Town Council Minutes - 05-13-02


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

A motion was made by Robert Majdak to approve the minutes for April 22nd, 2002. The motion was seconded by Greg Baumgartner and carried by a voice vote.

• James Frazell representing Triad was present to discuss the income survey. Mr. Frazell informed the Council that the income survey came back low (49%) it was so close that Mr. Frazell called Mr. Hornsby at Ball State and asked him to call a few more homes, after which the survey meet the 51% requirement for eligibility for Federal grants. Mrs. Amy Miller from Cornerstone Grant Management presented the Council with a proposal for a grant from the Department of Commerce for engineering cost to investigate the infiltration problem at the WWTP. A time-line was presented-See the attached document. Council member Greg Baumgartner asked what the Town’s commitment would be for the grant? Mrs. Miller answered that the Town would need to match 10% of the $30,000.00. A letter of intent was approved and signed by the Council. Council President Robert Majdak suggested that Superintendent Eldridge, Mr. Frazell and himself get together and brainstorm to try and come up with a solution. A work session meeting was set for Wednesday May 22nd, 2002 at 11:00 a.m.
• Paul Miller developer of the Blessing Street project was present to answer questions about the drainage problem on Larimer Street. Resident Jim Winkler informed the Council that he had been concerned about the runoff since day one of the new addition going in. Larimer Street also gets the runoff from the Cook Station Park, causing flooding. Mr. Winkler suggested that maybe the Park needs a catch basin. Mr. Winkler asked the Council for the long term what would be done to fix the problem and who will maintain it? Resident Jerry Haas told the Council that dirt from the addition washes into his driveway and wanted to know what the long-term fix will be. Resident Doug Sherman also asked the same question was the ditch at the addition going to be fixed to hold storm water? Council President Robert Majdak told the residents that he would talk to the Park Board about the storm water from the Park. Council member Greg Baumgartner suggested that the culvert be cleaned and the road graded so storm water would run on the other side of Larimer Street. Paul Miller told the residents and the Council that he would have Brooks Construction out as soon as the ground dried up some to open the culvert, put down something to stop the water and finish the retention area toward Cripe Street. A couple of the culvert pipes are 6” in size it was suggested that they be changed to 12” to handle the flow of storm water. President Robert Majdak suggested to Maintenance Director Abe Beachy gets quotes for opening the swale along Larimer on the West Side down to Maple and fixes the culverts. President Majdak had checked the storm sewer in that area and it was in good shape.
• Council President Robert Majdak reflected on the way the water tower was shutdown (2) years ago and the way it was shutdown this month. He told the public that a team luncheon was held on May 2nd, 2002 to honor the team for a successful project. Superintendent Ben Eldridge was presented a plaque from President Majdak for the good job he did with the planning and execution of the project.
• Resident Theresa Roth was present to ask the Council if the alley that runs along the School playground and to the maintenance building could be paved? Mrs. Roth is going to put a double wide on a foundation and will be entering into her drive from that alley, which is in bad shape. Council President Majdak informed Mrs. Roth that the money for paving alleys might not be there this year due to tax cuts by the State. Maintenance Director Abe Beachy is to get a quote for paving the rest of the Town’s alleys. The cost will determine if the alleys will be paved this year.


I. Park


II. Water Superintendent
• Monthly report-See attached
• Council President Robert Majdak asked Superintendent Ben Eldridge what our arsenic levels where in our water supply? Superintendent Eldridge answered that we are over the new limits set by IDEM, but he would make effects to get the level lower.


III. Wastewater Superintendent

• Monthly report-See attached
• After researching the finances the Clerk/Treasurer concluded that the only money available for the electric hookup to the Forest River lift station would have to come from the TIF loan. There will be approximately $10,000.00 available. NIPSCO quoted the job at a total of $9,344.95 to be paid in advance of work beginning. After NIPSCO receives payment it will take approximately three weeks to start the job. The Council will meet with Forest River on Friday May 17th, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at the Town Hall for a work session.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that Wise Electric has been out and hooked up the meter to the Forest River lift station.
• Sign contract with NIPSCO for hookup at the Forest River lift station. Robert Majdak made the motion to accept the NIPSCO contract seconded by Greg Baumgartner and carried by a voice vote.


IV. Maintenance Director
• Monthly report-See attached
• Discuss drainage problem at 223 N. Depot Street. Maintenance Director Abe Beachy informed the Council that the plastic pipes underneath the driveway may have collapsed causing the storm water to backup. The Clinton Township Fire Department was called by Director Beachy to try blowing water through the pipe, which was not successful. Clerk/Treasurer Wanda Chupp called the landlord Manases Hershberger about tearing up the driveway, Mr. Hershberger told the Clerk to do what was needed. Director Beachy told the Council that he would dig up the area the week of May 13th, 2002 and see what the problem may be.


V. Marshal
• Monthly Stats-See attached
• Update on security system. Between the EDIT and CCI fund there will be approximately $23,800.00 available for the security system. Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that he would proceed with the security system as quoted. M&M Security quoted the total system at $19,516.66.
• Discussion of the personal policy. Discuss Drug policy. Marshal Hathaway presented a short drug policy for the Town; Council member Greg Baumgartner suggested that a prescription drug section be added to the ordinance. Marshal Hathaway will provide that for the Clerk/Treasurer to add to the Ordinance 2002-9. Robert Majdak made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2002-9 with the amendment for a prescription drug policy Greg Baumgartner seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.
• Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that the new repeater has been installed and is running great. Marshal Hathaway thanked Maintenance Director Abe Beachy and assistant Jack Lantz for moving the cables down lower on the tower for easier access to the repeater. They also saved the Town a lot of money by doing the job themselves. The Marshal also thanked Abe for putting up the brackets for the new flags in the meeting room.
• Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that he has “No Parking” signs to put up in areas that get congested during the annual garage sale. The areas most affected are in Timber Valley Estates and on Larimer Street.


VI. Clerk/Treasurer
• The Clerk/Treasurer would like to take Friday May 17th, 2002 off for a vacation day. Council approved.
• The Clerk/Treasurer will be attending a budget workshop on May 22nd, 2002 at the County offices.
• The next Council meeting will be held on Tuesday May 28th, 2002, as Monday May 27th, 2002 is Memorial Day.
• A letter was received from Bordens, the trash pickup will be on Wednesday May 29th, 2002 due to Monday May 27th being Memorial Day.
• Excess Levy Ordinance 2002-8 was discussed and tabled.


VII. New Business
• Discussion on redistricting wards for the Town of Millersburg. Tabled until more information was available.

Max Miller made the motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Robert Majdak and was carried by a voice vote.