Lowell Town Council
February 22, 2010
LOWELL TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 22, 2010
The regular meeting of the Lowell Town Council was called to order on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. by President Phillip Kuiper. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed. Clerk-Treasurer Judith Walters called the roll. Members present were Donald Huseman, Shane Tucker, John Alessia and Phillip Kuiper. Councilman David Gard was absent. Also present were Town Attorney Ben Ballou, Director of Public Works Greg Shook, Town Administrator Susan Peterson, Director of Community Development Wilbur Cox, Police Chief John Shelhart, three members of the media, and twelve interested citizens.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Councilman Huseman made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for January 2010 as presented, seconded by Councilman Tucker. The motion carried by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Alessia made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 8th regular meeting, February 25th work session and February 25th special meeting, seconded by Councilman Tucker. The motion carried by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS
President Kuiper stated that he had reviewed White Vouchers #1193-1250, Water Vouchers #2091-2121 and Waste Water Vouchers #3068-3092 and recommended them for approval. Councilman Alessia made a motion to approve the vouchers as listed, seconded by Councilman Huseman. The motion carried by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Public Works Director Greg Shook stated that the bid opening is Friday February the 26th at 1:30 for the West Side Sewer Project for the new middle school. Right now we have thirteen prospective contractors.
Public Works Director Greg Shook said he has a request for release of a maintenance bond for Spring Run LLC, for the East Side Sewer Project. Since we had not heard from Mr. Lotton, the request was tabled until the next meeting.
Burr/RT 2 Project - Approve Pay Request #12 to DLZ in the amount of $286.85 and forward to INDOT for 80% payment - $229.48. Councilman Alessia made a motion to approve Pay Request #12, seconded by Councilman Tucker. The motion carried by voice vote.
DLZ – request for supplement engineering agreement for 2010 - $18,223.00. Burr / RT 2 Project will start again in about thirty days; completion for the project is April 19th, there has been some delay. DLZ is requesting to extend the agreement to the end of the project, which is to complete construction inspection of the project. Councilman Alessia asked if this were costs that we would incur anyway. Public Works Director Greg Shook responded that this is due to the over run of the project. We are waiting to hear from INDOT whether they will pay 80% of this additional cost. DLZ’s original contract ended December 31st.
NEW BUSINESS
Street and Sewer Department vehicle purchase - Public Works Director Greg Shook made a request to purchase a 2006 Chevy for the Street Department. He recommended transferring ST-2 to the Sewer Department, by doing that the Sewer Department will pay M.V.H $13,000.00 for the used truck and requested the additional $8,000.00 come from the Capital Improvement Fund. Councilman Alessia asked what the blue book value is and Mr. Shook said $21,000.00, it is a service utility service truck with a utility box on it. Councilman Huseman made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Councilman Tucker. The motion carried by voice vote.
President Kuiper stated that he and Councilman Alessia attended the Illiana meeting last week. As a Council we need to send our opinion in letter form to the state to let them know where we stand as a council. This item will be added to the next agenda. About 50% of the crowd was union, they took questions from everyone, and there were a lot of legislators present.
President Kuiper stated Chief Charlie Scott of the Lowell Fire Department said they are forming a committee to decide on consolidating the ambulance with the fire department, they are looking for representation from the council, the meetings will be during the day. They will have people from the ambulance, fire, all three townships, the Town of Lowell and Schneider.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Kuiper congratulated Nathan Cleveland state wrestling champ from Lowell and Cameron Brady who came in third, and to the academic decathlon team who came in fourth.
The 2nd annual Lowell Expo will be on Saturday, February 27th from 2:00 to 7:00 at Lowell Middle School.
President Kuiper announced the next regular meeting will be held on Monday, March 8th at 7:00 P.M.
MEDIA QUESTIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
A member of the media asked for clarification on Ordinance 150, the staff is working on it, when they are finished it will go to our Attorney for review before it comes before Council.
Christopher Boren moving here from Porter County wanted to share a letter that his son wrote, which stated “when we drove into Lowell we saw a sign that said Red Devils, me and my sister said that is just wrong, it disturbed us and we would like to change that”. President Kuiper said that we are very proud of our Red Devils, but you could address your letter to the school board.
Mona Kuechenberg, Lowell Downtown Merchants, gave an update about the Lowell Expo, all booths have been rented out and she stated it will be an exciting day.
There being no further business or discussion, Councilman Alessia made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Tucker at 7:18 P.M.
Attest: Phillip Kuiper, President
Judith Walters, Clerk-Treasurer