City Manager Randy Bridge informed New Carlisle City Council at their meeting on Monday that Belle Manor is ready to move patients to Dayview and wants to be out by the end of the year.

Vancrest, who owns both nursing homes, had announced that they would donate the Belle Manor facility to the city once all of the patients had been relocated at their other facility.

Bridge said that he would have to check for any recent environmental and structural reports. “If there are none, I would strongly suggest that we have them done.”

He said that the City needs to do its due diligence before taking possession of the facility.

“It’s not a done deal,” said Mayor Mike Lowrey, stating that he is not sold on the idea. City Council would have to accept ownership of the facility.

Bridge said that the City Administration would be actively marketing the building for tenants of extra space. He said that the transfer already includes two residences, one is currently rented and the other is being used for storage.

Bridge also said that he would work with Finance Director Colleen Harris to allocate additional money in the 2017 budget to account for the move.

He also strongly suggested that Council hold an open work session to get input from citizens before any action is taken.

Sheriff-elect Deb Burchette was also in attendance and said that she has a lot of new ideas that should improve the Sheriff’s office. “I’ll be ready to hit the ground running on January 2,” she said.

Bridge also informed Council that Waste Management has mailed out brochures to residences in the city outlining the different levels of service, according to the new contract. He recommended that all residents return the brochure selecting their level of service.

Bridge also informed council that the County Transportation Coordinating Committee would be conducting a traffic survey at the intersections of Main and Lake and at Main and Jefferson.

“This is the first step in something that I have been working on,” said Bridge. He said that it would be something beneficial to the city, but would not elaborate any further.

Resident Ron Cobb addressed council about the money that they had planned on spending to upgrade the Smith Park Shelter House and on the move to Belle Manor.

“You’re talking about a kitchen, you’re talking about redoing the floor [both at the Shelter House], you’re talking about Belle Manor when you still have the eyesore at Madison Street School,” said a visibly upset Cobb. He said that instead of “throwing money away” on the Shelter House and Belle Manor, that money would be better spent toward tearing down the school building.

“We had a chance to tear it down before, but instead decided to use the money for streets,” said Council member Ethan Reynolds. “Would a chance like that come around again?”

Bridge said that the City would probably not have that opportunity again.

With the resignation of Council member Bill McIntire, Council must seek a new member. Mayor Lowrey said that, according to the City Charter, applications are being accepted until November 30. Prospective applicants must be a registered voter and must live within the city limits. Applications are available at the city building and must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on November 30.

The next meeting of the New Carlisle City Council will be held on Monday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the Smith Park Shelter House. The public is invited to attend.

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