COUNCIL
PRESENT: Jeff Carroll, Sue
Gooding, Joy Lohse, Terry Howie, Jim Lancaster,
ABSENT: Retha
Hicks, Craig Allebach
OTHERS PRESENT: Pete
O’Connell, Paul Schmitt, Mitch Titus, James Walmer
Town Council
President Joy Lohse called the meeting to order. She opened in prayer and led the pledge of
allegiance.
New Council Member:
James Walmer conducted a swearing in of Sue Gooding, the new council
member replacing Dave Delp. Sue has
lived in Winona Lake for ten years and currently lives
in Stone Camp. She and her husband own
Pizza Supply. She is looking forward to
serving Winona Lake.
Minutes:
Jeff Carroll made a motion to approve the
minutes of the January 22,
2008 Council Meeting,
and also the Executive Meeting held on January 29th. Jim Lancaster seconded the motion. The motion passed.
“Winona
Happenings”
February 16, 7:30 p.m. – Symphony of Lake Concert
at Rodeheaver Auditorium
“Music For All Times”
February 29, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.- Fort Wayne Museum of Art
presentation of Winona
Lake art
and artists- Reservations required
March 22 – “Chocolate March” in the
Village at Winona
Floor Topics:
Country Garden Estates: Linda
Prater, 104 Peach Tree Lane
addressed the drainage ditch behind her property. She has lived at this address for the past
four years and stated that the ditch has continuously plugged up in that time
for various reasons. Carrie Walls of 103
Peach Tree Lane also voiced her concerns.
Pete has gone out and cleaned out the drain pipe three or four different
times. The ditch is still causing
problems. When the ditch was put in;
there were no homes in the area and it was sufficient at that time. Now that homes are there, something needs to
be done to improve the draining. When
the weather breaks, Pete and Larry Long will look at the area and determine
what needs to be done. Joy Lohse stated
that cost issues would need to be discussed by the Council,
but assured the residents that something will be done.
Conflict of Interest:
Terry Howie did some work on the furnace at
the fire department. As a member of the
Town Council, he is required by the
state to complete a routine Conflict of Interest Form. Jeff Carroll made a motion to accept the
form. Jim Lancaster seconded the
motion. The motion passed.
Town Hall Meetings:
Jim Lancaster presented a proposal to have
quarterly informal meetings at various locations in Winona Lake. These meeting could showcase local businesses
and also give residents a way to communicate with Council
members in a casual environment that is sometimes less threatening than
speaking into a microphone at a formal meeting.
There would be no decisions or votes taken at these meetings and not all
council members would be available for all meetings. They could take place on a weekday evening or
on a Saturday morning. It is anticipated
the first meeting could take place in April.
Report from Town Attorney:
Jim Walmer has been working on a sewage issue
and some insurance issues over the past month.
Reports from Supervisors:
Street
Department: Pete stated that the street department started patching some roads
today. That was put on hold once the
snow started. The flooding in the area
is receding.
Police Department: Paul Schmitt stated that Mike Foster is
at the police academy. Paul is covering
Mike’s hours. The reserves are helping
out tremendously to fill in some hours so officers can have a little time off.
Tree Cutting: Joy Lohse has received some comments from
residents regarding the tree cutting NIPSCO is doing in the area. She will get with Craig and make a request
that NIPSCO take a minimalist approach when trimming trees. They are also responsible for cleaning up
logs and limbs. There have been problems
with that and with sticks clogging some storm drains.
The meeting was adjourned.
_________________________ ___________________________
JOY LOHSE RETHA S. HICKS
PRESIDENT CLERK-TREASURER