Saturday, July 13, 2013

Town Council minutes June 4, 2013


TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

JUNE 4, 2013          7:30 PM

 

PRESENT:  Council Members:  Dan Adams, Todd Everling, J. Scott Flick, and Joyce Higginbottom;

Terri  Sommers, Clerk-Treasurer;  Joyce Flick, Deputy Clerk;  Jeremy Peele, Town Attorney.

ABSENT:  Scott Deyoe

 

After prayer by Dan Adams, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Guest Darrell Allen.  The meeting was then brought to order by Vice President Dan Adams.  Flick made the motion to accept minutes of the previous meeting, Higginbottom seconded. Motion passed.

 

JEREMY PEELE:  (1) He talked to Marshal Bennett about the order on a forfeiture of property in a criminal case which should be resolved. He will follow up on this tomorrow.  (2) He needs to spend time at the auditor’s office going through the road situation, as there are some roads in Greentown that are still owned by Howard County that needs to be sorted out in property records. He expects to get this worked out.  (3) He put a call in to Alan Wilson about the wellhead protection ordinance that Howard County needs to pass for the areas in our wellhead protection zone but outside of municipal limits. Ryan (Brauen) is going to check on that for, but there is no eminent time frame to worry about. Ryan will have the person who is handling that from his office email with update on deadlines.

 

RYAN BRAUEN, WESSLER ENGINEERING:  (1) Ryan presented amendment to wellhead protection plan agreement. He spoke of notification/requirement through IDEM for air quality control. It is a monitoring and recording procedure that is required for back-up emergency generators and other fume-emitting products the town has. We are not likely to be fined or audited because we are too small of a community, but we are still required to do some of this work. Kevin (Moss) has been working on this with people from Wessler Engineering office. Deadline to participate in this program, which could result in reduced violation fees, if incurred, is June 28.  An estimated fee of $2,500 for Engineering Services is included in the agreement. Ryan left the proposal with town council to be acted upon at a later date if approved.  This is a preventative measure, and will help in maintaining compliance with IDEM. 

(2)  Continuing to monitor construction at the WWTP. Clarifiers are pretty much on schedule, maybe a week behind. Figuring out how to handle ground water; there will be selections to make on paint colors. Progress meeting Thursday at 2:00 pm.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT:  No report.

POLICE:  Report read. Higginbottom made motion to accept; Everling seconded. Motion passed.

WATER & STREET:  Report read.  (1) In new business, Kevin requested approval for some new t-shirts for water & sewage employees (approx. $8-$10 x 6 shirts). Higginbottom made motion to accept; seconded by Flick. Motion passed.  (2) Kevin also requested that Scott be allowed to work an extra two days a week with water & street departments, due to the vacancy left by Jared Isaac. It was decided that they need to work it out between them.  (3) Also mentioned in report that Kevin would like to see some of the main inceptor sewer cleaned and televised from the WWTP in some specific areas. We would be looking at a rough estimate of $15,000 - $20,000 for this project.  Most of these lines were last done in 2001/2004. He will get more accurate estimates if there is an interest in pursuing this. Joyce Higginbottom mentioned possible “matching funds” grant money available through the county that could be used for almost anything. We will look into this further.  (4) Flick made motion to accept the report; Everling seconded. Motion passed.

WASTEWATER:  Report read. Steve Rule addressed concerns about changes at the spillway/dam and its effect on the WWTP. He did say that Ryan (Wessler Eng.) does not feel it is a problem. Joyce Higginbottom said she will talk to Ryan about this. Motion to accept report by Flick; seconded by Higginbottom. Motion passed.

PARK ADVISORY:  No report.

 

NEW BUSINESS:  (1) Clerk Terri Sommers informed those present about the proposed establishment of a Cumulative Capital Development (CCD) Fund for the town. The process involves two (2) publications in the Kokomo Tribune (June 8 and 15), followed by a public hearing which will coincide with our next board meeting on June 18. Higginbottom made motion to proceed with publications and public hearing, Flick seconded. Motion passed.

 

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:  (1) Dan Adams addressed the July 2 board meeting.  Being a holiday week when many people will be on vacation or unavailable, it was recommended that the July 2 meeting be cancelled, and the July 16 meeting be held as scheduled. Higginbottom made motion to accept, seconded by Flick. Motion passed.

 

GUESTS:  (1) Darrell Allen questioned why the fountain wasn’t running, and spoke his concern about the tornado siren not serving a purpose since there is only one police officer on duty, as sirens are activated from the police cars. Discussion followed.  It was brought up that due to today’s technology, the siren is not our only means of notification in case of severe weather.  Jeremy Peelle suggested EMA reverse 911 system and gave a brief explanation of this.  It was also suggested that the radio transmitter can be given to any responsible person(s), such as the Fire Dept. This will be looked into further. (2)  Gary Buckley, Chairman of Music at the Fountain, requested the closure of Meridian Street from the stoplight to the alley north of City Hall, on Thursday evenings starting July 25 through Sept. 12, from 6 to 9 pm. He also asked that barricades be available for blocking the street. Higginbottom made a motion to honor this request, seconded by Flick. Motion passed. Mr. Buckley asked if they could store their sound system in City Hall during this time as they have been allowed to do in the past. He was told that would be no problem.

 

Motion to adjourn by Flick, seconded by Everling.  Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.

Town Council Minutes May 7, 2013


TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 7, 2013          7:30 PM

 

PRESENT:  Council Members:  Scott Deyoe, Dan Adams, Todd Everling, J. Scott Flick, Joyce Higginbottom;

Terri  Sommers, Clerk-Treasurer;  Joyce Flick, Deputy Clerk; Jeremy Peele, Town Attorney.

SPECIAL GUESTS:  Mike Ward and Josh Cox, Indiana American Water.

 

After prayer by Dan Adams and the Pledge of Allegiance, the meeting was brought to order by President Scott Deyoe.  Flick made the motion to accept minutes of the previous meeting, Everling seconded. Motion passed.

 

JEREMY PEELE:  (1) He spoke with Marshal Bennett about property issue he believes they got resolved.

(2) He also talked to Alan Wilson, Asst. County Attorney, about county passing zoning ordinance in wellhead protection area that is outside town limits, who approved the language sent to him so he doesn’t expect that to be an issue. We will need to pass a corresponding ordinance for the property within the town limits. These ordinances would be in compliance with the wellhead protection plan.

(3) Mr. Peele addressed the question of liability of prior Clerk  Treasurer  for late fees that were incurred. He stated there is potential for personal liability anytime there is penalty or interest charges for late payments, and if the council wants him to proceed with that to let him know.

 

RYAN BRAUEN, WESSLER ENGINEERING:  (1) Ryan addressed Change Order #1 for the WWTP, recommended by Wessler, approved by TCI.  This involves seven (7) items classified as change to the project, resulting in a total net decrease in the construction cost of $30,925.00 (the bulk of which came from removing an Admixture from the concrete mix); and an increase of one (1) construction day. This change would bring the new contract amount to $5,115,075.00. Higginbottom made the motion to accept the change; Everling seconded. Motion passed.  (2) Ryan also presented a proposal (PCO #16) from Thieneman on costs for modifications to the plant to assist with future flood control. This involves seven detailed items as changes. If accepted, this change order would add $37,330 to the cost of the project for TCI, and an additional (approx.) $5,000 amendment to Wessler’s Construction Services agreement. There would also be a fifteen (15) day extension required. Higginbottom made a motion to accept this change; Everling seconded. Motion passed. Ryan will take care of paperwork to proceed.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT:  Report read. 6 fires, 40 EMT runs, 12 rescue.

POLICE:  Report read. Everling made motion to accept; Adams seconded. Motion passed.

WATER & STREET:  Report read. Higginbottom made motion to accept; seconded by Flick. Motion passed.

WASTEWATER:  Report read. Motion to accept by Flick; seconded by Adams. Motion passed.

PARK ADVISORY:  (1) There are still a few spots to be adopted. (2) Community service day is May 11.    (3) Farmers Market starts May 11 and will run every Saturday through Sep. or Oct. It will be open from 9-1. (4) Community Garden will be planted as soon as possible after May 13. Jolene Rule, on behalf of Advisory Board, requested a $300 donation for the Community Garden. Adams made motion to grant request; Everling seconded. Motion passed.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  Landowner agreement read by President Deyoe. Adams made motion to accept; Higginbottom seconded. Motion passed. Letters will be sent to landowners notifying them of new agreement with request to come in to utility office, landowners and tenants, to sign new form.

 

NEW BUSINESS:  (1) Mr. Flick made a motion that the council meeting for May 21 be cancelled as there was no business to discuss. Motion seconded by Higginbottom; motion passed. Notice will be posted in City Hall window. (2) Clerk Terri Sommers presented fundraiser for Relay for Life, an event held in Greentown in June. Request was for a $45 donation to have our windows painted and signs to put in front of City Hall. Higginbottom made motion to accept; Everling seconded. Motion passed. (3) Deyoe addressed the issue of SRF (State Revolving Fund) payments. Higginbottom made the motion that the President be able to sign the necessary papers for payment to be made, with copies available in the project folder for review. Flick seconded the motion; motion passed. (4) President Deyoe announced Representative Susan Brooks would visit our town on Friday, May 31.

 

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:  (1) Representatives from Indiana American Water gave a presentation regarding their interest in purchasing our water utility. Following some questions from council members and guests, they were thanked for their time. No action taken on this matter.  (2) Garry Hill addressed a request from Crave Crepes, a new downtown business, to put tables out on sidewalks. After some discussion regarding liability and ordinance, it was agreed that there would be no harm in this as long as the sidewalk was not blocked and there were no complaints.

 

GUESTS:  (1) Steve Cass spoke of his concern about the flooding that occurs on North Meridian Street when we get heavy rains. (2) Sammy Armstrong questioned if churches were excluded from being required to obtain a Peddler’s Permit. The answer was “No”… the only exception is for kids/fundraisers.

 

Motion to adjourn by everyone!  Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:15.