The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.   Councilpersons noted as present or absent:

 

COUNCIL PRESENT:             Jeff Carroll, Sue Gooding, Joy Lohse, Retha Hicks

 

ABSENT:                                 Terry Howie, Jim Lancaster, Craig Allebach                                       

OTHERS PRESENT:                Pete O’Connell, Paul Schmitt, 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 March 25, 2008 Council Meeting.  Joy Lohse seconded the motion.  The motion passed. 

 

“Winona Happenings”  

            March 28, 7:30 p.m. – Grace College Spring Concert at Rodeheaver Auditorium

            April 15, 6:00 p.m. – “Town Hall” meeting at Grace Village Front Lobby

            April 19, 7:30 p.m. – Symphony of the Lakes Concert

            April 19-26 – KC Recycling Depot extended hours – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

            April 20, 2:00 p.m. – Earth Day activities at 1000 Park Avenue, April 27 – rain date

 

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

            April 26 – Winona Lake Clean Up Day

 

Floor Topics: 

            Flooding:  Tim and Bambi Wright were at the March 11th meeting with flooding concerns on their property.  They asked about the status of this situation.  Larry Long and Pete have been out to look at the property.  Larry stated that the Wright’s house is in one of many low spots in the Town.  The ground has been low there for many years.  During heavy rains, flooding does occur in that area.  This is not a new problem.  During the past couple of months, the Town has had more rain than in many years.  The Greenway did not contribute to the problem.  The embankment of the creek was actually made higher when the Greenway was constructed.  A culvert was put in which flows toward the creek.  The Wright’s disagreed with Larry.  They were concerned about the placement of a pipe and asked if GAI, the engineers for the Greenway project had been contacted.  Craig is out of town, so it was not known if GAI has yet been contacted.  Craig had stated it would take 60 days and it has not been 30 days yet.  Larry stated that when there is flooding, the water will settle in the low areas regardless of the placement of the pipe.  The Wright’s spoke with FEMA representatives who informed them they were in a floodplain and should carry flood insurance.  The Wright’s mortgage company told them the home was not in a floodplain.  Larry stated maps do show it in a floodplain.  He did suggest that a flap gate on the pipe would help the situation during extreme conditions.  There will be further follow-up with GAI.

 

Ordinance for Police Part-Time Employees:

            At the last council meeting, Paul Schmitt requested permission to hire temporary, part-time police officers on an as needed basis.  The council approved the request.  An ordinance has now been drawn up and is being introduced.  Jeff Carroll made a motion to introduce the ordinance.  Sue Gooding seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Continued Engineering Services for Wastewater Treatment:

            Ken Jones of Wightman Petrie, has provided a proposal for continuing engineering services as discussions continue regarding construction of a wastewater treatment facility.  The cost of their services is $8,000.  Sue Gooding made a motion to approve the contract.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

 

Approval for Camera to Video Wastewater Lines:

            Pete has received two quotes for a camera to video wastewater lines.  The Town has approximately twenty six miles of sewer lines.  It is known that there is infiltration in some spots.  Pete stated that to hire someone to video the lines would cost somewhere in the area of $1,000 per one hundred feet of line.  The lower quote for the camera was for $10,549.  It includes a camera, Roller skid, and locater.  Jeff Carroll made a motion to purchase the equipment for $10,549.  Sue Gooding seconded the motion.  The motion passed. 

 

Report from Town Engineer:

            Larry and Pete have looked at seven different low areas in the Town.  A lot between Park Avenue, Cherry Avenue and Hamilton Boulevard is probably the worst area.  Larry thought possibly a storm drain could be put in that area to help the situation.  Placing a pipe in that area could be a bit tricky.  He would like to do some survey work there to determine the elevations.  The work would cost less than $500.  Sue Gooding made a motion to have Larry do survey work.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  If a pipe is installed, a flap gate will also be put in. 

            Lake John flooded for the first time in Larry’s memory.  He will look into a possible solution there.  The other area Larry will look at is in Country Garden Estates.  The street department will looked for a plugged tile in the drainage ditch.  Larry stated that this subdivision was designed to back up to a flood plain area that was designed to be a storm water retention area.  This creates a natural boundary.  Unfortunately, some of the homes are expanding their yards into the retention area and some homes have basements.  Brent Wilcoxson noted that as the Town continues to grow, drainage areas are becoming fewer.  He thought this is an issue for the Plan Commission to address.  Retha will see that the Plan Commission members receive minutes of the Council meetings.

 

Report from Town Attorney:

            Jim Walmer stated that in the past month, he prepared an ordinance for temporary part-time police employees.  He has also checked with an attorney for the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns regarding inspections of properties without violating citizens’ rights.  He will get back with the IACT attorney next week.  Also, he has collected some payments on ordinance violations.

 

Reports from Supervisors:

            Leaves:  The street department will vacuum up leaves raked to the curb this Thursday, Friday, and next Monday.  After that time, leaves will need to be bagged.

            Tree Limbs:  Pete has received several phone calls from residents about tree limbs left behind after NIPSCO trimmed trees in town.  Homeowners are making phone calls to NIPSCO but getting no response.  Pete stated that the street department will pick up the limbs if they are at the curb.  They will not go on private property.  The piles should be no larger than 6’ X 3’ X 3’.  Joy Lohse felt that NIPSCO should take responsibility to finish the job.  She will contact them tomorrow.

            250 East:  Pete spoke with Phend & Brown on the progress of the 250 East project.  The boring is completed, the wetlands graded, and the ground in compacted.  The storm sewer work is completed near the U.S. 30 intersection.  They plan to have the construction completed by July 1st. 

            Reserve Resignation:  Town Marshal Paul Schmitt stated that reserve officer Nick McKinley has resigned effective April 15th.  He will be leaving to work for the South Bend Police Department.  He thanked Nick for his work here for the past two and one half years as a reserve.

            Skateboarding:  Paul would like to see what can be done about skateboarding on town property.  There is some damage being done by skateboarders.  He would like to see an ordinance to address the problem.

            Commendation:  Jeff Carroll commended Officer Paul Heaton for his part in the rescue of a Grace College student from Winona Lake.

            Legislation Presentation:  A legal firm has volunteered to give a presentation on new legislation in the state.  The suggested days for the presentation are April 28th, 29th, or 30th.  Retha will schedule a county wide presentation.

            Newsletter:  Joy Lohse stated that a newsletter will be mailed out to Town residents by the end of the week.

           

 

The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

_________________________                                  ___________________________

JOY LOHSE                                                    RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT                                                                CLERK-TREASURER