Scott Fritz, chairman of Pulaski Health Foundation, presented the council with plans for the proposed assisted-living complex. The new complex will be built north of Winamac on U.S. 35, north of Ewing Drive. Phyllis and Kenneth Gardner have donated six acres for the project. Town manager Brad Zellers said the next step will be to schedule a Winamac Plan Commission hearing to re-zone the property from B2 to C2.

Pulaski County CDC director Nathan Origer reported he is considering putting together a review committee for tax abatements and asked if the council would be interested in appointing a member to represent the council on the committee. The town council members agreed this would be a good idea. Origer will present the plan to the county council.  If they approve, he will begin writing by-laws.

The council approved claim docket 04-14-2017 Payroll, as presented, in the amount of $66,002.53 and docket 04-28-2017 Payroll, as presented, in the amount of $68,659.48. The council also approved claim docket to May 8, 2017 Council Meeting, as presented, in the amount of $742,668.22.

Water and Street superintendent Jeremy Beckner reported to the council his department continues to pick up leaves and brush, mow, and conduct backflow inspections. Peerless Midwest has repaired a pump at the water plant. The annual CCR report has been sent out to customers. Beckner gave an update on the well-site, stating the department is going to do a 24-hour pump test that will give the town a lot more information.

Wastewater foreman Waylon Burke reported that his department has mowed, installed a new catch basin at a local business, helped at the park, repaired and sprayed the yard at the new police station, sprayed for weeds, worked on storm lines at hospital, jetted lines, and switched to the outside clarifier.

The council was presented with the police department and electric department’s monthly report.

Town manager’s report:

1. Ordinance # 5 of 2017:  Adopting an Economic Development Rider for the Town of Winamac, Indiana was discussed. The council voted to adopt the ordinance.
2. Resolution # 5 of 2017:  A Resolution Adopting Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Implementation Plan for the Town of Winamac, Indiana was discussed. The council voted to approve the resolution.
3. Renewal of tax abatements were presented to the council.  In three separate actions, the council voted to renew the tax abatements for Standard Industrial, LaurDi and  Earnest Armstrong.
4. An agreement from Mike Kleinpeter for professional grant administration services was presented to the council.  The council voted to accept the agreement.
5. The West re-build should be completed May 9.
6. The new cemetery has been leveled and seeded.
7. Mowing and yard clean-up letters have been sent to homeowners.
8. A joint-session with the Board of Parks and Recreation has been requested by the Park Board. A date of May 17 was set at 6 p.m., at the Winamac Municipal Complex.  

Clerk-treasurer’s report:

1.  A letter from Kristen Deutsch of New Focus was presented to the council regarding an annual fee of $125 to continue updating the town in regard to employment federal, state or NLRB regulations.  The council voted to accept the annual.
2. A quote from Keystone was presented for fraud protection. Keystone offers a program the town can upload to First Source Bank for the checks that the office issues, and the bank will match the check number and amount from the file the town office uploads to confirm the check written is valid.  If a check is written that is not on file, First Source Bank will not clear the check and will contact the town office immediately. The cost for this program for Payroll and Fund is $750. The council voted to approve the quote as presented.
3. The DLGF has added a report. It is a “pre-budget worksheet” that is due June 5.  
4. The next council meeting is scheduled for June 12.  The town manager and clerk-treasurer will be at the ILMCT conference.  They asked to reschedule the meeting to June 5 at 6 p.m., with a public meeting beforehand at 5:45 p.m. By affirmation, this was agreed to by the council.  

Under old business, councilmember Judy Heater reported she has received several complaints about how the park looks. Council president Tom Murray said he agreed. The town manager was asked to talk with the park manager about this. The part-time help starts on May 23.

Heater also mentioned that the flag pole by the scoreboard at the girls softball field is loose and needs to be fixed.