Washington’s City Council and the Board of Works and Safety met Monday evening. The main business for the Council was the second reading and passage of four ordinances setting salary and wages for Washington’s city employees, police officers, fire fighters, and elected and appointed officials.
The Council then approved a five year tax abatement for residential property development by True Investments, LLC. A public hearing was held prior to the Council meeting. Property is in the second phase of a development on East National Highway near the roundabout.
The Council then heard an economic development update from Daviess County Economic Development Director Bob Grewe. Grewe discussed economic development incentives available from the State, quality-of-life study updates, and potential Lily Foundation grants in the area of art and culture. The last item of business was the strengthening of Washington’s peddler’s ordinance. The late city attorney, Tim Dant, had done a lot of work on the project just before death. Mayor Rhoads said the limitations on door-to-door sales should be ready for introduction at the next Council meeting.
Mayor Rhoads also announced local attorney Jeff Norris has agreed to become the new City Attorney.
At the end of the meeting, the Mayor also reminded everyone that First Friday at the Commons continues with music and food trucks the first Friday of September.
Following the council meeting, the Board of Works and Safety met. After one discussion, the Board approved a request from Bethany Christian Church to close N.E. Third Street between Main and South Streets from 10 to 2 on Sunday, September 14, when the church is having an event at the Commons. The board members mentioned that the purpose of the Commons was to eliminate the need to close streets in the downtown area for events. However, since the church event is on a Sunday morning and limited from 10 am to 2 pm, the Board approved the request. The Board also approved a sidewalk replacement request for lots on East George Street, a request from Hands Termite and Pest Control for a “customers only” parking space in front of their business on South Street, and the Board approved hiring Franklin Guzman as an assistant in the City’s I.T. Department.
