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Remington Town Council Meeting ~ August 1, 2011
Members Present: Pat Berger, Charles Illingworth, Brian Melchi, Susan Sigo
Others Present: Mark Jones, Pat Powell, Brad Idlewine, John Flinn, John Schuetzenhofer, Kay Brown, Ryan Byrd, Sarah Cannady, Kevin Kelly, Barb Lawson, John Casey
Brian Melchi opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes from the July 5, 2011 meeting were approved on a motion by Susan Sigo, seconded by Charles Illingworth.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Wastewater
Ryan Byrd reported that he waiting for construction to start on the WWTP project. There is a sewer line behind Karl Hensler's that is starting to wash out. Arnie Gilbert will get a quote to him. Byrd asked permission to attend Operator Boot Camp in Peru with Mark Jones. The Council had no problem with this.
Water
Mark Jones reported that all the wells are all down. He reported he has transferring people on the old water line on Illinois Street to the new line. He will be doing VOC and IOC testing this month. Well #5 was hit by lightning so Jones has someone coming to look at it. He and John Flinn attended the meeting on the old iron bridge and determined that all of the town's utility lines would not be involved when it is removed.
Streets
John Flinn reported asked Pat Berger to get with him about street paving and will have a list ready for the Council at the next meeting. Flinn asked about the lighting in the new subdivision and if the town was going to pay for this. It was the understanding that the town would be doing this. Flinn stated that NIPSCO would need a letter from the town on the locations of the lights, etc. Charlie Illingworth asked what was going on with the tree cutter not cleaning up the trees and brush that had been cut. John Flinn stated that he will have to talk with him.
Police Department
John Schuetzenhofer gave the police report for the month of July. A copy of this report is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's office
Fire Department
Brad Idlewine gave a report for the month of July. A copy of this report is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's office. Idlewine presented quotes for the concrete in front of the new fire station. These included quotes from DML Enterprises, Inc. for $38531.20 and Michael J. Tiede for $39,798.00. Charlie Illingworth moved to accept the quote from DML Enterprises, Inc. and to have the invoice paid for from the Rainy Day Fund. Susie Sigo seconded the motion. Motion carried.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Dave Miller and Dale Alter were present representing the Methodist Church. Mr. Miller stated the church wants to either blacktop or gravel part of the lot between the Pizza King and the church. Concern was expressed that if the lot was blacktopped there may be a drainage problem. Gravel would allow water to drain. John Casey stated that if the lot was blacktopped a permit would be required where as graveling it would not require one.
Mr. Miller also inquired about the town tree along the lot. John Flinn stated that tree was marked for removal.
Kevin Kelly with JCEDO was present to give the council an update of happenings in the area. He stated that Advance Auto is still waiting on equipment from Germany. There has been another business express interest in the Remington area also.
Sarah Cannady with RWCDC stated that Remington Mainstreet is having a kick-off grand opening for the Farmer's Market on August 5th. Whyte Horse Winery will be present as well as other vendors and entertainment. Hours are from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sarah also stated she will have signage introducing the Remington Town Center to present at the next council meeting.
Jerry Hebert was present to let the council know that he plans on having an auction at some time in Remington to get rid of 25 years worth of accumulated lawn equipment and he will then be leaving Remington.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion was raised again on the South & Maine Street bus stop. A resident living on one of the corners will not allow parents to park there to pick up their children. Brian Melchi stated he will speak to the school superintendent to see if the bus stop could be moved.
Charlie Illingworth asked about the FEMA buy-back program and where the town was on that. Brian Melchi stated that he still needs to get appraisals again on the properties.
NEW BUSINESS
Pat Berger gave her KIRPC report stating that we should know something on the town planning grant by the end of August. She stated that to get a CDBG grant a community must be a Mainstreet Community, which Remington is. Pat will also be meeting with the Park Board about a park planning grant.
Brian Melchi stated he had been contacted about the Boy Scouts using the old fire station for a pancake breakfast. Discussion was held as to whether the town's insurance would cover outside entities other than the town. If we allow this would other groups want to use it also? Susie Sigo stated she would rather wait to give an answer to this until the town knows how much space is going to be needed for the police and ambulance.
A complaint has been registered about a yard on Missouri Street not being mowed. John Flinn will talk to the owner.
CLERK-TREASURER
Kay Brown asked the council if a decision had been made on a sewage rate increase. Pat Berger moved to start the process of increasing the sewage rates by 6%. Charlie Illingworth seconded the motion. Motion carried. Kay Brown will contact Jeff Rowe with Umbaugh to tell them to move forward.
Brown stated that she had made arrangements for the employees to start switching out the town owned cell phones and getting their own phones. A motion was made by Susie Sigo that the town would pay the employees a stipend of $40.00 per month towards their phones to be used for town business. A second to the motion was given by Pat Berger. Motion carried.
Brown presented an amendment to the 2011 salary ordinance stating that the amendment that was done last month would allow the council to pay someone quite a bit of money even if no permits were issued. This new amendment would allow for someone to be paid an amount determined by the council per permit. The council decided to pay $25.00 per permit issued on a motion by Charlie Illingworth, seconded by Pat Berger. Motion carried.
Brown asked the Council to set the pre-adoption 2012 budget hearing for October with final budget adoption on October 17th.
Brown asked the Council to establish a Housing Grant Fund so claims could be paid when monies are received from the State on the housing project. Susie Sigo moved to establish the fund with a second from Pat Berger. Motion carried.
Claims were approved for payment on a motion by pat Berger, seconded by Charlie Illingworth. Motion carried.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
An executive meeting was set for Tuesday August 9th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.
There being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned. |