Affordable Housing Conference
On behalf of the Town of Culver, I attended the Affordable Housing Finance Summit in Chicago last month. It was a three day event, running from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. It consisted of a lot of interactive presentations as well as networking opportunities. I have some experience dealing with HUD due to our Garden Court projects, but this was like taking a 200 level course when I really needed 101. I do feel like I learned a lot, while it was painfully obvious that I have a lot more to learn.
The dream of “Affordable Housing”
Affordable Housing has long been a topic in Culver. The issue has been further focused due to the completion of the Comprehensive Plan where affordable housing was addressed. The recent tax abatement granted to Elkay where they pledged to add 100 new employees also makes housing a local priority. This has also been a topic at several of the MCEDC Development for the Future meetings as other communities in Marshall County are recognizing the same need. Overall, MCEDC is aware of current expansions that are projected to add 500-600 new jobs in the next 12-18 months. Ginny Munroe, Culver Town Council President, asked me to be on a Task Force to address this issue for Culver. When the advertisement for the Summit came up, I volunteered to attend on the Town’s behalf.
Happy Jim Condon Day
Jim Condon – Plymouth H.S. Principal
Last evening I attended a celebration for Jim Condon, Plymouth High School Principal. He was being honored for being named Indiana High School Principal of the Year. I’m not sure what one does to stand out amongst your peers in the field of High School Principals, but being named such by peer review from other principals makes it quite an honor. Dan Tyree, Plymouth Superintendent of Schools, emceed the event where Jim received several awards and accolades. Plymouth Mayor, Mark Senter, spoke and presented Jim with a proclamation of Plymouth’s appreciation for him, part of which was to name December 11, 2014 Jim Condon Day in Plymouth.
Mayor Senter Congratulating Jim Condon
I mainly know Jim through our association on the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) Board. Jim came on the board several years ago and in the time since I have grown to respect his thoughtful approach to all matters. I’m proud to call Jim a friend and also proud of his well-earned award. Congratulations Jim!
Oh, and Happy Jim Condon Day to all!
Picture Source: AM1050.com
Calvalcade Thank You
It was nice to get a hand written note from the Cavalcade Staff. Believe it or not, I still have my Cavalcades, though they are not regularly referenced. I know the work that went into producing the 2014 edition will be under appreciated by their classmates now, but no doubt appreciated greatly in the future.
Culver Action Plan
In October I pressed the Town Council to move forward with an Action Plan to start implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Unfortunately the first meeting scheduled was a bust and at the next Council meeting discussion of another meeting got tabled until after the first of the year. I understood why the Action Plan meeting was put off until after the first of the year, but I think there are discussions that can be had now. The Town Board, Plan Commission and Redevelopment Commissions are the ultimate arbitrators of how this moves forward. I put the following thoughts down in an email to chairs of those entities in hopes of getting this moving forward.
- I pushed this last month because I thought we should develop an interim plan, with the goal of reviewing an action plan in late May or June before budgets are prepared. I think the Action Plan needs to relate to the budgets, but there are also things that could happen in the next six months that would require time rather than dollars. The Action Plan should be reviewed and updated annually before budgets.
- The Action Plan should be part of the jumping off point for the Capital Improvement Plan. Having a rudimentary Action Plan in place will give Bob and the new Town Manager a jumping off point at the first of the year.
- The Redevelopment Commission isn’t hamstrung by the annual budget timing, so they could possibly move forward on some spending items that fall in their purview and are suggested by the Action Plan.
Low/No Dollar Action Plan for the next six months:
