NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL

June 19, 2007

MEETING MINUTES

 

 

Town Council President John Perrin opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge to the American flag. Council members present were Scott Alspach, Terry Spencer, Joe Noonan and John Perrin.  Also present were Attorney Robbins, Clerk-Treasurer Maribeth Alspach and Department Heads Mary Facemire, Jim Lasiter, Ed Stephenson, and Brian Hedrick.  Councilman Don Harris and Office Manager Cindy Yates were absent.  Councilman Spencer offered the opening prayer. 

 

MINUTES

Councilman Alspach moves to approve the minutes of the May 15th meeting and is seconded by Councilman Spencer. Vote 3 affirmative and 1 abstention.  Member Noonan abstains. Minute’s approval for the June 5th meeting was tabled until the next meeting.

 

HARDSHIPS / ADJUSTMENTS

Mindy Skeen, 1126 Warwick will pay the full amount by 9:00 A.M. on July 5th.  Council approves.

Robin Rice, 837 Westview will pay the full amount in the night deposit on July 4th. Council approves.

Carl Sexton, 160 Tracy Ridge Blvd., owes $199.75 and agrees to pay $100.00 on June 26th and the balance on July 16th.  Council approves.

 

OLD BUSINESS

General Liability Insurance Renewal

Betty Bush presents policy renewal and notes changes.  Premium did increase due in part to two significant claims last year.  Ms. Bush adds that the Sewer Back Up deductible of $2,500.00 has been dropped.  The Boiler and Machinery coverage has been moved into our package.  Councilman Noonan moves to accept the renewal changes and rates and is seconded by Councilman Alspach.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Ordinance Revision Review

Attorney Robbins asks Marshal Stephenson for some clarification on the codes that are being revised.  Robbins will prepare a compare/write document with the requested revisions for the committee to review.

 

Proctor Park Update

President Perrin states he participated in a Poker Run Motorcycle Benefit this past weekend and would like to see one organized for late summer / early fall to benefit Proctor Park.  Perrin has spoken with Tammie Lee Hall who has offered to assist in organizing the event.  Perrin believes this event could raise $5,000 - $10,000.  Attorney recommends a sub-committee to organize and sponsor the event rather than the Town.  Council approves and Councilman Spencer will advise the Proctor family.

Park Director Facemire adds that Ray Rodgers was able to get KB Homes to donate a 50’ flag pole for Proctor Park.  Council thanks Ray.

 

Police Department New Officer

Marshal Stephenson states that the applicant who finished second in the interview process has accepted a position elsewhere.  Jason Fryar finished next in the process and has accepted the position and is scheduled to begin work with NWPD on July 9, 2007.

 

 

2007 / 2008 Budgets

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach distributes preliminary hearing schedules for the council’s approval.  Hearings will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 on July 31st and August 1st.   Council approves.

 

 

Town Council

Page Two

June 19, 2007

 

Fire Department Vehicle Update

Chief Hedrick states that the Battalion vehicle, a 1995 Ford Explorer, can be repaired and is not totaled as he earlier believed.  He has obtained the following quotes:

            *Hunter’s - $1,408.00 to replace the headliner and the plastic trim on the door.

*J.E.S. thinks the radio can be salvaged will only need to be rewired.  To replace the radio  

  would cost $2,877.00 plus $300.00 for installation.

*Wiring replacement - $595.00

*New switchboxes - $379.00

*Graphics package to detail new vehicle $500.00

* LED light bar for new vehicle $1,500.00

Brian has been looking at used vehicles and found a 2004 with 31,000 miles on it at National Car Sales.  They are asking $15,500 for the vehicle.  Brian has been looking on eBay and says prices seem to be better out of state.  Councilman Alspach asks about insurance coverage should the radio need to be replaced.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that a claim was not filed but the radio should be covered on the inland marine policy.  Councilman Alspach notes that is half of the estimated repair cost.  President Perrin suggests that due to the ongoing repairs and unknown cost of those repairs on the Rescue Unit it might be better to repair this vehicle rather than replace it.

           

NEW BUSINESS

Unlicensed Motorized Vehicles

Public Works Supt. Lasiter voices concern about the number of golf carts being driven on the streets.  Lasiter notes that many are being driven by young teenagers and are transporting 4 – 6 young people on the roads.  Marshal Stephenson states that by State law during daylight hours the vehicle must display a slow moving vehicle sign.  After dark they must have a flashing amber light mounted to the vehicle with the light being 4’ off the ground.  Lasiter recommends a more restrictive ordinance.  Attorney Robbins will research and report back to the council.

 

Sign Violation Enforcement

Public Works Supt. Lasiter presents a sample letter he has drafted.  Lasiter would like to be able to distribute these to property owners who have illegal signs on their property.  Lasiter adds the enforcement is currently under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Administrator but is not being addressed and believes these letters will help inform the public and clean up the sign violation problem.  The council authorizes the Public Works employees distributing the letters.  Council asks that this matter be placed on the Plan Commission agenda as well.

 

Plan Commission Vacancy

Councilman Spencer presents copies of a letter from Laura Hammons asking to be appointed to the vacant seat on the Plan Commission.  Ms. Hammons lives in Tracy Ridge and is a registered Republican.  Councilman Spencer moves to appoint Ms. Hammons to complete the term of John Sullivan on the Plan Commission and is seconded by Councilman Noonan. Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Miscellaneous

Fuel Budgets

Councilman Spencer asks each Department Head the status of their fuel budgets.  All Department Heads report that unless fuel prices go higher they should be okay for 2007.  PW Supt. Lasiter states he and Clerk-Treasurer Alspach are negotiating with the school corporation to possibly purchase our fuel at their transportation building and use their volume discount.

Water Restrictions

Councilman Spencer asks about water restrictions due to the drought.  PW Supt. Lasiter states Indiana American has asked people to be conservative but there are no enforceable restrictions in place.

 

 

Town Council

Page Three

June 19, 2007

 

Fireworks

Marshal Stephenson states they are getting several complaint calls.  Fireworks can be fired until 11:00 P.M. on private property if there is an 18 year old present.  Council may consider banning fireworks if the drought continues.

ISO Rating

Fire Chief Hedrick states ISO will be out in the next few months to audit the town’s ISO rating.

 

LEGISLATIVE

Ordinance 2054

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the transfer ordinance in it’s entirety on first reading.  Motion by Councilman Noonan to approve with a second by Councilman Spencer.  Vote 4 affirmative.

Member Spencer moves to suspend the rules and consider Ordinance 2054 on final reading.  Member Alspach seconds the motion.  Vote 4 affirmative.

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the transfer ordinance in title only on final reading.  Councilman Spencer moves to adopt and is seconded by Councilman Noonan. Vote 4 affirmative.

Council also approves an Additional Appropriation to Water 451 Other Capital Outlay.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Laura Hammons, 174 Tracy Ridge Blvd. is present with some concerns of the Tracy Ridge Homeowners Association.  She would like to restrict parking on the common area bordering their subdivision along Tracy Road.  Attorney Robbins asks if the grassy area is within the right of way.  PW Supt Lasiter states there is a 50’ right of way and this area would fall within it.  Marshal Stephenson adds that he would like to see parking prohibited on both sides of Tracy Road due to the narrowness of the road, the volume of traffic and the school zone location.  Council will look into the matter.

Hammons also requests a grate for a drainage culvert on the northwest side of Berwyn.  Councilman Spencer and Perrin will look at the culvert.  Councilman Spencer may have a solution for the problem.

 

Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________

Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer

 

 

 

Approved: _____________________________  

                 John Perrin, President