By JONATHAN SNYDER
A potential designated outdoor refreshment area involving Kehoe Park was discussed by the Bluffton Park Board and Wells County Area Plan Commission Executive Director Mike Lautzenheiser.
The DORA area would allow for holding and consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated cups only inside the DORA boundary. The DORA area proposal is currently in its infancy and while it is being considered in multiple parts of downtown Bluffton, other alcoholic-serving establishments would need to opt into the area.
Lautzenheiser gave two potential ideas for what the DORA could look like, but stressed that since the plan is so young, the area could change dramatically. One idea is for two separate DORA districts, which would prevent patrons from downtown bars from walking into the Kehoe Park area. Lautzenheiser also proposed one district that includes both downtown and Kehoe Park.
If this plan goes into action, it would remove the need for state permits for the sale of alcohol in a public area for the Parks Department, which would be a savings on time and money. The Parks Department allows for temporary vendors to sell alcohol at various events. Hours for carry out alcohol sales range from noon until 8:00 p.m.
Any temporary vendors looking to sell alcohol would still need approval from the Board of Works. The park board showed concern that this could allow vendors to circumvent the park board’s approval, but Parks Department Superintendent Brandy Fiechter acknowledged that this is a very early conversation to see if the Park Board is interested in being involved with the plan.
“It does usurp any past ordinances that would be in conflict with it, so whatever rules are set here would be the rules,” Lautzenheiser stated. Lautzenheiser also proposed that the rental forms for the Parks Department could add a section that declares the renter’s intention to sell alcohol.
Once the review process starts, it will go to the Wells County Area Plan Commission, then to City Council, then it goes to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for approval. The board decided to table the conversation to figure out where it wants to be in this process, as well as decide how the district would look if it wishes to be involved.
Projects for the Parks Department have been going well according to Fiechter. The pool house has been resided, with Barn Builders by LS Construction donating $14,000 of their own money to get equipment and material that could last a long time. Fiechter stated that she is willing to put the owner of LS Construction’s name on a digital sign thanking him for his work.
Fiechter also announced that they are running the filtration system for the baby pool as a trial run to see if things are working for the summer months. According to Indiana code, the baby pool needs to be on a separate filtration system from the regular pool, a code which shut down the baby pool in 2017.
“If we can keep it clean and keep it functioning well, then I want to move in that direction,” Fiechter said.
Furthermore, the board paid an extra $3,038 to Jackson General Contractors to address concrete issues underneath the water slide. Three sets of proof rolling, a test for the soil against vehicle-type loads to see if the soil is stable, have been done for the interurban trail and a 15-foot section of the trail will need to be redone, an expense that is covered by the general work allowance part of the contract.
Lancaster park had three extra bills to pay for safety concerns. The proof rolling efforts showed that the ground underneath the expected parking lot is “a little spongy,” according to Fiechter. The board paid $67,500 to perform a cement stabilization procedure on the soil, which injects the soil with cement. As the cement hardens, the soil becomes more stable.
Street Commissioner Tim Simpson also had concerns about the road to the parking lot going to the grassy area near State Road 1. To ease those concerns, the park board paid $42,000 to add a two-foot stone shoulder across the road, which should improve safety. This addition means that the ditch near the road needs to be recut, which cost the board an additional $12,000. Despite the major costs, Fiechter noted that there are some line item transfers she could make to cover the expenses.
Fiechter also announced updates to items available at the concession stands. A hot dog combo meal for about $6.00 was added to the menu, along with popsicles and flavored sunflower seeds.
Fiechter reported that 27 people attended the interurban trail ground breaking ceremony, 48 people attended the Earth Day 5K run and 14 people attended the Barbie Dreamhouse event. The Barbie Dreamhouse was a first-time event for the department. Fiechter also stated that floor resealing for the city gym will happen on May 20-24, meaning the gym floor will be closed those days.
The department also announced the following donations:
• Race Donations: $850.
• Kehoe Donations: $1,400.
• Eagle Scout Donations for Pool Shed: $500.
• Elks Donation: $100 bought 8 new life vests.
• Outdoor Concepts: 2 yellow wood trees donated and planted at Lancaster Park.
jonathan@news-banner.com
