TOWN OF WOLCOTT COUNCIL MEETING

Transcription

1 TOWN OF WOLCOTT COUNCIL MEETING The Council of the Town of Wolcott met Tuesday, August 5, 2014 immediately following the Public Hearing regarding the proposed Water/Wastewater Planning Study in the Community Room of the Wolcott Town Hall for its regular stated meeting. Present were Council President Marsha L. Mackey, Council Vice President Jon H. Evans, Council members Richard A. Lynn, Fred Young and Michael A. Yelton, Clerk-Treasurer Linda S. Bajzatt, Wolcott Town Marshal James M. Herre, Wolcott Water & Street Supt. Robert G. Thomas, Wolcott Wastewater Supt. Chad Reynolds, Wolcott Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief Kenneth Burns and Wolcott Town Attorney Mark Callaway. Also present Barbara Lawson of The New Wolcott Enterprise, Edwin Buswell, Executive Director of Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission, Marc Rape of Strand Associates, Matt Kingery from Midwest Meter Inc., and Kelli Dye, manager & chef of the Brass Buckle Restaurant. Council President Marsha Mackey opened the meeting by asking all present to join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Council member Fred Young moved to approve the following documents: 1. Minutes Recording Authorization 2. Civil Rights Certificate 3. Certificate of Accessibility 4. Applicant s Disclosure/Update Report 5. Indiana Assurance Certificate 6. Certificate of Exemption 7. Four-factor Analysis 8. Citizen s Participation Report 9. Resolution of the Town of Wolcott, Indiana Authorizing the Submittal of the CDBG Planning Grant Application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and Addressing Related Matters. Council Vice President Jon H. Evans seconded the motion; and the motion passed 4-0. Edwin Buswell, Executive Director of Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission, discussed the Indiana Housing Community & Development Authority Blight Elimination grant program. A list of homes needs to be submitted by August 31, 2014 to the IHCDA to be considered for demolition. The grant will award $15,000 per home (no commercial buildings); homes must be vacant or abandoned; and owned by the town. Mr. Buswell stated that he thought that the town has to be in the process of acquiring the homes by the August 31, 2014 deadline. Council Vice President Jon Evans moved to approve the Town s participation in the IHCDA Blight Elimination grant program; Council member Fred Young seconded; and the motion passed 4-0. Clerk-Treasurer Linda S. Bajzatt presented the Council and Town Attorney Mark Callaway a copy of the Contract Agreement for Water & Wastewater Planning Study between the Town of Wolcott and Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. No action was taken.

2 Discussion followed regarding the Office of Community & Rural Affairs grant assistance on demolition of building in its Blight Elimination Program. The building must be owned by the town BEFORE submitting the grant application; local share is 10%; K-IRPC grant administration fee may be up to 8% of cost; town must get three quotes to raze the building. Mr. Buswell stated that an environmental review may have to be done. Council Vice President Jon Evans moved to approve the Town s participation in the OCRA Blight Elimination grant program to demolish building; Council member Michael Yelton seconded; and the motion passed 4-0. Kelli Dye, manager & chef of the Brass Buckle Restaurant, opened discussion of possible changes and activities at the restaurant. First, she stated that Jim Engleking wanted confirmation that he can hook into the town s drainage tile on West Johnson Street, beginning at the south west corner of his building. After discussion, Council agreed unanimously that he could hook on as discussed. Materials will be supplied by the town; he will have to supply the labor. Secondly, Ms. Dye stated that Jim Engleking is investigating the possibility of outside seating. Council President Marsha Mackey stated that White County Area Plan will require that sidewalk width must be a minimum 36 inches wide to comply with ADA standards, and if 36 sidewalk is available after restaurant seating, restaurant must obtain a variance from White County AND an encroachment approval letter from appropriate agency (INDOT for US2; Town of Wolcott for W. Johnson Street). Thirdly, Ms. Dye inquired if the parking on West Johnson could be changed to parallel parking so that the sidewalk could be widened. Council agreed that West Johnson Street needed to be the current width to accommodate Indiana Ribbon semis and the gas station traffic. Ms. Dye stated that in two weeks, the restaurant will host a live band outside and a beer garden, and asked if there was anything the town would not allow. Discussion ensued regarding the noise level and courtesy to neighbors. Ms. Dye stated that if there are any complaints about the noise level that they will immediately tone it down. Matt Kingery of Midwest Meter Inc. presented information regarding accuracy and performance of randomly selected meters in town. Mr. Kingery offered as a test run of the new remote meters, the following plan: 10 new meters equipped with remote readers for $3,000; said meters will be installed and read after 30 days. Discussion followed. Council member Michael Yelton moved to participate in the metering test of 10 brand new meters with remotes for $3,000.00; Council member Richard Lynn seconded the motion; and the motion passed 4-0. Richard Lynn asked if recessed lids could be installed on the meters. Matt Kingery and Bob Thomas agreed to install recessed lids where necessary, not all 10 meters. Departmental reports were then given: Wolcott Water & Street Supt. Robert G. Thomas presented a quote from Town & Country for milling of asphalt and paving or patching in the amount of $38, for the following streets/areas: 1. Davis Street (2 surface asphalt) 716 x20 2. North Fifth Street: Winter to School (1 ½ surface) 318 x16

3 3. Homer & North Intersection (2 surface) 51 x39 4. Blake into Park (2 binder, 1 ½ surface) 150 x20 5. N/S alley from between W Johnson and W Market Sts. 205 x12 6. Seven areas for patching (3 surface) Council member Michael Yelton moved to approve paving all streets and patches listed at a cost of $38,231.00; Council member Fred Young seconded the motion; and the motion passed 4-0. Mr. Thomas stated that F&K Construction will probably not get to West Market Street before the end of September or mid-october. He stated that three water leaks were repaired last week. Council unanimously agreed that the generator maintenance agreement offered by Huston Electric Inc. was too costly, and directed Mr. Thomas and Mr. Reynolds to take care of maintaining all municipal generators. Wastewater Supt. Chad Reynolds stated the town s current wastewater ordinance is outdated and needs revising. After discussion, Marsha Mackey directed Mr. Reynolds to discuss the ordinance with Town Attorney Marc Callaway. Mr. Reynolds stated that the sump pumps issue needs to be addressed and remedied, and suggested that a fee is connected to those home owners who will not let the town employees inspect for illegal hookups. Mr. Reynolds stated that at the next Council meeting he will present the Council with a proposed letter to residents regarding the sump pump problem and remedies. Wolcott Town Marshal James Herre presented the Police Department s activity report for the month July, Marshal Herre stated that the town needs to send a letter to the railroad advising of missing a rail in the east bound lane on US24. Kelli Dye reported to the Council about the ongoing construction and improvements to the restaurant, explained the menu, décor, etc. Ms. Dye stated that the restaurant is scheduled to open with a grand opening on Saturday, June 28 th, with a live band. She stated that the restaurant will open June 25 th & 26 th to invited guests and a soft menu will be offered. The restaurant is a nonsmoking facility; alcohol will be served, but in a controlled setting, and she is working on a good program which will include a shuttle. Council President Marsha Mackey thanked Kelli Dye for the update and stated that the Council and residents are excited for the new restaurant and the evening hours. Clerk-Treasurer Linda S. Bajzatt stated that HJ Umbaugh accountants will be undergoing the utilities rate study this week. Also, she stated that contractors will be working on the final housing projects in the next two weeks. Council Vice President Jon Evans directed Bob Thomas and Chad Reynolds to sweep West Market Street and all of the sidewalks, including Second Street, in preparation for Mellow on the Market even. Clerk-Treasurer Linda Bajzatt presented the Council with a loan proposal from the Bank of Wolcott. In the letter, it states that the Town of Wolcott is the borrower and Princeton Township is the guarantor. Discussion ensued. Council Vice President Jon Evans stated that the meeting he attended at the Bank, the roles were reversed. The Clerk-Treasurer will inquire with the bank and also verify ownership of this debt with Indiana State Board of Accounts and Indiana Dept. of Local Government Finance.

4 The Clerk-Treasurer presented correspondence: Statewide IACT Roundtable, Thursday, Aug. 21 from 4pm-8pm, and White County Economic Development Newsletter Mrs. Bajzatt presented INDOT TE project invoices for payment authorization: Final design and planning invoice for Butler Fairman & Seufert in the amount of $ Council member Michael Yelton moved to approve payment of the final design and planning invoice for Butler Fairman & Seufert in the amount of $988.00; Council member Fred Young seconded the motion; and the motion passed 4-0. Construction invoice, no , from Indiana Dept. of Transportation for local share of construction costs in the amount of $83, Council member Michael Yelton moved to approve payment of the Construction invoice, no , from Indiana Dept. of Transportation for local share of construction costs in the amount of $83,192.56; Council member Fred Young seconded the motion; and the motion passed 4-0. Town Attorney Mark Callaway stated that a hearing on the properties the town is acquiring from the White County Certificate Tax Sale is set for September 9 th ; he will not be able to attend and will have it rescheduled. Council President Marsha Mackey called Special Session for Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 5:30 pm at the Wolcott Town Hall, 101 West Market Street primarily to discuss the establishment of a Wolcott Housing Development Corp. There being no other business, the accounts payable register was approved and signed for the following amounts: Accounts Payable General Fund $21, Motor Vehicle Highway Fund (MVH) 3, INDOT TE Grant Fund 84, CCI Fund Water Operating Fund 15, Water Meter Deposit Fund Wastewater Operating Fund 13, Stormwater Fund 2.00 Ambulance Fund Payroll Medical Fund for a grand total of $139, Payroll Docket 20, Payroll ending June 30, , Payroll ending July 14, , Utilities Adjustments Transactions were approved and signed for a credit total of -$375.19

5 Council Vice President Jon Evans moved to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council member Richard Lynn; and the motion passed 4-0. /s/ Marsha L. Mackey Marsha L. Mackey, Council President /s/ Jon H. Evans Jon H. Evans, Council Vice President /s/ Richard A. Lynn Richard A. Lynn, Council Member /s/ Fred A. Young Fred A. Young, Council Member Attest: /s/ Michael A. Yelton Michael A. Yelton, Council Member /s/ Linda S. Bajzatt Linda S. Bajzatt, IAMC, CMC Clerk-Treasurer