Jeffersonville man searching for a plot to plant

Clark County

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October 18, 2012

Jeffersonville man searching for a plot to plant

Public works hears requests for closures and vacations

By BRADEN LAMMERS braden.lammers@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Thu Oct 18, 2012, 08:00 AM EDT

JEFFERSONVILLE — A request previously made by Richard Eklund to place planters at Eighth and Penn streets, near the Branham Tabernacle Church, was again brought to the Jeffersonville Board of Public Works on Wednesday.

Concrete flower pots would be placed in a small traffic island near the church, which has agreed to maintain the planters. City Engineer Andy Crouch said he examined the placement of the pots and they should not cause sightline issues for drivers. However, a question that did remain was who would be paying for the pots to be placed on the island.

Mayor Mike Moore asked Eklund why Jeffersonville City Pride was not involved with the project.

Eklund, who is also involved in City Pride projects, said “we were involved in a number of projects and we don’t have [a] funding source anymore for this year.”

Moore asked if City Pride would have the funding for the project next year.

“They’re not sure,” said Public Works Coordinator Rick Lovan. “Right now, they’re tapped out.”

It was explained that with the projects City Pride funds throughout the year, it would be on a very tight budget and may not have the funding to pay for the planters next year.

Urban Enterprise Zone Executive Director Kelly Reed said the UEZ is willing to pay for the pots if the church will maintain the planters. The board of public works approved placing the pots on the island, contingent on the funding being granted from the urban enterprise zone.

VACATING ALLEY?

Jeffersonville Resident Renee Loane, who lives on National Avenue, requested the board of public works vacate an alley near her home between National Avenue and Alice Street.

“Since I was here a little over a year ago we’ve had three incidents in that alley, only one required the police be involved,” she said.

The 12-foot alley is being used as a cut-through for people at all hours, according to the residents.

City Attorney Les Merkley said a petition needs to be presented to the Jeffersonville City Council in order to vacate the alley and a public hearing must take place. The matter was tabled in order for the entities involved to examine the request further.

“I can confirm with them, it’s never been anything but a problem,” said Jeffersonville Police Department Chief Chris Grimm.

HALLOWEEN DOWNTOWN

Street closures were approved for Jeffersonville’s trick-or-treat event Oct. 29.

Spring Street will be closed from Court Avenue to Maple Street beginning at noon that Monday in order for the city to set up its haunted entrances. The closure will extend down Spring Street, from Court Avenue to Market Street, from 5 to 9 p.m. for the trick-or-treat event.

One change discussed this year is the city will not require those attending the event to line up at Court Avenue and Market Street to get into the trick-or-treat, but to allow it to be an open event.

CLARK MEMORIAL CLOSURE

Troy Killian, with the Louisville Sports Club, requested closure of the Clark Memorial Bridge for the Louisville Pure Tap 5K run from 7 to 9 a.m. Nov. 3.

Approval was already granted by Louisville officials and Jeffersonville’s board of public works unanimously approved the closure.

ROAD CLOSURE

A road closure that is already in place was approved for Gohmann Asphalt and Construction Inc. to close Mulberry Street between Chestnut and Market streets to accept a steel delivery for the Big Four Bridge Ramp. The road closure will be in effect until Nov. 5.

JPD NOMINATIONS

Nominations to replace the Jeffersonville Police Department’s Democratic representative on the police merit commission were opened at the board of public works meeting Wednesday. The nominees are Dennis Henry, who was recently removed from the commission by Moore as his appointment, and Harold Gough. A vote will take place next week and is open only to active duty police officers.