The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 in the Town Hall at 7:00 a.m.

 

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:             Joy Lohse, Sue Gooding, Jim Lancaster, Terry Howie

 

ABSENT:                                           Randy Swanson and Paul Schmitt

                                   

 

OTHERS PRESENT:                         Craig Allebach, Retha Hicks, Larry Long,                                                                             Pete O’Connell, and Mitch Titus

 

Opening

 Lancaster opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Approval of minutes – Howie would like it noted that he abstained from voting on the approval of Howie Heating and Cooling to fix the Street Department air conditioning. Gooding would like the correction of spelling of the name “Harroff”. Lancaster motioned to accept minutes with changes, motion was seconded by Lohse. Minutes were approved.

       

“Winona Happenings”

            July 31, 8:00 a.m. – Duck & Run 5K Run/Walk

            July 31, 11:00 a.m. – Duck Race in Canal

            August 5-7 – Dog Days of Summer

            August 13, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Business Technology Expo at OCC

            August 13 – Village at Winona Arts Walk

            August 21 – Antique Car Festival

 

Floor Topics: 

 

Petition for Vacation of Right-of Way: A representative of 208 Chestnut is requesting a strip of ground be vacated which the current homeowners believed to be their property. This strip of land is the current driveway for 208 Chestnut.  Ordinance 2010-7-1 stating the request for vacation of the ground between 208 and 304 Chestnut as it has been presented on survey, noting the Town will still maintain the standard right-of-way (sidewalk and street). Lohse made a motion to approve Ordinance 2010-7-1 on first reading, Lancaster seconded. Lancaster motioned to approve Ordinance 2010-7-1 on second reading, Lohse seconded. Motion was approved.

 

Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation: A representative of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), formerly Kosciusko Development, Inc. (KDI), gave a presentation on what they are doing to help continue to improve the community and promote growth of businesses within the community.  The purpose of KEDC is to work with companies to help them prosper and grow in Kosciusko County. They also work to attract new investments to our community. KEDC is a resource which can provide information, assistance, and networking necessary to assist existing and new businesses achieve their goals.

 

Fire Prevention Code:  Ed Brown had previously presented an updated Fire Prevention Code. Changes reflecting grammatical errors have been made. Gooding made a motion to send the Fire Prevention provisions to Walmer to refine and put into ordinance form for the Town. Lohse seconded. Motion was approved.

 

Report from Town Engineer: Larry Long presented aerial photos depicting the section of Pierceton Road, between Packerton Road and 250 East, where resurfacing and patching have been suggested. Long showed there are a few highly deteriorated areas of road and suggested these areas be cut out before resurfacing.  Long stated the resurfacing of this section would have a ten-year life. The cost estimate of the project is $128,800. This estimate is based upon the $66/ton contract we have for current streets. Long suggested that bidding the project out separately may save money. He foresees this project being finished within this calendar year.   Long asked for authorization to advertise for bids with bidding opening August 24th.  Lancaster moved to accept the estimate and proceed with the bid process for the Pierceton Road resurfacing project. Lohse seconded. Motion was approved.

 

Reports from Supervisors:

Mitch-The transmission went out on the current Fire Chief truck and the cost of replacement is greater than the value of the vehicle. He is requesting up to $50,000 for a new truck to be used as a rescue truck/first responder vehicle. Purchasing this new vehicle will reduce engine cost for next year. Lancaster made a motion for Titus to pursue looking for a dedicated rescue vehicle, not to exceed cost of $50,000, and the commitment of $5,000 earnest money to hold the vehicle while coming back to the Council to secure funding. Gooding seconded the motion. Motion was approved.

Titus is also looking into replacement of non-functioning tornado sirens. He believes it would be cheaper to buy new sirens, therefore, is looking at the possibility of a grant for this purchase.

Lohse-questioned the cost of $1,550 for removal of two trees from the north side of the Fire Department. Allebach stated the trees are dead and are a hazard. O’Connell received three quotes regarding removal and grinding of the stumps. Atkins Tree Service had the best bid of $1,550. Howie motioned to proceed with the removal of trees from the Fire Department as soon as possible. Gooding seconded. Motion was approved.

Allebach-and Long met with Dennis Fletcher about the bridge replacement for 2011. They discussed different options for widening the area. There is a possibility of a different design for the bridge.  A culvert would be installed and there would be grass on both sides and a street look.  Then the town would install a rail or possibly benches on the sides of the bridge.

Allebach is still waiting to hear back in regards to funding for 250 East.

Howie-visited the Arnolt property recently. He spoke with Mike Arnolt in regards to possibly utilizing the property for a park. Mr. Arnolt would like the Council and Mr. Leaf to view to property and give suggestions for its use.

Hicks-had the audit exit interview this past week. The auditor would like the LEL’s be treated as contractors. Hicks has a call into a financial firm that will help with this transition process. Hicks also stated that it is budget season and distributed a budget calendar. She has a budget workshop with a DLGF representative this Thursday.

Lancaster-shared that he will be relocating to the Netherlands. He has taken an international assignment with Biomet. He will be submitting his resignation soon as he will be leaving August 6.

 

Approval of Claims Vouchers-Gooding made a motion to approve the voucher listing and Lancaster seconded. The motion was approved.

 

Lohse made a motion to adjourn and Gooding seconded. The motion passed.

 

Meeting was adjourned

 

 

 

_________________________                                  ___________________________

TERRY HOWIE                                              RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT                                                                CLERK-TREASURER