Plains Council mulls Harvest Church construction project

Dec. 13—The Plains Town Council meeting last week was standing room only for the 23 attendees in support of Harvest Church's construction project.

The meeting started with the approval of previous meeting minutes, the treasure's report and the town claims and payroll reports. The judge's report included 47 service calls by the police department. One hundred and eighty-one traffic citations were issued. Seventy bar checks were completed, 18 residential assists were performed and 15 calls to assist other agencies were made.

Next on the agenda was the mayor's report. Mayor Allen started out with thanking the town for the opportunity to serve for so many years.

Allen next discussed the change of IT companies and the controversy surrounding the change. The previous IT company suspended the town's website and presented the town with back charges of $9,600.

Allen next spoke about the proposed planting of a Christmas tree on the greenway. Weather closed the opportunity to plant the new tree this fall. The Lions club and its president Steve Spurr were able to find another tree and erect it in time for the Plains Day celebration and parade.

Allen next spoke about the town's transition to its new mayor, Joel Banham. The swearing in ceremony for Banham will take place on Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. in the council chambers. Allen informed the council and meeting attendees about the retirement party of Greg Welty on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. at the Plains Senior Center. He is retiring because of health reasons.

Allen asked for reports from the two town department heads present. Fire Chief Tony Young started the discussion by stating 2023 was a good year with no serious injuries and no major breakdowns with equipment. He continued by adding for future projects, he would like to pursue grant monies to construct an addition onto the current public works/fire station building.

Public Works Department head Bruce Newton, spoke on the needed repairs to the town public works building. He said that sheetrock is old and falling off the walls and was worrying about it injuring employees. He also spoke about the continuing needs to replace old water and sewer lines with some dating back to the mid-60s. The age of the lines may have been a contributing factor to the two breaks near the Town Pump and school, resulting in water loss of 38% over the past few weeks.

Under new business, former pickleball president Shauna Firestorm, announced a new president, Kelly Altmiller. Altmiller said that the organization will continue to pursue the construction of two pickleball courts, with hopes of building an indoor court at the pool park.

Josh Weedeman continued his request for a variance to continue the construction of an addition to the Harvest Church. Construction was halted because of flood plain issues.

Weedeman said that they have almost $40,000 invested in the project to date. Council members voted to address the issue in a special meeting on Dec. 8.

The remainder of the unfinished business were tabled for further discussion at a later council meeting.

With Allen leaving the mayor position and Banham moving into it, that opens two council member positions. The town has 30 days to fill them and will reach out to the public to replace the empty positions.

A special council meeting was scheduled for the following Friday.

DNRC Civil Engineer Larry Schock, was present to review options for Harvest Church to possibly continue their construction project. Also present at the special meeting was local surveyor Ronald Warren, who was the original surveyor of the churches project.

During the meeting options were discussed on how to continue construction. Schock, will review the needed changes to keep the project within federal flood plain requirements, which were agreed upon by church officials. Those changes would require filing additional permit applications with the town.

If Harvest Church follows the suggestions supplied by Schock, the likelihood of the construction project continuing looks good.

Harvest Church proponent Aaron Garland discusses flood plain boundries with surveyor Ron Warren.

New pickleball president Kelly Altmiller.

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