The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, May 7, 2007 in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.   Councilpersons noted as present or absent:

 

COUNCIL PRESENT:            Jeff Carroll, Jerry Clevenger, Joy Lohse,  Rolly Ortega, Retha Hicks

 

ABSENT:                                Dave Delp

 

OTHERS PRESENT:            Craig Allebach, Pete O’Connell, Paul Schmitt

 

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

 

Minutes:

 Jerry Clevenger made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2007 Council Meeting.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

 Winona Happenings”

            May 19 & 20 – Sailboat Regatta

            May 21, 2:00 p.m.107.3 Talk of the Town with Jeff Carroll

            May 30 – Water Quality Meeting at Senior Center

            June 2 – IHSAA Golf Sectional at Stonehenge

            June 2 & 3 – 8th Annual Art Fair in the Village at Winona

            June 3, 3:00 p.m.Outdoor Symphony

            June 23 – Optimist Lake City Triathlon at Winona Lake Park

            June 24 to July 21 – MasterWorks Festival

            June 30 – Firecracker 5K Race at Winona Lake Park

            June 30 – Winona Lake Great Fourth of July Celebration at Winona Lake Park

            June 30, dusk –Fireworks over Winona Lake

 

Floor Topics:

            Bikefest:  The bikefest over the weekend was very well attended.  The participation for the bike tours was doubled from last year.  There were approximately 300 mountain bikers and 140 road racers.  The police did an excellent job.  There was one accident that resulted in an overnight stay at the hospital, but no bones were broken.

            Guest:  Craig Allebach introduced Wesley Craig who will be a “People to People” ambassador this summer.  Wesley needed to attend a council meeting as one of the requirements of the program.  Wesley also was involved with planting of the flowers at the foot bridge last summer as a Boy Scout project.

 

Bid Opening for Insurance Contract (6:05 p.m.): 

The Town received two quotes for insurance.  Retha opened them.  One was from Wilson Insurance, who currently provides insurance for the town, for $25,001.  The other quote was from Hall and Marose for $33,357.  The quotes were taken under advisement.  Retha and Jerry Clevenger will meet and look at the bids in detail to see if they are comparable.


 

Bid Opening for Garbage Contract (6:15 p.m.)

            The Town received two quotes for trash and recycling services.  One was from Allied Waste Services who currently serves the town.  Their quote was for $11.89 per unit each month the first year, $12.48 per unit each month the second year, and $13.10 per unit each month the third year of the contract.  The other quote was from Stafford for $13.95 per unit each month the first year, $14.45 per unit each month the second year, and $15.17 per unit each month the third year.  These quotes will be taken under advisement and the contract will be awarded at the next meeting.

 

Ordinance 2007-5-1 Establishing Revolving Loan Fund:

            Housing Opportunities of Warsaw administers a grant for the Town to rehabilitate houses.  Homeowners are required to repay a portion of the money spent to improve their homes.  The money that is repaid is then put in a revolving fund to be used to make other home improvements.  This grant started in 2005.  Housing Opportunities of Warsaw would now like to start using the funds that have been repaid.  Rolly Ortega made a motion to consider this ordinance for passage on the first reading.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Rolly Ortega made a motion to pass Ordinance 2007-5-1 establishing the fund.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Subrecipient Agreement with Housing Opportunities of Warsaw:

            This is an agreement between the Town and Housing Opportunities of Warsaw for HOW to administer a grant for the Town to rehabilitate houses.  They have been doing an excellent job administering grants for the Town.  Jerry Clevenger made a motion to approve the agreement.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Approval of Letter of Easement:

            An issue came up recently when Brad Whaley, a resident of Stone Camp Trail was selling his house.  He needed a letter from the Town stating that there was no objection from the Town in regards to the property owner accessing Lot 5 in Stone Camp from Union Drive over a gravel drive that exists there.  Craig directed Mr. Whaley to our Town attorney who drafted a letter for the councils’ approval.  The letter states that the Town does not have an issue with this.  It is unclear who actually owns this land or if the town has a right-of-way.  Jerry Clevenger made a motion to approve the letter.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Approval of INDOT Contract for 250 East Reconstruction:

            This contract is between INDOT and the Town that supports an agreement made in November, 2006 between Bonar Group, Inc. and the Town regarding the construction of 250 East.  Jeff Carroll made a motion to accept the contract with INDOT.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  This project is scheduled to be bid out on May 16th.

 

Police Department Resignation:

            Assistant Police Chief Chad Stevens resigned on May 5th.  Joy Lohse read the letter of resignation.  Rolly Ortega made a motion to accept the resignation.  Jerry Clevenger seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Resolution and Police Department Hire:

            Police Chief Paul Schmitt is recommending that Mike Foster be hired to replace Chad Stevens.  Mike has been a reserve office since 2004.  He has worked extremely hard as a reserve officer and is currently a dispatcher.  Paul also requested that part of the probationary status be waived and that Mike receive 90% of his wages for six months.  Jeff Carroll made a motion to approve the resolution to hire Mike Foster as a Winona Lake Police Officer effective May 20th.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Retha Hicks swore Mike Foster in. 

 

Report from Town Engineer:

            Larry Long reported that soil borings have been completed on Prestwick.  He does not have the report yet.  He does think there is a water drainage problem in Stonehenge that needs to be addressed before new asphalt is laid.

            Craig Allebach stated that Brent Wilcoxson has approached the Town regarding the donation of some land around the “Winona” bush from the Village at Winona to be used for a storm water runoff filtering system.  This natural wetlands would filter the run off from Argonne Road and neighboring areas.  Craig asked the Council for authorization for Larry Long to begin a design for the area and get a legal description.  Jerry Clevenger made a motion to authorize the work by Larry.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Report from Town Attorney:

            Jim Walmer had nothing to report.

 

Reports from Supervisors:

            Indiana-American Water Company:  Craig met with Chris Harrison today from Indiana-American Water Company.  The company would like to extend the water main on Kings Highway and First Street.  A fire hydrant would also be installed on First Street.  There is an 8 inch main on Park Avenue that is owned by either the Town or the Village at Winona.  The water company would like to take ownership of this line.  Craig thought that would be a positive thing in view of maintenance and repair costs.  Chris also suggested that the service line to the park restrooms be increased from ¾ inches to 2 inches at no cost to the Town.  This would allow automatic flushing toilets at the park restrooms.

            Photos:  Craig requested that as many council members as possible meet this Thursday for a picture to be taken with the K21 Foundation and the Kosciusko Community Foundation.  The K21 Foundation donated $50,000 for the Greenway project and also $2,000 for chairs at the Senior Center.  The Kosciusko Community Foundation donated $12,000 for the Greenway Trail.

            Bibler Park:  Jerry Clevenger spoke with a neighbor of the Bibler Park in Southtown.  She requested the weeds to be sprayed in the park.  Pete stated that they would be sprayed soon.

            Police Department:  Paul Schmitt reported that the new K-9 police car is now in service.

            There has been a problem with several of the cars running bad.  Paul is not sure if it is something with the cars or it is the fuel.  He is suspicious there has been something wrong with the fuel.  Fuel samples have been taken to a lab and test results should be ready this week.  A considerable amount of money has been spent repairing the vehicles and he would like to determine the cause of the problem and the responsible party. 

            Commencement:  Grace Graduation went very well over the weekend in the new Orthopedic Center.  Paul thanked the Warsaw Police Department and the County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance. 

           

            The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

           

_________________________                                  ___________________________

JOY LOHSE                                                   RETHA S. HICKS

VICE-PRESIDENT                                          CLERK-TREASURER