The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. Councilpersons noted as present or absent:

COUNCIL PRESENT: Jeff Carroll, Sue Gooding, Joy Lohse, Terry Howie

ABSENT: Jim Lancaster, Retha Hicks

OTHERS PRESENT: Craig Allebach, Pete O’Connell, Paul Schmitt, Mitch Titus, Jim Walmer, Larry Long

Town Council President Joy Lohse called the meeting to order. She opened in prayer and led the pledge of allegiance.

Minutes:

Jeff Carroll made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2008 Council Meeting. Sue Gooding seconded the motion. The motion passed.

“Winona Happenings”

March 22 – “Chocolate March” in the Village at Winona

April 15 – “Town Hall” meeting at Grace Village

April 19 – Symphony of the Lakes Concert

April 22, 7:00 p.m. – Winona Lake Preservation Meeting at Ramada Inn

April 26 – Winona Lake Clean Up Day

Floor Topics:

Flooding Issues:

Don Townsend, 1301 Wooster Road said that when the town came through and resurfaced Wooster Road they placed gravel on the road’s edge and during the recent rains it had washed the gravel into his yard. Craig stated Don had called earlier and that they would be out to make the necessary improvements when the weather gets better.

Zach Jones, 1303 Wooster said the same thing. Craig said they would look into it when the weather breaks. Zach also stated that this has caused water in his crawlspace and he had not seen this in the year he had lived there.

Rick and Bambi Wright, 1705 Chestnut Street stated that their home had flooded during the recent rains and when they checked out to see where all the water was coming from they stated that it was coming from a new drainage ditch that was put in related to the greenway and Montague Lane. They brought this to Pete’s attention. The street department employees blocked the drain with sandbags so the creek could not back up and flood the area. Craig stated that he would check with the engineers and Larry Long and see what the issue was and get back with them in the next couple of months.

Severn Trent Request for Additional Half-Time Employee:

Joy read a letter from Severn Trent requesting an additional half-time position to take the agreement from 5.5 full-time employees to 6 full-time employees. There was a question from Terry Howie if this position would mean that Severn Trent could do more things in house rather than contracting them out. Tom Miller, Severn Trent, responded that it would probably help due to the fact that they could hire more skilled employees. Terry questioned the contracting of pushing off the pit and Pete responded that this was something they could not do because they needed a bull dozer. Usually, he gets the pit leveled for nothing but this time around needed it done right away and so he had to have it done by G&G. Jeff made the motion to approve the agreement. Sue Gooding seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Report from Town Engineer: Larry reported that he is working on several issues for the town including the Stonehenge Streets and Pierceton Road resurfacing, a retention area down near the intersection of Kings Highway and Park Ave., the storm drain design on Widman and various drainage issues. He is also going to take a look at the lift station on Wooster Road. He will also be getting with Pete and Craig to look at various issues that have come up over the last couple of months.

Report from Town Attorney:

Jim reported that he is working on a few legal issues for the town including some ordinance violations that have proceeded to the point where liens had been filed.

Report from Supervisors:

Fire Department: Mitch Titus requested permission to purchase four sets of bunker gear for the fire department. The cost is $1,500 per set. The fire department purchases a few sets each year so that they won’t all have to be replaced at the same time. Terry Howie made a motion to approve the purchase. Jeff Carroll seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Indiana American Water: Craig stated that Indiana American Water would shut down the water tower by Jefferson School this Thursday to test how things would work when they shut down the tower in April for a few weeks to repaint it. If any problems come up, contact Indiana American Water.

FEMA: Craig stated that they were working with FEMA to identify areas in town that were damaged during the recent flooding and if the threshold was met the town might receive some compensation for damages.

Wooster Road: Jeff expressed his concern about the condition of Wooster Road east of CR 250 E. He wanted to know if there could be some pressure put on the county to make improvements out there. Craig stated that they had expressed concerns about this stretch of Wooster Road to the county for years and that nothing would be done until the CR 250 E reconstruction project is completed.

One-Way Signs: Sue mentioned that if Pete could put up some one-way signs at Park and Cherry it might alleviate confusion that she has noticed in the area.

The meeting was adjourned.

_________________________ ___________________________

JOY LOHSE RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT CLERK-TREASURER