Town Council Minutes - 02-11-02

Robert Majdak called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

A motion was made by Robert Majdak to approve the minutes for January 28, 2002. Max Miller seconded the motion and motion was carried by a voice vote.

• Mitch Moser-M & M Security - Presented a proposal for alarm and security systems. The quote was for the Town Hall, Maintenance Building, Water Plant, Wastewater Plant, and the North tower. The quote totaled $16,564.50. After discussion on where to put the central location and what the chain of response would be. The Council asked that they be given more time to review the quote.
• Third reading and adoption of ordinances 2002-1, 2002-2, 2002-3 and 2002-4 concerning water and sewer rate increases. Jeff Rowe with H.J. Umbaugh Associates was asked by Council President Robert Majdak to confirm the new rate increase percentages. Mr. Rowe stated that the water rate would increase 15.7% or on a 5,000 gallon average a month $5.48 per month increase. The sewer rate would increase 17.5% or on a 5,000 gallon average a month $4.88 per month increase. With no other comments or questions each ordinance was voted as follow:

1. Robert Majdak made the motion to accept Water Rate Ordinance 2002-1. Max Miller seconded the motion and motion was carried by a voice vote.
2. Robert Majdak made the motion to accept Water Use Ordinance 2002-2. Max Miller seconded the motion and motion was carried by a voice vote.
3. Robert Majdak made the motion to accept Sewer Rate Ordinance 2002-3. Max Miller seconded the motion and motion was carried by a voice vote.
4. Robert Majdak made the motion to accept Sewer Use Ordinance 2002-4 . Max Miller seconded the motion and motion was carried by a voice vote.

Resident Vickie Miller asked when would the new rates take effect? Council President Robert Majdak informed Mrs. Miller that the new rates would be in effect on the March 1,2002 billing.

I. Park

II. Water Superintendent
• Agreement with Forest River and the Town of Millersburg concerning water and sewer infrastructure at the new plant. Superintendent Ronald Chupp is to follow up on the agreement.
• Superintendent Ronald Chupp reminded the Council of the Wellhead Protection meeting, which will be held on Wednesday February 13th, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.
• Superintendent Chupp informed the Council that Wightman Petrie should have the updated maps on the water and sewer lines finished by April 22nd, 2002.
• The Clerk/Treasurer reported that Paul Miller owner of the Roger Heights 6th Addition did sign the connection fee grandfathering agreement and the waiver of tap fee agreement on February 8th, 2002. See attached copies.

III. Wastewater Superintendent
• Monthly Report-See attached
• Council President Robert Majdak asked Superintendent Ben Eldridge if he had come up with a plan for maintenance of the wastewater plant? Superintendent Eldridge told the Council that he had and the cost to clean and replant the reed beds and empty and repair the large digester would cost approximately $75,000.00.
• Superintendent Eldridge presented a proposal from Beer & Slabaugh, Inc. for removal of the sludge from the reed beds at a cost of $7,200.00. The proposal does not include paying for disposal fees at the Elkhart County Landfill.
• The Town is working with the County to setup a T.I.F. district to cover the cost of repairs to the wastewater plant. A meeting was set up for Wednesday February 13th 2002 at 10:30 a.m. with the Farm Bureau Credit Union to discuss loan options and repayment plans until the T.I.F. tax monies start coming in, which wouldn’t happen for at least a year to a year and a half.
• Council President Robert Majdak has setup a time line and working spreadsheet to follow the project. See attached.

IV. Maintenance Director
• Monthly report-See attached.
• Council President Robert Majdak commended Maintenance Director Abe Beachy on his department’s great job of cleaning up the branches and trees from the ice storm.

V. Marshal
• Monthly Stats: See attached
• Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that he sold the 1990 & 1993 Chevy police cars at the LaGrange auction for $2,200.00. The money will be put into the Marshal’s program fund.

VI. Clerk/Treasurer
• The Clerk/Treasurer would like to attend a Seminar on Wages, Hours & Pay on April 10th, 2002 in Anderson Indiana at the cost of $189.00. The Council approved.

VII. New Business
• The Clerk/Treasurer informed the Council that she had set up the spring cleaning date with Borden Waste Away. The date will be on Tuesday April 9th, 2002. All items that are not normally put out in the weekly trash will be accepted. Any items with feon will cost $20.00 for each item and will be billed on the water bill.
Robert Majdak made the motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Max Miller and was carried by a voice vote.