The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.

 

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:      Joy Lohse, Sue Gooding, Terry Howie, and Retha Hicks

 

ABSENT:                                             Jim Lancaster and Randy Swanson

 

OTHERS PRESENT:                            Craig Allebach, Tim Goshert, Mitch Titus, Paul Schmitt, Larry Long and Jim Walmer

 

Opening

 

Allebach opened in prayer and Eagle Scouts Tyler Ingle and Jonathan Tinkey lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Eagle Scout Recognition – Howie presented certificates of recognition for achieving Eagle Scout level to Jonathan Tinkey and Tyler Ingle.

 

Approval of minutes – Lohse motioned to accept minutes, motion was seconded by Gooding.  Minutes were approved as written.

 

“Winona Happenings”

            March 10-13 -  The 2010 NCCAA Tournament at Grace College OCC

              Games           March 11 at 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm and 7:30 pm

                                    March 12 at 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm

                                    March 13 at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm

            March 27, 10:30 am 2nd Annual Run/Walk for Hunger 5K at Park

            March 27, 1:00 pm – Easter Egg Hunt at Park

            April 17, 8 am to 11 am – Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station

            April 17, 9 am to 12 noon – Town Clean-up

            June 16 – 18 Boys Scouts Day Camp at Dick Mc Cleary Farm

 

Floor Topics: 

 

Resolution 2010-3-1 Police Reserve Appointment and Swearing-In – The Council approved Gilbert Torres to serve as a reserve officer and Hicks administered the Oath of Office.

 

2010 Strategic Plan – Lohse made a motion to table approval of the plan and Gooding seconded.

 

Tree Commission Appointment – Lohse asked the Council to approve a five member commission of: Aaron Wilcoxson, Jeff Buriff, Pete O’Connell, Paul Schmitt and John Hawkins.  Allebach stated that the commission would meet soon and he had received some information regarding purchasing trees from the Soil and Water Conversation along with resources through Brent Wilcoxson and Juergen Voss.  Howie suggested that the Boy Scouts might help with the tree planting.  Gooding made a motion to approve the commission and Lohse seconded.  The Council approved the appointments.

 

INDOT Invoice – Hicks asked the Council to approve payment of $60,000 to INDOT for the completion of 250E.  Allebach responded that this amount is the match normally given to INDOT prior to the project starting.  Gooding made a motion to approve payment of the $60,000 to INDOT and Lohse seconded and the motion passed.

 

Report from Town Engineer: - Long reported he will be working on the Street bids to be presented at the March 23rd meeting.  He is also working on the pumping station on Wooster Road and will have a recommendation very soon.  Howie responded he received a phone call regarding a ditch on Arbor Lane that keeps filling up with leaves and eventually floods the street and yard.  The resident was wondering if the town could install a pipe and cover it (a manhole).  Allebach responded that the Town dug out that ditch and put riff-raff in.  Long responded that he would take a look at it.  Hicks asked about the parking lot for the Senior Center.  Options were presented at the last Council meeting.  Allebach asked what the next step was.  Long responded the Council needed to look at them and make a decision.  Hicks felt with summer quickly approaching, the town needed to proceed.  Allebach will put this on the agenda for the next meeting and the Council can review it.

 

Report from Town Attorney: - Walmer reported regarding Stonehenge Project.  Walmer has called Mr. Stoops several times to get a meeting set up and has not heard back from him.  Howie asked if any of the easements on the South side of Stonehenge were in question for the sanitary sewer.  Walmer responded that Long had identified the easements for the sewer but the ones that run across the golf course are the issue.  Long stated he identified where there is an existing storm drain and no easement.  He did nothing related to the sanitary sewer.  Howie stated Long should look at it as this area, as it is our largest area for infiltration.  Howie is concerned if there is a problem, do we have the easements to go out and do the needed work.  Long asked the Council if they wanted him to look into this.  Long reported that we do not have an easement for the line at the Villas.

Walmer reported the Town had a judgment against a resident who kept letting his dog run loose.  The penalty was $25, but by the time attorney’s fees were added he paid approximately $500. 

 

Reports from Supervisors:

Goshert – Was asked how much more there is to do with the infiltration and filming project.  Goshert responded the employees were really just getting started.  He reported that Stonehenge, the Villas, Muirfield, Bibler and behind Grace Village out to Merrywood was complete.  There were several manholes that had to be raised.  There are more to be raised and repaired and sump pumps removed from the sanitary sewer.

Schmitt – Is working on the off-duty work policy and Walmer has had input on it.  There are some issues to work out and it needs to be completed.  He asked if an officer works for a different department would he be covered by the other Town’s insurance.  Hicks responded that they would.  Schmitt is dealing with when an office is working for private businesses.  Howie asked if an office is working for another police department, do they wear their Winona Lake uniform.  Schmitt responded that this is something that needs to be worked out.  Officers will not be using Town cars.  Howie was concerned about the Town being sued over an incident because the uniform says “Winona Lake”.  Gooding suggested that the guys wear a generic shirt that states “police” on it.  The Police Department is gearing up for all the activities in Winona Lake.  Gooding asked if all the 5Ks and other events could be put on the website.

Mitch – Wanted to remind residents that there is no burning in Town.  There has already been one incident.

Lohse – Shared with the Council a very nice article in the Kosciusko Visitor’s Guide that was included with the Times-Union.  Lohse felt that this is the best Visitor’s Guide.  She also stated the KringleFest held in November to bring people into our community.  Money raised over expenses from the KringleFest was given to the Beaman Home.  The Beaman Home sent a letter to the Town of thanks.

Hicks – Reported the Annual Report is complete.  There will be a league meeting with the State Board of Accounts to discuss and work through issues with the new program.

Gooding – Reminded everyone to watch out for the joggers and cyclists.

Howie - Noticed the street sweeper was out cleaning streets.

Goshert – Wanted to remind everyone to bag their leaves.

Lohse – Reminded everyone of the Town Clean-up April 17 and we will meet at the Fire Department.

 

Lohse moved to adjourn and Gooding seconded.

 

Meeting was adjourned

 

 

 

_________________________                                  ___________________________

TERRY HOWIE                                              RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT                                                    CLERK-TREASURER