By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur’s city council and mayor are all in on recreational opportunities – trails, walking paths, pickleball courts, etc. – but the possibility of a grant recently presented to them was passed on due to a lack of time for study.
Decatur resident Tim Ehlerding, representing Abonmarche Consultants, a civil engineering company in Fort Wayne, brought to council at its latest meeting a program offered by the Indiana Department of Health to provide funds for a plan to expand and improve walk-ability and bike-ability in the city.
“You have a lot to be proud of here and there seems to be a desire to do even more,” Ehlerding said. “I think it would be a great opportunity for the city of Decatur.”
It is a match-for-match program and the city would need to earmark at least $20,000 to bid for such a planning grant, or more if more than $20,000 is desired.
Public input would be “extremely critical” if the city would choose to have a plan prepared, Ehlerding explained while offering numerous details about the grant program and what would be required.
During the lengthy discussion, it was pointed out that the local parks and recreation department has a master plan which speaks to trails, walking paths, and the like.
“I would love to see more trails for people to use,” Mayor Dan Rickord said, adding that he hopes to some day “see our (Greenway) trail extended to REV (sports complex) for kids to use.”
The fly in the grant’s ointment was a Nov. 14 deadline to apply. That apparently would mean council would have to make a decision that night since it’s next meeting isn’t until Nov. 18.
Asked by councilman Scott Murray why the time frame was so short, Ehlerding replied: “I wish I had an answer.
“I saw this when it came across my desk last week and I wanted to bring it to you. My role is to show you an opportunity.”
“I would like to see more trails, but I do not like the time frame,” said councilwoman Jenny Bowers-Shultz, adding that she would like more opportunity to look into the situation.
“I’m good on passing for now,” said councilman Tyler Fullenkamp.
Ehlerding noted that the grant opportunity would likely come up again next year.
So it was decided that council and the mayor would pass on the possible grant for now and begin checking to see what is in the park-rec plan.
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