Winamac Council discusses wage issues

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Published: Thursday, 11 December 2014 18:11

WINAMAC - Josh Wilder, representing the Northern Indiana Power From the Past (NIPFP), Inc., met with the Winamac Town Council at its monthly meeting (Dec. 8) regarding the fairgrounds area in the town park where the organization holds its Antique Power Show each summer.

Also, the council discussed town employee wages at the meeting.

Wilder observed the road conditions at the fairgrounds have been greatly improved. He is concerned, however, that the steam engines will tear up the roads and asked if there will be material to fix them if needed. Councilman Tom Murray asked if boards could be placed on the road, but Wilder said the engines are too heavy for that option to work. Wilder wants the council to know that the NIPFP will patch the roads as best they can. He told the council he appreciates all of the help from the town’s employees and for the mowing. He also stated that the NIPFP will take care of repairing the hog barn where it was damaged.

Regarding wage issues, councilman Richard Denney asked the council to consider increasing the first deputy clerk’s starting wage to match a newly hired employee. Discussion was held. Denney made a motion to increase the first deputy clerk’s base hourly rate to $13.91, effective immediately. The motion died for lack of second.

Denney then made a motion to rescind the motion giving the electric department the $1 an hour raise, as agreed at the December regular meeting. The motion was denied 2-3 with Murray, Vanaman, and John Plowman voting in opposition.

The council then approved a motion to give a fifty-cent raise to all employees, except the electric department.

In other business, Clerk-Treasurer Melanie A. Berger, reported to the council the following:

1. An invoice has been sent to CSU regarding the work on Hathaway Street.
2. The town’s health insurance representatives, Steven Strantz and Robyn Henning, will send former town manager Jim Conner the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) health benefitsinformation. They also said that if COBRA is not accepted, then they feel that the town can look for different insurance at a lower price.
3. Town attorney John Kocher drafted a lease with the Pulaski County Family YMCA for the triangle property, located at the intersection of U.S. 35 and 13th Street. The council approved. The town recently purchased the property from the state. The YMCA plans to place a sign at the location.
4. McKinley Monument provided a new quote for the sign at the Veteran’s Memorial Park. The council voted to accept the quote of $900 for the sign.
5. First Deputy Kim Burke has been working with Jim Welsh and Bev Matthews, ISC, regarding the large power bills. They have presented a proposal to prepare a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that will calculate and prepare the monthly large customer billings.  This will simplify the process, reduce the chance of errors, and ensure better accuracy to the customers. ISC’s cost will be approximately $2,000. The council voted to accept the proposal, as presented.
6. The next quarter’s tracking factor needs to be figured. ISC provided a quote to provide the service for one year at a cost of $113 per hour. Umbaugh also presented a quote of $500 per quarter. Discussion was held. The council voted to hire ISC to prepare the tracking factor for the next quarter, only until a new town manager can be hired.
7. Scott Roudebush, who organizes the annual Independence Day fireworks display, recently reported that Cindy Garnett contacted him on behalf of the Braun Corporation to report that BraunAbility will match fireworks donations up to $2,500. The Town of Winamac will oversee the fireworks display this coming year, taking over from the Kiwanis Club which had previously sponsored the event.
8. The council has received an invitation to the McClure’s Christmas party.
9. Reporting on behalf of park manager Rick Dilts, the fence has been replaced at the small playground. Pea gravel has been delivered, and he will begin replacing the gravel at the big playground area. He is also going to secure quotes from R & S Welding and Dale Abbott Repair for the bleacher requirements per insurance. Councilman-elect Ken McFarland suggested that the fair board and NIPFP should share in the expense of updating the bleachers. He added that Dilts told him the town uses approximately 12 bleachers at the park and the rest are used by the fair and power show. Councilman Dan Vanaman noted that storing the revamped bleachers could be an issue.

Department Reports:

Town Marshal Mike Buchanan provided the council with his monthly statistical report. He reported that the calls were down. Also, he has been in contact with the insurance company regarding the police car repairs. 

Water and Street Superintendent Jeremy Beckner reported that his department is still picking up leaves; fixed the water leak at SR 14 East with the help of the electric and wastewater departments; all of the hydrant markers have been installed; the trucks are ready for winter; black dirt was placed by the sidewalk at the Veteran’s Memorial Park with the help of the electric department; picking up brush as needed; replaced a street sign on 13th Street and a sign on Hathaway Street; and replaced a broken fire hydrant at Winamac Coil Spring.

A quote from Hach for a spectrophotometer was presented to the council. The Water Department currently has a portable machine and it may not meet IDEM specifications.  The council agreed to purchase the machine. Murray asked about the water meters being replaced, and the commercial book still needs to be completed. Braun Corporation's meter has been scheduled to be replaced while they are on shut down over Christmas. It was questioned if the contractors who maintain lawns have to dispose of their leaves, and Beckner said the town will pick up leaves, but not grass clippings. Councilwoman Judy Heater stated that the work done at the Veteran’s Memorial Park looks nice.

Wastewater Superintendent Brad Zellers reported that the tanks are being winterized and so are the drying beds. His department has been maintaining lift stations and working on pre-treatment in the industries for compliance. The land application permit was renewed for another five years. Murray asked about the status of the project at SR 119, and Zellers said the pump has not been installed.

Electric Superintendent Doug Shorter reported his department is working on line clearance; changing poles south on SR 119; and starting the tower project for Verizon Wireless. 

His department is also going to remove the electric lines that are not being used on the old line along CR 50 South by Kokomo Grain. Denney asked if the lights at the park needed to be replaced, and Murray repondedd they still work. It was questioned if new lights were necessary. The subject will be discussed at a later date.

Discussion/Action Items:

Discussion was held regarding the Jan. 5 meeting and the regularly scheduled monthly meetings. The council voted 4-1 to begin the regular monthly meetings at 6 p.m., with Vanaman voting in opposition. The year-end meeting was scheduled for 7 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30, to be held at the Town Hall, Clerk-Treasurer’s Office.

Murray stated he felt the contract for mowing the town cemetery should be for three years instead of each year. This can be decided next year. Discussion was held regarding the liability insurance, and Denney said this subject needs to be addressed requiring contractors to provide their insurance information to the town with proper coverage.

Denney asked if the corrections have been completed for customers who were billed incorrectly for hydrant usage.  The clerk-treasurer responded the credits have been applied to the seven customers this affected. Discussion was also held regarding the customers who have lawn sprinklers and that an amendment to the current water ordinance needs to be prepared. It was decided Kocher needs to be contacted regarding this issue.

Murray asked about the old sewage plant and if fill could be used where the hole is in the middle of the road. Zellers responded there may be a flood plain issue. Denney asked if this could be looked at next year. Beckner offered to research what can be done in this area.

Heater reported she called the clerk-treasurer in Plymouth regarding their splash pad. Plymouth has a small version which cost them around $60,000. She is going to check with Bourbon and LaPaz. Murray said that school teacher Alan Huggler had called him regarding a splash pad, and Huggler will contact Heater regarding the matter.