January 3, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Jon Lykins declared a quorum and called the meeting to order. An attendance sheet was made available for non-officers and citizens present. Present besides Jon Lykins, Council President, was Dennis Richardson, Council Vice President. Other officers present were Mary Richardson, Clerk-Treasurer; Paul Sembach, Utility Supervisor, and Geoffrey Wesling, Town Attorney. Ramona Turner, Council Member, and Marvin Hedrick, Marshal, were absent.
A motioned was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous town meeting. The motion carried without objections. There were no amendments.
Robbie Wilson from Wilson-Lawson-Meyers recapped the 2017 insurance policies covering the claim submitted. Mary noted that the claims included the backup system which will now be in the cloud. Instead of periodically sending flash drives, Mary will be able to continuously back up to the cloud
Bills were presented as reflected on the attached. A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins to pay the bills as presented. The motion carried without objections.
General Fund / $11,087.42 / Water Utility Meter Fund / $15,857.15Motor Vehicle Highway Fund / $2,036.90 / Water Bond & Interest Fund / $14,110.00
Park Fund / $122.04 / Sewage Operating Fund / 10,434.88
Economic Development Fund / $2,400.00 / Payroll Fund / $6,901.96
TOTAL / $62,050.35
Unfinished Business
It was noted that the Grant Administrator filed the Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Stormwater planning grant on December 5, 2016. A response should be received in February.
Mike Kleinpeter, Grant Administrator, provided updated information regarding the OCRA Grant – Fire Station. Mike plans to meet with Jon, Paul, and the Fire Department representatives primarily to discuss where the source of the funding for the grant match. This information must be submitted by April. The Fire Department will need to submit loan approval and/or certification of account balances for the match. The town will need to submit certification of account balances for their contribution. There were four representatives from the Fire Department present.
Mike was able to obtain names for the Fayette 911 list and has letters printed. He needs the Rush 911 list to prepare those letters. The Fire Department representatives, including Paul Sembach, will follow up to obtain the list. This is urgent in order to obtain the income survey timely.
The Council agreed to hold the public hearing for the grant on February 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. The second public hearing will be March 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Mary commented that the Indiana Rural Water Association has published information that may be of interest to the Council as it relates to stormwater planning and drinking water systems.
Paul reported that the library box has been put together and painted. It will be installed when the weather permits.
Mary and Geoffrey discussed the State Board of Accounts requirements before town property can be sold. The town will have to make a publication and send letters to adjoining property owners. Then after ten days the town can move to sell if the person wanting the property is the only bidder. An appraisal is not required since the property is under $6000.00. The Council will have to make a motion to sell the property for the reason that it is not efficient for the city to maintain the property.
A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins to rescind the motion at the December 5, 2016 town meeting regarding approving the sale of town property. The motion has been revised to sell the property for at least $4,000 based on bids received from the adjacent property owners; if no bids from property owners the property will be sold to the highest bidder for at least $4,000 after appropriate public notice. The motion carried with no objections.
The revised Rush County Area Plan Commission Zoning Ordinance Amendment petition was presented to the Council. A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins to approve the petition. The motion carried with no objections.
New Business
Dale Munson, Gregg Riggs, Donald Fey, Gary Winstead. Dustin Munson, Dave Burkhardt, and Paul Sembach as representatives from the Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) discussed filing a jointly with the town for an OCRA grant to build a new fire station. They confirmed that GVFD will pay half the cost for an environmental study, $1500. A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins for the town to pay the other half of the environmental study for the fire station site.
A property owner questioned receiving a sewer charge for vacant property. Geoff explained that when the town received funding from Rural Development to install the sewer system, this was a requirement. The loan was based on the number of units and Rural Development wanted to ensure that all property owners with buildings subject to the sewer installation paid for the system.
The Council discussed a request from a property owner for a water/sewer billing adjustment or a second leak during 2016. A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins that based on the extenuating circumstances; the adjustment will be made for one month with the requirement that the water line be replaced. The motion carried with no objections. Geoff recommended updating the existing water/sewer billing adjustment policy.
A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins to renew Jo Temple’s Park Board membership for four years. The motion carried with no objections.
A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins to approve the revised ADA Plan as presented. The motion carried with no objections.
A motion was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins to approve the Park Board request to purchase additional shutters for the community center and purchase of replace swing chairs and park equipment repairs. The motion carried with no objections.
Reports
Jon provided an update from Ramona regarding the Area Plan Commission. It was also noted that Ramona has received communication from the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.
Denny provided an update from the Rush County Development & Community Corporation’s (ECDC) December meeting.
Mary noted that the State sent the town another Bicentennial flag.
The new mileage rate is 53.5 cents for 2017. Mary provided revised claim sheets to the Council.
Mary also requested the Council sign the annual nepotism statements.
The conflict of interest statements were presented.
Paul Sembach provided the written utility report.
OTHER BUSINESS
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Dennis Richardson and seconded by Jon Lykins. The motion carried without objections.
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Mary M. Richardson, Clerk-Treasurer