SRC Begins Main Street Clean Up

(posted May 20)

Casey-Bertram Demolition started demolishing buildings on the former Electric Steel Castings grounds owned by the Speedway Redevelopment Commission before the commission voted to award the firm the contract at its May 18th meeting.

The commission voted 4-0 to approve the $52,694 contract. Commissioner Benny Grove was absent.

Initial quotes ranged from $80,000 to $250,000, so the the project was rebid. According to Charlie Pride of the State Board of Accounts, IC 36-1-12-4 requires cities and towns to advertise for bids where the cost of a public works project is $50,000 or more. Bids are required to be opened and read at a public meeting.

Neither commission President Vince Noblet nor the SRC's legal firm responded when asked why the SRC's procedures differ from those in the Indiana Code.

The Board of Accounts found numerous discrepancies with the commission's handling of funds in the past. According to the town's most recent audit report, "All 2007 paid vouchers were reviewed and multiple issues were found. The vouchers were not signed by the President or Vice President and the Secretary or Executive Secretary. The Director was reimbursed $2,569 for expenses without supporting itemization, $575 for mileage expenses without the prescribed form or other supporting itemization provided, and $303 for alcohol expenses. The Town's travel policy states alcohol purchases are not to be reimbursed."

The Board of Accounts did not require Harris to reimburse the town. "We took exception to these type of expenses being paid. It is our understanding that we did not ask for reimbursement. If we see alcohol purchases in a subsequent audit, we will ask for reimbursement," Pride said.

Executive Director Scott Harris said the commission has been in discussions with Resource Real Estate, the owners of International Village, about purchasing the property. According to this statement read by Harris, the talks recently stalled when Resource asked to keep the agreement from public disclosure. The commission has suspended talks until Resource "changes its mind on the terms of the agreement."

Resource has not had time to respond to the Navigator's request for a statement.

The SRC took a concurrence vote, with Nancy Lawrence abstaining, to allow the Motegi kids to keep proceeds from parking cars on the SRC's property at 1045 Main Street. Lawrence abstained because she and her husband Ray are serving as ambassadors on the trip. "We are going to park cars there during the race and the proceeds go to the children going to Motegi," Commissioner Ron Fisher said.

Jo Ellen Dotlich sent an email to Clerk-Treasurer Sharon Zishka inquiring if the Motegi kids would have to pay a fee to park cars. Town Ordinance 5.24.010 requires a permit to park cars for the 500 and 400 for any property over 7/8 of an acre.