Our park system continues to thrive, as our parks are more important than ever during these hard economic times. Our lakes, beaches, woods, trails, playgrounds, and ball fields are wonderful assets our city residents can be proud of. 15,000 people utilized our picnic shelters in 2009. Beechwood Golf Course recovered nicely from the flooding rains of the fall of 2008 that damaged 5 holes and closed the golf course early. Revenues were down slightly in 2009 but the course continues to operate in the black and we look to a great 2010 season.
The park department offers programs from Little League to Ballroom Dancing. There really is something for everyone. The ice rink has been particularly popular this winter. The use of Cummings Lodge continues to be a favorite, with 120 rentals last year.
The Civic Auditorium is once again home to a local basketball team, the first time since the 1977, by hosting the home basketball games for the Panthers of Purdue North Central.
In March 2010, the Civic will mark a milestone by celebrating its 80th anniversary. In all, the Civic saw nearly 60,000 folks utilize the facility last year. My thanks to Dean Heise and Chanaya Sadler, directors of the parks and the Civic respectively, along with their staff. Both have been under intense pressure to reduce their budgets and cut their overtime. As we move into 2010 the park staff faces many challenges as they continue to keep our immense park system in tip-top condition and ready for the enjoyment of our citizens. Our parks are tremendous asset to the city’s ability to draw visitors, creating opportunities for area businesses to benefit.
We continue to monitor the lakes level, operating the lake siphon drain when needed. Probably not known to most, the city has recorded the lake levels since 1895, the lowest being in 1964 at 789.9 feet above sea level and the highest in 1993 at 801 feet above sea level. The siphon drain, completed in 1999 at a cost of $2.9 million, was never used until last year. The restrictions on zebra mussels under the DNR permit were lifted in 2009, allowing the city to siphon year round. The Board of Public Works and Safety created a Lake Drain Operation Policy whereby the siphon may be turned on at 798.3 feet above sea level and turned off at 798.0 feet above sea level. The siphon may not be operated, however, when levels of the Kankakee River are at flood stage. The siphon is currently running, siphoning approximately 3.5 to 4.0 million gallons per day. To date more than 930 million gallons have been siphoned from the lake since last January. This is more water than the entire City of LaPorte used last year.
The last stage of a DNR grant for weed clean-up in Clear Lake was successfully concluded with the invasive Eurasian milfoil virtually eliminated. Follow-up testing by aquatic control, our lake diagnostic contract experts, verified the success. The lake is now free of weeds and easily accessible for fishing.
Even though the condition of the economy has stalled the redevelopment of New Porte Landing, we are taking advantage of this down time to complete grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for further assessments and clean-up of parcels at New Porte Landing and adjoining properties. A Phase II assessment was finally completed on the railroad property that lies south of the Verma property.
The Community Development Partnership has recently purchased the Little Tavern property, a key parcel to the development of New Porte Landing. Acquiring this property is a significant element to the success of New Porte Landing. I want to thank the members of the Community Development Partnership for their efforts in supporting the New Porte Landing Project. The New Porte Landing Task Force continues to meet quarterly, serving as an important tool for future grant opportunities. Thank you to the members of the task force for their perseverance. We are confident, once the economy turns, that New Porte Landing will be a prime location for new development in the heart of the City.
The litigation against the Allis-Chalmers Trust, through its insurance carriers, is still pending but we are hopeful that this case will be settled by the end of the year.
The City finally obtained final landfill closure approval from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. We began monitoring the groundwater at the site of the city’s old landfill last October and will continue on a quarterly basis for 7 consecutive quarters. All testing results are reported to IDEM.
The Office of Community Development and Planning was busy in 2009. The City of La Porte received allocations totaling $489,838 in Community Development Block Grant Funds from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. All projects funded through the CDBG Program are targeted towards low- and moderate-income families residing within the city limits. A total of 72 individuals benefited from the homeless prevention program. Funds totaling $12,500 were used to provide low- and moderate-income families payment assistance for rent and mortgage payments. A total of 153 current and future homeowners received counseling services for budgeting assistance.
A significant accomplishment under the CDBG Program was the completion of home repairs to 19 structures in the city. These 19 homeowners utilized CDBG support for assistance in repairs such as roof replacement, gutters and downspouts and installation of furnaces and water heaters. The LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity was awarded CDBG funds to purchase a vacant city lot for a future new home construction. Grants were provided to two social service agencies, Housing Opportunities ($7,000) for home ownership and credit counseling, and Catholic Charities ($12,500) to prevent homelessness. Many other programs are available to qualifying parties.
Even though federal funds have become more competitive, we will continue to provide single-family home rehab and fund the many programs that have now become such a necessity to many residents in our community. Our CDBG program manager, Mary Ann Richards, our city planner, Mary Jane Thomas, and their staff, have proven to be a vital part in the overall improvement of our quality of life.
READ THE REST of the 2010 State of the City under WNLP’s Local Government category.
