[{"_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",6184832,"mediaKeyId","5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb","parentId",5086365,"title","Columbia City department reports: ladder truck demo, Old Settlers Day wrap-up, fireworks planning and staffing updates","audioSeconds",172,"startMs",1079000,"endMs",1251000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb&start=1079&end=1251","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb/thumbnail_1079000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184832/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Columbia-City-department-reports-ladder-truck-demo-Old-Settlers-Day-wrap-up-fireworks-planning-and-staffing-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184832-4cd65de5b9913595b267ae1ca8af0130/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469428&Signature=P~ANQpbLFjuUnsZGvyHGQ7v1pNQJXGyJ2UqnDicD1bDqS2C~zwcEbsUEX9ye76gvRRuoiDKl4~plvF~MuMnz1loLsDpIKVP1g-AscoJ23vZB2HYcTSBdf5gFD6SyBy2zh~pSqmAFmCsnhPzBjcGh~Xox0UkDODMDQkXvhqSe6IQhqJGoR4FT5R3Rc7ENXquC34p2yFlso27Kov1pIH2WYeQrRasqWZTCR36IqH6mfywEAvWS3Iqmw3XbCaeAS631r2ZBhTwNGhuOJu6PwJy6cT8IpKeC3fAj10tyUZNnnPeVktQoUZjF9lwzbtc~sq4DJhZ3t0i43W-gNIvx3kNkOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-06-25T11:31:13Z","article","City department heads briefed the Columbia City Common Council on June 24 about equipment maintenance, recent events and upcoming public-safety and public-works activity.

Fire department and equipment
Tom (Fire Department) reported that ground-ladder testing was completed and “all of our ground ladders passed. No issues.” He said the ladder truck’s intercom system has been problematic and that the department has had the unit’s intercom replaced several times. Tom said Convoy Tech of Fort Wayne contacted the department about demoing a camera intercom system and making a promotional video; a hold‑harmless agreement was signed and the company will provide the intercom system at the conclusion of the demo. Tom said he hopes the demo will resolve the recurring intercom problem.

Public events and emergency preparedness
City staff reported Old Settlers Day (OSD) activities concluded with only minor issues and that cleanup was completed quickly. Tom and other staff confirmed planning is underway for July 4 events: staff measured fallout zones for the fireworks and discussed expanding the fireworks display; staff noted compliance with applicable safety rules as part of that planning.

Tornado sirens and public-safety staffing
Staff reported two tornado sirens were ordered with an estimated lead time in July. The police/fire departments also reported personnel changes: Officer Sturgis is attending the academy and Officer Ewing informed department leadership he submitted a two-week notice because of personal matters; the city will open a hiring process to fill the vacant position.

Public works and utilities
Kelly (Public Works/street staff) briefed the council on Brooks construction and said the city will mill and pave segments of Tenth Street starting next week and that concrete crews completed sidewalks and ADA ramps in the Eagle Glen area. Kelly said crews will begin alley and street trimming and credited close cooperation among city departments for efficient event support.

Terry (Electric Department) reported completion of fiber network installation by the electric department. Staff noted the utility and other departments cooperated closely for OSD logistics.

Arts and parks
The Columbia City Arts Commission’s Spark art camp — a program offering arts activities for children who might otherwise not afford camp — is running its second year and received funding from the Indiana Arts Commission, staff reported. The commission recognized April Frazer for leading the effort.

Why it matters: The reports show routine equipment maintenance and cross-department cooperation supporting public events and safety systems; the demo of the ladder-truck intercom and the tornado-siren orders are operational items to watch for near-term public-safety improvements.

Next steps: The city will follow through on the Convoy Tech demo, proceed with July 4 logistics and fireworks planning, install tornado sirens when delivered, initiate recruitment to replace Officer Ewing, and continue scheduled milling and paving and ADA ramp work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Common Council Meeting 06242025","oneSentenceSummary","City department heads briefed the Columbia City Common Council on June 24 about equipment maintenance, recent events and upcoming public-safety and public-works activity.","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},6184837,"Columbia City council tightens door-to-door solicitation rules, requires permits and name tags",108,927000,1035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb&start=927&end=1035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb/thumbnail_927000.jpg","/articles/6184837/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Columbia-City-council-tightens-door-to-door-solicitation-rules-requires-permits-and-name-tags","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184837-0c25b30e3e3f9b557d9b4080b896452b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469428&Signature=Js8MEmkvT3aThToOp4p5sdfVQ2ATZ4sLuOKxaN6KaSbLwQSR23vxl2dS1rSEGXPqbWyBh-dbp2XvEKK0FUVQs0-5ZtzRw99xRRZz7Z03XoZ1Xk-YRGaoCUMD0MDQMMuerVO4Wz-E6~pRzgWV38YGmYa11osFVezI5HH0lc9XgxTmBkLr~wS96Jsk68t1f~rHYn2iW77J8TOvYknbaNnb5SHnP0umnMfWx7C51ZTgIXxYAAkJf~Fm7gy-zMfKLN-ssm3I8yxPVpPdG6IK3AwRWr2YQgRXqmISAXY1CsC-JUybHPpOIHqEAIFhfelTBzMLZnk2KYsIHNZSH8Idub1IXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia City Common Council on June 24 adopted Ordinance 2025-8, tightening rules for door-to-door solicitation by requiring solicitors to carry a paper permit and visible identification.

Mayor (unnamed) and council members said the measure is intended to help residents verify whether someone knocking is authorized to solicit. “Do you have the paperwork? Do you have the permit?” Mayor (unnamed) asked rhetorically during discussion, adding that solicitors must carry their permit on their person.

Why it matters: The ordinance standardizes identification and documentation for solicitors so residents can more readily confirm legitimacy and avoid unwanted contacts.

Key provisions discussed
- Identification and documentation: Solicitors must wear or carry a name tag and have paper proof of a permit while soliciting door-to-door, per the ordinance discussion.
- Respecting no-solicitation notices: The mayor noted that solicitors must not approach addresses that display “no solicitation” signage; he said, “if you come up to a door, it says no solicitation, they better not be going up to that door.”

Council action
A motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-8 on second and final reading was made, seconded and approved by those present (unanimous vote was recorded). Council members had discussed the matter at a prior meeting and returned with the amended language requiring permits and identification.

Implementation
The ordinance creates a city process for issuing and verifying solicitation permits. Council and staff said the change is meant to help residents feel comfortable answering doors during community canvassing or private solicitation.

Next steps: With the ordinance approved, city staff will process solicitation permits under the new rules; council did not amend the measure at the June 24 meeting.","Ordinance 2025-8, adopted on second and final reading, requires door-to-door solicitors to carry a paper permit and visible name tag and bars solicitation at properties displaying no-solicitation notices.",{"_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},6184842,"Council adopts ordinance setting pay and expense rules for municipal electric utility mutual aid",57,825000,882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb&start=825&end=882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/6184842/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-adopts-ordinance-setting-pay-and-expense-rules-for-municipal-electric-utility-mutual-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184842-5ba7ce67b8aa677eb8b806038b30541a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469428&Signature=oJR5roLrrIhORk~2Uv~pHbNv0Cyz7Ps6sMdM81RgLYThSuOiEfsEQizqtG1yJyYLfBXGUMfV0UjVk2LloLSHGqoEysitdpHt2SlVGLg2L13lGC6HpfOCplOG~W8wevJW9GeO9zedsgbaaBHeUjdOj6kc8E6litFBtr-QKpTyEvhYISyMlh27Ec5gO9K8zctya1f-VppLhJssSWcfqSqGZ-aqbxtH8mrWkA58GvQKB-M8Tm1wmQd2RdHBrGXTjqv07x0c1BhizbYrMykBdHYamhH~TIrrB92FgZAzlBx~no744KFH8yDkuVFoEs3aeNlzcVYG~NZXOZEgbTIKIsvaIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City’s Common Council on June 24 adopted Ordinance 2025-7, which sets rates of pay and expense rules for employees of the Columbia City Municipal Electric Utility when they respond to mutual-aid requests from other communities.

The ordinance “puts it in writing to compensate us, probably more fairly than what we had before,” Mayor (unnamed) said during council discussion, describing how utility crews may be sent to help other towns after disasters such as tornadoes.

Why it matters: The ordinance creates written compensation procedures for city utility staff who assist other jurisdictions following infrastructure damage or severe weather, ensuring pay and expenses are addressed when crews are deployed.

Council discussion and action
Council briefly reviewed the ordinance, which council members said formalizes compensation and expense handling when city utility personnel are assigned to outside responses. A motion to accept Ordinance 2025-7 on second reading was moved and seconded; the council approved the measure unanimously.

Implementation and scope
The ordinance is intended to cover pay and expense reimbursement when municipal electric utility workers render mutual aid to other communities following events such as tornadoes or storms. No specific numeric pay rates were included in the meeting discussion; the council discussed the policy-level intent to ensure fair compensation and established procedures.

Next steps: The ordinance was adopted on second reading and is now part of city code; staff will follow the ordinance when coordinating mutual-aid deployments and reimbursements.","Ordinance 2025-7 establishes pay and expense rules for Columbia City Municipal Electric Utility employees when providing mutual aid to other communities; council adopted the ordinance on second reading with unanimous approval.",{"_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},6184847,"Columbia City council approves ordinance requiring permits, four-foot path for outdoor restaurant seating",267,537000,804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb&start=537&end=804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086365-59c0c50327b71271540267bca069b8cb/thumbnail_537000.jpg","/articles/6184847/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Columbia-City-council-approves-ordinance-requiring-permits-four-foot-path-for-outdoor-restaurant-seating","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184847-18539ad4408dc7e969ee6077f8399d0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469428&Signature=cmoNIdWsQ2KDXAUxXNGUc3W2jLhs0QySdYoPCskYTeuPWyFndMHkgyRfaOzmlVxtx1pkGvkCaAYUiGoYtZqxbVi484CWjpT0iGBmalV17CBGhAox662KqM3RIYQCmI2aM8iOBOsv1gYHiUN91Zd9ECDu2f0sCJYCfgPrsK4Gsl2ZgQPmuU2TyWzJlJX1yVreQk5Ld-QV02R1ZhVDo6L6RlENX8Hk877Xj-wbzpYB8zUlbZHMSd5rRzfMb3zpk2h5fe1R~2pW8~PR3kDa8zdQ6TG15uC3KQrScY3R4VAe2TQi5UC7QxTpvO34mSs8lr4XxjEG~9EnS5hXZYSMId1J0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City’s Common Council on June 24 approved Ordinance 2025-6, which requires restaurants to obtain a temporary outdoor seating permit and meet standards intended to preserve pedestrian access and safety.

The ordinance takes effect July 1 and applies to restaurants already placing tables and chairs outside as well as those planning to start. Mayor (unnamed) told the council that the measure “needs to, apply you have to have an application for temporary outdoor seating permit signed, and abide by all the requirements that we have here.”

Why it matters: The rule aims to balance new outdoor dining demand with pedestrian accessibility downtown. Council members and staff said compliance is needed both to protect customers and to ensure people using wheelchairs can pass on sidewalks.

Key points approved and discussed
- Permit requirement: Restaurants must file an application for a temporary outdoor seating permit. Mayor (unnamed) said the permit “needs to have a detailed drawing to scale showing what they wanna do with the seating.”
- Accessibility: The ordinance and permit require maintaining a four-foot clear walkway so “people could get a wheelchair through,” a point the mayor emphasized during discussion.
- Insurance and documentation: Council discussion noted the permit package includes a $1,000,000 liability policy requirement and that permit documentation and name-tag identification must be carried by those staffing the seating area.
- Existing approvals: The Board of Works has already approved some arrangements but council members were clear that those restaurants still must submit the formal permit so city records and conditions align.

Council action and implementation
A motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-6 on second and final reading was made and seconded; the council approved the ordinance unanimously (four yes votes reported). Marshall (staff member) reviewed the permit text with council members prior to the vote; the Board of Works had previously approved the $10 fee for the permit.

What council members asked and staff clarified
Council members asked whether long-standing sidewalk seating would need to obtain the new permit; Mayor (unnamed) confirmed the permit will apply to both existing and new seating. Staff indicated the city will notify downtown restaurants about the requirement and the July 1 effective date.

The council said the permit is intended to let downtown restaurants continue to expand outdoor service while ensuring pedestrian and mobility-device access downtown. The measure was approved without amendments.

Next steps: City staff will finalize outreach to affected restaurants and accept permit applications under the new ordinance beginning July 1.","The Columbia City Common Council approved Ordinance 2025-6 to require temporary outdoor seating permits, including a four-foot accessible walkway, a drawing to scale, and liability insurance; the permit process takes effect July 1 and applies to existing and new sidewalk seating.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Columbia City department reports: ladder truck demo, Old Settlers Day wrap-up, fireworks planning and staffing updates

Columbia City council tightens door-to-door solicitation rules, requires permits and name tags

Council adopts ordinance setting pay and expense rules for municipal electric utility mutual aid

Columbia City council approves ordinance requiring permits, four-foot path for outdoor restaurant seating