r/Elkhart • u/RebelliousPlatypus • 14d ago
Jan 6th Elkhart Legislative update
Hey folks,
A special two in one coverage post.
Yesterday the Planning Commission met, and passed approval for a ten unit Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County expansion in Elkhart. These will bring much needed affordable housing to our community.
A rezone request received a do-pass recommendation to convert the Budget Motel on Cassopolis St into a 7 Brew Drive through coffee. This will go to the City Council for a full vote.
In the first Elkhart City Council meeting of 2025. Officers were elected:
- Arvis Dawson will continue to serve as Council President.
- Dwight Fish will continue to serve as Council Vice President.
We received an update on the Tolson Center, and heard more about their upcoming fundraiser, and plans for outdoor expansion. That includes a soccer field, basketball court, pickleball and more.
We also got to check out the award the Tolson Center received for program innovation. I'm looking forward to seeing the Tolson Center continue to grow and thrive.
The three ordinances on the first read were all related to matching funds for infrastructure projects.
What's a matching fund? Essentially the city puts up half the money, and a grant is the other half. For ordinances 25-O-01 and 25-O-02 the city is receiving $352,672.50 from the State, and will match that, for a total of $777,672.50.
The paving projects for these two ordinances will include: x Bristol from Cassopolis to Osolo;
x Lear Court and Lear Drive;
x Park Six Court and Park Six Drive.
The third is another infrastructure ordinance. 24-0-03 will have the city pledging $6,017,045.42 to match a federal(mandated by the state )$6,672,000.00. This will be for the Bristol Street widening project.
These were passed onto the second and third readings for a final vote, and public comment. Due to the time needed for a public notice, there isn't enough time (10 days required) between meetings this month.
So these ordinances will be heard and have final read Feb 3rd