TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 7:30 PM
PRESENT: Council Members: Scott Deyoe, Dan Adams, Todd Everling, J. Scott Flick, and Joyce Higginbottom; Terri Sommers, Clerk-Treasurer; Jeremy Peele, Town Attorney.
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) Talked to County Attorney Larry Murrell to follow up on the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) regarding the 2-mile buffer. Murrell is of the opinion that there is not an MOU in place, that there never was one, as no one can locate a hard copy or reference of one in minutes. Mr. Peele advised the council not to undertake the expense of trying to create a buffer ordinance. One reason is that there is no moratorium in place for any new wind farm developments. Another reason is that the county probably would not approve it anyway. He reasoned that it would most likely be a waste of time and money. After discussion it was decided that there would be no motion to attempt to create a buffer. (2) Still looking into the street issue. 60-70% of our roads are owned by the county. (3) Mr. Peele has drafted a wellhead protection ordinance for the county to pass for the areas that are outside the municipal limits but inside our wellhead protection plan zone. There are 4 or 5 parcels of ground that will be affected. County has approved the language, and they have to adopt it as an ordinance. Jeremy will send a draft ordinance for county approval, and will let us know when the meeting will be held. Council members are welcome to attend.
RYAN BRAUEN, WESSLER ENGINEERING: (1) Ryan came earlier today with a pole camera to try to get a glimpse of our storm sewer drains. He work with Kevin Moss, and they followed the storm sewer line from Brunk Ditch up Payton Street. The lines south of the RR tracks on Meridian St. were relatively clean, and got worse as they went farther north. They determined some of the areas can be televised without cleaning. Kevin will put together an updated request for quotes. (2) There was a progress meeting today. Ryan Met with SRF on their first of three walk-throughs at the WWTP. No issues came up. He’s working with SRF on raising the berm along Brunk Ditch (“flood control” is not approved language because it might give the false impression that they are funding something they are not allowed to.) He needs verification that it was discussed by the council and received approval. Brad Robinson is processing other change order items that have occurred since change order #1. Overall changes will increase approx $46,000, which is within the contingency that was established. (3) Ryan will not be at next month’s meeting.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: No report.
POLICE: Deyoe read report. Officer Comfort is still out on medical disability. Everling made motion to accept; seconded by Higginbottom. Motion passed.
WATER & STREET: Report was read by Deyoe. Higginbottom made motion to accept report, Flick seconded. Motion passed.
WASTEWATER: Report read by Deyoe. Flick made motion to accept the report, seconded by Everling. Motion passed.
PARK ADVISORY: Parks and Trails Committee has dissolved. Coordinators of certain projects in the program – Farmers Marker, Community Garden, and Adopt-A-Spot – will work directly with Greentown Main Street Association. They will continue to do Community Service Days twice a year. They are discouraged that many people who have adopted planters in the area have not been keeping them watered. Park Advisory Board will continue with three members.
NEW BUSINESS: (1) Mr. Flick announced that Jared Isaac will start full-time employment with the town on Monday, September 9. He has agreed to get his Water Operator Permit so he will be a backup to Kevin Moss.
(2) Mrs. Higginbottom spoke about her position on the Board of Directors of the Howard County Recycling District. She shared her disagreement with the Board’s decision to subsidize Kokomo’s curbside recycling with money from throughout the county. She also informed those present that the yard waste facility on Dixon Road is for everyone in the county, not just Kokomo residents.
(3) Mr. Everling announced that Bryan Klein is willing to work for the town of Greentown as the Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent. He currently works for Kokomo, has worked with Steve Rule at our plant, and signs our reports. He was interviewed last week. Mr. Everling made a motion to hire Mr. Klein for this position. Mr. Flick seconded; motion passed. A start date is yet to be determined.
(4) Mr. Adams told us that Rachel Jenkins is officially retiring after 20 years, and commended her for her many hours of service in providing the Greentown Grapevine to our community. He felt our appreciation should go on record, on behalf of our community and our council. Even though she was not at the meeting, she received a hearty applause. He also wished the best to Mr. John Bahler as he will be taking over for Rachel.
(5) Clerk Terri Sommers announced that Greentown received approval from DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance) on the new proposed Cumulative Capital Development Fund, to go into effect in 2014.
(6) Scott Deyoe made several announcements: Congresswoman Susan Brooks would be at the Greentown Historical Society on Wednesday, Sep. 4, from 12:00 – 1:30 pm for an open community forum; He also announced that the Adoption Meeting for the 2014 Budget would be on Tuesday, September 17 at 7:30 at Greentown City Hall, 112 N. Meridian Street; Quarterly meeting of the Plan Commission will be Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00 pm; He read a thank you card from Mr. and Mrs. Garry Hill for the flowers sent for Mike Andry; Mr. Deyoe addressed an update to our staggered term ordinance which was passed in 2010, which has been reviewed by the Indiana Election Commission. Moving our election to coincide with the general election means that the election will be done at no cost to the town.
GUESTS: Earl Petty spoke about his concern about the lack of adequate police protection. He also spoke a concern about people who walk their dogs and fail to clean up after them. Discussion about these issues followed, which also lead to more general discussion, including burn laws and wind farms.
Motion to adjourn by Flick, seconded by Higginbottom. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.
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