In related business, Dave Bennett apprised the council of the Panhandle Pathway status to date. The path committee expects to extend the path to Superior Street by July. The goal is to get the pathway to the depot downtown and eventually to U.S. 35 by passing through property owned by Don Cripe and Kenny Gardner who have signed letters-of-intent for the project. Bennett and Kroh indicated they would like for the town to be a corridor bridging the Panhandle from the city limits at the south end of town to highway 35. Councilman Jim DeArmond asked how the pathway will be maintained, and the hope was expressed that the town could make this part of the park. Bennett also addressed Superior Street as a “safe route” to school and proposed it be made a one-way street to allow more room for a designated walkway.

Council President, John Plowman, suggested an advisory board be formed to work with the park board, SRTS Board and Panhandle Pathway Board.

In other business, Fred Zahrt of Winamac Greenspace presented the council with plans for the “Pocket Park” at Washington and Monticello streets. Discussion was held regarding parking for Studio 218 and the alley, and on the maintenance of the ground, trees, and electrical wiring. The council approved a motion to allow Greenspace Winamac to begin work on the Pocket Park as set out in the diagram (45’ x 98’).

In a follow-up report from last year’s storm-drainage project, Mark Sullivan with Commonwealth Engineering met with E & B Paving regarding a mediation plan for the areas of roadways holding water. Work will begin around May 15 and last a month. Discussion was held as to the retainage monies still held by the town. Sullivan will request a payment from LGS to E & B releasing $100,000 of the retainage leaving $48,000 until E & B paving has completed the punch list. There will be a one-year warranty after substantial completion.

Regarding the paving quantities discrepancies, LGS re-measured and all agree on the quantity. Instiuform needs to finish its work. The council agreed that no more payments be made to them until everything is completed. Sullivan suggested payment to LGS in the amount of $148,095.00 holding five percent. The council agreed and approved a motion to that effect. Sullivan will submit his final invoices at next month’s meeting.

Wastewater superintendent Brad Zellers suggested a lift station be placed on the east side of the walking trail on the farm real estate. Discussion was held as to who the responsible party is for the drainage off this farm ground that is going into the town’s sanitary system - a significant cost to the sewer plant. Town attorney John Kocher suggested the town be placed on the agenda for the next county drainage board meeting. Town manager Jim Conner will attend that meeting, along with councilman Richard Denney and Zellers. Zellers also suggested speaking to the property owners.

Zellers also reported that Star City’s new sewer system will be ready to pump to the town in about two months. The flow meter is on order, and a price-per-gallon has been established.

Retiring park superintendent Don Thompson expressed his thanks to everyone he has worked with in the last 20 years.. The council members thanked him for his dedication to his job. At the request of Conner, the council voted to appoint Rick Dilts as park superintendent, effective April 1.

Thompson reported has been busy trimming brush, hooked up the water to the concession stand, and will be working on the restroom soon. Denney asked about the port-a-pot in the back of the park, and Thompson responded he did not want to install it permanently because of floods.

Water and street superintendent Kevin Roe reported that the ME Simpson firm performed a leak survey. Two leaks were found in the sewer project at the north end of town: 4” pipes at 12th and Market streets and 14th and Hathaway streets, and seven hydrants from the 2004 water project.

He also reported the department is patching holes in streets, staying on top of the brush, the streets with curbing has been swept, and the snow plow and sander have been removed from the truck. DeArmond asked about the automatic meter readings and Roe said there are only a few left to be replaced. The plan is to have the project completed this summer. Denney asked about the cemetery cleanup. Roe said it would take place about April 1. Denney explained that some families would like to know when the clean-up is going to be done. He would also like a schedule. Councilman Tom Murray said the schedule is published the newspaper. Denney also asked when the fire hydrant flush would take place, and Roe responded it would also be done about April 1.

Electric superintendent Doug Shorter reported that the last of the new meters are installed. The department will start working on the business meters that need to be replaced. The original bid is complete. The department is still working on line clearance, and had rubber sleeves and rubber goods tested (which have to be tested every six months). Workers are changing some overhead service to underground. Denney asked if there needed to be anything in the budget for this, and and learned that $125,000 is already budgeted. Shorter also presented some information regarding stand-by information from other counties.

Police Chief Mike Buchanan reported the new police car will be ready around April 1; the department is waiting for the siren, and there has been a problem with the decals sticking. All training was submitted to the state and approved by law enforcement. Chris Schramm will participate this year. Denney asked if this was to the town’s advantage, and Buchanan said the officers take a two-day training through the academy which is free, where it can cost up to $200 elsewhere.

Jenny Shank spoke to the council on behalf of Amy Fritz Hoover, the franchise manager of H &R Block. The firm would like to have a block party on March 17 on Pearl and Market streets from alleyways. There will be giveaways and games. The council gave its approval.

Cathy Fritz presented the council with information of her drug testing business. She asked that the council consider using her firm. The council took this under advisement.

In his report, the town manager:

• Requested the council appoint Rod Button to the Winamac Plan Commission. This was approved.
• Reported that District 2 Homeland Security has asked Winamac to “host” an equipment trailer. The district needs a place to store the trailer, insurance and to secure a license plate for the trailer. There is a one-time fee for a license place and insurance will cost between $300 and $400 per year. There is also room at the complex for storing the trailer. The council approved a motion to allow the request.
• Suggested the council hold a work session on town employee health insurance. The date will be set to have IACT present, so the employees may ask questions.
• Volunteered to serve as the ADA coordinator to work with grants and a transition plan with the Panhandle and Safe Routes to School programs. The council approved.
• Presented a copy of the letter to Jacqueline Phillips, who has been clearing out her property.
• Presented a copy of an Application for Permit from Pulaski White Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (PWRTC). PWRTC is running fiber optic cable lines from First Federal Savings and Loan to Four County Counseling building.
• Presented Compliance with Statement of Benefits Real Estate Improvements for tax abatement for Dave Bennett. Conner asked the council to approve the compliant form to continue the abatement for 10 years. The council approved.
• Presented bid for the cemetery mowing contract. Dan’s Mowing was the only bid received. The council approved it.
• Reported on a meeting held with Plymouth Tube; the town has not received a response on the current proposal.
• Reported on an e-mail from Budd Insurance Agency regarding the airport insurance. Budd Insurance suggests the town purchase a $5 million Public Officials Liability insurance to cover the town’s portion of the airport costs. The cost from now until September would be $450 with a renewal amount of $1,344 in September. Denney suggested turning the airport over to the county, expressing the opinion that Winamac did not directly benefit from the airport. Council president Plowman, disagreed, saying the town has invested over 40 years in the airport. It was agreed that discussions could be held at a later date. The council approved a motion to purchase the insurance.
• Asked that the Arbor Day Proclamation be set for April 21, 2012. The council approved.

Clerk-Treasurer, Melanie Berger, asked for direction on Thompson’s retirement party. Pursuant to the State Board of Accounts, the expenses of the retirement party need to be expended to the Promotion of Business appropriation. Every year, the Christmas party is paid through this account. After discussion, Plowman instructed her to pay the expenses out of the Promotion of Business appropriation and address the Christmas party by possibly soliciting the town’s vendors for a donation. Council member Murray and attorney Kocher both said they will give a monetary donation to help with the expenses.

The town reimbursement rate for mileage was addressed. The last time the rate was changed was in 2006. Discussion was held that a company vehicle needs to be utilized whenever possible. A motion was passed for the town to adopt the federal mileage rate as established by IRS yearly.

Berger asked the council to change the municipal office hours from  7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays; and 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays to 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays. Council members Murray and Dan Vanaman said they would prefer to see the Saturday hours remain. Plowman and Denney felt the Wednesday night would work. The matter was tabled for further discussion.

Berger also presented the council with two bids for replacement of carpet in the office. The low bid from Miller’s Department Store was approved. After discussion on painting, bathroom fixtures and a new door, a motion was approved to allow $8,000 from Shared Office fund to be used toward the office for improvements, including the carpet.

The Fire Protection Agreement was signed by the council.