NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL
APRIL 18, 2006
MEETING MINUTES
Town Council President
MINUTES
Member Noonan moves to approve the minutes of
the April 4th Executive Session, April 4th Council
meeting, April 6th Executive Session and April 7th
Special meeting. Motion seconded by
Councilman Harris. Vote 5 affirmative.
OLD BUSINESS
Mock Terrorist Disaster Planning Exercise
Update
Marshal Stephenson presents copies of the
Operational Plan the Police Department will use during the May 6th
exercise. Stephenson adds that they will
be distributing fliers to the residents in Hilltop Commons advising them that
one of the entrances will be closed for a few hours on the 6th.
Special Census
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach distributes copies of
the response that she received by fax today.
Alspach asks council members to review this information and advise her
if they wish to proceed with the special census.
Country Gate Flooding Issues
Councilman Spencer asks for an update on the
progress on this project. Supt. Lasiter
states he met with a consultant to get an estimate on boring under the drive to
install the pipe to carry the excess water north. Originally he believed they could cut the
drive, install the pipe and backfill the drive, however, last Friday the drive
was overlaid which means it will have to be bored under. Lasiter will get cost estimate.
Storm Damage
Councilman Spencer asks if the town sustained
damage during the storm on April 14th. Supt.
Lasiter states they are still working to correct problems as a result of the
power being off for a couple of hours last Thursday. They have had lots of overtime due to
cleaning out storm sewers as well as working to repair the problems at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant
should be fully operational sometime this week.
Lasiter plans to install a new diffuser head at the plant. Spencer asks if we had any overflow of raw sewage. Lasiter says we did not. President Perrin thanks the Fire, Police and
Public Works Departments for their work during and after the storm.
NEW BUSINESS
Introduction of new Town Marshal
President Perrin introduces Marshal
Strand Associates, Inc.
Kent Boulware, an engineer with Strand
Associates is here to introduce himself and his company to the council. They
have multiple locations and employ 350 people.
They do highway, road, bridge, water, wastewater, site development and
walking trail projects. Mr. Boulware has spoken to Clerk-Treasurer Alspach and
Parks Director Facemire and wanted to meet the council. Boulware is meeting with Parks Director
Facemire tomorrow to research grants and funding options for a walking trail
Town Council
Page Two
April 18, 2006
project.
President Perrin suggests that Facemire share any information from that
meeting with School Supt. Coopman as he has expressed an interest in teaming
with the towns to create possible trails at the new bus garage. Boulware states that if the town were to
partner with the school and/or churches that would open additional funding
options.
LEGISLATIVE
Ordinance 2027
Attorney Watson presents a memorandum from
Attorney Robbins covering the various policy changes that are being considered. After much discussion the following
recommendations are made: 1. Raise
initial deposit from $25.00 to $70.00
2.
Read Meter will remain at $30.00
3.
After 2nd disconnect for non-payment an additional $40.00 deposit
will be required
4.
Deposits are non-refundable until the account has been closed out and paid in
full.
5.
Landlords (property owners) will be required to submit a notarized guarantee
form for the
entire utility bill for any
service established in the name of the tenant or renter. Landlord
(property owner) will be
responsible for any unpaid portion of any bill for property belonging
to them.
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that last
month, due to the snow, disconnects were delayed one day. On the regular disconnect day we put door
hangers on 38 houses that were scheduled to be disconnected advising them that
due to the weather we were unable to shut off their water. The next day all but 4 accounts were paid and
we only had to shut off 2 customers (2 houses were vacant). After some discussion with the staff in the
utility office and Supt. Lasiter, we would like to adopt this as our standard
policy. While it will require a little
more work in the office preparing the door hangers, it will significantly
reduce the number of angry customers we have to deal with. It also saves time for the Public Works guys
as they don’t have to shut off and restore as many accounts. It may even reduce the need for a Police
Officer to be at the Town Hall on disconnect day. Councilman Harris states we have already
given the customers more time to get their bills paid, he hates to add another
day and a 2nd reminder. After
much discussion, it is decided that we will do the door hangers for the next 2
months and report the results to the council before a policy change is
made.
Ordinance 2028
Attorney Watson presents the Stormwater
Management Ordinance for the Town of
Ordinance 2029
Attorney Watson presents the Erosion and Sediment
Control Ordinance for the Town of
Ordinance 2030
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach the Ordinance
authorizing a temporary loan of $75,000.00 from Sanitation to General
Fund. Alspach references copies of
tonight’s Fund Report and notes that the General Fund account is overdrawn. Alspach has requested an early tax
distribution and will be able to pick up a check on May 4th. Councilman Spencer moves to adopt Ordinance
2030 on first reading and is seconded by Councilman Alspach. Vote 5
affirmative.
Councilman Alspach moves to suspend the rules
to consider this Ordinance on final reading tonight. Motion is seconded by Councilman Harris. Vote 5
affirmative.
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads Ordinance 2030
in title only. Councilman Alspach moves
to adopt Ordinance 2030 on final reading and is seconded by Councilman
Noonan. Vote 5 affirmative.
Town Council
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April 18, 2006
Ordinance 2031
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents a Memo from
Marshal Stephenson requesting a salary increase for the Police Department
Records Clerk. Alspach has prepared an
amendment to the 2006 Salary Ordinance to reflect the increase that Marshal
Stephenson is requesting. Marshal
Stephenson explains how important this position is to their department and
explains that the person in that position is about to complete her schooling as
a paralegal. Stephenson is concerned
that at the current salary of $19,000.00 she will look for work elsewhere. Councilman Harris asks about the gasoline
budget? Will they run out of money
before the end of the year? Stephenson
states the money he is asking to use is money left from the prior Marshal’s
salary. Stephenson adds that there is
other money available from the difference in the Lt’s salary and what the new
officer will be paid. Stephenson adds
that he is monitoring the gas budget and they are right on their projected
target. Harris is concerned about gas
prices going up. Councilman Spencer
states no full time employee should make only $19,000.00 a year. Spencer moves to adopt Ordinance 2031 and is
seconded by Councilman Noonan. Vote 4
affirmative. Member Harris votes no.
Councilman Alspach moves to suspend the rules
to consider Ordinance 2031 on final reading and is seconded by Member
Spencer. Vote 4 affirmative. Member
Harris votes no.
Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the ordinance
in title only on 2nd reading.
Councilman Alspach moves to adopt Ordinance 2031 on final reading and is
seconded by Member Noonan. Vote 4 affirmative. Member Harris votes no.
OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC
Being no other
business the meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer
Approved: _____________________________
After the meeting Attorney Watson
determines that a unanimous vote is required to suspend the rules. Ordinance 2031 will need to be considered on
final reading at the next meeting.