[{"_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",6224905,"mediaKeyId","3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091","parentId",3544680,"title","Department heads report bridge installation, parks updates and utility work; staff to inspect fence sight lines","audioSeconds",660,"startMs",674000,"endMs",1334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091&start=674&end=1334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091/thumbnail_674000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6224905/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Department-heads-report-bridge-installation-parks-updates-and-utility-work-staff-to-inspect-fence-sight-lines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224905-597c7625c94ae18385f747fed7ea4b0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775420704&Signature=CcKtcC4mTbhHa41bdRg2NNOcHMzMOpx2n84qVU9ga-6l23b0CYrAyOI5EZIObjTtOc1CrMZWWpnR~L-07AMUwetc-aApdJsklFPqK7da246N0sbPDelxnqhDdQ2rMrwkd8n3MB98L5O-Kt2X5lTBbCWYxDKB~2ad~Yf9U1hcm5KKi-tTnYs3kov6XLEibPNhc0nvOu5XsKYxm2DNjOvbJ0CRl0IYd0ZI7g~~6z0hLIR8YFVexFidjUX3lDNsx3lStMYoT52XF4pIKnxk~Yez1Iq6ilJsOSMNPmxvy9V6-xQ3OxcQxRuW0s-92swBZ82dQ2Gmp~4WAtXs8afQj0qmWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-05-28T13:37:51Z","article","City department heads reported multiple project updates and operational issues during the Columbia City Common Council meeting May 27, touching parks, streets, water treatment and public safety infrastructure.

Public works and parks staff said a pre-rusted (Corbuscent) steel bridge was installed last Thursday and work is progressing northward from the bus garage; skate park work is wrapping up and grass should be installed soon. Staff also reported that the splash pad is open but will not run until ambient temperature reaches 65 degrees; a separate floor/feature will not open until 70 degrees. A new drinking fountain that accommodates bottles will be installed at the splash pad. The newly installed pickleball courts are curing and staff said they started work today; the council did not record a specific reopening date.

On utilities, staff reported water-main replacement work on North Park Drive (about one-quarter complete) and replacement of obsolete chlorine pumps after one failed; the replacement pumps are a newer style carried by the contractor’s service vehicles to reduce future lead times. Pretreatment staff reported issues with incoming flows at the wastewater plant and said they are conducting additional sampling and testing to pinpoint the problem; the city is also evaluating an alternate (“option b”) for sludge hauling because the current product is not suitable for the hauler and the timeline is slipping. Staff said repairs must be completed before a new cover is installed later this year.

Public-safety and operations notes included that two tornado-siren motors burned out and the city is seeking quotes to repair them. Electric and streets staff said they continue utility-pole inspections and replacements (about 90 poles changed so far) and are preparing new ADA ramps and sidewalk work in multiple locations. Staff also reported progress on running fiber from City Hall to the former jail and splicing work this week.

Why this matters: these updates affect day-to-day operations, public amenities and infrastructure reliability. Several items require follow-up: inspection and testing for wastewater pretreatment flows and sludge-hauling options, scheduling for park features to open under temperature conditions, and replacement of tornado-siren motors.

Details and next steps: water-main replacement and associated driveway/road repairs will continue; chlorine pumps replaced this week should reduce future downtime risk; pretreatment sampling and additional hauling arrangements are scheduled. Staff also noted an upcoming comprehensive-plan public-input event and the Board of Works’ decision to hold trick-or-treat on Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Council Meeting 05272025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported a newly installed pre-rusted steel bridge, park and splash-pad schedules, water-main replacements, chlorine pump upgrades and ongoing sludge-haul testing; staff also flagged tornado-siren motor failures and ordered inspections of a proposed fence sight-line.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana","taxId",63763,"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},6224909,"Council appoints Brent Bacherman to Quigley County Regional Water and Sewer District board",145,620000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091&start=620&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091/thumbnail_620000.jpg","/articles/6224909/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-appoints-Brent-Bacherman-to-Quigley-County-Regional-Water-and-Sewer-District-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224909-83bc877dcd612d091eadb0ca54ff96d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775420704&Signature=F~Xjpf8ZSr5YdOZX5EdhBBAGySowscX4-3vXRxeqgDICvQ-qwkBJrXsxKF6BoQvg5jtvMUQJyHe~gGVj~sZV6KkEbxebZfFfStnpRCEEtCWOj21flFEsIt21gv9fANpc~nnIWlKHzhgQs-csf3E70us4hrEajAo3zChncofkPPL2Z4C0R-wEwix8q8pIgRXeH1XzGZEd6w~MOcP6XtrFe-D4Aqloq1mamjyGJWE6u8GGhvqA5-mNlKjmeYbKDkqk6uykAmkqQAFasdl1PqI7HxthMLmrUlrcEwHye047sR~Rasr6XW9yclAA48OclEXGV2gb08T~QjN7uXsXfOqovQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City Common Council on May 27 approved Brent Bacherman to serve as the city’s representative on the Quigley County Regional Water and Sewer District Board.

When asked if he would serve, Bacherman replied affirmatively. A motion to approve his appointment was made by Jennifer and seconded by Ted; the council recorded the vote as unanimous.

Why this matters: the appointment names the city’s representative to the regional water and sewer governing board, which will represent Columbia City interests in regional utility decisions.

Details: Council discussion was brief and the record indicates council members thanked Bacherman for stepping up. No formal objections or conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes.","The Common Council approved Brent Bacherman as the city's representative to the Quigley County Regional Water and Sewer District Board in a unanimous vote.",{"_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},6224913,"Council adopts package of ordinances on golf carts, fence standards and code supplement",403,268000,671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091&start=268&end=671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091/thumbnail_268000.jpg","/articles/6224913/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-adopts-package-of-ordinances-on-golf-carts-fence-standards-and-code-supplement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224913-69386575053fd25803ae8ef3ce8d41dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775420704&Signature=Jx6tRdxGXgs7IiRINuv9aw6Cj3DQCg6R9VTbSoOD1SIPRY~LWtOXSE7ehv9f5pJv85apAh1T4u35qZCnfs08bm8s9Ccv4BSo-ifyRbx8dnf1BoNXdDH46f5B4vm7drjzTTrZ1XZYHMbwJOZylGxYbSErPW71cfJvrcsDvgNCuE6b99XmGQ2JInkx3qdmcGMuHLW~Eignz1w9BqiRO2Azaw4Kr5iSZr5icdkh60hRTh3UARftZpTYyXfCOqs0qTjQQlJmZk5tuV4PXPv1hd2MSTzd55GLH8lQD22hiiWSek7IDyTRJilfXqmplD4pce5a5-aGWuLV6t3CR~3Bte33dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City Common Council on May 27 approved three ordinances covering golf-cart classification, fence regulations and an emergency supplement to the city code.

On a second reading the council approved Ordinance 2025-3, which amends Chapter 73 (Bicycles, unicycles, three-wheeled cycles and golf carts) of Title 7 of the Code of Ordinances to move golf carts from being defined only as a four-wheel motor vehicle to allowing three- or four-wheel motor vehicles. The ordinance was read by a staff member and passed on a motion by Danny with a second by Dan; the council recorded the vote as unanimous.

Council also approved Ordinance 2025-4, an amendment to the zoning ordinance (text amendment to chapter 2) that incorporates previously discussed changes to fence standards. Council discussion on the fence ordinance included a site-specific issue at Weinstein and Jefferson, where staff and property owners agreed to re-locate and stake out a proposed fence to check line-of-sight before installation. A staff member said the line-of-sight concern is a safety issue and that city staff (Gary) would inspect the proposed setback and angle before any fence is erected.

Finally, the council approved Ordinance 2025-5, enacting and adopting a supplement to the Code of Ordinances and declaring an emergency so the supplement could be adopted on first and final reading. A staff member explained the supplement codifies recently passed ordinances onto the city’s online code (American Legal Publishing) and that the emergency declaration allowed adoption on a single reading. The measure passed unanimously.

Why this matters: the golf-cart reclassification affects which vehicles can legally operate under the city’s golf-cart rules; the fence changes respond to repeated safety and line-of-sight concerns; and the code supplement ensures newly passed ordinances are published online promptly.

Details: council members repeatedly handled the ordinance readings and approvals with unanimous votes; the fence item included an on-the-ground check (staking out the proposed line) and a joint inspection by staff and the property owner before any installation. The code supplement was adopted as an emergency measure to avoid delaying codification to a later meeting.","Columbia City Common Council passed three ordinances May 27: reclassifying golf carts, updating fence zoning text with safety checks, and adopting a codification supplement as an emergency measure.",{"_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},6224918,"Council approves compliance and abatements for Kyocera, Titus Precision and Sauder Furniture",201,126000,327000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091&start=126&end=327","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3544680-562a587070ab2adf2c9a8bc942388091/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6224918/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-approves-compliance-and-abatements-for-Kyocera-Titus-Precision-and-Sauder-Furniture","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224918-c5c8508d863140778152652024d4e1df/orig.mp4?Expires=1775420705&Signature=E-J11Y2-fI-6P6l60RZRH739UP0FkADFayWcXQgIjurDyk1j3oFa~6RzYbEIQL3CXF4MREA8MxR5O4bvxyS08u0ZcaCyC8IRuOCG5VJuR3c-gPR7Antd-5KHJ1PnxpnpHkF0ClI7ucKzajnoZ1jr8rKcYRbBf3ZzY7RDU-SdqjO7~ZcqitI56Z5FFNpWRe9aMyyVSaB~I8GTDdcqyoZROkLgndgJeqSRXYCTfoJ~JXA2bxHAbaCZxsXevvyVn8xioetFATiMigYGHF38XGoQJ2z4HZ9YAgtgkqcEa60GPN76AXLpYr9YG~bAaTOi18nph1ZNJSdimQoq8s3yFoa4UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept statements of benefits and approve associated abatement actions for local companies Kyocera, Titus Precision and Sauder Furniture.

The approvals took place during the council’s May 27 meeting after a presentation from a staff member who summarized each company’s status. “Kyocera…their facility continues to kind of be at capacity, and every once in a while, they do consider expanding there on the site,” the staff member said. The same presenter said Titus Precision is doing well despite tariff concerns and that some parent-company customers were considering shifting more work to the Columbia City facility.

The motion to consider all items together was made by Tad (mover) and seconded by Jennifer; the council approved the package unanimously. The motion covered several named filings including “Kyocera 2020 personal property, Kyocera 2022 personal property, Kyocera 2015 personal property, and Titus Precision 2022 personal property,” and gave “an additional year of abatement where appropriate,” according to the meeting record.

Why this matters: the council’s action confirms the companies’ stated compliance with their state incentive plans, maintaining the businesses’ eligibility for locally administered abatements tied to those plans. Council discussion did not change the terms of those incentive plans; the staff presenter said the companies remain in compliance.

Details: the staff presenter also referenced other local manufacturers, including Sauder Furniture in Archibald, and said state incentive plans apply. No formal public comment opposing the items was recorded. The council handled approval as a single grouped motion rather than individual votes on each filing.

Outlook: The approvals preserve the businesses’ current incentive status; the record notes the council authorized an additional year of abatement where appropriate but did not specify dollar amounts or the full term lengths during the meeting.","Columbia City council voted unanimously May 27 to accept compliance statements for several local companies and approve associated abatement actions, council members said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Department heads report bridge installation, parks updates and utility work; staff to inspect fence sight lines

Council appoints Brent Bacherman to Quigley County Regional Water and Sewer District board

Council adopts package of ordinances on golf carts, fence standards and code supplement

Council approves compliance and abatements for Kyocera, Titus Precision and Sauder Furniture