The city is moving forward with plans to acquire 70 acres of land on Geist Reservoir for a new proposed Fishers Park.  The Board of Public Works and Safety passed a resolution Monday afternoon authorizing the city to condemn the 70 acres of land to make way for the new park.  The board also approved drawings as to how the park my look once completed.  You can access the drawing at this link.    At last report, the city was negotiating with the current property owners to purchase the property, but the city has been clear that if a sale cannot be finalized, the mayor’s office will begin the process of condemning the land and exercising the right of eminent domain to acquire the lake front property.  State law provides a system for determining the fair market value to be paid to the owners when a property is condemned.

In other actions at the June 12 Board of Works meeting:

–The board passed a resolution recommending a $12.7 million bond issue, financing sewage projects.  The issue now goes to the City Council for a public hearing and final approval.

–A new matching grant program, much like the neighborhood program now in place for trees, was approved by the board for a drainage and water quality program.  Homeowners and Homeowners Associations may apply for the grant.  The city has budgeted $25,000 for 2017.  You can learn more about the program at this link.

–The board passed a resolution approving a new agreement with One America and Edward Jones to administer the 457(b) program.  A 457(b) plan is much like a private sector 401(k) retirement savings plan, but is for local government workers.  Mayor Scott Fadness said the new agreement will provide better investment advice and choices for city employees, saying the arrangement provides more value to the city and its workers.