NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL
MARCH 21, 2006
MEETING MINUTES
Town Council President
MINUTES
Member Spencer moves to approve the minutes
of the March 7th meeting.
Motion seconded by Councilman Harris.
Vote 5 affirmative.
Member Harris moves to approve the minutes of
the March 7th Executive Session.
Motion seconded by Councilman Alspach.
Vote 5 affirmative.
OLD
BUSINESS
2006 Budget
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that we have
received the final budget order and we need to reduce the 2006 General Fund by
$21,943.00. Alspach redistributes copies of the recommendations submitted by
the Department Heads earlier this year.
Councilman Spencer moves to approve the cuts as presented totaling
$21,943.00 and is seconded by Councilman Noonan. Vote 5
affirmative.
Utility Bill Extension Requests
Christopher Bruce,
Ricky Palmer, 705 Delbrook is requesting an
extension until Friday, March 24, 2006.
Mr. Palmer has recently returned to work after hernia surgery and will
pay the full amount ($165.41) on the 24th. Council approves.
Sharon Hanson, 30 Grassy has submitted a
request asking for an extension until April 3, 2006. Due to a recent hospitalization and high
medical bills she will be unable to pay until the 3rd of April. Mrs. Hanson will pay the full amount
($253.28) on April 3rd.
Council approves.
Special Census
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents a memo with
revenue estimates if the census was done and an additional 1,393 residents were
counted. Alspach was given this
information by Ron West who obtained it from Mike Rueter, the County’s
financial consultant. Alspach states
this is information the council may want to consider now that we have our final
budget order. Council directs Alspach to
contact the Census Bureau with the following questions:
1. Are there any “soft”
costs? Does the $55,083.00 cover
everything?
2. What does the $44,125 that
is paid directly to the Census Bureau up front pay for?
3. Will census be conducted in
person, by phone, or by mail?
4. If resident doesn’t complete
the card, answering every question, is the card still counted?
5. Do they have any data on the
number of cards that are thrown out during a census?
6. Is there any data on
estimated population versus actual head count?
President Perrin asks Clerk-Treasurer Alspach
to wait until the week of March 27th to contact the Census Bureau in
case any of the council members have additional questions.
Utility Deposits
President Perrin states that the council
seems to be in agreement that the deposit needs to be increased but they need
to decide what amount(s) are appropriate.
They also need to identify any other policy changes that need to be made
regarding utility deposits. Councilman Spencer is concerned as to how the
landlords will be able to estimate the amount needed to increase their rent to
cover the utility bill. Council discusses allowing bills to be sent to tenants
but requiring landlord to co-sign on account and
Town Council
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March 21, 2006
agree to accept responsibility for the entire
bill in the even the tenant leaves any unpaid balance. Property owner must have notarized form
consenting to tenant establishing service at the residence and assuming
responsibility for any unpaid accounts at the property. Councilman Perrin
recommends a $75 deposit for water and $75 deposit for sewer, or a total
utility deposit of $150. Perrin further
recommends a 2nd deposit of $75 the second time the service is
disconnected for nonpayment. On the 3rd disconnect Perrin suggests
requiring an additional $150 deposit. Clerk-Treasurer Alspach expresses concern
for such a large increase from $25+ $40 to a potential total deposit of $375 if
a customer is disconnected 3 times. She
also notes that to add a 3rd deposit would require a software change
to our billing software. Councilman
Spencer states that he does not believe the amount of monies that have been
written off in the past justify this large of an increase. Councilman Perrin states that these deposits
are not out of line with what other municipalities are collecting. Councilman Noonan wants landlords notified of
policy change if at all possible. After much discussion the council directs
Attorney Robbins to draft sample legislation.
President Perrin recommends $75 water deposit and $75 sewer deposit on
all new accounts. An additional deposit
of $75 would be required if the service is disconnected twice. All tenant accounts
must be cosigned by the property owner who must file a notarized authorization
form permitting the tenant to establish service and agreeing to assume
responsibility for any unpaid balances. No
refund of deposit until account is closed and paid in full. Attorney Robbins
will prepare Landlord Authorization Form also.
Drainage Issue at Country Gate
Public Works Superintendent Lasiter explains
the flooding problem that occurred on Sunday, March 12, 2006. Lasiter states that due to a large rain event
in a short period of time the front detention pond at Country Gate overflowed and
resulted in a flood threat to the houses across 31 north and west of the
pond. Several employees of the Public
Works Department filled and placed sandbags to try and prevent additional
flooding. Supt. Lasiter has been working
with Duane Sharrer, the Executive Vice President for Schneider Engineering to
resolve this matter. They have
discovered that the original corrections that were supposed to have been done
were never completed. Mr. Sharrer is
present to present their proposed corrections.
Sharrer explains that there are three (3)
situations that need to be dealt with:
1. The ponds were not
constructed as they were designed
2. An off site drainage basin
of approximately 140 acres was overlooked in the original design
3. Drain tile dating back to
1888 was found during the construction process
Sharrer states that the correction to problem
#1 can be corrected with construction.
Councilman Alspach asks how quickly the correction can be made. Sharrer states within the next 30 days,
weather permitting. Sharrer adds that
C.P. Morgan’s contractor has agreed to do the work. Councilman Spencer asks
about rerouting the water to increase the flow on the east side of 31 rather
than on the west side. Sharrer has
presented a proposal for that to
Attorney Robbins asks the estimated cost of
the proposed construction? Sharrer
states less that the $100,000 bond that has been posted. Councilman Perrin asks if the banks are
raised will that eliminate the flooding issue on the west side of US 31. Lasiter states it will not. Clerk-Treasurer Alspach asks for a ball park
figure for the rerouting proposal.
Sharrer estimates less that $20,000.
Supt. Lasiter thinks it could be closer to $10,000. President Perrin asks who would pay these costs. Supt. Lasiter suggests a tree-way split
between C.P. Morgan, Schneider Engineering and New Whiteland. Duane Sharrer will attempt to locate the
current owner of the property north of Country Gate to get permission for the
rerouting proposal.
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach has an invoice for
the overtime worked on March 12th.
Sharrer says that either Schneider or C.P. Morgan will pay it.
Town Council
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March 21, 2006
Future Annexation
Councilman Spencer was contacted by Dave
Kelsay with the Town of
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that she,
Police Department Update
Lt. Stephenson states he was contacted by the
Daily Journal and asked how New Whiteland keeps there streets so clear during bad
weather. Stephenson gave credit to our
Public Works Department. Stephenson
added that a man that was arrested by NWPD two (2) years ago on three (3) class
A felonies, was found guilty and sentenced to 85 years in prison.
Disaster Planning Exercise Update
Fire Chief Hedrick states that the mock
terrorist disaster drill scheduled for Saturday, May 6th at
Fire Department Update
Chief Hedrick met with the architect at Pace
Engineering and
NEW BUSINESS
Retirement of Marshal Withers
President Perrin states the council received
a letter of intent to retire from Marshal
412 Parkview Fire Report
Fire Chief Hedrick states there was a story
in the Daily Journal criticizing the response efforts at this fire scene. Hedrick notes that there was a
miscommunication regarding hooking up a 5” hose when one of the units arrived,
however water was already being pumped from a tanker truck at the time. Someone complained that there was a 10 – 15
minute delay in getting water on the fire but Hedrick
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March 21, 2006
states water was being put on the fire from
inside the residence from two (2) separate sources prior to water being applied
to the outside of the structure. When
Basketball Complaint
Councilman Spencer asks Park Director
Facemire about the complaint she received on the basketball program. Facemire states that she thought the
complainant would be here tonight.
Facemire explains that she does not have any control over the
availability of gym time at the schools.
She makes the best use she can of the times that are available.
LEGISLATIVE
None.
OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC
Brian Wolfe, 641
Sweetbriar states that he was on the scene of the fire that was discussed earlier
within 3 – 4 minutes of the call going out.
Wolfe states that there were lots of observers standing around
complaining that nothing was being done but that they were unaware of the lines
that were going into the house.
Being no other
business the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer
Approved: _____________________________