The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Joy Lohse, Jim Lancaster, Terry Howie and Randy Swanson
ABSENT: Retha Hicks, Larry Long, Pete O’Connell and Sue Gooding
OTHERS PRESENT: Craig Allebach, Mitch Titus, Larry Long, Tim Goshert and Jim Walmer
Opening - Randy Swanson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of minutes – Joy Lohse motioned to accept minutes of June 23rd and June 26th Special and Executive session, motion was seconded by Jim Lancanster. Minutes were approved as written.
o Now to July 18 – MasterWorks Festival
o July 18 – Taste of Winona, WNIT Taping 1-3:00 p.m., “Dinner and a Book”. Brent Wilcoxson shared that there will be eight wineries and six restaurants represented that will offer tastings. WNIT will be interviewing Rebecca Kubacki under the gazebo.
Floor Topics: There were no floor topics.
Ordinance 2009-7-1 Golf Carts – Terry Howie reported that the State has mandated that we regulate the use of golf carts on our city streets. Jim Walmer has downloaded the state statute and wants to compare it to the ordinance. Terry Howie wondered if we should limit the hours of operation, not allowing after dark use. Other communities have required brake lights, turn signals and head lights. Jim Walmer stated that the state statute mandates requiring a driver’s license, proof of financial responsibility and to allow for fines. Paul Schmitt would like to see regulation of operating golf carts at night, not allowing use one-half an hour before dusk until one-half an hour after sunrise unless they have head lights. He would also like to reference Title 9. Brent Wilcoxson asked what the reasoning for this ordinance. Jim Walmer explained that the State passed this statute to allow Cities and Town to regulate the use of golf carts on their streets. The statute contains restrictions that have we must follow. Paul Schmitt explained that without an ordinance from the Town all golf carts operated in Winona Lake are operating illegally as of July 1, 2009. Brent Wilcoxson asked if this State Statute governs our streets. Craig Allebach responded that it does by definition. If we do not have a local ordinance, golf carts are illegal. Brent Wilcoxson asked about Stonehenge and the residents who potentially have golf carts and could ride them to the clubhouse. Should the Town not distinguish the difference there? Also, electric energy is alternative energy; maybe it would be smarter to restrict gas powered vehicles on the street. Craig Allebach responded that Brent’s argument is with the state. Paul Schmitt stated that our hands are tied and we need to pass an ordinance if we want to allow golf carts on our streets. Brent Wilcoxson asked why the Town did not want to allow Stonehenge residents to return from dinner on their golf carts. He also noted that the Triathlon people use golf carts for their events. Terry Howie responded that they need to be equipped with lights to drive after dark. Jim Walmer stated that if someone had an issue they should take it up with their State representative as it is a state statute. Terry asked if the Council wanted to table the Ordinance. Craig Allebach asked the Council if they wanted to do the Ordinance simple or do they want to be more restrictive with the night time driving? Jim Walmer can bring the Ordinance in two forms for the next meeting and let the Council decide if they want to be more restrictive. Randy Swanson moved that the Ordinance be tabled and Joy Lohse seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report from Town Engineer: Larry Long has been working on the Heritage Lake Trail parking lots, storm drainage on Short Street and the Wooster Road pumping station. He has also been working with Craig in regards to Pierceton Road and Kings Highway and the stimulus program. Terry Howie asked if Pete O’Connell had spoken to him about the hole in W. Canal St. Larry Long was not aware of it. Craig Allebach will check into the situation.
Report from Town Attorney: Jim Walmer is still working on Stonehenge issues, but progress is slow. He is trying to set up and meeting with Eldon and Town supervisors.
Reports from Supervisors:
Paul – Is getting ready to send in a grant request for $18,000 for new portable and mobile radios. The Police will be required by 2013 to have narrow band radios. Paul has put in the budget request for these radios and we will know by September 1 whether we need to leave that amount in the budget. There is no match for the grant and it will include installation of the equipment. If we do not receive the grant the Town will have to spend the money on this equipment. Paul felt that all the events went very well and they received a thank you letter from the Optimist Club regarding the Triathlon.
Mitch – has spoken with Bambi Roofing requesting a quote for the roof. The ladder truck needed some minor repair and should be operational this week.
Jim Lancaster shared with the Council a write up about Winona Lake in the Indianapolis Monthly that was very nice.
Craig – is working on the new greenway and will be sending out designs in the next couple of weeks. Council can look at an agreement at the next meeting. This would be phase 4 of the trail with section “A” of the trail running from the Boys Club to Grace campus and the “B” section from Miller field to Lakeland Christian Academy. Craig requested from the consultant a design for both “A” and “B” sections in order to save money. He is trying to obtain stimulus money and will also apply for a grant for phase 4 B. Craig’s goal is to be “shovel ready” when he goes to INDOT with both sections to be completed by 2012. He sent information to Larry Long about the parking lot and the end of the greenway on Roy Street and on Boys City Dr. for Larry to use as a template in working with INDOT. He is also working on putting a stripe down the middle of the green way as well as a protected area on Roy Street that leads into Bibler Park. Craig will send the Council a sketch of the area on Roy and Faunn Streets. Craig also talked about the need to add additional parking spaces across Ft Wayne Street. Jim Lancaster wondered about the use of permeable pavers in the area due to the moisture. Craig received a call from Larry Brown reminding him that they have permeable asphalt and concrete in regards to the Stonehenge project. Jim Lancaster suggested that pavers might look nice in the parking lot here since we have used pavers in the display out front. Craig received a request from Dick Leaf for a vacation for Lew Mackey for a small strip of land. Craig wanted to know what the Council thought before Mr. Mackey pursued the matter. Jim Lancaster reported that there are now markers on the trail so if someone were to get lost it would help them. Craig has placed maps at the head of the greenway and the mile markers will be added to the map. Jim Lancaster shared that the local bike group is trying to organize their own adventure race and could then invest the earnings back in to the trails.
Terry Howie shared that Al Disbro took about 1200 pictures of our July 4th activities. Terry would like to do something for Al. Terry asked the Council to think about doing something for him. Craig shared that he provided some software for him. Craig will talk with Al and let the Council know the results of that conversation.
Joy Lohse made a motion to adjourn and Jim Lancaster seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Meeting was adjourned
_________________________ ___________________________
TERRY HOWIE RETHA S. HICKS
PRESIDENT CLERK-TREASURER