The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a
regular session on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Joy Lohse, Sue Gooding, Jim Lancaster, Terry Howie, Randy
Swanson
ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Craig
Allebach, Retha Hicks, Larry Long, Pete O’Connell, Mitch Titus and Jim Walmer
Opening
Howie opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Approval of minutes –Lohse motioned to accept minutes, motion was seconded by Lancaster. Minutes were approved as written.
July 17 – Winona Garden Walk
July 31, 7:00 a.m. – Duck & Run 5K Run/Walk
July 31, 11:00 a.m. – Duck Race in the Canal
August 5-7 – Dog Days of Summer
August 13 – Village at Winona Arts Walk
August 21 – Antique Car Festival
Floor Topics: A resident of Administration Blvd. has
requested that a large barrel be removed from the public alley behind her
house. Another resident also would like to see the barrel removed because it is
blocking access to his property. The Street Department has no knowledge of who
placed the barrel there but will remove it.
A resident has requested the Town consider repairing the public alleys still remaining along old McKee Courts.
Grace College Update: Dr. Manahan stated Remnant Trust is moving into the
old Billy Sunday Museum. The Billy Sunday Museum has been moved to the Reneker
Museum with some items being put in storage. Renovations have begun and hope to
be completed by October. The mission of Remnant Trust is to take documents and
use them as an educational tool for children.
Also,
the Higher Learning Commission has been on campus and is the regional
accrediting body for the school. A request has been made to offer three online
programs. Also, a goal has been made to establish a new undergraduate program
that can be completed in three years and be more affordable.
Petition for Vacation of
Right-of-Way: A representative from Coldwell Banker is
requesting the vacation of a strip of ground at 208 Chestnut. The public hearing will be at the next
meeting. Ms. Hart would like to get a
sense if the council would be favorable to the vacation. A driveway has been placed on a strip of land
designated an easement. If the strip of land is vacated, the adjacent homeowner
will have the right to 50% of the land.
Street Department Air
Conditioning: The Street Department air conditioning unit was broken and needed
replaced. Allebach received three quotes on a replacement unit. Howie Heating
and Cooling gave the lowest quote at $5295.00. Lancaster motioned to approve
the lowest bid, motion was seconded by Gooding. The motion was approved.
Espy Services: will review the town’s
telephone, cell, and internet charges and examine potential savings. They have
presented an agreement and removed the $250 processing fee. The expense would
be 50% of our savings. The agreement is a year in length. Gooding stated that
whoever is our provider should have a government representative that would
analyze our account and determine that we are being billed accurately. The
council chose not to utilize the company.
Lakeland Christian Academy
Advertising:
Lakeland has sent a fax requesting the Town to advertise in their fall sports
calendar. Advertisement blocks range from $169.95 to $1,024.95.
Howie
stated that this will open the doors for many others to request money. Gooding
stated that this is a paid advertising company and they would keep at least
half of the money. If the town chose to support LCA, she would suggest making a
donation to the school rather than paying for an advertising block. The council chose not to advertise.
Round-A-Bout Presentation:
Representatives
of A & Z Engineering, Ft.Wayne gave a presentation about the possibility of
a round-a-bout at the main entrance to the Town. The benefits of a roundabout are: Safety by
reducing conflicts and speed; traffic calming; pedestrian safety; reduction of
stop timing; and reduction in pollution, etc.
The firm thought the cost would be around $850,000 but that is with
several amenities.
Approval of Claims
Vouchers-Lancaster
made a motion to approve the voucher listing and Lohse seconded. The motion was
approved.
Report
from Town Engineer: Long presented pictures
demonstrating an additional five parking spaces for the Lodge. If biking spaces are not
critical, removal of the concrete slab and placement of asphalt is an option.
The contractor who will be doing the asphalt work in Town will be contacted to
see if this project could be an addition to their current list of projects. The
Council will approach the Park Department as to what they would like done with
the concrete slab. Lohse made a motion to continue with the process in adding
additional parking for the Lodge. Motion was seconded by Lancaster. Motion was
approved.
Lohse
made a motion to add three additional employee parking spaces at the rear of
Town Hall to the list of projects for the asphalt company. Lancaster seconded
the motion. Motion was approved.
After
the Optimist Triathlon, several complaints were received regarding the
deterioration of Pierceton Road. Howie asked where we stand with MACOG funds
and if we had any town funds for making improvements. Long stated that he
believes all stimulus funds are expended. Lancaster asked if a resurfacing
would be sufficient, or if we should resurface and widen. Long suggested not
widening Pierceton Road but complete a 1” resurface and look later at the
possibility of widening. Howie stated that acquisition of right away would
hinder the widening of the road. Lancaster made the motion to have Long do an
engineering work-up/quote as to what the cost would be to resurface Pierceton
Road until we can take on a bigger project. Gooding seconded. Motion was
approved.
Report from Town Attorney:
Mr.
Marshall of Stonehenge made an inquiry asking if he acquired Mr. Hariff’s
property could the Town move the easement. Long sent a design that would work,
however, the easement would go down the west side. Long does not envision any additional
cost with doing this. Long also stated the agreement would be that Mr. Marshall
would not get the north easement if not willing to work with them on the west
easement.
Reports from Supervisors:
Schmitt-stated the Optimist
Triathlon and the 4th of July went well. Schmitt and Allebach
suggested meeting with Ron Donkers and the potential of different bicycle
routes.
Swanson-wanted to thank Hicks for presenting a Fund
Comparison Report. He suggested sending a copy to
John Elliot, Kent Adams, and Jim Walmer.
Lohse-Judy Reneker Byrd is
heading the committee for the community dinner. They had a meeting earlier in
the week and will have minutes available. The community dinner will be held at
Westminster on November 19.
Allebach-just received word that
there will be a meeting tomorrow in regards to the bridge on Park Avenue.
Dennis Fletcher indicated that he will put the replacement on the schedule for
2011. 250 East has all the funding
organized. The road will be milled out. Phend and Brown will hopefully be doing
the mill/resurface the same time they do the U.S. 30 work at 2009 pricing.
Also, tree program is really taking off. He is still getting calls for trees.
Hicks-is working on the budget. She has asked Supervisors to get their requests
in by July 23rd. She will be sending the Excel budget program out to
everyone.
Gooding-appreciates the project
update list. She also inquired about the sidewalks along Chestnut. Allebach
stated they are still on the list, just have been pushed aside temporarily due
to the success of the tree program.
Lancaster-wanted to thank the Park Board and Holly Hummitch
for a great 4th of July Celebration.
Lohse
made a motion to adjourn and Gooding seconded. The motion passed.
Meeting was adjourned
_________________________ ___________________________
TERRY
HOWIE RETHA
S. HICKS
PRESIDENT CLERK-TREASURER