The Town Council of Winona Lake, Indiana met in a regular session on Friday, December 28, 2007 in the Town Hall at 7:00 a.m.   Councilpersons noted as present or absent:

 

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

 

ABSENT:                               Jeff Carroll

 

OTHERS PRESENT:            Craig Allebach, Pete O’Connell, Paul Schmitt

 

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 December 11, 2007 Council Meeting and the Executive Session held on December 17, 2007.  Rolly Ortega seconded the motion.  The motion passed. 

 

 “Winona Happenings”

            January 24, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.- “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”

            Workshop at Orthopedic Capital Center, Grace College

 

Floor Topics:

            There were no floor topics.

 

Police Department Policy and Procedures:

            Paul Schmitt has been updating the policy.  It has not been updated in a number of years.  Jim Walmer is also looking at the policy.  Paul presented a Ride Along Policy for the Council to review.  This is a set of rules that anybody who rides with a police officer must sign.  Jerry Clevenger stated that from an insurance point of view, he would prefer the Town have a no ride along policy.  There was some discussion on the issue.  It was decided to table the issue until the next meeting.  Retha had a concern of the officers being referred to as policemen rather than the official title of “deputy marshals”, etc. because of legal issues.

 

Reports from Supervisors:

            Dredging:  Craig has received one quote for dredging the canal and will be calling another company to get a second quote.  Dredging is planned for the spring before piers are installed.  

            Police Department:  Paul Schmitt has ordered a new police vehicle.  It is a Dodge Charger.  He does not know when it will be delivered. 

            Street Department:  Christmas tree pick up has started.  Residents can have live trees picked up by placing them at the curb.

            Thank You:  Joy Lohse thanked Jerry Clevenger and Rolly Ortega for all of their work on the Council for the past eight years.  This is their last meeting as Council members.

            Jerry Clevenger summarized the work of the Council for the past eight years:

      • The format of the Council meetings was changed.  An agenda was added, and meetings started with prayer and a list of upcoming events.
      • A Town Manager was hired.
      • The Community Building was renovated to become a Senior Center.
      • Severn Trent was hired to take over the street department.
      • Taxes were higher in Winona Lake than in Warsaw, but now taxes are lower.
      • The Council was instrumental in reclaiming the Gatke dump site with the cooperation of Grace College.
      • The Heritage Trail was planned and constructed.
      • Several street projects were completed.
      • Streetlights have started to be replaced with decorative lights.
      • A sewer rehab project was completed.
      • Several upgrades were made to the fire department and equipment.
      • Changes were made in the police department.
      • The issue was resolved regarding the Lion’s Club building sitting on a public right-of-way.
      • The issue of 800 Park Avenue was resolved.
      • The ownership of the canal was resolved.

Jerry Clevenger noted that a tremendous amount of time and resources were spent resolving some of these issues.  He stated that Craig Allebach is one of the greatest assets of the Town. Pete O’Connell is a great guy on the team, thanked Paul Schmitt for coming out of retirement to become the town marshal, Dick Leaf works hard behind the scenes, and Retha Hicks is a very special and knowledgeable public servant. 

            Rolly Ortega stated that the Town is a better place than it was eight years ago.  It is not just because of the Council or employees, but the entire town has made Winona Lake a better place to live.  Both Rolly Ortega and Jerry Clevenger plan to stay involved.  Dave Delp stated that the Council makes the best decision they can, but will never please all the people. 

            Wastewater Coupon Books:  Retha stated that the 2008 wastewater coupon books are being mailed out.  There will now be several options for making payments.  New payment options for residents include making payments on the internet by going to www.winonalake.net and following the instructions, or having direct payments done by their bank.  Retha also noted that trash pick-up will be delayed by one day next week because of the New Year’s holiday.  Trash normally picked up on Tuesday, will be picked up on Wednesday, and Thursday’s trash pick-up will be picked up on Friday.

            New Council Members:  The next Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m.  New Council members will be sworn in at that time.

 

The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

_________________________                                  ___________________________

DAVE DELP                                                             RETHA S. HICKS

PRESIDENT                                                              CLERK-TREASURER