February 24, 2004

The regular monthly meeting of the Millersburg Town Council was held on Tuesday February 24th, 2003 at 6:30 P.M. at the Millersburg Town Hall.

James Winkler called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

A motion was made by James Winkler to approve the minutes for February 10th, 2004.   The motion was seconded by Dean Hawkins and carried by a voice vote.

Park

• The Park received a $5,000.00 donation from the Clinton Township Trustee.
• Park Board President Lee Nisley informed the Council that he will need a Director for the Summer Park Program. The Council said they would put out some feelers in the community.
• Council President James Winkler asked Mr. Nisley if he could use help from the Elkhart County Work Release. President Winkler did have someone in mind. Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that the town does participate in the program. Mr. Nisley told the Council that he is interested.
• Park President Nisley informed the Council that the Little League was gearing up for the season.
• Council President Winkler asked if Kurt Kritzman will continue to do the Park maintenance Mr. Nisley answered “Yes” at least for one more year.
• President Nisley informed the Council that he needs to find a way to better control the concession stand. His thought was to hire outside labor or an organization to run the concession stand. Mr. Nisley said he would look into the issue and report back at the March 24th, 2004 regular meeting.
• Council President Winkler asked what companies pay to use the concession stand, ball diamonds and lights. Mr. Nisley informed Mr. Winkler that each are charged separate fees.
• President Nisley informed the Council that the Cook Station Park needs some electrical work. No action was taken.

Water Superintendent

• Mr. Paul Miller owner of Rock Homes did come in on February 17 th, 2004 and pay his connection fees for 218 Blessing Street. Council President James Winkler asked the Superintendent if Mr. Miller paid for one or both of his new houses on Blessing Street. Superintendent Eldridge replied that he only paid for one because the first house was connected to the towns system before Mr. Miller was invoiced.

Wastewater Superintendent

• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that there are things at the plant that are breaking down and are in need of replacement or fixed. The oil burning furnace at the wastewater plant is beyond repair. The flue that was in the furnace was not even the right type. Superintendent Eldridge received a quote from Goshen Heating & Plumbing for a new furnace at a cost of $3,220.00. President Winkler suggested that Superintendent Eldridge get a couple more quotes for a new furnace and bring them to the next council meeting. The building does have electric heat also. President Winkler asked Council Member Abe Beachy if he thought the electric heat in the building would be enough to heat the entire building. Mr. Beachy replied that it could be checked out to see if the electric heater was sufficient enough to heat the whole building. The clarifier froze up this weekend and had to be repaired. The reed-beds are full again and need cleaned. Two of the pumps at the pump station have broken and had to be repaired which was a task as some of the parts are no longer made.   It was suggested that the town go to the area manufacturing businesses and ask if they could donate funds to the project of repairing the wastewater plant. Superintendent Eldridge will check with the businesses.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that the Indiana Chamber of Commerce did a site visit at the wastewater plant today February 24 th, 2004. The bad news is the project is not competitive enough as is and asked if we want to drop the project. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Chamber that he has no intention of dropping the project. Good news is the town can continue and make some changes and apply at the second round this year. One change would be to borrow money and lower amount needed for the grant or come up with a larger match. The Council, Clerk/Treasurer and Superintendent will meet and go over the financials to see what can be done to make the grant application look more competitive.
• Superintendent Eldridge requested to take vacation from March 25th and 26th, 2004. Larry Kiel will do the wastewater testing. Matt or Kurt will do the water testing. The Council approved.
• A resident dropped off a repair bill for $150.00 for plumbing he had to have done extra because the curb stop was broken. After some discussion the Council agreed that the resident had a legitimate complaint. The Council agreed to pay $120.00 of the $150.00 as Superintendent Eldridge had to go out on a special call out. A $30.00 fee was charged and deducted from the bill.
• Council Member Dean Hawkins asked the Superintendent Eldridge if the large water bill Carriage incurred last month been settled. Superintendent Eldridge answered “yes” that the maintenance man Jeff Miller did find a toilet leaking, so they are liable for the bill.
• A resident complained that the Street Department plowed snow and damaged their lawn. Director King said he moved the snow away from a fire hydrant and left some tire tracks and if the yard was damaged when things melt he would repair the yard.
• Director King informed the Council that he and Jack Lantz are filling the pot holes in town with cold patch.

Maintenance Director

• The purchase of a used leaf-vac was discussed. Director Matt King did find a used leaf-vac for $7,000.00 that had been used for two or three seasons. A John Deere diesel with a power boom. Director King asked permission to go and look at the equipment. Council President Winkler asked if there will be a warranty. Director King said “no” that Brown Equipment does not carry warranties on their used equipment. President Winkler suggested that Director call Brown Equipment and see if they will bring the equipment to the Equipment Show in Fort Wayne.

Marshal

• Discussed and signed was the Animal Control Contract with the Town of Syracuse. James Winkler made the motion to accept the Contract Abe Beachy seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.
• Marshal Hathaway introduced to the Council his new Deputy Marshal Darryle Deisinger. Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that Mr. Deisinger will start his training soon. The Council welcomed Mr. Deisinger to the Millersburg Police Department.

Park Department

• Public hearing for Ordinance 2004-2 to re-establish a Cumulative Capital Development Fund. No one from the public was present to comment. Dean Hawkins made the motion to adopt the Ordinance 2004-2 Abe Beachy seconded and the motion was carried by a voice vote.
• The Clerk/Treasurer called Quality Cablevision and talked to Mark Grady’s Secretary she said she would give him the message about the meeting. Mr. Grady’s Secretary also told me that the contract for cablevision is drawn up by Quality Cablevision not the Town of Millersburg. She informed me that they were working with their lawyer at this time to draw up a new contract. President Winkler instructed the Clerk/Treasurer to send a certified letter to Mr. Grady and invite him to the next council meeting. In the letter remind Mr. Grady that the contract has expired and the date of extension is approaching and what the intentions of Quality Cablevision concerning the contract are.
• Discussed and signed was an Interlocal Contract for Ambulance service with the city of Goshen at the cost $815.00 which is an increase of $40.00 from last year.   Dean Hawkins made the motion to accept the contract James Winkler seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.
• The Clerk/treasurer will attend a meeting held in Goshen on February 25th, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. The subject discuss will be “Indiana Downtown” put on by IACT and Hyatt/Palma.

New Business

• Council President James Winkler brought to the table a request to change the regular meeting day from Tuesdays to Wednesday due to a conflict in his schedule. After some discussion James Winkler made the motion to change the day to hold the public meetings Abe Beachy seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.

James Winkler made the motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Dean Hawkins and was carried by a voice vote.

Adjourn:               James Winkler made the motion Abe Beachy seconded and motion carried by a voice vote.