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Brett W. Todd - page 91

Brett W. Todd has 925 articles published.

Brett W. Todd is the managing editor of Clinton County Today. Clinton County Today is a community-focused website to provide individuals of Clinton County Indiana and surrounding areas with information impacting their lives. Clinton County Today is a service of Progressive Partners of Indiana, LLC where Brett W. Todd is its managing member.

City of Frankfort Departments Implement Changes to Address COVID-19 Concerns

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The following update from the City of Frankfort is in regard to the changes being implemented by the various City departments.

Below is the press release issued on Monday, March 16, 2020, at 4:25 p.m.

City of Frankfort departments remain open as Mayor Sheets, and City Department Heads continue to work with Clinton County Health Department to keep city operations running smoothly, plan for contingencies, and keep residents informed.

Scheduled meetings, including Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Works, and City Council, will continue to occur as planned. Sheets recommends only essential personnel, officeholders, and media should attend these meetings. Anyone who does not have business to conduct at city meetings is encouraged to refrain from attending.

Mayor Sheets adds, “We want to respond to this evolving situation with caution while maintaining all city functions necessary for the public health and safety; this includes police, fire, emergency medical, and utilities.”

“Each of our departments has a plan in place to provide a safe working environment for city employees and to reduce the risk to our residents by limiting non-essential interactions.”

The City of Frankfort will be suspending the following services through the end of March:
• Frankfort Fire Department will postpone regular, annual fire inspections until April. Please contact the Frankfort Fire Department at (765) 654-4329 with any questions.
• Frankfort Street Department will suspend bulk-item collection and drop-off until April. Please contact the Street Department at (765) 659-2912 with any questions.
• Frankfort Parks Department has closed all public restrooms until April. If you have any questions regarding park operations, please call (765) 659-3422
• Frankfort Building Services Department will suspend interior home inspections until April. Please contact Building Services at (765) 654-5278 with any questions.

The City of Frankfort will continue to monitor the situation while providing employees and the public with information, updates, and changes as they become available.

IN Gov. Holcomb Closes Bars, Nightclubs, and Restaurants Plus Issues Additional Directives

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Below is the full press release from Indiana Governor Holcomb.

In a continuing effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Eric J. Holcomb has announced additional efforts.

The governor and other state officials will conduct a COVID-19 briefing today at 2:30 p.m. in the south atrium of the Indiana Statehouse with the latest updates on testing and cases.

Here are additional directives from Governor Holcomb.

• Indiana will adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for large events and mass gatherings. The guidance recommends no in-person events of more than 50 people. Here is a link to the guidance:

https://www.cdc.gov/…/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.ht…

• Under the current guidance for schools, 273 public school districts are closed, using e-learning days, or on spring break and have announced a future closure. The Department of Education is working with the remaining 16 school corporations to determine their next steps and needs

• Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are required to close to in-person patrons and may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of March

• Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers should cancel and/or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical procedures immediately. This action will help the healthcare system conserve resources and personnel necessary to meet emerging health needs

• Physicians should continue to perform critical procedures necessary to prevent short-term and/or long-term adverse effects to their patients’ overall health

• The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been raised to a Level 1 status and will work in conjunction with the incident command center at the Indiana State Department of Health for planning, coordination, predictive analysis and other functions

• State employees will maximize the use of remote work and meet virtually whenever possible while maintaining operations. Non-essential in-person meetings will be limited to 10 persons or less and should meet virtually whenever possible. High-risk individuals should not attend meetings in person

• State employees over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions are advised to work from home, and agencies should identify work that can be accomplished remotely for those individuals

• The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which are closed on Mondays, will close to the public beginning Tuesday

• The visitors center at White River State Park will close

• Indiana state parks and recreation centers, including state park inns, remain open. Restaurants will convert operations to take-out and delivery

• State agencies already are developing remote work plans for employees and will continue to implement them while maintaining necessary state services. Employees who work outdoors are encouraged to practice social distancing

• The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has suspended rules requiring certain unemployment insurance claimants to physically appear at a Work One location to engage in reemployment services for the next four weeks. This will ensure that individuals who may be symptomatic do not have to physically appear to continue their unemployment insurance eligibility

• The DWD will also request flexibility under federal and state law to expand eligibility for claimants and ease burdens on employers.

• The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will postpone the inaugural Indiana Global Economic Summit, scheduled for April 26-28

• Communities are encouraged to work together to provide child care options for all who need assistance and delivery services of meals and other necessities for senior citizens

• Hoosiers who can donate blood are encouraged to visit local blood centers. Blood supplies are low. Please follow the guidance at www.redcross.org

• More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

5 New Positive COVID-19 Cases In Indiana

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The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today reported five new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 24 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories.

The new cases involve residents of Bartholomew (1), Floyd (1), Hendricks (1), Howard (1) and Marion (1) counties and have been included on ISDH’s online dashboard at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/. The list of counties with cases is included in the dashboard, which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by the county of residence.

Count of cases by the county of residence:
Adams: 1
Bartholomew: 1
Boone: 1
Floyd: 1
Hamilton: 1
Hendricks: 3
Howard: 2
Johnson: 3
LaPorte: 1
Marion: 7
Noble: 1
St Joseph: 1
Wells: 1

Carol Bartley Sworn In As Frankfort City Clerk-Treasurer

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Carol Bartley was sworn in as the new Frankfort City Clerk-Treasurer Monday, March 16, 2020, at 9 a.m.

Bartley was administered the oath in the Clinton County Clerk’s Office by Jessica Nelson, 1st Deputy Clerk.

Bartley had served the previous five-and-a-half years as County Treasurer. She resigned that position on Friday, March 13, 2020.

Bartley was caucused in as City Clerk-Treasurer on March 12, 2020, after a vacancy was created when former Clerk-Treasurer Judy Sheets became Mayor of Frankfort.

A caucus date will be set to fill the vacancy of County Treasurer.

Community Schools Of Frankfort Offering Grab & Go Meals During School Closure

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The Community Schools of Frankfort will provide grab go meals while our schools are closed for health precautions.

Students can receive these meals through a drive-through pick up service (walk-ups and bicycles welcome too) at the following locations and times.

• Suncrest Elementary – Back parking lot from State Road 421
• Blue Ridge /Green Meadows – Back parking lot
• FMS/FHS – Back of High School by Door 11

Available during all e-learning days.

• 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th
Monday, March 30th through Friday, April 3rd.

• Meals will not be available during Spring Break, Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27th

All Clinton County Schools Closed By Order Of Clinton County Health Officer

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As Clinton County Health Officer I am suspending classes and other school activities during the period of March 16, 2020 through and including April 5, 2020. Activities will resume on April 6, 2020, unless conditions require an extension.

Careful consideration of the needs of schools, students, parents, and the community by representatives of the Clinton County Health Department, school officials, Clinton County Commissioners and the Mayor of Frankfort was instrumental in deciding on this course of action.

The reason this action is necessary is the rapid progression of infection by COVID19, the infection caused by the novel corona virus. At this time there is no specific treatment available for this condition. The most effective prevention is by hand washing, sanitizing surfaces with cleansing products that can kill the virus and limiting exposure to the virus. One of the greatest concerns is exposure of a large number of people to the virus. The best way to reduce possible exposure is to limit contacts in large groups such as schools.

I encourage all persons to wash your hands with soap and water frequently. Hand sanitizer is an acceptable substitute. Avoid unnecessary contact with other people and try to stay at least 6 feet from any other person. Avoid hand shaking or other forms of skin to skin contact greetings.

The school corporations have contingency plans for continuing educational activities and other essential services. Please contact your individual schools for questions you may have.

I want to thank everyone for their cooperation and assistance with our efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Sincerely,
Stephen D. Tharp, M.D.

All Clinton County Schools Will Close, Abundance of Caution Due to Coronavirus

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Clinton County Today has learned all Clinton County school systems have taken the step of closing school out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) until April 6th.

There are no reported cases of Coronavirus in Clinton County at this time.

We will update this post as more information is learned.

Carol Bartley New City Clerk-Treasurer

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Sixteen members of the Republican Caucus met in the City Council Chamber to decide the new City Clerk-Treasurer on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

On the 1st ballot, Carol Bartley was caucused in as City Clerk-Treasurer.

Bartley starts on Monday, March 16 after her swearing-in that morning.

Bartley has served as County Treasurer for the past five and half years and will resign from that position effective end-of-day, Friday, March 13.

New Parks Superintendent Halts Breeding & Selling Of Animals At Zoo, States It Is Against His Values

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Parks Superintendent Bart Kraning announced to the members of the City of Frankfort Board of Works on Monday, March 9, 2020, he had stopped the breeding and selling of animals at the City zoo effective immediately.

“This past week I’ve just been learning and listening a lot,” said Parks Superintendent Kraning. “One of the things we are going to do is we’re going to halt the breeding of animals at our zoo. So, we are not going to breed and sell anymore. When animals have babies, of course, we are going to welcome them to the zoo and they will be a welcomed addition.”

“But, we won’t be in the business of trading animals for other animals. So, that is something effective immediately.”

After the close of the Board of Works meeting, Parks Superintendent Kraning spoke with Clinton County Today about his first week on the job, what led up to his decision to halt the breeding and selling of animals, and what interaction has he had with Parks Consultant Travis Sheets.

CCT: What led you to make the decision to stop the breeding for sell program?

Kraning: They ordered a few sets of animals last year in pairs that were purposefully mates, which is fine. I am not against that at all.

But, I heard that someone had traded animals last year, a baby particularly, for another exotic animal which doesn’t line up with my values.

And, to be honest, we do not have the capabilities there to be always keeping babies. When babies arrive, great you know. We will take care of them. To purposefully have animals just together locked up to hope that one of them gets pregnant, I don’t really support.

I don’t think there was major evidence of that. But, just what I saw I said I’ve already decided that we are not going to do that even if it wasn’t necessarily the case.

CCT: So some of these animals had been breed to be exchanged for some other?

Kraning: I don’t think they were breed to do that. I just think they were purchased for that reason. I don’t think any of them have went through the process.

CCT: To go through the breeding process?

Kraning: Right.

I just think maybe that was just the direction they were heading, which is not the direction I want to be going in.

CCT: Do you see any issues with the sustainability of the zoo without having a breeding program?

No. Because right now I think we are at capacity for what our zoo can handle. So my main focus is going to be – so when we do have babies make sure they have the proper enclosures, we have toys, we have things for them to do. My main focus is going to be that.

If we do have babies, great. We can keep them. But, as of right now if we were to say we get there tomorrow and four babies are new, we are going to be tough to house them.

So, I just want to make sure before we encourage having more animals then we need to really get a handle on our enclosures, on our toys, on the things these animals need to do. They are healthier that way. They enjoy life better.

I don’t think there was anything particular – I don’t think they had purchased animals and were like stay in this cage forever until.

Because our zookeeper, she would have put the stop to that.

I just wanted to get in front of it just in case that was (the case).

CCT: Does this go for the aviary aspect of it as well? We wouldn’t see any breeding going on in the aviary as well?

Kraning: Unless it happens naturally. We’re not ever taking a step to make sure they are not having babies. I would even go so far as saying if we can get animals that can breed and we don’t have the means to take care of the babies, then we would get them spayed or neutered because it is healthier for them. Gives them a better temperament a lot of the times and I don’t want any unnecessary deaths at the zoo. Which happens when you are having babies.

CCT: Have you talked to Travis since you started last Monday (March 2, 2020)?

Kraning: I have talked to him about a few different things. He has given me a little bit of just background on what was going on in the parks. Ways they were, processes they were doing and that’s pretty much it.

I think I have talked to him 3 times.

CCT: And was any of the decisions about breeding, did you talk to him about that?

Kraning: There wasn’t any reason to because to be quiet honest I’m the Superintendent now. I didn’t have any reason to bring that up with him. Partially because I think maybe I didn’t want to know what they were doing because I don’t see any evidence of it. So, I am glad that I don’t. I am happy right now saying I am the Parks Superintendent and this is how we are going to move forward.

CCT: Has there been any conversation with you in regards to the role of the Parks Consultant and the Parks Superintendent?

Kraning: No. There has not been.

CCT: In terms of expectations. Did previous Mayor McBarnes say to you, Travis is here, he is going to be available for fill in the blank?

Kraning: The only thing I know about is what I have talked to Travis personally about.

And that so far that he will be here on the 20th and he is going to help us with Prairie Creek with all of the planting and things like that. That’s all.

CCT: He flies in on the 20th of March?

Kraning: I think he flies in that day and then the next couple weeks I believe he will be there. So, we are going to have all hands on deck trying to get Prairie Creek ready to go.

CCT: The grand reveal or grand opening is May 16th?

Kraning: Mmm-hmm. I don’t see a problem with that timeline at all. I think things are moving along great.

City of Frankfort Looks To Make Cuts In Aquatic Center Project, Low Bid Was $1.6 Million Over Estimate

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During the City Council meeting on Monday, March 9, 2020, Kyle Lueken of HWC Engineering presented to the full Council the outcome of a meeting held with the Councilmatic Committee on the Parks.

Lueken spoke of the apparent low bidder’s bid coming in over budget, the process used to determine how to identify projects – called value engineering, and areas that would be possible solutions to bring the project back in line.

The Council agreed to the recommendation of removing a building from the project along with the paving of a burm at the parking lot, opting to do the work in-house with Street Department personnel and equipment. This would remove that cost from the bond.

Clinton County Today spoke with Lueken after the close of the City Council meeting to bring insights on the cost estimate overage, the steps involved in value engineering, and what the savings could be.

“The apparent low bidder, when the bid was open, was $1.6 Million over the estimate,” said Lueken.

“What happens often on a project you have to do value engineering, which is looking where you can cut the project, for the lack of a better word or a better description. On this one, to help get the project to move forward, there were really two approaches we saw.”

“The simplest, easiest approach was the concessions itself.”

“That building location, given its location on the site, it could be easily removed from the rest of the project and had proximity where it could be added back in at a future date.”

“The other approach would have been more of a wholesale approach to the entire project.”

“Where removing some of the actual square footage of the pool, to looking at reducing some of the different components of the bathhouse itself – the renovations occurring there, to reducing some of the other amenities – like the beach entry to the pool, the toy structure.”

“So, looking at that across the site of how to cut multiple areas to bring it down.”

“So, presenting those options, the Councilmatic Committee on the Parks felt concessions was the best approach.”

“From our analysis, it was a little shy of a million that we felt the concessions building could save.”

The City Council, the Councilmatic Committee on the Parks, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Works are continuing to look into additional savings.

The next City Council meeting is Monday, March 23, 2020, at 7 p.m. The next Board of Works meeting is immediately prior to at 5 p.m. Both meetings are held in the City Council Chamber at Old Stoney.

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