By Carol Anders Staff Writer
CULVER — Improvements surrounding the City Tavern Restaurant in downtown Culver may finally become a reality.
At the Tuesday town council meeting, the board voted unanimously to accept a plan presented by owner Larry Surrisi for sidewalk and curbing installation on Lake Shore Drive. The motion by board member Barbara Behnke included a stipulation that the town manager and others look into the traffic flow problems.
Much of the discussion, especially from audience members, centered around parking and traffic on Lake Shore Drive.
Town Manager Jon Guenin said, “That section of Lake Shore is the most heavily traveled and in the worst shape.” 

Behnke pressed the board for action on the matter saying, “I’d really like to see something done.”
Board President Edward Pinder responded saying, “I would too. It’s been four years.”
Surrisi said, “One thing we didn’t have three years ago was experience. We have tried to work with the neighbors.”  
He indicated planned outside lighting would be of a landscape design which would be close to the ground and not on the side of the building.
Surrisi told the board members that there are only 60 or so parking spaces along Lake Shore Drive. He also mentioned the speed at which some vehicles travel.
Although the board took no action other than the stipulation in the motion by Behnke, mention was made of installing stop signs or blinking lights at one of the intersection to help control the traffic.
In other council news:
• The board also voted unanimously to extend the contract of Town Manager Guenin for a period of one month. His negotiated resignation date had been set at July 31. The board has been seeking a replacement for Guenin, but indicted that the applicants that have applied were not a good fit for the needs of Culver.
Building Inspector Russ Mason volunteered to try to contact search firms in an effort to help find a replacement. Board member Ralph Winters made a motion to pay up to $7,500 for a search. The affirmative vote was unanimous.  
Guenin has expressed his intention to relocate in the West Lafayette area.
• After hearing information from Steve Carter, of Umbaugh and Associates, concerning the proposed 2008 budget, the board set a budget workshop for Monday at 2 p.m.
Carter said that the board would be starting the 2008 budget in a negative position. Guenin was asked to confer with the various town department heads for ways to lower the projected budget. Behnke said she felt it was only right to have the department heads make cuts.
• Payments for piers that were installed approximately two years ago are being paid for at $57,000 per year with three and a half years remaining on the loan, according to Town Clerk-Treasurer Casey Howard. It was noted by the board that after that obligation is complete that amount would not have to be included in future budgets.
• After a visual inspection by Guenin and Culver Town Attorney Ron Gifford of a property at 419 S. Main St., it was decided that the owner had made improvements to the home that meet the state requirements. The Burns property owner had been notified of a recommendation to have portions of the home declared an “unsafe building.” According to Guenin, the specific issues in question have been repaired.  
• Gifford was asked to review the town’s nuisance ordinances. Board member Lynn Overmyer said the nuisance committee had met July 24 and is looking into abandoned vehicles.