9/2/19– Labor Day (City Hall Closed) 9/6/19 – First Friday 6-9pm (Courthouse Square) 9/20/19 – Homecoming Parade 3:30pm (Whitley St. to Line Street to Courthouse) 10/4/18 – First Friday 6-9pm (Courthouse Square) 10/11/19 – West side Junk pickup 10/18/19 – East side Junk pickup 10/25/19 – Mother/Son Halloween Party 6-9pm (4H Grounds) 10/26/19 – CCFD Halloween Party 3-6pm (Fire Museum) 10/26/19 – Trick or Treat 5-8pm (Citywide) 10/31/19– Pumpkins on Parade 3-5:30pm (Downtown) 11/5/19 – Municipal Election Day NE District Only (City Hall Closed)

11/9/19 – Veteran’s Day Marathon https://3riversrunning.com/races-and-events/veterans-marathon/ 11/9/19 – Humane Shelter Auction 4:30pm (4-H Center)

11/11/19 – Veteran’s Day (City Hall Closed) 11/28/19- Thanksgiving (City Hall Closed)

11/29/19 – City Hall Closed 11/29/19 – Lighted Christmas Parade 6pm (Downtown)

Inside this Issue

1 Mayor’s Column Community Events

2 Biosolids Meetings Junk

3 Camp Fires

Chip Hill

4 Employment

City of Columbia City

112 South Chauncey Street

Columbia City, IN 46725

(260) 248-5100

info@columbiacity.net

Fall 2019 Volume 3, Issue 04

“Why worry? If you’ve

done the very best you can,

worrying won’t make it any

better.”

-Walt Disney

Columbia City

The Two Constant things in life are… By Mayor Ryan L. Daniel

Death and Taxes, right? I’m sure you’ve heard this phase many times. While there is

absolutely certainty to both, I would like to add

another, at least for your City Government: Improvements.

In economic downturns and booming economies, your local government is always

working to improve the services we provide to

you. Whether it is the installation of new software (in the Clerk’s Office and in our GIS

Department), upgrading of equipment (new Dispatch Center and Police body cams),

refreshing infrastructure (new street pavement, sidewalks, and curbs), or enhancement of

public spaces (Russel and Evelyn Fahl Aquatics

Center and Every Kids Dreamland), we must always continue to make improvements and

changes for our residents. I’ve always said that we are either improving or declining; there is

no staying put. And we refuse to accept the

Status Quo.

Additional improvements are coming in the

future as well. The Long Term Control Plan sewer project will begin soon, finishing a multi-

decade, state and federally mandated project to reduce the amount of untreated sewage

discharge occurring due to rain events. A

Downtown Planning process, which has been delayed a bit, looks to begin sometime late in

2019. This plan will seek input from residents and businesses on the future of our Downtown.

A reimagined CCHS property on Whitley Street

will be the home to an expanded park in the coming years, providing additional recreational

space and expanding the offerings of our Parks Department. And many other projects are in

the works. So besides Death and Taxes, you can be assured that your City Government is

also making improvements for the benefit of

City residents, businesses and visitors.

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1st Mondays of Each Month, 7pm

WC Government Center

Columbia City Plan Commission

2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 5pm

City Hall – Council Chambers

Board of Works and Safety

2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6pm

City Hall – Council Chambers

City Council Meetings

2nd Tuesday of Each Month, Noon

City Hall – Council Chambers

CC Redevelopment Commission

3rd Monday of Each Month, 6pm

City Hall – Council Chambers

Columbia City Park Board

3rd Tuesday of Each Month, 5pm

City Hall – Council Chambers

Columbia City Housing Authority

3rd Tuesday of Each Month, 5:30pm

City Hall – Conference Room

Columbia City Tree Board

Proper notice will be given for any

changes to meeting dates and times

Biosolids: What Are They?

By Mike Cook, WPCF Superintendent

Biosolids may be defined as organic wastewater solids that

can be reused after suitable process treatment leading to

stabilization such as anaerobic digestion and composting.

Biosolids is also a term used for several types of treated

sewage sludges that has long been used in agriculture as soil

conditioner and fertilizer. Millions of dry tons of Biosolids

are generated annually in the United States and around 50%

is turned into fertilizer. The US EPA regulates land

application of biosolids by the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR), Title 40, Part 503. Encouraging agricultural use is

intended to prevent landfills from filling with nutrient-rich

organics from the treatment process that can be recycled and

help maintain productive soil and stimulate plant growth.

That is a small definition of what “Biosolids” mean and

what there uses are. The City of Columbia City has a 1.3

million gallon sludge storage tank located at the Water

Pollution Control Facility. The biosolids that are generated

from the City’s facility are processed and stored in this tank

until it reaches between 900,000 and 1,000,000 gallons then

the biosolids are hauled off site to be blended and

conditioned before being land applied as agricultural

fertilizer by a company located in Kokomo, Indiana under

their Indiana State-issued land application permit. In 2018,

the City facility had 1,112,127 gallons of biosolids hauled

off site which is equal to 166 dry tons of biosolids.

Junk Pickup - Rules and Regulations

By Theresa Green, Exective Assistant

1. Your junk will be picked up in the same spot as your normal trash.

2. Advanced Disposal will only make one pass by your house.

3. Anything item longer than 6 feet will not be picked up.

4. No large appliances will be picked up, nor will tires. You must call City Hall at 260-248-5100

to schedule pickup for these items

5. No construction materials allowed.

6. Junk pickup is ONE day only, not the entire week

7. This program is specifically for City Trash customers only. Items should not be brought in

from non-City resident. Over the past few years, the costs of Junk Pickup have increased

substantially due to outside items coming into the City. This drives up the costs to the City

and ultimately, it’s customers. Help us keep Junk Pickup costs at a reasonable level.

Fall Campfires

By Thomas LaRue, Columbia City Fire Chief

Hello Everyone. Autumn is upon us

and I know everyone is getting anxious to

spend some time with friends and family

outside in the cool air. For those that like

cooking and sitting around a campfire I

thought I should post a summary of the burn

ordinance so you know the rules:

(a) A garden hose connected to a water

supply, buckets, shovel, fire extinguisher or

other approved fire-extinguishing equipment

shall be readily available at the burn site

(b) Only wood products shall be

burned; no leaves, paper or trash.

(c) A fire shall be attended by a

responsible party as listed on the burn permit

at all times until completely extinguished.

(d) If open burning creates a smoke

nuisance, or a hazardous condition exists, the

open burning shall be immediately

extinguished.

(e) A fire shall be located at least 25

feet from any structure, fence or right of way.

Stay safe and feel free to call the fire station if

you have any questions. 260-248-5161,

Did You Know …

Columbia City was home to one of

the first fermented soy sauce

factories in the United States: the

Oriental Shoyu Company, founded by

resident Shinzo Ohki in 1924.

An Introduction to

the new Community

Development Director

By Chip Hill

Hello, my name is Chip Hill and I am

Columbia City’s new Community

Development Director. I recently took

over the position from Jeff Walker when

he retired after providing more than 27

years of service to the community. I am a

Pierceton native, Whitko High School

graduate, and have a bachelor’s degree

from Indiana University. I worked for the

Town of Pierceton for 22 years, most

recently holding the position of Town

Manager. My wife Anne and I stay very

busy with our active 13 year old son, Jack.

I have big shoes to fill following Jeff’s

departure, however, I am excited to help

influence the future growth and

development of Columbia City. One

project that I am hoping to get started is

an alley beautification project. Our goal is

to convert the alley directly north of the

courthouse into a gathering area. The

alley will be renamed Ohki Alley after

Shinzo Ohki. In addition, the city is

continuing to work with developers to

provide more housing for our growing

community while also working with the

Whitley County Economic Development

to provide jobs for Columbia City

residents.

If there is anything I might be able to

assist you with or that you want to

discuss, please stop by the Municipal

Services Facility or call 248-5114.

Betcha didn’t know this…

In 2016, multiple organizations partnered

together to transform a West Van Buren Street

alleyway into a “pocket park” with outdoor

seating, flowerbeds, and greenspace. This

downtown gathering location was named the

Thomas Marshall Plaza. Thomas Marshall was

from Whitley County and was the 28th Vice

President of the United States.

Employment with The City of Columbia City

By Beth Igney, City of Columbia City Human Resource Director

The City of Columbia City’s Human Resources Department is responsible for ensuring

staffing needs are being met according to local, state, and federal guidelines.

In addition, the department coordinates, develops, and administers policies and

procedures relating to employment and benefits for city employees. When reviewing salaries

and benefit costs, the administration is always cognizant of taxpayer dollars in designing plans

for employees while also trying to provide competitive benefits for its employees.

Columbia City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No personnel decisions concerning

any term or condition of employment shall be based upon race, color, religion, sex, national

origin, age, disability, genetic information, military/veteran status or other protected

characteristics except where such criteria constitutes a bona fide occupational requirement.

The Human Resources Director is the Employer’s EEO Coordinator.

If you are interested in employment with the City of Columbia City, there are several

ways to see what positions are available and how to apply for them. First, our website,

columbiacity.net will have job opportunities listed under the “Community” link at the top of

the web page. You can also see if the Police and Communication Departments are hiring by

clicking on their department under the “Departments” link and following their instructions to

their specific website. You can also check us out on social media.

Employment applications can be found on the “Community” link under “Career

Opportunities” and also on the Human Resources Department link under “Departments”.

Employees continue to assist citizens and participate in building a future together.