Utilities consultant John Julien spoke to the council about the water rate increase, due to the water project, and discussion followed. Julien told the council members a rate ordinance had been prepared for their consideration in the matter of setting the rates and charges for the use of and service rendered by the waterworks of the Town.
The ordinance was introduced and discussion was held. The council voted 4-1 to place the proposed water rates ordinance on first reading, with Murray voting in opposition. The council also voted to set the public hearing on the ordinance for 7 p.m., Feb. 11.
Attorney John Kocher informed the council that Ice Miller LLP, attorneys of Indianapolis, employed as bond counsel, had prepared a form of a bond ordinance for consideration by the council in the matter of the financing of the construction of additions and improvements to the waterworks of the town and the refunding of its outstanding Waterworks Revenue Bonds of 2004 in order to achieve a savings.
Kocher then stated that it would now be in order for the council to consider the ordinance. Julien added his agreement. The council voted its consent to place the proposed ordinance on first reading. The council then decided to suspend the rules and proceeded to approve the second and final reading of the ordinance.
Next, discussion followed on the sewage works. Julien reported that a rate ordinance had been prepared for consideration by the council in the matter of setting the rates and charges for the use of and service rendered by the sewage works of the town. After more discussion, the council voted 4-1 to place this third ordinance of the new year on third reading, with Murray voting in opposition. The public hearing for this ordinance will also be held at 7 p.m., Feb. 11.
Nathan Origer, executive director of the Pulaski County Economic Development Commission, spoke on behalf of GalFab Co., Inc.’s expansion and presented the council with a proposed tax abatement resolution asking for a 10-year, 100 percent abatement for $150,000 on land improvements. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
Frank Deveau and David Guevara reported to the council about the "garbage dump area." The investigation is complete and discussion was held regarding the environmental restrictive covenant. The concil voted to approve the environmental restrictive covenant, as explained. They will send the Environmental Restrictive Covenant for signatures at a later date.
Deveau and Guevara also spoke about the claim when the sewer was installed and, because there wasn’t dewatering with the plume, the claim was dismissed.
Clerk-Treasurer, Melanie Berger, presented the council with the appointments for 2013. After discussion, the council voted 4-1 to approve the appointments with Denney voting in opposition. The appointments are as follows:
- Town Manager James Conner
- Town Attorney John Kocher
- Chief of Police Mike Buchanan
- Park Manager Rick Dilts
- Electric Superintendent Doug Shorter
- Water & Street Superintendent Kevin Roe
- Wastewater Superintendent Bradley Zellers
- Board of Finance President John Plowman
- ABC Appointment Judy Heater
- K-IRPC Appointment John Simmermaker
- NW Ind. Solid Waste Appointment John Plowman
- Pulaski Co. YMCA Representative Melanie Berger
- Mainstreet Representative Melanie Berger
- Winamac Economic Development John Plowman
- Board of Zoning Appeals David Sparks
- Board of Zoning Appeals Don Clouser
- Airport Board Representative Jeremy Wegner
- Plan Commission Council Representative Tom J. Murray
Department Reports:
Water & Street superintendent Kevin Roe, reported that the fire hydrant was repaired behind the Christian Church after an individual was joy riding in the parking lot and that the charges have been billed to this individual; inventory is complete; brush is being picked up again; there has been one snowfall so far this year and roads were cleaned up within two to three hours; maintaining equipment and working with the engineers on the water project.
Police chief Mike Buchanan provided the council with the stats for 2012; December was fairly quiet with one burglary. He discussed break-ins during funerals and the department will watch the homes of families during funeral times. He spoke with school superintendent Dr. Klitzman at the school - the Winamac police and the county sheriff’s department have maps of the school with all of the entrances. In February, a three-day active shooters class will be held at the former elementary school in Monterey. The Pulaski County Reserves are going to work with the Winamac Police Department so that as many of the Winamac Police Department officers as possible can attend.
Wastewater superintendent Brad Zellers reported that the blower is hooked up and ready for use. The department is doing maintenance work and is currently working at the town office putting in a sewer line for the bathroom for ADA compliance.
Electric superintendent Doug Shorter reported that the inventory has been complete; the hot sticks and plastics have been tested as have the gloves and sleeves; replaced one pole that was hit during the ice; and working on line clearance. He also reported four interviews were held and Jake Berger was hired for a department openeing. West Win was discussed about putting electric underground.
Park Superintendent Rick Dilts reported that the rental book has been filled out this year and people are starting to book for 2013; reviewed all files in the office; brush and stumps need to be cut; and the Northern Indiana Power From the Past will be from July 18 – 21 and the 4-H Fair will be June 28 – July 5 this year. The back of the park is locked and after discussion, it was decided to leave the back locked but keep in contact with the Fair Board for their use. The speed signs on Riverside Drive need to be repaired.
Town Manager’s Report:
Town manager Jim Conner reported on the following items:
- He has prepared the first quarter tracking factor for 2013. The council voted 4-1 to pass the tracking factor on to customers with Denney voting in opposition.
- Discussion was held regarding the water project and appointments to the owner board and tax payer representative. The council voted to appoint Kevin Roe as the tax payer representative and Jim Conner as the owner representative.
- Informed the council that there will be a series of webinars on Electric Utility with American Public Power Association (APPA) at the complex on Tuesday, Jan. 12 beginning at 2 p.m. This webinar is the first in a four-part series and will continue over the next four months.
- Discussion was held regarding Steve Carter’s proposal to provide accounting services to the Town.
Other Business:
Councilman Murray informed members that John Haley has replaced Kurt Stout on the airport board.
Plowman reported that the last meeting of the Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District was the best he has attended. He said the district has about $2 million and is gong to keep up with the grants for education and funding.
Denney commented that he felt solid waste and storm water services should be discussed. The council also discussed the pocket park and the parking lot at the YMCA. Denney also commented about putting in a path behind Terrace Drive to the plaza. Easements would need to be looked into.
Clerk-Treasurer, Melanie Berger, presented the Town of Winamac Board of Finance investment balances as of Dec. 31, as required each year. This report consists of each CD, the amount, where it is invested, the interest rate, and the date of renewal.
