The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Tuesday,

December 27, 2011 in the Town Hall at 7:00 a.m.

 

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:             Sue Gooding, Terry Howie, Bruce Shaffner and Randy Swanson

 

ABSENT:                                           Joy Lohse                               

 

OTHERS PRESENT:                         Craig Allebach, Retha Hicks, 

                                                            Pete O’Connell, Paul Schmitt, Mitch Titus,

                                                            Jim Walmer

 

Opening

 

Jerry Nelson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Approval of minutes – Shaffner motioned to accept the minutes as presented. Howie seconded. Motion passed.

 

“Winona Happenings”

             January 1, 1:00 p.m. – Frigid 5K (start at YMCA)

 

Amendment to Resolution 2011-11-2 Fixing the Salaries of Town Employees: Allebach stated there was an error on the original resolution regarding the Building Commissioner’s salary. The rate was listed as $19.50/hr and should have been listed as $23.02/hr. Also, Allebach spoke with Kent Adams, Clerk-Treasurer elect, and would like to add a Deputy Clerk-Treasurer position with a rate of $16.96/hr. Howie motioned to accept the changes to Resolution 2011-11-2. Shaffner seconded. Motion passed.

 

Resolution 2011-12-2 Approval of Employment of Employee: Kent Adams, Clerk-Treasurer elect, has made a recommendation to hire Cindy Nolton effective January 1, 2012. He also recommends she be paid $16.96/hr with the waiver of the normal policy of the 80%/90% phase in. She would start January 1 with the rate of $16.96/hr. Swanson motioned to adopt Resolution 2011-12-2 Approval of Employment of Employee. Howie seconded. Motion passed.

 

Ordinance 2011-12-3 Approval of Transfer of Funds: Hicks stated this resolution is transferring the appropriations of cost centers. Howie motioned to approve the ordinance on first reading.  Shaffner seconded. Motion passed. Howie motioned to approve Ordinance 2011-12-3 Transfer of Funds. Shaffner seconded. Motion passed.

 

Fire Department Invoice: Hicks stated the fire department presented an invoice from Hoosier Fire Equipment for a camera for $5,283. Gooding stated the department was approved to spend up to $6,000 from the Donation Fund for equipment. Howie motioned to approve the fire department invoice for $5,283 for a camera to be taken from the donation fund. Shaffner seconded. Motion passed.

 

 

 

Reports from Supervisors:

 

O’Connell: O’Connell stated they are picking up brush and Christmas trees.

Schmitt: Leeper graduated last Thursday from the Law Enforcement Academy. Schmitt stated he finished 5th in his class.

 

Allebach: Allebach stated they are leaning towards January to apply for the LARE (sp?) grant to clean up Cherry Creek.

 

Hicks: Hicks stated she sent out a fund report. She also sent out a fund comparison report to help the Council in their decisions. She wanted to give the Council an idea of the ebb and flow of the revenue and expenditures. Hicks thanked the residents for allowing her to serve them for her term of office. She stated she has enjoyed working with the employees, staff, and supervisors. She stated that we have been a team and we never said “that’s not my job”, if something came up, “we just did it”.

 

Swanson: Swanson asked about the wastewater fund account balances. He asked if these account balances reflect billings and residential collections for the entire year. Hicks stated she would check with the utility clerk to see if all revenue to date has been updated.

 

Howie: Howie thanked the townspeople for allowing him to serve the past four years. He stated he will be available if anyone has any questions or concerns.

 

Shaffner: Shaffner thanked the outgoing Council; Howie, Gooding, and Lohse. He also stated he looks forward to working with the new Council and Clerk-Treasurer.

 

Gooding: Gooding stated there was a question of whether or not we could appropriate the money Hicks contributed to the donation policy for a specific use. Gooding stated she contacted Walmer and he stated we could not retroactively earmark money that has been donated.

Gooding stated there was a mistake made at the last meeting. She stated the appointment to the Economic Redevelopment Commission is a presidential appointment, not a Council appointment. She stated she has spoken to Al Disbro. He has been on this Commission for 25 years. Gooding made an appointment of herself to the Economic Redevelopment Commission.

Gooding stated this has been an interesting and good experience. She appreciates all the different areas of expertise and the knowledge gained.

 

Jerry Nelson asked when sewer books would be issued. Hicks stated they would be in the mail this week.

 

Approval of Vouchers: Howie motioned to approve the vouchers as presented. Shaffner seconded. Motion passed.

 

Allebach recognized Hicks for her eighteen years of service to the Town. He presented her with a plaque.

 

Swearing In of 2012 Elected Officials: Walmer performed the swearing in ceremony for Greg Winn, Philip Hood, Jon Boal, Bruce Shaffner, and Randolph Swanson as Town Council.

Walmer performed the swearing in ceremony for Kent Adams as Clerk-Treasurer.

Howie motioned to adjourn. Swanson seconded.

Meeting was adjourned

 

 

_________________________                                  ___________________________

SUE GOODING                                                        RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT                                                              CLERK-TREASURER