The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday,
August 10, 2010, in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Joy Lohse, Sue Gooding, Terry Howie, Randy Swanson
ABSENT: Paul Schmitt
OTHERS PRESENT: Craig Allebach, Retha Hicks, Larry Long,
Pete O’Connell, Mitch Titus, and Jim Walmer
Opening
Allebach opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of minutes – Gooding motioned to accept minutes, motion was seconded by Lohse. Minutes were approved as written.
August 13 – Village at Winona Arts Walk
August 17 – First Day of School for Warsaw Community Schools
August 21 – Antique Car Festival
Floor Topics: Mr. and Mrs. Randy Lowe, 2104 Eastwood Rd.,
are questioning if there is a master plan to carry out the development of a
sewer system around the entire lake. Mr.
and Mrs. Lowe are interested in seeing their property enhance in value. They also questioned why Stonehenge sewer was completed
before the lake received sewer service. Howie
explained that the developer of Stonehenge paid for the whole system at no cost
to the town. He also reassured Mr. Lowe
that we are in negotiations with Warsaw in developing a sewer system. Mr. Lowe questioned
the time frame as to when this would be completed. Howie did not want to hazard
a guess as to how long this may take to implement, however, stated that it was
his personal opinion that Mr. Lowe could have his neighbors bring a petition
before the Council so they may recognize their urgency for a sewer system.
Lohse stated that she is a major advocate for a sewer system. She stated that
it is something the Council would like to encourage people to explore. She
suggested getting people in their neighborhood to approach or write Council and
show their interest. Mr. Lowe stated that he is walking away knowing the
Council is in favor of a sewer system, they are currently in negotiations with
Warsaw, and he needs to get his neighbors on board.
Petition for Vacation of Alleyway: Mr. Paul Refior, representing Mr. and Mrs. Lew
Mackey, is requesting the vacation of the L-shaped alleyway located on the
Mackey property. The alley has never
been used and no future use is foreseen.
Mr. and Mrs. Mackey would like to combine their lots on a deed to
reflect their single parcel of property; not reflecting a deeded alleyway. Long suggested Mr. Refior clarifiy his wording
in the Petition for Vacation so that it is better defined. Walmer suggested Mr. Refior then submit a
refined copy to Long. Swanson made a
motion to accept the vacation with changes noted by the Town Engineer and Town
Attorney and return to the next meeting for final approval. Lohse seconded. Motion was approved.
Resolution 2010-8-1 Transfer of Monies: Hicks stated that in December, 2009 we paid
off the Redevelopment Bond. The monies
were going into a fund used to make the payments to that bond. We currently have a fund, Winona Lake
Redevelopment District Capital Fund. Hicks
felt the monies would be better suited in this fund. We would zero out the Bond Fund and transfer
all monies into the Capital Fund. These
monies are Bond Fund money remaining after the December, 2009 payoff that we
would now be using for Capital projects. These are monies the Redevelopment
Commission would have access to. Howie
asked if the Redevelopment Commission would have to come back to the Council
for approval to expend these funds. Hicks stated that it would not matter what
fund these monies were in, this is not relevant to the transfer. Allebach
stated that they have previously expended monies without any Council approval. Swanson
made a motion to pass Resolution 2010-8-1, Transfer of Monies. Gooding seconded. Motion was approved.
Howie noted that due
to the recent resignation of the Vice President of the Town Council, there is a
need to fill the position. Swanson
motioned to nominate Gooding for Vice President. Lohse seconded the motion. Motion was approved.
Report from Town Engineer: Long reported that he has placed stakes on the lawns of “Lawn of the
Courts”, which Allebach requested, in order to identify the alleyways and to
differentiate what has and has not been vacated. He has provided Allebach and O’Connell with these
drawings. Long provided Hicks with an
advertisement to place for the Pierceton Road project this evening.
Report from Town Attorney: Walmer reported that he had spoken with Steve Snyder on the Stonehenge
project. He was questioning whether Mr.
Marshall thought the easement we proposed for the north side of his property
was acceptable. Mr. Snyder stated that
Mr. Marshall is on vacation and he has left a message with him and has not
received a return call. Walmer also
stated that he has spoken with Mr. Stoops and there are some questions to
address on this issue.
Allebach had sent
some revisions for the Fire Prevention Code. Walmer is currently working on these materials
and hopes to have a model ordinance ready for the next meeting.
Swanson mentioned he
received a call from Brent Wilcoxson questioning the painting of the curbs within
the Town. Wilcoxson does not want the
curbs to be painted in The Village or the Town. O’Connell stated the main reason for painting
curbs is a safety issue. This helps
prevent people from parking right up to the corner. Allebach stated there is a state statute
clarifying no parking within 20 feet of an intersection. Yellow curbs are the standard to designate “no
parking”.
Reports from Supervisors:
Pete-The Street Department has a blown motor in
one of their leaf machines and is down to only one machine. O’Connell stated
that he has found some good prices for the purchase of a new leaf machine.
Lohse made a motion to accept the price of $29,950 from Brown Equipment &
Company, Inc. for the purchase of a new leaf machine. Gooding seconded the
motion. The motion was approved.
Craig-received a letter from the consultant on the 250 East project to send to INDOT. He stated that we are close to commencement.
Mitch-stated that he is going to Indianapolis on Saturday to look at a rescue truck. The truck is a 2002 550 Crew Cab with 11,000 miles for $35,000. Titus also stated that he will be placing a reserve on the old ladder truck and putting it in the county auction. Gooding motioned that if the reserve is not met, Titus has the decision to accept the highest bid at the auction. Lohse seconded. Motion was approved.
Hicks-reminded everyone the Budget Workshop is for Wednesday, August 11, at 7 p.m.
Gooding-asked O’Connell to replace the tree that has been cut down by the Street Department with one of the Tree Program trees.
Howie-asked O’Connell to check the property at the corner of 14th and Chestnut. It needs mowed. Also, Howie has the keys to the Arnolt property. Mike Arnolt requested anyone interested in seeing the property do so with Howie present.
Approval of Claims
Vouchers-Gooding made a motion to approve the voucher listing and Lohse
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