Compiled by Peg McRoy
The Danville Town Council met Sept. 20. These meetings can be viewed on the town’s YouTube channel. The council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Danville Town Hall, 49 N. Wayne St. The next scheduled meeting is Oct. 4.
What happened: Council President David Winters announced that Danville Town Manager Mark Morgan was named Town Manager of the Year by the Indiana Municipal Management Association (IMMA).
What this means: The IMMA has a membership of 125 members and covers the entire state of Indiana. The announcement was made at its 2023-2024 awards banquet. Winters congratulated Morgan and said that the award is given to a town manager that exemplifies forward thinking in their community. He added that Morgan was chosen, not only for his forward thinking, but his opening the doors to Danville as a place to live, work, and do business. Winters, on behalf of the council and town, thanked him for his hard work.
What happened: The council approved a letter of engagement with Bose McKinney & Evans, LLP to retain them as bond legal counsel for the town’s upcoming bond matters. In an agenda item prior to the Bose McKinney & Evans letter of engagement, it was discussed if the council would like to solicit other bond vendors. Town Treasurer Jenny Pearcy suggested that the council hold a special session the week of Sept. 25 to hear from other organizations. While the Bose McKinney & Evans letter was approved, the council did schedule a special session on Mon. Sept. 25 to hear from other organizations on being the town’s financial advisors regarding bond matters.
What this means: Morgan described the bonding process as being like a three-legged stool. The three legs consist of underwriters, legal counsel, and financial advisors. Bose McKinney & Evans was approved to be the town’s legal counsel. At the special session on Sept. 25, the council heard presentations from Baker-Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Bondry Consulting, and O.W. Krohn & Associates on becoming the town’s financial advisors. The vote to determine which organization would be named was tabled until the council’s regularly scheduled Oct. 4 meeting to give council members an opportunity to review the presentations. The town’s underwriters are Robert W. Baird & Co.
What happened: Ben Comer, chair of the redevelopment commission, presented information regarding the establishment of an economic development area (EDA) and tax increment financing (TIF) area in the southeast portion of Danville. The council gave the commission permission to move forward on this project.
What this means: This EDA/TIF area is south of U.S. Hwy 36 and located between Hendricks County Airport Gordon Graham Field and the Hendricks County Landfill. This action does two things for that area. It increases the possibility of future growth and economic development of an industrial park. It will also fund the expansion of wastewater services to the area.
What happened: Two street closures around the town square were approved at the request of Beth Ann Holmes of the Downtown Danville Partnership. Streets around the square will be closed to accommodate Scares on the Square and Christmas on the Square.
What this means: Marion, Jefferson, and Washington streets around the town square will be closed on Sat., Oct. 28 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Scares on the Square. Those same streets will be closed on Friday, Nov. 24 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Christmas on the Square. Set up will be from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and the event will begin at 4 p.m. The Downtown Danville Partnership is sponsoring both events.
