[{"_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",6260628,"mediaKeyId","3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540","parentId",3129554,"title","Votes at a glance: compliance approvals and economic-development appointment","audioSeconds",1157,"startMs",1277000,"endMs",2434000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540&start=1277&end=2434","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540/thumbnail_1277000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260628/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-compliance-approvals-and-economic-development-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260628-22a42243f3962263730768273828553c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963796&Signature=C~LROtjpwReSh~Uh6mjHQht1I4WGwjIj2YKES351C6srogsyHg9D9AsWQJAB1tOyCi7QNAcXm~ivAMhzl7RVV9b3v39nolX4HKspX69-S5gFek5GRLn0n~jfysQ9hqYoZet4pDvF2VjXfinhaHzdQ~CWmbA~3r3m6-LOrrnX1LnlTpWkWDc2ien6jEL~xrUg3KuM42Mll3Rhn0GOgd-7aT5zFZ5nhjR5nlEIJ5AUOdauFL9hkBpszhcF~dBAaCm2QYfGZ6KECXHZDOUL91jVLIVwmb6VQ20upP9bK7h-vqsNKY5v9P7N3NCHMIPkr3u7TOnyT-UG-4vhsfYES8FftQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-04-26T06:43:55.163Z","article","At the April 22 Columbia City Common Council meeting the council took two formal actions with votes recorded in the minutes:

1) Compliance-with-statement-of-benefits approvals and abatement extension: The council moved and approved in bulk a set of compliance filings and granted an additional year of abatement where applicable. The motion listed several DOT America real‑ and personal‑property entries (including 2014‑15, 2017‑23, 2021‑20 and others), JV Investment 2015‑21 real property, and VR Real Estate 2018‑3 real property. The motion was made by Leslie and seconded by Tad; the clerk recorded the result as \"unanimous of those present.\" The meeting transcript does not give an exact numeric vote tally.

2) Economic Development Commission appointment: The council voted to appoint Tad to the Columbia City Economic Development Commission, a three‑member board required to create certain economic development areas (the city plans to consider a new TIF district north of Walmart). The motion was moved by Dan and seconded by Jenny; council members Dan, Jenny and Leslie voted in favor as recorded in the transcript. The appointment is a two‑year term for the common-council seat. The transcript indicates some members abstained or were not present for that vote but does not list a full roll-call tally.

Notes: Both actions were recorded in the meeting as approved; the transcript supplies mover/second attribution for the motions and records the outcomes but does not list complete numerical vote counts for either item. For official vote totals, consult the signed meeting minutes or city clerk's record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Common Council Meeting 04222025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved multiple compliance-with-statement-of-benefits filings (including DOT America entries) in a bulk motion and appointed a council member to the Columbia City Economic Development Commission to prepare for a proposed TIF district.","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},6260632,"Council hears fence-code amendment options; planning commission to review May 5",564,1424000,1988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540&start=1424&end=1988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540/thumbnail_1424000.jpg","/articles/6260632/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-hears-fence-code-amendment-options-planning-commission-to-review-May-5","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260632-0e4e3a493db6db314b535b8f7712b70c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963796&Signature=Mod-xr3L4hcQW5VrRu1O1enXDSr326cRD76BK7BCqBcECM~QIfZgUXXKerFQczjLq08tipFKwEJ9gteA-1l6ua2oJJV3yi3wDFkTgS80t2uGmxURC2D3RIh6fB7lm6XfezAYbzjVV96EMkxFnDdcHUVdfrLguoD0ZvFCOBOzEH6TZ8FSlrO5q7NhcZUbL7yA6jnIef8OVipXsLk2uIr0Z9cQGGXgXVdsgr21ovc0vwi90dEWfdevGPQTn11rW8TRryje~KhQcbdPBm-AbJWMBrFZxKmiai531xp6Zad4vy~KUgzkvXEZddydg7sI-B4GHvykkcshtGAIWlAoJ9jxGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nathan Bilger, Columbia City planning and building director, presented draft language and four options for a front-yard fence code amendment during the April 22 Common Council meeting and asked council members for feedback before the planning commission takes the matter up.

Bilger said the current code allows front-yard fences of any type up to 3 feet high, and chain-link fences receive a \"bonus\" allowance up to about 4 feet. He said the four options under consideration are: (1) add an objective transparency definition and allow transparent fences up to 4 feet; (2) allow any customary fence up to 4 feet and remove the chain-link bonus; (3) create an \"open decorative\" category (including chain link and ornamental open fencing) that is permitted to 4 feet; and (4) add more specific material restrictions across zones to limit nonstandard materials (for example, exclude pallets or heavily utilitarian fencing in residential front yards).

Why it matters: Changes would affect homeowners' choices about front-yard fencing, materials and heights and could address neighborhood aesthetics, safety and animal-control concerns. The planning commission's decision could alter how easily residents can install front-yard fences and which materials the city accepts.

Details and context: Bilger said option 1 is the most objective because it offers a defined transparency metric, which could reduce subjective enforcement. Option 2 mirrors many Indiana codes that simply permit fences up to 4 feet and rely on existing visibility-triangle rules at intersections; Bilger noted the city's visibility triangle already prohibits obstructions between 2 and 8 feet at intersections. Option 3 was described as a middle path that allows decorative or open fencing types a 4-foot allowance while excluding truly opaque or nonstandard materials from the bonus. Option 4 would insert explicit material-language to the code to reduce ambiguity about items such as chicken wire or cattle fence use in front yards.

Council feedback and next steps: Council members expressed a preference for permissive but aesthetically compatible language. Several members said they favored the \"open/decorative\" verbiage (option 3) because it provides clarity without broad allowance for any material in the front yard. Bilger said he will refine the options and present an official draft to the planning commission on May 5 and will make the proposed text public in advance of that meeting to allow comment.

Ending: Bilger asked council members to forward feedback to planning staff before the planning commission review; the commission meeting is scheduled for May 5.","The city planning and building director presented four options to the council for amending front-yard fence rules, including a transparency definition, allowing 4-foot fences, and a decorative/open option; the planning commission will consider the draft ordinance May 5.",{"_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},6260636,"DOT America tells council it will expand and hire dozens, seeks continued abatement compliance approval",302,1015000,1317000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540&start=1015&end=1317","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540/thumbnail_1015000.jpg","/articles/6260636/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/DOT-America-tells-council-it-will-expand-and-hire-dozens-seeks-continued-abatement-compliance-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260636-2dd82d47eb5791a20ce8cf5add1c3707/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963796&Signature=f53zMglw31jUYq9dwgUPkNW3spnUk0RS80Vo2TS-aTqmKZhSmd73lev3Eu6H46jg947q848BiKAnyiHlmWQV36UjarhgZOvmnozaG3YqmUHUuXIY3EQ0a~yxhh5qbbVDVem54-MOnihIdBinpJpSSQEIrMx71Rd4vmHyQLR0iYRSNnxal6quYsB-vjc5iit5-2D~QQUCl8U7Eh7ypkEkLv3Pgl5KTtg12fImMDANIBhqvwMULtytEHle5c6pLoix-OfpLyiuaviwDaTjdO6HLIVgJBp59EvIWEI8EOUds4on-WPB4Rcyqd1KOAJS1n0gO2QiDD-QoY2-w9Ym8bdp3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Venturini, president of DOT America, told the Columbia City Common Council on April 22 that the medical-device coating supplier plans a further equipment investment and a large hiring push tied to a project that will repatriate work to the U.S.

Venturini said his company, which he described as the only U.S. firm to perform all specialty implant coatings \"under one roof,\" has about 64 employees and expects to hire another 35 by October if a planned $2 million chamber installation proceeds. \"We're gonna go from about 64 to 130 ish in the span of a year,\" Venturini said.

Why it matters: DOT America's planned expansion would add industrial jobs and increase taxable activity in Columbia City. The company and council discussed prior abatement approvals and the city's decision to grant an additional year of abatement where applicable.

Details and context: Venturini said DOT America invested $3 million in a previous facility expansion and received a tax abatement for that work. He described the current project as a long-awaited ramp-up following delays at an original equipment manufacturer and said U.S. customers are moving some business stateside to be coated in Columbia City.

Council action: The council voted in favor of finding multiple companies, including DOT America, in compliance with statement-of-benefits filings and granted an additional year of abatement where applicable. The motion listed several DOT America real- and personal‑property entries (including 2014-15, 2017-23, 2021-20, 2017-24, 2014-15 entries), JV Investment 2015-21 real property, and VR Real Estate 2018-3 real property. The compliance approvals were taken in bulk and recorded as unanimous of those present; the transcript did not specify exact numeric vote counts.

Ending: Venturini thanked the council for prior support and said continued city and state support \"goes miles\" when arguing for new investment.

","DOT America said it plans a multi-million-dollar equipment investment, expects to grow from about 64 employees to roughly 130 within a year, and its compliance forms were approved by the council in a mass motion.",{"_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},6260641,"Easterseals Northeast Indiana updates Columbia City council on services, staffing and workforce programs",445,191000,636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540&start=191&end=636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3129554-f3febe0f2c53afd29e37000d1e96e540/thumbnail_191000.jpg","/articles/6260641/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Easterseals-Northeast-Indiana-updates-Columbia-City-council-on-services-staffing-and-workforce-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260641-57b9732160060dfeebf9c5e3fb492d8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963796&Signature=lFhQG~7s7ca0KenVrGQaheasGqHGU3ZziHQWREgSqgib-O7htqShUjKSOy0zHHI9z8cTvLa-YsZhI6HIPxCS5Z0T7bfHZaXLwDL7ClXffspotmVhzE8Gds-16nhDs6ej6qBZDwcVNNhCRXNKNda1zcJ1VaP09jzbegRsg8~UOeVwT3G7JoeX1w8MB-mafXx3fwvZy8Meu35jJF86AkfLkF2jXgUeyO9VA4qGZXDnsfh-Ulm-Jd0Oc-VmjuSNCmMxO0hfYS~7LOFEWtFC5n6dYCTgU71xjE4hOZR6rl3s-KoE4jnM1C4WXD3qh7Taoyp0Vv7j4Xeu7Ag1Cv0r~5tu9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stacy Duell, vice president of community supports at Easterseals Northeast Indiana, told the Columbia City Common Council on April 22 that the agency is expanding programming at its Creative Learning Center in Columbia City while continuing to struggle with staffing shortages in group homes and supported-living sites.

Duell said the Creative Learning Center has moved to an a la carte schedule so participants can attend single activities, and the site added a gaming room that staff said helped one participant move from solitary phone use to socializing with peers. \"We now have that gaming room up and running there in the creative learning center as well, which has been phenomenal for some of our folks,\" Duell said.

The agency also described new workforce-development offerings in partnership with Cardinal Services in Warsaw, including a certified nursing assistant program, a manufacturing lab and a hospitality certification. Vicki Lowton, chief development officer, said the hospitality pilot has already shown benefits for participants' communication skills. \"Between the career center with the community schools ... we're able to provide certifications and trainings under hospitality, health care and manufacturing,\" Lowton said.

Why it matters: Easterseals provides residential and day services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Whitley County and nearby areas. Changes to programming, staffing and housing affect local families who rely on those services and on providers' ability to maintain group homes and supported-living locations.

Details and context: Duell said the Columbia City Creative Learning Center is currently \"two staff down\" but expects a new supervisor to start in mid‑May who will split time between the Columbia City and Engle locations. The agency reported three group homes in Whitley County and additional supported-living sites; since the beginning of the year it has worked with Brightpoint on lease-to-purchase housing options. Duell said one individual has purchased a home through that program, while other residents relocated to alternate providers after Brightpoint prepared some homes for sale.

Easterseals reported about a 50% vacancy rate across supported living and group-home staffing in the county and said it is experimenting with new staffing models to increase coverage, including weekend-only (\"bridal\"/contract) DSP positions and condensed weekend shifts that pay for 40 hours over a 36-hour schedule. Duell said the agency pays $17.18 an hour for direct-support professional (DSP) wages in the area and is limited by Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates when setting pay.

On education and employment programs, Duell said pre-employment transition services currently serve 37 Whitco-area students (up 11 enrollments since the start of the year) and that an application period for summer internships and volunteer placements has produced 10 Whitco applicants and 72 applicants across all counties served. Lowton said scholarship funds are available to help community members with financial barriers attend short vocational courses.

Council response and next steps: Council members thanked Easterseals for the overview and pressed gently on long-term plans to address chronic staffing shortages. Duell said the agency is pursuing a mix of revenue streams and training expansions to improve retention, noting national DSP turnover rates and the nonprofit's efforts to grow supervisory training and benefits.

Ending: Easterseals invited council members and the public to tour the Creative Learning Center and see new features such as the gaming room and hospitality pilot.","Easterseals Northeast Indiana told the Columbia City Common Council it is expanding programming at its Creative Learning Center, piloting workforce certifications and facing persistent staffing shortages in group homes and supported living sites.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: compliance approvals and economic-development appointment

Council hears fence-code amendment options; planning commission to review May 5

DOT America tells council it will expand and hire dozens, seeks continued abatement compliance approval

Easterseals Northeast Indiana updates Columbia City council on services, staffing and workforce programs