Ann Dashiell, 911 Director provided an update for the Emergency Communications Center. Leigh Ann stated that she spent the first 17 years of her career as a 911 operator working with the city before the city and the county combined the operations center. Overall, she has worked in the Emergency Communications Center for 26 years with 24 of those years working behind the console. Leigh Ann said that “her heart is in the center and wants it to be the best it can be.” She spoke about the center working with a consulting agency that is reviewing the SOP’s and helping her plan for the future. Leigh Ann said that she is working to complete the staff & utilization analysis to ensure that the accurate number of staff are on shift. They are currently finishing up the interview process with two candidates. She became the interim Director in the fall of 2024 and became the Director in November 2024. This was after the previous Director left in the fall of 2024. In August 2024 they were 60% staffed and today they are sitting at 80%. When she took over as interim director, she had 3 dispatchers return to work for her. Leigh Ann stated that she is working hard to raise employee morale.
Zach Wirrig, Public Projects Director received approval for Ordinance 2025-4 Randall Street alley vacation. He also provided an update on current projects in the city including the Washington Street project and the Safety Grant that was spoken about during the Board of Works meeting.
Mayor Josh Marsh received approval for Resolution 2025-3 Main Street Right of Way for INDOT with the council approving Jamie Cain as the secondary signer. Mayor Marsh received approval for Resolution 2024-4 Concerning Proposals to reduce the Indiana’s Property Tax. Mayor Marsh also received approval for Resolution 2025-5 for Zero Traffic Deaths, Safe Streets 4 All which shows that the city is making strides to move towards reducing traffic deaths.
Rob Dehoff, Decatur County Parks Department came to the council to discuss progress being made at the sports complex. He spoke about his interest in installing turf in the back four diamonds that they had originally planned to rework the dirt. He states that he needs to obtain approximately $200,000 additional funds to make this happen. Rob spoke about the cost savings to move forward with getting the work done now while the contractors and Astro Turf is on the property. Multiple Council members voiced concerns over the management of the complex and how the Parks Department will ensure that all children in the community will be able to participate.
Kevin Fleetwood, City Councilman stated that he has concerns how the complex will ever pay for itself. Rob stated that the tournaments will pay $175 per diamond per day and concession revenue will go to the Parks Department. Kevin further questioned how they came to those numbers. Rob stated that each tournament will have 50 teams, and they expect to earn $14,000 net profit per tournament with concession sales. With 15-20 tournaments per year this is what represents the $210,000 net per profit per year. The tournament organizers are the ones that charge the members that will play in the tournament and collect the gate fees. Several council members stated that they have worked in the concession stands in the past and that they were required to only purchase drinks from specific vendors which limited the profit that was available. Other concerns brought up by council members was if the back four diamonds are to be turfed this year this would cause local leagues to play on different diamonds in the county and reduce the length of the season. Another concern raised by council members was that the Parks Department should complete the first four diamonds and then look at its success and then look at completing the back four diamonds. Mark Carman asked were the gate fees and current diamond rental fees have gone in the past. Rob stated that these funds have went back to the Parks Department.
Rob said that one of the tournament organizers has agreed to pay for the fencing and gates at the diamonds. Council voiced concerns that in order to use a diamond that the user would have to rent the diamond to access it compared to the diamonds being available for citizens to use as they want to. Mark Carman voiced concern that the funds received from concessions would go to the Parks Department and not the 501(c)3 leagues.
Rob asked for the council’s interest in a partnership that would help him reach the $200,000 goal for the back four diamonds to be turfed. When asked if he was asking for the full $200,000 or what he was asking for. Rob said that he was interested in any partnership that they were willing to do. No council member made a motion to contribute any funds towards the project or any further discussion of a partnership.
