[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6125573,"mediaKeyId","2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e","parentId",2676785,"title","Council introduces vacant and abandoned‑structure ordinance; second reading set for April","audioSeconds",2631,"startMs",1660000,"endMs",4291000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e&start=1660&end=4291","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e/thumbnail_1660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125573/Madison-City/Jefferson-County/Indiana/Council-introduces-vacant-and-abandonedstructure-ordinance-second-reading-set-for-April","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125573-f7df3a0d23682e4d62641a4f0fac7f2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162972&Signature=PD9p292Ey641TtMfJF~e356OGwJvbM-kZICiwxnxmFxZW54b6Xatu4fqTbTIdjOIF6tFE9TLn3-Zi1Oq6H4oi5yvYqr8XtRW3I-h2XJcqU1uao6nEyoOJb-5ecakqbtccriQJTb7GPcZOufwXJZ4Vv4TcWrq9vQ2jq~-nKU02B--EbE3-scsIQpgPqvuhNWXfqbAB9JhTkQqaeojJbZYDfxtdqLhDAANtghyO7dxcgXaWV7rwyvJ9zEIK10ziAaYJ8HQ32zgpxJu0yXUJVnWdp3R2FA~NrTqX51I2KyCxtBfE6sg2-D68vwxPr~vGnIpREnA~kTZEEy14m7xSNtNFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Madison IN","date","2025-03-18T23:46:55Z","article","The council held a first reading and presentation of Ordinance 2025‑4, a local law to establish a vacant and abandoned‑structure registration and minimum standards for maintenance in Madison. Clerk Treasurer Renierson introduced the ordinance and City code enforcement officer Dewey O’Neil presented the draft to the council.

O’Neil said the ordinance draws on state definitions and sets specific timelines: a building or parcel unused for at least 90 days can be classified as vacant; a commercial or residential property unused for at least six months may be classified as abandoned. The draft requires owners ordered to register to submit paperwork within 14 days; within 30 days owners may challenge an order; and within 60 days properties must meet minimum standards described in the ordinance.

Minimum standards described in the draft include securing structures to prevent unlawful entry, keeping premises free of nuisance conditions, maintaining exterior surfaces (including weatherproofing and eliminating significant holes or rotting materials), and ensuring roofs and drainage do not admit rain. The ordinance specifies that temporary coverings such as tarps or house wrap are not acceptable beyond 30 consecutive days.

O’Neil and Mayor described the enforcement structure: the Office of Planning, Preservation and Design (including the planning director and code enforcement staff) will act as enforcement authority and the Board of Public Works and Safety will serve as the hearing authority. Building inspector Brian Shaw was listed as part of the implementation team.

Council discussion focused on scope and limits. Several council members said they supported the ordinance’s purpose — addressing chronic blight that affects neighborhoods and business districts — but raised concerns about potential government overreach where cosmetic maintenance (for example, peeling paint) could be viewed as a regulatory mandate. Councilmember Patrick asked staff to draft a proposed amendment to add a quarterly report requirement so both the Board of Public Works and Safety and the City Common Council receive updates on registry activity and enforcement outcomes.

Staff highlighted past city efforts: in the last five years city and county programs and partnerships have helped rehabilitate roughly 222 structures with an estimated $17 million invested; O’Neil said the city has managed roughly 1,175 nuisance and vacant‑property matters over recent years and that the ordinance focuses on chronically vacant or abandoned properties that have not been reformed by owners.

Public comment at the meeting was strongly supportive overall. Multiple residents and business owners told council that long‑term vacant buildings depress property values, attract rodents and trespass and create public‑safety concerns. Several speakers described specific problem properties and urged expedited enforcement in difficult probate or absentee‑owner cases; staff acknowledged there are complicated situations (for example, deceased owners and stalled probates) that can delay remedies.

O’Neil said the ordinance is intentionally collaborative and non‑punitive in early steps: no registration fee or penalty is imposed if owners follow the registration and remediation steps in the timelines. The ordinance adopts Indiana Code definitions and penalty limits for vacant and abandoned structures; staff noted penalties can escalate if remediation does not occur and that unpaid remediation costs may be recovered as liens against the property.

The council set the ordinance for a second reading at its next meeting in April and invited further suggested amendments, including the suggested quarterly reporting language for council review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Madison Common Council - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council held a first reading and presentation of Ordinance 2025‑4, a draft law to create a vacant and abandoned‑structure registry with defined timelines and minimum standards for maintenance.","taxTitle","Madison City, Jefferson County, Indiana","taxId",52166,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125569,"Council hears rewrite of golf‑cart and low‑speed‑vehicle rules; debate centers on off‑road vehicle exceptions and grandfathering",5133,1855000,6988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e&start=1855&end=6988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e/thumbnail_1855000.jpg","/articles/6125569/Madison-City/Jefferson-County/Indiana/Council-hears-rewrite-of-golfcart-and-lowspeedvehicle-rules-debate-centers-on-offroad-vehicle-exceptions-and-grandfathering","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125569-752d5f4c9724ffdf3cc6e005d1bc70aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162972&Signature=Ni~7a9JUvJqHWiCtCF2CgjG2g7rLCsr8GaDVqv-~v8kFt7z0DO8yGRxH7wtYb7Y4RKxlge8WVeOVknqjrdUtljIXA2BBTZrLwLK4swPGGOlTrVpH~HQCd6sIeId7etSrTRDPX57tW4raXcL1mUkHsvPmbdfQToj2aVR4y5co2h2x3sZ9954orSZCJmkCBY71Hg3AfLGz-qKQADZTszhcxj0IjF~Fk6Nv-6x3UYdR~~XzCW7bU2ezuwCtCmoM4N6A7SDOTSE~xKBG~kP5sZgEmUw743a0mdQNwqDLvjbDRCTKWUsnDlqBX4kRBHaz-dLz-vw~V-qhr9fpWr84W-ALHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Josh Schafer introduced Ordinance 2025‑5, a comprehensive rewrite of the city’s chapter on golf carts and related vehicles (Chapter 70.04). Schafer said the update primarily adds definitions and clarifications — for example, distinguishing golf carts, low‑speed vehicles (LSVs, defined under federal/state rules as vehicles capable of 20–25 mph), and off‑road vehicles (ORVs) — and enumerates safe crossing locations and permitted streets.

The ordinance explicitly preserves the Board of Public Works and Safety’s authority to authorize limited ORV use for special events (for example, a single‑day exemption for a golf‑cart/UTV poker run). Schafer and staff emphasized there is no general expansion of ORV street access; ORV use on city streets would require BPW approval.

Councilmembers raised several policy questions: some urged grandfathering existing LSV owners for the remaining duration of their BMV registration; others opposed any expanded allowance for ORVs on city streets, citing safety and enforcement concerns. Police and public‑safety officers were present in the meeting and council acknowledged the need for clear enforcement language to avoid confusion by rental customers and visitors.

Several members of the public spoke. Owners of LSVs said they paid state fees and registration and expect to be able to use legal crossings without extra barriers; Debbie Anderson and Lisa Ferguson described their vehicles as fully equipped and registered with VINs, and asked for clear, consistent rules. Event organizers described the annual golf‑cart/UTV poker run, which has had Board of Public Works approvals in prior years and, they said, operates under police oversight.

Staff and councilmembers discussed that LSVs are required by state law to be registered and licensed if they exceed 20 mph, and that rental operators already provide customers with maps and written ordinances. Council members asked staff to consider reorganizing the draft so that the ORV‑exception paragraph appears earlier in the ordinance text to reduce public confusion.

The ordinance was introduced for first reading and will return for further consideration; no final action was taken at the meeting.","Councilman Josh Schafer introduced a rewrite of Chapter 70 that clarifies definitions and permitted crossings for golf carts, low‑speed vehicles and off‑road vehicles, while preserving the Board of Public Works and Safety’s authority to permit limited ORV use for special events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125578,"Madison City to spend $3 million on phased Main Street reconstruction; traffic signals and East End calming also planned",994,641000,1635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e&start=641&end=1635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e/thumbnail_641000.jpg","/articles/6125578/Madison-City/Jefferson-County/Indiana/Madison-City-to-spend-3-million-on-phased-Main-Street-reconstruction-traffic-signals-and-East-End-calming-also-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125578-38a3380c25d040d2a7ab7bbce20d6e6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162972&Signature=JD5InCTaz4eSddtGNXDJgvoypVYIXZOSQP~JwXbK~FGXZ2s56Na4~GfSlqWhsJQija9wajWR4WVvUHTCAyy3YbOpk7NggZky9Kyhy9tqHFlBdPpMIw61xTPbuCTAA6b0KgFbmS5uLLSo1wTGqdb9u6xO7JMSuTCaRT4ww~F17A0G5~1lHzBu4Ow0UcYleNm8aVF-d-hqcJUh65njkn5s9j4Zyq2YVNcYjh55nlbSQxqeGo3yJ0AsTWAUo0iM2fG6lAD6cf3wj6YrqtV37~2zWVLzmJ24Y9Z2Tj9mnb4gfHBhnNOMeo8ibaRW1hKuGT7phj2ToRL3vdD3KeQ-mUXwGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials briefed the Madison City Council on a multi‑part infrastructure program centered on a $3 million reconstruction of Main Street and concurrent street and park work.

Planning director Mindy McGee told council that the city was awarded a $1.5 million County Capital Matching Grant (CCMG) and will match that amount with funds already set aside through a general obligation bond, creating a $3 million package for phase‑one reconstruction of Main Street from Mill Street to Broadway. Bid documents are being prepared with work expected to begin this summer, officials said.

The scope includes complete road resurfacing, stormwater and drainage fixes, and replacement or repair of sidewalks and curb ramps where needed. Brian Jackson in the utility department is reviewing sewer and water work that must occur before or during reconstruction, McGee said.

Project timing will account for local events. McGee said the city aims to have pavement down by Nov. 1 and will work with the contractor to sequence off‑road and non‑pavement work so summer events (Regatta, Chautauqua and other tourism draws) are disrupted as little as possible.

Separate but related safety projects funded by two safety grants will upgrade traffic signals at Main & West and Main & Mulberry with new signal equipment, audible crosswalks and restriping. An East End traffic‑calming restriping project has INDOT approval; city staff are preparing rebids after earlier bids came in above budget and will proceed when temperatures permit thermoplastic pavement markings.

On parks, McGee introduced Christian Hanson, newly in charge of parks groundskeeping after a reorg. Hanson said he will keep the Sunrise Golf Course crew in place while deploying teams to restore athletic fields and the city’s 28 parks, working with Department of Correction crews and other staff. “I’m really, really excited about this,” Hanson said; he emphasized immediate goals of returning several athletic fields to safe, playable condition.

Hanson and McGee also outlined planned changes to Main Street plantings: the city reduced small plant beds along the business district from about 71 to roughly 57 and plans to further reduce and reconfigure them so that approximately 25 beds will retain plantings while high‑traffic beds will be refilled with brick and permanent mulch. The change responds to watering, shade and heavy foot‑traffic problems that make many beds unsustainable.

Council members asked for drawings and more detailed schedules; staff said engineers will share plans and that bids will go out this summer.","City staff told council they secured a $1.5 million CCMG grant that, combined with a $1.5 million local match, will fund a $3 million phase‑one reconstruction of Main Street between Mill Street and Broadway. Work will include full resurfacing, drainage, utility coordination, sidewalk and curb upgrades and signal improvements at key intersections.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125583,"Madison City fire chief reports 2024 uptick in calls, new hires and launch of community risk-reduction roles",504,116000,620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e&start=116&end=620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676785-90ab027c7cba44ffd6fa194fb9e1363e/thumbnail_116000.jpg","/articles/6125583/Madison-City/Jefferson-County/Indiana/Madison-City-fire-chief-reports-2024-uptick-in-calls-new-hires-and-launch-of-community-risk-reduction-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125583-226881bb83961a79206d9e8786dbdc75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162972&Signature=i2khuEJCrc5UmyZJtdrCXhT2VGcq9CI8OxxcKgKPTSe-Fnphue53li3Uu8KXiu3SbSE71dm4WeSXHISzC8Wx4I~eDJeAMqMKjB89CJJKdbQ0-7lEtjntWWszmdsSHl3mcecWr~DAm4qH8ZE1dhev--RW4OyU~BCtDnMEcuKBProLkRMvSTyKsXHN4QCipfMRidppmRy0E~aJKcwdH6nlMjsPPqhJsMbwnbxPWUiuNkAo0nIlknXXPZUniq1EZWQfKQZ4r8NenQW~MsiO4c3F0LpIKpfFEykNZld9qk6RhttFW41~mmwSKAR6leEM12B9F92e-AvrY46YarWKsl5V3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor and the Madison City Council heard a year‑end and early‑2025 update from Fire Chief DeVries, who reported a rise in overall incident responses, expanded training and new positions intended to reduce community risk.

DeVries said the department responded to roughly 310 incidents in 2024, including about 32 fire‑related calls and more than 70 medical calls. He told council that 2024 produced the largest cumulative training total in recent history for the department and that the city now has six new firefighter‑I certified personnel and several officers who completed a 40‑hour command officer course.

The chief said two part‑time community risk reduction specialists — the department’s new title for former fire‑prevention officers — will begin outreach work on May 1. He described their duties as going beyond smoke‑detector installation, including gathering occupancy and storage information from downtown businesses and working with property owners to lower the city’s ISO (insurance service organization) rating. “They’re ready to hit the ground on May 1,” DeVries said.

DeVries said Madison’s current ISO rating is 4 and the department’s goal is a rating of 3; he said COVID‑era delays in ISO inspections set the department back and that an improved rating could reduce insurance costs for homeowners and businesses if a new evaluation is completed.

Council members asked whether the response totals include mutual‑aid calls; DeVries said they do, noting automatic mutual aid agreements with Madison Township, Jefferson County departments and Trimble County and describing occasional dispatching delays when incidents cross state lines into Kentucky. He said the department continues to coordinate tanker and water‑rescue reciprocity with neighboring jurisdictions.

On public access and services, DeVries provided a contact route for residents seeking smoke‑detector installation or other safety services: call the fire chief’s office at 265‑8350 or use the department’s forthcoming online request form. He also said the department is working to streamline inspection and service requests through the city website.

The council thanked the chief for the report and noted the new hires, training hours and the community risk reduction positions as immediate steps to address downtown occupancy questions and fire risk.","Fire Chief DeVries told the Madison City Council the department logged its largest cumulative training year in 2024, hired new staff, and will deploy two part‑time community risk reduction specialists May 1 to focus on smoke detectors, business inspections and reducing the city's ISO insurance rating.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces vacant and abandoned‑structure ordinance; second reading set for April

Council hears rewrite of golf‑cart and low‑speed‑vehicle rules; debate centers on off‑road vehicle exceptions and grandfathering

Madison City to spend $3 million on phased Main Street reconstruction; traffic signals and East End calming also planned

Madison City fire chief reports 2024 uptick in calls, new hires and launch of community risk-reduction roles