Winamac Council to fill in town pool

Details

Published: Tuesday, 23 June 2015 22:03

WINAMAC - The Winamac Town Council has decided to fill in the old town pool, located next to the YMCA.

At its June meeting, council member Judy Heater informed the council that the YMCA has no way to secure funds for a swimming pool, and suggested that the town fill in the pool. The council agreed. 

The 50-year-old community swimming pool was closed last year by the town council because it needed extensive and expensive repairs, or replacement. Owned by the town, summer operations of the pool had been contracted to the YMCA for its last 13 seasons.

The pool was constructed in 1963 and opened in 1964. Many local children learned to swim there, and thousands spent their summer days and evenings at the town pool over five decades. On hot summer days, the pool often averaged nearly 200 visitors. But subsequent town boards/councils apparently failed to maintain a fund for eventual major repairs and/or replacement of the pool.

Without the town pool, Winamac residents have no public swimming facility. Winamac Community High School has no swimming pool, but West Central High School on the west side of the county does.

In other business, John Bawcum and Dave Bennett met with the council to discuss the Winamac Parkway.  Construction has begun and is due to be completed within the month. This project encompasses elements of the "Safe Routes to School" program and also takes advantage of the Panhandle Pathway bike/hike trail.

Council members Tom Murray and Dan Vanaman expressed dislike for the curves in the Panhandle path, but it was explained the curves will provide space for amenities such as shelters, benches and gardens, and also that the grant awarded for the project required this.

Bennett asked the council for permission for the current Winamac Parkway committee to facilitate parkway events. The council voted to grant the Winamac Parkway Committee permission to continue their work on the parkway, keeping the town council informed of events and planning.

Also in other business, the council received two bids for the electric project west of town (a third firm declined to bid). Council members voted to accept the low bid from ISC (IMPA Service Company) of $104,950. A discussion followed regarding the bids ISC received for materials for the project.  The council voted to accept the bid from HD Supply.

Old Business: 

The lease with the YMCA was discussed. The council approved a motion for the town manager and town attorney to work with the YMCA regarding the lease for the triangle property.

New Business:

John Kocher, as a town citizen, asked the council if something can be done with the building on the southwest corner of Logan and Main streets.  After discussion, the council asked the town manager and town attorney to see what can be done about the building.

Council member Judy Heater asked the council for permission to block off part of Logan Street for the Spirit of Pulaski County Festival on Aug. 8.  The council gave its approval.

Council president Ken McFarland reported to the council that the annexation committee has been looking into property for the solar park.

Following a discussion on the monthly claims, the council voted to approved them.

Reports:

Chief of Police Mike Buchanan reported to the council that his department had over 180 calls last month.  There were several drug arrests. His department has been using the bicycle at night. Officer Pickens will begin the basic physical program at the academy on July 6.  On July 27, he will begin at the academy. Buchanan and park manager Rick Dilts have discussed possible closing of the restrooms at the park and if the council will approve. The police officer on duty will close the restrooms around 11 p.m. each night. The council gave its approval. 

Council member Judy Heater noted that during softball games, several people have commented that the police were not present in the park during the events. Buchanan replied that his department has not started overtime.  There have also been numerous calls and complaints at Rinehart Park.

Council member Richard Denney asked if anyone had reported a white van in town taking dogs. Buchanan said he had not heard of any reports.

Town manager Brad Zellers reported on the following town matters:

• The smaller dog gate was added to the dog park.
• The Sidewalk Program is underway and applications are being returned to the office.
• As of now, the employee insurance will remain unchanged.
• The 4-H Fair Parade is July 7, and the council gave permission to enter a vehicle from each department. The employees will have to donate their time to drive a vehicle.
• Greenspace Winamac has two new members: Judy Heater and Don Darda.  Judy Poor has also said she would sit on the committee. Council member Judy Heater suggested asking Proscapes or Jerry Jones or a representative from either business be a part of the committee. It was also suggested asking the garden club for a representative.
• Peggy Georgi with Indiana Municipal Electric Association (IMEA) sent a praising letter regarding Jake Berger and Brett Beach’s attendance at the IMEA Spring Conference. Council president McFarland requested that a copy of letter be placed in their personnel files.
• In the board packets, a letter from the Pulaski County Community Foundation was provided for the Council’s information.
• IMPA needs documents so the town manager can be the commissioner replacing council member Richard Denney.  The council voted to adopt Resolution # 1 of 2015: A Resolution Appointing a new commissioner to the Indiana Municipal Power Agency - with Denney abstaining from the vote.
• Discussion was held regarding the name change from Winamac Greenspace to Greenspace Winamac.  The council voted to adopt Ordinance # 3 of 2015: An Ordinance to Change the Name of Winamac Greenspace.
• The ordinance book was updated. The council voted to adopt Ordinance # 4 of 2015: An Ordinance Enacting and Adopting a Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Winamac, Indiana, and Declaring an Emergency, with the spelling correction of “peach” to “peace."

Electric superintendent Doug Shorter reported to the council that his department has been working on the West Winn project and is awaiting the boring crew. He worked with Jeff Heims to remove ash trees. He also looked at all the dead ash trees in the park and is coordinating removal of the trees with Heims.  The electric department has also worked on transformer work for Two Guys, line clearance, changed out poles, and started electrical work at the school. Shorter reported that there was very little storm damage.

Water and street superintendent Jeremy Beckner reported to the council that his department has put in two water taps, swept streets, continued pick-up of brush, continued mowing, graded and placed stone in alleys, flushed hydrants, and shut off water on Pearl Street and fixed the issue before the new sidewalks were installed. The department is currently painting the parking lines and curbing uptown. They will put in a tap for the school’s football field. The inspection for the inside of the elevated tank at the complex is scheduled for Aug. 4 with Dixon Engineering. Council president McFarland commented that the tank at the water plant needs to be painted also.

Town manager/wastewater superintendent Brad Zellers reported to the council that the first lagoon air lines have been replaced. Two employees have received their CDLs. The outside clarifier has been moved to inside and the state inspector will be at the wastewater plant this month.

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger provided the council with information from the Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District annual report. She reported that INPRS is beginning audits; so they may be in the office to audit the books. She also reported the daily cost for the State Board of Accounts to audit is now $175.