The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 in the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.   Councilpersons noted as present or absent:

 

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

 

ABSENT:                              

 

OTHERS PRESENT:            Craig Allebach, Pete O’Connell, Paul Schmitt, Mitch Titus, Jim Walmer, Larry Long

 

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

 

Minutes:

 Joy Lohse made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 27, 2007 Council Meeting.   Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Jerry Clevenger made a motion to approve the minutes of the Executive Meeting held on November 27th.  Joy Lohse seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

 “Winona Happenings”

            December 12 to January 1 – Musical Christmas Tree Display at 902 Wooster Rd.

 

Floor Topics:

            There were no floor topics.

 

Fire Territory Financial Presentation:

            Jim Higgins from London Witte gave an informational presentation on fire territories.  The goal of fire territories is to share costs, reduce response times and increase the training and safety within fire departments.  All entities entering into an agreement must pass identical resolutions or ordinances.  One of the entities will serve as the “provider unit”.  That entity is responsible for running the fire territory and the funds involved.  The funds are generated mainly through property taxes.  Equipment and assets could be shared with all entities but do not have to be.  Current debts would not be shared.  Jim Higgins presented an example of a territory that would consist of the Warsaw, Winona Lake and Wayne Township fire departments.  In that scenario, the Town of Winona Lake would see increased costs.  It is possible that individual insurance rates would decrease though. 

            Mitch Titus asked what the reasoning was for looking into a fire territory.  He said the fire department has been left out of any discussions.  Joy Lohse explained that the Council is just being diligent in looking at all options and possibilities to determine what is best for Winona Lake residents.  This is simply an informational presentation to gather facts so decisions can be made. 


 

Stonehenge Streets:

            Larry Long has completed his study of the streets in Stonehenge.  The Council has also completed a site visit.  Everyone realizes that the streets are bad and need to be repaired.  The Town does not have the money to do this project at one time.  Craig stated that there are two issues; does the Council wish to do the project; and if it does, then how to proceed?   The project could be done over many years or a bond could be issued.  If it is done over several years, the costs of the project will increase and other streets that need repairs will most likely take a backseat to the Stonehenge streets.  If the project is financed with a bond issue, MVH funds would be freed up for other street projects.  Joy Lohse stated that this will be a huge expense, but the streets need to be repaired and the Town needs to take care of it.  Dave Delp noted that this is a unique situation, but when the Town annexed Stonehenge, the streets were accepted and he agreed with Joy that they do need to be repaired.  Pierceton Road, especially between 250 East and Packerton Road needs an upgrade and it could be included in this project.  Jeff Carroll made a motion to repair the streets and to proceed with a bond issue to finance the project.  Jerry Clevenger seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Retha will proceed with the bond issue.  Craig asked Larry Long to get some quotes for Pierceton Road.

 

Resolution 2007-12-1 Transfer of Monies:

            This is a transfer of $135,000 from the Wastewater Fund to the General Fund to cover the cash flow.  The money will be repaid as soon as possible.  Joy Lohse made a motion to transfer the money between funds.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Resolution 2007-12-2 Christmas Bonus:

            This is a resolution for the annual bonus paid to Town employees and has been budgeted for in the 2007 budget. Jeff Carroll made a motion to approve the bonus.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Resolution 2007-12-3 Fixing Salaries of Town Employees:

            This resolution is for a 3% wage increase for the office staff and the building commissioner.  It has been budgeted for.  Jerry Clevenger made a motion to approve the increase in wages.  Joy Lohse seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Ordinance 2007-12-4 Fixing Salaries of Certain Employees:

            This is the salary ordinance for the clerk-treasurer, town coordinator, police officers, town council, and park board.  Joy Lohse made a motion to consider this ordinance for passage on the first reading.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Joy Lohse then made a motion to approve Ordinance 2007-12-4.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Resolution 2007-12-5 Mutual Aid Agreement:

            This is an agreement at the request of Paul Schmitt, between the Town and the Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency where the Agency would assist the Town in the event of a natural or man-made disaster emergency.  Rolly Ortega made a motion to approve this resolution.  Joy Lohse seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Paul Schmitt is working on other agreements, specifically with the City of Warsaw to assist each other in emergencies.  He stated that they help each other out now, but nothing is in writing. 


 

250 East Change Orders:

            Craig presented several change orders for the 250 East project.  Change Order #1 was previously approved and deals with matching up the new road with the old road west of 250 East on Pierceton Road.  It is an increase of $14,594.20.  Change Order #2 is for added signage at the worksite that is required to be placed.  It is an increase of $1,257.  Change Order #3 is a decrease of ($1,524) for work that does not need to be done.  Change Order #4 involves changes in field tile risers, slope and modifications to an inlet.  Change Order #5 deals with temporary pavement markings to be placed for the winter. This is an increase of $2,239.54.  The total for all these change orders is an increase of $18,274.98.  Jerry Clevenger made a motion to approve the change orders.  Jeff Carroll seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  County Road 250 East is now open for the winter months.  Phend & Brown will be back in February or March to continue the work.  Craig said they will start at the intersection of US 30 at that time.

 

Report from Town Engineer:

            Larry Long had nothing to report.

 

Report from Town Attorney:

            Jim Walmer has been looking over the personnel policies of the police department.  Paul Schmitt is cleaning up a lot of the policies.  Jim stated that he should be finished with it and have it ready for approval by the next meeting. 

 

Reports from Supervisors:

            Permit Refund:  A resident recently applied for and paid for permits for a new home.  He paid $200 each for the building permit and sewer tap fees, and $3,500 for sewer construction fees.  The resident is not going to build at this time and has requested a refund of those fees.  Dick has spent some time on the issue and prepared paperwork for the BZA relating to the issue, but no inspections have been made.  Joy Lohse made a motion to return the fees minus $50 for Dick’s time.  Jerry Clevenger seconded the motion.  The motion passed. 

            Local Government Reform:  A report by the Committee on Local Government Reform was received from the Governor’s Office.  Copies were given to the Council.

            Street Department:  The street department has been working on clearing the streets of ice.  They have used four loads of salt already this year.  If the weather clears up, they will get back to the leaf pickup.  There are still a lot of leaves to be picked up. 

            Meeting Dates:  Retha stated that an executive session is needed.  The Council will check their schedules and they will try to set a time when everybody can attend.  The last Council meeting of the year will be on Friday, December 28th at 7:00 a.m.

           

 The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

_________________________                                  ___________________________

DAVE DELP                                                             RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT                                                              CLERK-TREASURER