Winamac Town Council holds first reading on parks and recreation board ordinance

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Published: Tuesday, 19 April 2016 19:10

WINAMAC - The Winamac Town Council held a first reading on a new ordinance to establish a Park and Recreation Board at its April meeting.

Reorganizing the current park board to meet state code will open up opportunities for grant funding that isn't currently available to the community, and could prove helpful for the town’s swimming pool rebuilding project, as well as other park and recreation programs.

The council has been considering the parks and recreation proposal for many months. Town attorney Justin Schramm explained that 85-90 percent of what was written in the proposed new ordinance was taken from the Indiana Code. Discussion included procedures for appointing park board members. The board is expected to vote on the ordinance at its May meeting.

In other business, the council debated the pros and cons of several options for removing ash trees at the town park. Consideration was given to allowing contractors to purchase the trees for removal. It was pointed out the state park has done this without a disclaimer. Attorney Schramm discussed the liability issues. Another option is to allow a licensed contractor to fell the tree and then allow individuals to cut up the tree leaving the brush for the town to remove, charging the individual $40 per tree. Yet another option is have a contractor fell the trees, and the town removes the trees. Eventually the council decided to obtain three bids for the removal of the trees. Councilmember Jim Watkins asked if more than one contractor could be obtained by bidding on different sections. 

Under new business, council president Ken McFarland said that the new cemetery property needs to be plotted. Quotes will need to be secured. 

McFarland also said he had received complaints that the town was not quoting jobs, and he asked that in the future, anything over a value of $5,000 should be quoted, unless it is an emergency, and good will is exercised.

Councilmember Judy Heater asked when the street in front of the library was going to be addressed for repair and/or paving. It was reported the town has this roadway on the map for the autumn's paving, along with the roadway on Market Street by the jail.

Waylon Burke informed the council that the Winamac Little League’s opening day is May 1, and the VFW will be present for the flag rising. He asked the council members to attend opening day if possible.

Town Manager's report

Town manager Brad Zellers reported on the following:

1. Solar Park: IMPA is working toward getting a solar park. It was reported a homeowner had received a letter from someone other than IMPA regarding the solar park, but Zellers is unsure where the letter originated; it did not come from IMPA.
2. Tax Abatements for ISIS Theater and LaurDi, LLC: A tax abatement application was received from the ISIS Theater. The council voted to accept the abatement as presented.
3. Pool Agreement with Community Foundation: Agreement is still being reviewed by the town’s attorney.
4. Summer help at the park: An advertisement seeking summer help at the park will be placed. Applications are due by April 25, and the candidate will be hired as soon as drug screening is completed. Zellers will make a recommendation to the council. The job description for the position was discussed and approved.
5. Cathy Fritz: The town will change drug testing arrangements, and have all drug tests performed directly with Fritz's firm, instead of the firm that is outside of town. This will cost the same.
6. Tree Committee – ordinance change:  Ordinance # 4 of 2016 An Ordinance Changing the Name of Greenspace Winamac to The Winamac Tree Committee.  The council voted to adopt the ordinance.
7. The Tree Committee is to plant trees on April 30. The town will call in locations, and there is a lot of help for planting.
8. The town received a request by the school for an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for softball. The council determined the school can purchase its own. The town does have an AED in each one of the department trucks but not one at the park. The council agreed to purchase one for the park.
9.  Arbor Day Proclamation: Council president Ken McFarland read the Arbor Day Proclamation.

Following Zellers' report, Schramm spoke about the renewal of the contracts with the Fair Board.

Clerk-Treasurer’s report:

Clerk-treasurer Melanie Berger reported on the following:

1. The fire contract from Monroe Township was received and needs council approval:  The council voted its approval.
2. The clerk-treasurer is allowed to transfer monies from the general fund to rainy day every year and asked the council’s permission to transfer $10,000. The council approved.
3. The 2015 Indiana Utility Receipts Tax Return (URT) was mailed on April 7.
4. Umbaugh’s contract for services needs renewed. Berger asked the council’s permission to sign the contract on behalf of the town. The council agreed.
5. The utility annual reports were given to the council. A meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Thursday, April 28, for review of the annual reports with Umbaugh representatives.
6. The employee handbook was updated. Section 601: Family Medical Leave needed to be included in the handbook. The council voted to adopt the updated edition of the employee handbook as presented.
7. Berger will be on vacation from April 16-20.
8. The council agreed to contribute $150,000 to the pool committee with the monies to come from the EDIT fund. An additional appropriation will need to be addressed with the DLGF. The EDIT plan will also need to be reviewed. It was discussed to contribute $75,000 this year and $75,000 next year. 

Department Reports

Town Marshal Mike Buchananpresented the statistical report for March. His department had a fairly busy month with 139 calls with several drug arrests and incarcerations. The new police car is here and waiting for equipment to come in and should be detailed within the next week. The blue car had to have the radiator replaced. Once the weather breaks, the police department will do more patrol at the town park. Buchanan has two men on duty on both shifts and an overlap shift now. Bike patrols will also start as soon as weather breaks. A car with a broken windshield, and a trailer on Riverside Drive were discussed. Buchanan will speak to the homeowner regarding the trailer.

Wastewater foreman Waylon Burkereported his department's activities for the month included: receiving CPR and first aid training, switching to the outside clarifier, getting the chlorine up and running; TV’ing a few lines to find some services with issues; helping the water department with water leaks and waxing three floors.

Water and Street superintendent Jeremy Becknerreported his department has been doing brush pickup; leaf pickup; cemetery cleanup by all departments; waxing floors at the fire station, water plant and wastewater with help from the wastewater department; and repairing water leaks in two locations. Beckner said he needs to look into getting everyone off of a four-inch line on SR 14 East.

A quote was given to the council for a leak survey from M.E. Simpson, and he received a quote for equipment for the town to perform its own leak survey. Beckner asked the council for permission to hire M.E. Simpson to perform the leak survey for a cost of $7,500 which covers the entire water system. The last time it was completed was between 8-10 years ago. The council voted to allow Beckner to hire M.E. Simpson to do the proposed system leak survey of 25 miles.

Electric superintendent Doug Shorterreported that his department continues to do line clearance, has been turning on irrigators, replaced a 3-phase at Dr. Gudas’ office; continues to work on the underground project; received CPR first aid training; and repaired lines from wind outages. The new truck is in, has been stocked and is ready to go. The department replaced secondary underground that burned. The old transforms are dead at the school and have been switched over to 3-phase; work will continue on this in summer. The department also put in underground for a new house east of town.

Park Manager Dave DeLorenzoreported that his activities have included picking up sticks and turning on water hydrants at park. The concession stand has water and fairground hydrants are yet to be turned on, and also at the shelter house. He has been doing some mowing, and he cleaned up the flower bed at the park entrance.

The park manager also requested to purchase a lawnmower jack for servicing the blades. The council voted to purchase a MoJack for the price of $481.49.

Prices for the tennis court resurfacing, and adding a pickle ball court are being received. If the threshold is $5,000 or under, the town manager can proceed with the renovation.