The NIPFP's Josh Wilder met with the town council to ask permission and work out arrangements to use the park. Also in September, the Pulaski County Fairboard will hold its re-scheduled tractor pulls on Sept. 5 and 6.

In other business, Winamac Volunteer Fire Department Chie Bill Weaver presented the council with a copy of the Automatic Mutual Aid for Pulaski County. Last year it was brought to the council for approval. There had been issues with the maps being approved by dispatch, but the agreement is now ready for signatures. Weaver said this agreement is for structure fires only and will help with the ISO ratings showing a constant water supply from other departments for a structure fire. The council voted to approve the agreement.

Weaver also inquired about a proposed purchase for a door and keypad lock for the west side of the fire station. With such a set-up, everyone would have his own code, and if someone leaves the department, that code would be disabled. This takes away the need for a key. The chief reported on two quotes from Bob’s Lock and Key, one for  $2,575 and a second for  $2,771 which comes with a computer type program for up to 200 users which also keeps track of who has entered the building.

Discussion was held with Weaver regarding the two glass doors on the south side the building. Action was postponed to the next council meeting on Aug. 17.

Weaver also asked that in the future, the town notify the fire department, EMS and the sheriff’s department of any road closures. The town would need to call dispatch at the sheriff’s department. 

Weaver also thanked all of the town employees for the help during the fire at the Eagle’s Lodge in July.

Department Reports:

Town Marshal Mike Buchanan provided the council with the July statics: calls were up, accidents were up, written warnings and verbal warnings were over 80, several arrests, case load was up for the month, several thefts and some have been cleared. The police department filed theft reports for the town on three individuals and charges filed with the prosecutor’s office. 

Electric superintendent Doug Shorter reported that his department is working on line clearance, focusing on the school and Van Meter Park, plus new underground service at Kokomo Grain. He reported the new bucket truck may be delivered in early December. The new globes and lights at Galbreath Drive and front of park have been installed. His department has also been mowing some of the easements; and changing old resisters and cutouts.

Councilmember Tom Murray asked about the last electric meter that needs to be installed, and added a date needs to be scheduled with the First National Bank of Monterey for installation. Councilmember Richard Denney asked if the underground in Decker Drive and Terrace Drive would be completed this year. Shorter responded he is unsure at this time as the west project has not begun. Shorter also explained that a few more lots have sold in Galbreath Drive and it would be more feasible to run the underground in Decker, Terrace and Galbreath Drives at the same time. Town manger Brad Zellers stated the west project should start in a few weeks.

Water and Street superintendent Jeremy Beckner reported to the council that his department has a few lines to paint, but the curbs are finished. The department has been picking up a lot of brush, mowing railroad tracks, and installing a water tap to the high school football field. Recently, the elevated tank was out of service for cleaning for five days, but is now back in service. At end of September, two employees are scheduled to take class for water certification through Alliance.  They can work as an OIT for a year and after their second year is finished, they can get their water certifications. He further reported that road barricades were set up for the Spirit Festival, but they were not taken down afterward and the roads were blocked off all night.

Councilmember Judy Heater thanked Beckner for all of his help with the festival.  Marshal Buchanan said he had no calls or issues regarding the festival. Heater said the festival had one issue but the sheriff’s department handled it.  Murray asked about the status of the water meters that need to be installed, and Beckner said he has approximately 20 left and will have to work with the factories to schedule shutdowns.

Town manager and Wastewater superintendent Bradley Zellers reported that the wastewater department has been cleaning lines from SR 14 west and US 35 north, doing routine maintenance, and that the flows are dropping back down since it has quit raining.

Town Manager Report:

As town manager, Zellers also reported the following:

• Safe Routes to School: The town will notice that within the next few weeks, the sidewalks will be replaced due to incorrect ADA slopes and yards will be fixed.  Councilmember Judy Heater said she noticed part of the route was where Mr. and Mrs. Jim Murray are building a house and discussion as held regarding the variance on the property.
• Paving Bids were received as follows:
  • A. Central Paving:  $52,607.00
  • B. E & B Paving:  $48,339.31

The council voted to take the bids under advisement until the budget meeting scheduled for Aug. 17. 

• Greenspace Winamac Committee: Don Darda called with an update. He said they had a very good first meeting and Heater stated that the students are very interested. 
• Wheel loader: Last winter there were major problems and John Deer fixed the issue. Now it is doing the same thing. The town needs to replace this ASAP. Zellers will  send out requests for demos and quotes, and he hopes to have information at next month’s meeting.
• Shelter at the Town Park: Insurance has paid for the shelter damage at the park and Phil White is making repairs. Jeff Heims removed the tree and insurance will pay all but the deductible. 
• Jenkins Tire: Discussion was held regarding tire removal at Jenkins Tire, and the need for the town to enforce its ordinance regarding the matter.
• Corbin Scheffer’s Eagle Scout project at the trail is one month away from installation, and Scheffer is asking the council for the specific location. It will be a 24’ x 36’ pavilion.  After discussion, the council agreed that the pavilion could be placed on the east side of the walking trail on Main Street. Council president Kenneth McFarland asked about signs placed on the street to watch for pedestrians on the pathway. Zellers will check to see if the sign costs were part of the project. 
• Water tower: There is mold on the water tower, and there is a company that will remove the mold for a cost of $4,900 which includes a treatment on the tower so it will not mold for approximately five years. McFarland commented he would like to find someone who would like to donate their time to paint a mural on the tower.
• Road Paving: Kenneth Woodruff from the Federal Highway Administration, Indiana Division, walked the safe routes to school project and said that the town needs to make sure the roads and sidewalk joints are ADA compliant. The town needs to determine the best process and cost effective solution on sidewalks and roadways. The town has an ADA compliant schedule, but a lot needs to be updated. One area that is dangerous is by the Human Services building.
• Regarding the sidewalks, Zellers reported a resident asked about the sidewalk program a few months ago and at the time, the town was not ready so the resident went ahead and did his own. He then turned in the application and is asking for reimbursement.  Discussion was held. The council voted 4-1 to not reimburse this individual, with Denney voting in opposition.
• Cemetery: The building at the cemetery needs to be removed. Murray said a permit would have to be obtained in order to take the building down.

At the conclusion of the reports, a discussion was held on the continued use of the malfunctioning wheel loader. After debating options, it was determined that the loader would be worth more working than not working.

Paying Aviation, 911 Share:

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger asked the council for direction for payment of the 2013 and 2014 invoices from the Pulaski County Auditor’s Office for the town’s one-third portion of aviation expenses and one 911 operator salary. The auditor’s office sends the invoice in January of each year for the prior year. Berger phoned the auditor’s office between January and June requesting the invoice but never received one in 2014. 

Discussion was held regarding the charges from the auditor’s office regarding the aviation expenses. Berger explained that money is budgeted every year for both aviation and 911 expenses, but the 2015 budget does not allow the payment of both 2013 and 2014 expenses. She asked the council for direction to either make the payment through the additional appropriation process with the Department of Local Government and Finance (DLGF) or pay from the CCD and Rainy Day funds.

Heater wanted to make it clear that it is no fault of Berger's that the invoice did not get paid in 2014 for 2013 expenses as there was money appropriated for the expenses in the 2014 budget. Denney asked how Berger contacted the auditor’s office, and she responded through telephone calls. Denney strongly recommended sending a certified letter in the future when asking for invoices. The council voted to pay the aviation and 911 invoices 2013 payable 2014 and 2014 payable 2015 through the CCD in the amount of $29,000 and Rainy Day Fund in the amount of $6,036.58.

Final Business:

The council was informed that a Winamac landlord recently helped someone look for a place to live. The home they entered had wiring hanging out of ceilings, was filthy, and moldy.  The landlord asked if the town can do something to clean up these messes, inside and outside. The council responded that if there are issues inside the home, the board of health would need to be notified. Denney asked the landlord to make of list of addresses and present to the town manager for action. 

McFArland introduced Jim Watkins to the council as the first district councilmember, beginning in January.

Winamac Council meets for budget workshop Aug. 17

WINAMAC – The Winamac Town Council met for a budget workshop Aug. 17.

Consultants Eric Walsh and Pooja Shrestha of Umbaugh & Associates told the council the town will have a balanced budget in 2016 with the estimated cash flows and with reallocating some of the tax levy. 

Discussion was held regarding salaries and health insurance costs. The council then voted to increase the hourly salaries from $1 to $1.10 with the exception of the electric department.

Also, the council voted to increase the home demolition appropriation from $5,000 to $15,000.  In addition, approval was given in a 3-2 vote to increase the Pulaski County Human Services appropriation from $1,000 to $2,000, with councilmen Tom Murray and Richard Denney voting in opposition.

The fire station doors were discussed. The council voted to approve the purchase of the front doors at the cost of $932 Denney asked if the new doors would be ADA compliant and town manager Brad Zellers said they are not and that they would need to be ADA compliant in the future.

Zellers asked the council to approve the street paving bid from E & B Paving as it was several thousand dollars less than the other bid. The council voted 4-1 to accept E & B Paving’s bid of $48,339 with Councilmember Dan Vanaman voting in opposition.

Zellers discussed with the council the benefits of establishing a park board vs. a park committee.