An estimated crowd of 150 people showed up at Old Stoney to hear what the Frankfort City Council had to say about the Clinton County Humane Society.
“The City of Frankfort has no authority or jurisdiction over what this not-for-profit does,” said Mayor Chris McBarnes. “When it comes to the employment situation for better for worse or daily operation. As I explained to them the process we want through tonight was specifically whether or not to continue to fund the Trap-Neuter-Release program that has a budget of $20,000.”
After the Humane Society could not come up with the complete data that was requested, the council voted to table the discussion until the September 10 meeting.
However, at least 15 individuals spoke against the way the Humane Society Board of Directors has handled its funds especially in the light of the firing of former director Jim Tate nearly two weeks ago. The council made it clear that none of the staffing issues could be addressed by them.
Due to the number of people who attended, the meeting was forced to be held in the upstairs portion on the first floor of Old Stoney. Several calls were made by audience members to have a public meeting on the matter.
“I was happy to provide the public forum for individuals to express their views and opinions,” said McBarnes. “I hope that was a bit therapeutic. But I would like to see the Humane Society board hold an open public meeting, have the people come in and answer their questions. Obviously, they want to be heard.”
Humane Society Interim Director Ben Pfeffer said he would love to sit down with the community and host an open forum as long as they could have a civil discussion. Pfeffer said he has received threats on Facebook and that was one of his employees was egged.
Another hot topic item was the discussion on the Frankfort Commons Golf Course. After moving the meeting back downstairs, a total of 13 members of the public all spoke in favor of keeping the golf course going. The main reason for the discussion was the fact the current management contract the city has with Oliphant Golf Management expires at the end of the year.
“This golf course is so important to the community,” said McBarnes. “It’s a huge amenity. It’s also the backbone of Frankfort and it keeps attracting families to live here. It’s a wonderful recreational green space.”
The council approved a one-year contract with Oliphant to run the Frankfort Commons Golf Course next year by a vote of 5-1 with an additional $150,000 in funds. Councilman Lewis Wheeler voted against the measure.
“We have done a lot of things to keep this going,” said Craig Holtmann of Oliphant. “We’ve gone from a bad situation to a very manageable situation. This is a community amenity that is valuable.”
Holtmann added they have had close to 9,000 rounds of golf played this year. He said they were hoping for more.
Frankfort City Councilman Jim Moyer added, “The course is in the best shape it has been in since I’ve been here which is 50 years.”
The council also approved a resolution to commit 22 percent in support of local matching funds for the Local Trax Program if the city is awarded a grant for a proposed overpass that would be located on Roy Scott Parkway between the City of Frankfort and the Industrial Park.”
By passing the ordinance, the city joined the Clinton County Commissioners, Clinton County Council and Board of Works in passing such a resolution that would help finance the project. The Indiana Department of Transportation announced earlier this year it would fund 80 percent. All governmental agencies have come together to form an alliance that will hopefully include the railroad and private sectors.
“It’s a unified city/county effort,” said McBarnes.
The council passed an ordinance on second and third readings authorizing and approving certain actions and documents in connection with the tax reissuance of City of Frankfort economic development revenue multipurpose bonds for the Wesley Manor project. Wesley Manor wanted to maintain the way things have been.
The council also passed a resolution on second and third readings approving the statement of benefits and confirming designation of an economic revitalization area for the Coomer Sawmill expansion. The abatement will be seven years and decline 10 percent each year until it levels out at 40 percent. The primary emphasis for this project is the expansion for Donaldson in the Industrial Park and the demand for pallets that Coomer is expecting.
The council also elected to table a discussion of the ordinance amending and restating 90.15 and replacing 90.16, 90.17 and 90.18 of the Municipal Code regarding animal vaccination requirements.
Tom Jameson gave the council an update of the SHARP program for 2018.