Town Council Minutes - 08-12-02

Robert Majdak called the Budget planning meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

• Last planning session for the 2003 budget. Set public hearing date of August 26th, 2002 and adoption date of September 9th, 2002. All funds were reviewed and line (457 Street) for $5,400.00 was added to the M.V.H fund because the Clerk/Treasurer missed a correction made by the Tax Commission field representative George Helton. Robert Majdak made the motion to amend the budget for the M.V.H. fund Greg Baumgartner seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote. The proposed salary increase was for 5% for the 2003 budget year. Council member Greg Baumgartner suggested that he would like for the Council to conduct a review on each individual employee before the salary ordinance is adopted. The Council agreed to get together and review forms that are available for employee reviews. The Council reviewed the General Fund one more time and Robert Majdak made the motion to publish the “Budget Estimate” which was prepared by the Clerk/Treasurer and Deputy Clerk the motion was seconded by Greg Baumgartner and carried by a voice vote.
• Adopt and sign Resolution 2002-14 to reduce the 2003 Cumulative Capital Development Fund by $32,500.00. Robert Majdak made the motion and Greg Baumgartner seconded and motion carried by a voice vote.

Adjourn: Robert Majdak made the motion Greg Baumgartner seconded and motion carried by a voice vote.

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

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

• Resident Vickie Archer addressed the Council about her rusty water situation. Ms. Archer did her laundry and her clothes got rust on them she couldn’t get it out and she wanted to know what the Town planned to do about it. Ms. Archer suggested that the Town put out notices other than the paper, as a lot a people don’t get the paper when the Town plans to flush hydrants or do work that would cause rust to surface. Superintendent Eldridge had ordered a soap that would take out iron deposits and gave Ms. Archer a sample to use. Council member Greg Baumgartner suggested that Ms. Archer run water before putting her laundry in the washer and maybe uses iron-out. Superintendent Eldridge told the Council that he would start posting notices in (3) public places in the Town before he plans to flush hydrants. The Clerk/Treasurer agreed to put warnings on the water bills. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he would talk to Triad Engineering, Inc. about iron removal systems. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he would start next year flushing the hydrants at least (3) times a year and this would help with the rust in the lines. After testing done by Environmental Managing Company Superintendent Eldridge increased the phosphate level. Phosphate forms a barrier around the iron so the chlorine can’t get to the iron and cause the rust color. This may also help the rust problem.

I. Park
• The Clerk/Treasurer received the Retail Merchant’s Certificate for the concession stand the week of July 29th, 2002.
• Park Board President Lee Nisley informed the Council that he needed a plat plan from Forest River and someone to discuss it with, as there may be a possibility for future growth for the Park.
• President Nisley informed the Council that the Farmers’ Day Festival will have a dunk tank and needs volunteers; also volunteers are needed for the concession stand in the a.m. hours.

II. Water Superintendent
• Monthly report-see attached report
• Read and adopt Ordinance 2002-13 to amend Ordinance 2002-1 Section 2 c to make the water hydrant rental for the Town a fixed rate with a 3% increase for the (5) consecutive years after 2003. Greg Baumgartner made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2002-13 Robert Majdak seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.
• Council member Greg Baumgartner asked Superintendent Eldridge what he did to help residents at 427 N. Benton Street owned by Delaine Barhydt . Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he check the pressure with a gage it the pressure was consistent with the tower. Superintendent Eldridge checked their meter and it was an old plastic meter, so he replaced it. The new brass meter didn’t fix the problem so Superintendent Eldridge suggest that the Barhydts have the line blown out as it may have build up in it.

III. Wastewater Superintendent
• Monthly report-see attached report
• Superintendent Ben Eldridge would like to know who will be responsible for mowing the grass at the Forest River new lift station a 20’X20’ section, as the grass has gotten high and needs to be mowed. The Council suggested that Superintendent Eldridge ask the Park Department if they would mow the area each time they mow since the area is adjacent to the park.
• Discuss Ordinance 2002-4 about sump pumps. At the last Council meeting on July 22nd Council member Greg Baumgartner asked Superintendent Eldridge where he got his information that sump pumps connected to the sewer system was illegal. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that our Sewer Ordinance 2002-4 sections 5 (h) states that it is illegal to connect sump pumps, floor drains and down spouts to the public sanitary sewer system. Superintendent Eldridge was looking into what might be causing spikes at the sewer plant and discovered that a lot of the residents have their sump pumps hooked to the sewer system. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he is not sure how to handle the problem, but asked for suggestions. Council President Robert Majdak said it would be hard to force residents to change their sump pumps, because they would need two pumps, one for washer and dishwater water and one for clean rain water, due to leaky basements and down spouts. The matter will need further study.
• Superintendent Eldridge asked the Council if he could take Thursday August 22nd, 2002 off for a day of vacation. The Council approved.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he would not be able to attend the Monday night Council meetings for awhile as he starts classes on Monday August 19th, 2002 for his water license. The classes are held on Monday nights. The Council excused Superintendent Eldridge and suggested he give his reports and any information to the Clerk/Treasurer to present at the meetings.

IV. Maintenance Director

V. Marshal
• Monthly Stats: see attached report
• The Marshal informed the Council that there were 28 children at the movie night.
• The Marshal presented to the Council with some information on the West Nile Virus. See attached information from the Elkhart County Health Department. The town will look into the cost for mosquito spraying, but won’t spray unless the Health Department or the public demands it.

VI. Clerk/Treasurer
• The Clerk/Treasurer received back the contract from the Elkhart Humane Society with a proposal for a (5) year increase. The yearly increase would be for $327.14. Discuss contract. Contract is as follows:

2003: $1,527.14
2004: $1,854.28
2005: $2,181.42
2006: $2,508.56
2007: $2,835.70

The contract was tabled until the Marshal could get information on other forms of animal control.
• Review and sign the Agreement with the County to administer the 2003 Election. The cost will be for $600.00. Tabled. The Clerk/Treasurer was directed to call Stevie Burgess Election Administrator and ask if we had to pay if we didn’t have an election.
• Read and adopt Ordinance 2002-12 Fair Housing Ordinance. The ordinance is needed so the Town can apply for Federal grants. Tabled. Council President Robert Majdak asked the Clerk/Treasurer to talk to our town attorney and ask if a “veteran’s status” would apply and could the phrase be added to the ordinance.

VII. New Business
• The Clerk/Treasurer informed the Council that the insurance premiums for three (3) of the town employees had been reduced by John Alden Insurance.
• Council member Greg Baumgartner thanked Superintendent Eldridge for sending water samples to be tested for the Sonshine Day Care, as the situation could have been bad. A child got sick at the Day Care and the child’s doctor said it could be the water. Superintendent Eldridge had the water tested immediately and the water tests came back fine.

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