NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL

August 7, 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, Don Harris, Joe Noonan and John Perrin.  Also present were Attorney Robbins, Clerk-Treasurer Maribeth Alspach and Department Heads Mary Facemire, Jim Lasiter, Ed Stephenson, Brian Hedrick, and Office Manager Cindy Yates.  Councilman Perrin offered the opening prayer. 

 

MINUTES

Councilman Harris moves to approve the minutes of the July 17th meeting and is seconded by Councilman Alspach. Vote 5 affirmative.  

Councilman Spencer moves to approve the minutes of the July 31st Executive Session and is seconded by Councilman Harris. Vote 5 affirmative.

Councilman Alspach moves to approve the minutes of the July 31st Preliminary Budget Hearing and is seconded by Councilman Harris. Vote 5 affirmative.

Councilman Harris moves to approve the minutes of the August 1st Preliminary Budget Hearing and is seconded by Councilman Noonan. Vote 5 affirmative.

 

HARDSHIPS / ADJUSTMENTS

Everett Van Scyoc presents a plumbing bill for the property at 320 Southlane.  Van Scyoc states that he had a plumber out due to a clogged lateral but it was determined the blockage was in the main.  Van Scyoc states that when the plumber couldn’t get the lateral open he called Public Works.  They responded immediately and had the problem resolved fairly quickly.  Customer requests reimbursement of $145.00 charge.  PW Supt. Lasiter states it is not our policy to reimburse for bills if the customer does not notify us before having the work done.  Had Mr. Van Scyoc called Public Works first, they could have resolved the problem at no cost to anyone.  Lasiter also notes that the manholes on Southlane are 3 ˝ feet lower than the lateral at 320 Southlane.  The manholes would have overflowed before the cleanout would have.  Lasiter adds that there were no other complaints or reports of problems from the other neighbors.  Van Scyoc states his clean out did not overflow it was just draining very slowly.  Van Scyoc was unaware of the policy to call the town first.  PW Supt. Lasiter states it appears there were 2 problems, one was obviously ours but it appears there was some kind of blockage in their lateral as well.  Councilman Harris does not feel the town is responsible and does not want to set a precedent.  Councilman Perrin states he would have called a plumber in the same situation and suggests splitting the bill with Mr. Van Scyoc.  Councilmen Spencer and Harris agree.  Council directs Clerk-Treasurer Alspach to prepare a check for $72.50.

Mr.  & Mrs. James Blunk, 417 Granada request an extension until September 1, 2007 for their utility bill.  They will pay the full amount ($139.35) on or before September 4, 2007.  Council approves.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Ordinance Revision Review

Marshal Stephenson distributes updated copies of the ordinance revisions with the corrections made by our attorney.  Stephenson asks the council to review the changes so that the council can begin adoption proceedings.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Service Recognition Awards

Council President presents certificates to Brandon Ross, Matt Skeen and Chris Sheets for their volunteer efforts in cleaning up the West Park and the creek.  The boys stated they became concerned at the amount of trash that had been thrown into the creek and were afraid that some of the younger children might get hurt.  They added that they wanted to help keep their community both clean and safe.  The council thanked them for their hard work and for their pride in their community.

 

 

 

Town Council

Page Two

August 7, 2007

 

Fire Department Training Exercise

Fire Chief Hedrick states that The Parkview Dental Office owners have approached him and offered their old office space for a training facility when the new office is completed.  Hedrick states they would probably use the building about 2 weeks for training before the building is demolished.  The Police Department may want to use the building for a training exercise prior to the Fire Department training.

 

NIMS Document

Marshal Stephenson states the NIMS document must be completed by the Police and Fire Departments.  Stephenson asks if any council member would like to be involved in the process.  Council asks that Police and Fire handle this paperwork.

 

Rural Metro

Chief Hedrick advises the council that he is having a problem with Rural Metro and may ask them to no longer use our bay as a satellite office.  Hedrick notes that a Rural Metro employee dropped a NWFD radio in a glass of water.  Due to the age of the radio it can not be repaired.  Rural Metro has been unresponsive to our request that the radio be replaced.  Hedrick adds there have been other ongoing issues with Rural Metro leaving the bay door open.  Council authorizes Hedrick to use his discretion in deciding whether or not to continue to allow them to use our building.  Hedrick notes the ambulance is not a vehicle that is dedicated to Johnson County.

Councilman Harris asks Hedrick the status of the new (used) battalion vehicle.  Hedrick states we should have delivery of the vehicle within the next 2 weeks.

 

Septic System Failure

PW Supt. Lasiter states he has been working with a property owner and the State Board of Health to resolve an issue with a failing finger on a septic system on the small farm adjacent to the Hilltop Farms subdivision.  The Board of Health has given the homeowner 30 days to replace his septic system.  The gentleman cannot afford to do so.  He is interested in hooking on to our sewer system but does not have the $1,850.00 connection fee.  Lasiter asks council to consider setting up a payment plan for the connection fee.  Lasiter notes the customer would be billed the 7,000 gallon average as he will not be using our water and therefore cannot be metered.  Council directs Attorney Robbins to prepare a promissory note with up to 36 months of payments at a 4 – 5 % interest rate.  The  sewer connection would be subject to our standards and inspections.  Customer would be responsible for monthly loan payment plus his monthly utility bill.

 

LEGISLATIVE

Ordinance 2056

Attorney Robbins presents the ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow the rental of cars, trucks and trailers as a permitted use under Zoning Classifications GB1, GB2 and M.   Member Noonan moves to adopt Ordinance 2056 and is seconded by Member Harris.  Vote 5 affirmative.

 

Ordinance 2057

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the transfer ordinance in it’s entirety on first reading.  Motion by Councilman Harris to approve with a second by Councilman Spencer.  Vote 5 affirmative.

Member Alspach moves to suspend the rules and consider Ordinance 2057 on final reading.  Member Noonan seconds the motion.  Vote 5 affirmative.

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the transfer ordinance in title only on final reading.  Councilman Noonan moves to adopt and is seconded by Councilman Harris. Vote 5 affirmative.

 

 

 

 

Town Council

Page Three

August 7, 2007

 

Ordinance 2058

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents the ordinance declaring certain items surplus and allowing for disposal.  Member Noonan moves to adopt on first reading and is seconded by Member Spencer.

Vote 5 affirmative.  This item will be placed on the September 4th agenda.

 

Ordinance 2059

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents the ordinance allowing the General Fund to borrow $50,000.00 from the Sewage Works on first reading.  Motion by Councilman Harris to approve with a second by Councilman Spencer.  Vote 5 affirmative.

Member Alspach moves to suspend the rules and consider Ordinance 2059 on final reading.  Member Noonan seconds the motion.  Vote 5 affirmative.

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads Ordinance 2059 in title only on final reading.  Councilman Spencer moves to adopt and is seconded by Councilman Harris. Vote 5 affirmative.

 

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

President Perrin states that the Eagles organization has agreed to host and help organize the Charity Ride for Proctor Park.  The ride will be held on April 26, 2008 and will include a Hog Roast and a live band.  They are also planning to host several other events throughout the winter and will designate funds to the Proctor Park Memorial Fund.  Employees and elected officials of the town will be meeting with members of the Eagles to plan this event.  Meetings are held on the first Tuesday night of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Eagles.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach asks that a list of potential candidates for the Proctor Park Committee be submitted to her office.  We need to create a 15 – 20 person committee to work on fundraising for this project.

 

Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________

Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer

 

 

 

Approved: _____________________________  

                 John Perrin, President