The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 in the Town Hall at 7:00 a.m.   Councilpersons noted as present or absent:

 

COUNCIL PRESENT:            Jeff Carroll, Jerry Clevenger, Dave Delp, Joy Lohse, Rolly Ortega,

 

ABSENT:                                Retha Hicks

 

OTHERS PRESENT:            Craig Allebach, Pete O’Connell

 

Town Council President Dave Delp called the meeting to order.  He opened in prayer and led the pledge of allegiance. 

 

Minutes:

 Jeff Carroll made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2007 Council Meeting.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

 Winona Happenings”

            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:

            Greenway:  Jan Nelson read a letter regarding a portion of the Greenway Trail.  The area she is questioning is on East Canal Street between the Cerulean Restaurant and Administration Blvd.  The street is one way going south and the trail is not wide enough for bikers to pass.  She is asking the Council to address the situation.  Dave Delp thanked her for her comments and the council will look at the situation.  There have also been a few parking problems at the entrance to the Greenway on Roy Street.  Cars are parking on both sides of the street.  Bikers and skateboarders have also been seen exiting the trail without looking for oncoming traffic.  Craig has talked to a representative at GAI about designing a parking lot near the entrance on Roy Street and also an additional lot on Boys City Drive across from the existing lot.  In the meantime, an informational sign may be a possibility to let motorists know where parking is available.

            Stonehenge:  Fay Jagger, a resident of Stonehenge was curious about the surveying that is going on in Stonehenge.  Craig explained that the streets in Stonehenge were put in by the developer and is not up to Town’s standards.  The subdivision was annexed into the Town several years ago and the Town accepted responsibility of the streets.  Eventually, all of the streets will need to be torn up and replaced.  Repaving the existing streets will not solve the problems.  The new streets will include curbs and guttering.  Larry Long, the Town engineer has been authorized to take soil samples and begin design work on storm drainage.  The storm drainage needs to be taken care of before the roads are replaced.  The project will take place over several years because of the cost.

 

250 East Sidewalks:

            Tanna Wright, a resident of Heritage Lake Park presented a petition with over 150 signatures, requesting a sidewalk be installed along 250 East when the road is reconstructed this summer.  She stated that she approached the Council five years ago and was told it was too late.  Craig explained that historically, the Town has not paid for sidewalks unless it was to replace a sidewalk that was torn up during a project.  The Town Council held a meeting in August, 2000 with residents of that area to get input before the 250E project started.  At the time, the Council thought sidewalks would be a good idea.  The residents at that meeting overwhelmingly stated that they did not want sidewalks.  The next meeting, that Mrs. Wright attended, was held after the design had been completed and submitted.  Some residents at that meeting did want sidewalks, but others did not.  The 250E project was approved and bid out last week.  It cannot be changed at this time.  There was much discussion and many suggestions regarding sidewalks in that area.  Craig stated that after the road is constructed, the Council can look at how much of the right-of-way is remaining and determine if sidewalks are even a possibility.  Craig thought the residents could consider putting in sidewalks in the subdivisions rather than along 250 East.  Maybe a crosswalk could be put across the street near Lakeland, but it could be a safety issue.  If the residents wish to put in sidewalks, the Council would support the project.  It was suggested that a donation fund be set up.  Other suggestions from residents included turning the road into a town road rather than a county road and putting in a stoplight.  The council accepted the petition and a formal response will be forthcoming.  Dave Delp asked the residents to keep in touch with the Council.

            The notice to proceed on the 250 East project is expected any day.  In the next couple of months, the road will be torn up.  Work will begin on the south end and proceed north.

 

Resolution 2007-5-3 Temporary Loan:

            This is a loan from the wastewater fund to the general fund for a period of two weeks.  It will be paid back when a CD matures.  Jeff Carroll made a motion to approve the temporary loan.  Joy Lohse seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Revenue Sharing Agreement for Crash Reports:

            This is an agreement between a private company, Holt, Sheets and Associates, LLC and the Town of Winona Lake to provide accident reports online.  The agreement had been previously approved but some of the verbiage needed to be changed to allow citizens to continue to pick up reports at the police department if they desire to do so.  Jerry Clevenger made a motion to approve the agreement.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Reports from Supervisors:

            Wooster Road:  Pete reported that striping on Wooster Road would be done this Saturday.

            NIPSCO:  The street cut NIPSCO did last Fall has still not been repaired satisfactorily.  Craig will ask Phend & Brown to make the repair and then NIPSCO can be billed for it. 

 

             The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

           

_________________________                                  ___________________________

DAVE DELP                                                   RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT                                                    CLERK-TREASURER