Town Council Minutes - 07-22-02

Greg Baumgartner called the Budget planning meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

• Third planning session for the 2003 budget. The funds reviewed were the Park, L.R.S, M.V.H, C.C.I, and C.C.D. Lee Nisley, Park Board President, announced that the Park budget for 2003 will be $1,000.00 lower than last year. Last years budget for the Park was $41,625.00. The funds for L.R.S. will be divided between the Street and Gravel line items. M.V.H. salaries need to be determined before fund can be budgeted. The L.R.S. and M.V.H. funds are based on a formula by the state and multiplied by the census of the Town for 2000. C.C.I. we will get approximately $3,400.00 and this money is put into the equipment (441)line. In the C.C.D. fund we will have approximately $33,000.00 at the end of the year and will get approximately $10,000.00 for 2003.

Adjourn: Greg Baumgartner made the motion Max Miller seconded and motion carried by a voice vote.

Greg Baumgartner called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

A motion was made by Max Miller to approve the minutes for July 8th, 2002. The motion was seconded by Greg Baumgartner and carried by a voice vote.

• Vickie Archer-to discuss the rust problem in the Town’s water that ruined some of her clothing. Tabled as Ms. Archer was not present at the meeting.

I. Park
• A Form BT-1C application for sales tax was sent out for the park concession stand.

II. Water Superintendent
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that Underground Pipe & Valve had set pumps in at the Forest River lift station and would be back Tuesday or Wednesday July 30th, or 31st, 2002 to hook them up to the control cabinet.
• Superintendent Ben Eldridge informed the Council that he had a meeting with the Fairfield School Superintendent Tom Tumey about the backflow device for the Millersburg Elementary School. He informed Mr. Tunney that the IDEM code says when an update is done; the school must installing a new meter, and a backflow device must be put in at that time. The cost will be approximately $1,500.00. Mr. Tumey agreed to have the backflow device in by the end of September.
• Discuss hydrant rental cost. Ordinance 2002-1 Water Rate Ordinance states that hydrant rental for Municipalities should be $905.35 per hydrant per year, which would cost the Town $57,942.40 per year as the town has 64 hydrants. The town at this time pays $39,500.00 per year. After calling H.J. Umbaugh to confirm that this was where the amount for hydrant rental came from they suggested that the Town of Millersburg set a fixed rate for hydrant rental, as this cost will cause a huge burden on the General Fund. The Clerk/Treasurer was instructed to update the ordinance and present it at the next Council meeting on August 12, 2002.
• Council member Greg Baumgartner asked Superintendent Eldridge what did he found out about the rusty water situation at Mr. Richard Coil’s residents. Superintendent Eldridge answered that hydrant flushing could cause rust if the resident is at the end of the line. Superintendent Eldridge suggested to Mr. Coil that he run the water until it was clear and the Clerk/Treasurer will give him credit for the sewer portion and also Superintendent Eldridge gave an apology for any inconvenience the Town may have cause Mr. Coil. Mr. Coil was satisfied with the solution.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he had called Paul Miller about the tall grass at the new addition. Mr. Miller said that Kurt Kritzman could cut along the fence and Mr. Miller had someone who wanted the rest for hay. Superintendent Eldridge also asked Mr. Miller about the retention ditch and Mr. Miller said he would have it done by July 30th, 2002.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that after flushing the hydrants. Rita owner of Rita’s Café on Benton Street had to change her filters everyday due to iron buildup. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he was going to visit the Town of Milford to see how they handle their iron problems and report back.

III. Wastewater Superintendent
• The letter of intent for the Wastewater Grant has been signed and sent to the Indiana Department of Commerce. Public discussion as advertised in the Goshen News. Amy Miller representing Cornerstone Grant Management was present to discuss what the Town needed to do next in the application process for the Wastewater grant. The next step according to Mrs. Miller was to have a meeting with the Department of Commerce. Mrs. Miller asked the Council about other projects the Town had done or was in the process of doing so she could report that the Town had done large projects in the past. Mrs. Miller informed the Council that the Town needed a resolution stating that the Town would match monies given by the State. Resolution 2002-11 was presented and passed. Greg Baumgartner made the motion to pass the resolution and Max Miller seconded motion was carried by a voice vote. Mrs. Miller also informed the Council that the Town would need a Fair Housing Ordinance and an Economic Development Plan if we didn’t have them already. Mrs. Miller had an example of an ordinance that the Town could copy and use. The Clerk/Treasurer was instructed to copy the ordinance and present to the Council on the next Council meeting on August 12, 2002. Mrs. Miller said she would then have everything she needed to submit the grant by the end of August 2002.

IV. Maintenance Director
• Review Work Orders. Tabled as Mr. Beachy was not present.

V. Marshal
• Kids’ movie night will be on Tuesday July 30th, 2002. A Disney film will be shown. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.

VI. Clerk/Treasurer
• The Clerk/Treasurer received the contract from the Elkhart County Humane Society and the rate has doubled for the contract year 2003 from $1,200.00 to $2,224.00. The new contract was calculated at $4.00 per person over 21 years of age. Millersburg has 556 residents over the age of 21 years. Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that after the Fair he would like to talk to local veterinarians about animal control for the Town of Millersburg. Greg Baumgartner suggested that we ask the Humane Society if we could have more than a one (1) year contract and cost be broken down so the town could budget the cost increase. Marshal Hathaway suggested calling the Critter Control Company about providing animal control for the Town of Millersburg. The Clerk/Treasurer and the Marshal are to check into all possibilities and report back at the next Council meeting on August 12th, 2002.
• Review and amend Personnel Ordinance 2002-9. Read and adopt Ordinance 2002-10. See attached report of changes. Greg Baumgartner made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2002-10 with corrections Max Miller seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.

VII. Old Business
• Council member Greg Baumgartner asked Superintendent Eldridge what was done about the drainage at the Ella Mae Chupp resident. Superintendent Eldridge answered that an exiting manhole was opened by taking the lid off and putting a grate over the hole. Council Greg Baumgartner suggested that Superintendent Eldridge should run water through the manhole to make sure it can be used for a storm sewer drain.

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