Millersburg Town Council Meeting

June 23, 2004

The regular monthly meeting of the Millersburg Town Council was held on Wednesday June 23rd, 2004 at 6:30 P.M. at the Millersburg Town Hall.

• Mr. Larry Yoder representing the Timber Valley Subdivision was present to discuss the sale of his last lot and a strip of property that has not been annexed into the town limits as of yet. Mr. Yoder presented the Council with a copy of the proposed strip of land to be annexed. The reason the land was not annexed when the area was developed was so that the property south may be purchased someday and the land added to the existing subdivision. Since the owner has no desire to sell Mr. Yoder would like to include the strip to his last lot he has for sale and the subdivision will be complete. The lot has no utility connections. Dean Hawkins made the motion to start proceedings to annex the strip of land Abe Beachy seconded and motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk/Treasurer was instructed to call the town attorney and start the proceedings for annexation.

James Winkler called the regular meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

A motion was made by James Winkler to approve the minutes with corrections for June 9th, 2004.   The motion was seconded by Dean Hawkins and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Park

• Park Board President Lee Nisley was present and informed the Council that he has noticed the new speed bumps are in on Larimer Drive and Cripe Street and has heard people are slowing down so the speed bumps must be working.

Water Superintendent

• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he would like to take another course this fall. The subject was tabled until Superintendent Eldridge got more information.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that Phoenix Tank would be at the water plant on June 29 th, 2004 to service the water tower. Phoenix Tank will make sure hatches are sealed and that there are no bird nests, and spot paint. Superintendent Eldridge opted not to take the water tower out of service this year, but wait until next year 2005.
•  Resident Jack Lantz asked the Council if the Town of Millersburg has a plan to replace existing lead gooseneck service lines going into the houses and he was concerned that this is a safety problem. Council President James Winkler informed the public that the State passed a law in 1985 that as water lines are replaced they are to be replaced with plastic piping and the town has been doing that.

Wastewater Superintendent

• A public hearing for resubmission of the Wastewater Grant was held. Grant administrator Amy Miller was present to explain why the Town of Millersburg did not get the grant on the first round. Mrs. Miller explained that it was not uncommon for towns to not get their grants on the first round due to the competition. There were 87 applications and only 37 projects got funded. There was 13 million dollars available, but the Town of Millersburg had to compete with wastewater, water plants, fire stations, storm sewer projects, and buildings. Mrs. Miller explained the scoring system. Scores are based on project need, financial need and rate impact on the town. The Town of Millersburg scored 507 points out of the cut off of 675 points. Also important is community support, which is shown by letters from the community. The Town of Millersburg only had one letter sent in with the application.  Several residents were present and where concerned that their sewer rates would go up if the town doesn’t get the grant. Resident Vickie Archer asked why the towns’ people didn’t know about the grant and that letters were needed. Clerk/Treasurer Wanda Chupp explained the public hearing was in two papers The Goshen News and The Elkhart Truth. Ms. Archer commented that not everyone gets the paper and she felt the town Council should have done more to inform the public. Mrs. Miller informed the residents that there will be another public hearing in July or August 2004 before the grant is resubmitted and the public needs to attend and give their support. Mrs. Miller suggested that the hearing be held at our Farmers Day Festival on August 21st, 2004 with pamphlets being distributed to inform the public of the final grant submission. Council President James Winkler reassured the public that a better effort would be made to inform the public of any public hearings including posting in three areas in town. Council member Dean Hawkins asked that the residents not listen to the rumors, but call their council person to confirm what they hear is true or not. Residents Phyllis Troyer and Mark Pickett asked why the town needed new water meters. Superintendent Eldridge explained to the residents why the town is putting in new meters. Due to Badger parts being out dated and most of the town has old meters that have not been changed out in 30 or more years. The new Neptune Meter System allows for one person to read meters and free up time that is wasted for three people to read meters each month. Park Board President asked if the grant will help with capacity and growth. President James Winkler asked Superintendent Eldridge at what capacity is the town. Superintendent Eldridge answered the plant is at 60% capacity and we have room for growth without any new construction.
• The Department Of Commerce will visit the Town of Millersburg on Thursday June 24th, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the grant and what the town can do to be more competitive when the grant is resubmitted.
• The quote for WWTP lift station electric cabinet will be $5,000.00 not the $3,000.00 he originally told the council. Mike Wise of Wise Electric faxed the quote with the breakdown of each item.. The electric cabinet needs to be rebuilt immediately and the town will have to foot the bill. The cost will come out of the grant later. Council President Jim Winkler asked if the cabinet could be reused. Superintendent Eldridge explained that the hour meters would be eliminated. These meters read the hours on each pump and the difference would only be about $500.00 for the hour meters. The cabinet will be scrapped and a new one will replace the old one with all the proper controls and hour meters. The council president suggested that the hour meters be cut out at this time to save money. The meters can be added back in later.

Maintenance Director

• Director Matt King asked to take a vacation from July 19th through July 23rd, 2004. The council approved.
• Director King informed the council that the ditch on Cook Street flooded into the Riegseckers property and after looking over the situation Director King felt the town should swale the ditch. The Council approved Director Kings recommendation.

Marshal

• 2nd & 3rd reading and adoption of Ordinance 2004-4: an ordinance prohibiting burning in the town limits. Dean Hawkins made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2004-4 Abe Beachy seconded and motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
• Marshal asked to take vacation from Saturday June 26th through June 30th, 2004. The Council approved.

Clerk/Treasurer

• James Winkler made the motion to give the Clerk/Treasurer permission to borrow money from the wastewater improvement fund to pay the TIF loan due on July 15 th, 2004 in the amount of $7,500. Resolution 2004-7. Abe Beachy seconded the motion and motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote,

Unfinished Business

New Business

• The Clerk/Treasurer asked permission to borrow money from the C.C.D. Fund and the Water Improvement Fund to bring the General Fund out of the negative until property tax monies are received. Resolution 2004-9 was presented to the Council by the Clerk/Treasurer. The loan will be $15,000.00 from the C.C.D. Fund and $35,000.00 from the Water Improvement Fund with zero interest and to be paid back by December 31st of 2004. James Winkler made the motion to approve the loan and Dean Hawkins seconded motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
• Deputy Clerk Braden Beachy informed the Council that the town should start Budget planning meetings starting the next regular meeting on July 14th, 2004. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. one half hour before the regular meeting. The Council approved.
• Deputy Clerk Branden Beachy also informed the Council that he would have the salary ordinance for 2005 ready to review with an increase in mileage from .31.5 cents a mile to .37.5 cents per mile as the state has increased the amount allowed.

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

Adjourn: Time:    8:55 p.m.                                James Winkler made the motion Abe Beachy seconded and motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.