Lowell Town Council
June 08, 2009
LOWELL TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 8, 2009
The regular meeting of the Lowell Town Council was called to order on Monday, June 8, 2009 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, Phillip Kuiper and David Gard. Also present were Town Attorney Greg Sobkowski, Director of Public Works Greg Shook, Town Administrator Susan Peterson, Community Development Director Wilbur Cox, Police Chief John Shelhart, Street Superintendent Frank Lovely, one member of the media, and thirty interested citizens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Alessia made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 26th regular meeting and the June 3rd executive session, seconded by Councilman Tucker. The motion carried by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS
President Kuiper stated that he had reviewed White Vouchers #1682-1756, Water Vouchers #2322-2351 and Waste Water Vouchers #3263-3291 and recommended them for approval. Councilman Huseman made a motion to approve the vouchers as listed, seconded by Councilman Gard. The motion carried by voice vote.
MONTHLY REPORTS
Councilman Gard made a motion to accept the monthly reports from May, 2009 as presented, seconded by Councilman Alessia. The motion carried by voice vote.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
2nd Reading - Ordinance #2009-08 - amending Section 512.076 - Evaporation Credit - Councilman Huseman made a motion to adopt Ordinance #2009-08 amending Section 512.076 - Evaporation Credit by name and title only, seconded by Councilman Gard. Roll call vote carried with five ayes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Public Works Department Update - Nothing was reported for the following: WWTP JMOB Requests, Water Infrastructure Improvement Plan, East Side Sewer, Streets/Sidewalks.
Burr/Rt 2 Project - Approve Pay Request #4 to DLZ in the amount of $8,595.87 and forward to INDOT for 80% reimbursement - $6,876.70 - Director Shook reported that he had a claim that needed to be approved for Pay Request #4 to DLZ in the amount of $8,595.87 and forwarded to INDOT for 80% reimbursement in the amount of $6,876.70. Councilman Gard made a motion to approve Pay Request #4 to DLZ and forward it to INDOT for payment, seconded by Councilman Alessia. The motion carried by voice vote. Director Shook reported that south Burr Street is closed temporarily this week, right at Kentucky Fried Chicken and Walgreens, while AT&T lowers a fiber optic line. AT&T will do everything they can to get the work done by Friday so that the intersection can be open this weekend. President Kuiper asked for a best guess on when the actual widening and blacktop part of the project will begin. Director Shook stated that the next thing they will start doing is installing storm drains, which is why all of the utilities have been moving their underground gas lines, electric lines, phone lines, etc. He said he expects to see construction being done either later this week or next week.
Director Shook reported that he received notice from the county that they are still planning to replace the bridge on Morse Street, right at 176th, which is where the Construction Zone Day Care is located. The town has a water main that goes underneath there that has to be moved. He requested the Council to consider granting approval for President Kuiper to sign an agreement with the Lake County Board of Commissioners to install the water line within the right of way. Councilman Gard made a motion to grant permission for President Kuiper to sign an agreement with the Lake County Board of Commissioners to install a water line within the right of way, seconded by Councilman Huseman. President Kuiper asked Director Shook when he thought that project might be starting. Director Shook reported that the county is shooting for the end of July, but more than likely it will be some time in August. Director Shook reported that the bridge on Main Street will probably be started some time around the first part of September. Councilman Huseman asked for any progress on the letters from the school and town to the county regarding the Main Street bridge. Councilman Alessia reported that he is still working on it and that there is a School Board meeting on Thursday. Councilman Huseman commented that he felt letters were much better than phone calls. Councilman Alessia explained that there was a request made at the last meeting to put in sidewalks as part of the bridge project and he was requested to talk to the School Board or the Central Office and see if they would send a letter in support of that. Councilman Huseman said that the Council, representing the town, was also going to be putting a letter together that they could all sign and asked how that was coming along. The motion carried by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Request recycling funds from Solid Waste Fund for ceiling tiles - Water Department - Director Shook reported that this is for the break room and bathroom area at the new water & sewer garage. Clerk-Treasurer Walters stated the request is for $2,107.06 and is for all recycled tiles at the new garage. Councilman Gard made a motion to grant permission to use recycling funds from the Solid Waste Fund in the amount of $2,107.06 for ceiling tiles at the new garage, seconded by Councilman Tucker. The motion carried by voice vote.
Request waiving of solicitors permit fee for Chamber Old Town Square Market - Carrie Austgen, President of the Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Council. She said that they are trying to do a Farmers Market in Old Town Square Park. She requested waiver from the Council for the application fee and the solicitors license. They are trying to do the market as a fund raiser and they know it is not going to be very profitable in the beginning but they are anticipating that they can get it to grow. This year should be small but they are hoping to get it larger in years to come. They are planning on holding the event on the third Wednesday of each month from June through October. At the current time, she does not have anyone signed up yet, but she wanted to get permission for waiver of the fees in anticipation of people coming on board. Councilman Huseman made a motion to grant permission to waive the fees as requested, seconded by Councilman Tucker. Clerk-Treasurer Walters asked if the applications would still need to be completed and background checks done but the fees would be waived. Council members said that was their intention. The motion carried by voice vote.
Presentation of plaque to Frank Thorpe for 31 years of service - President Kuiper stated that the Council is honoring Sargent Frank Thorpe, who retired with 31 years of service to the town on the Lowell Metropolitan Police Department. Police Commission President, Keith Kilmer, said that Sargent Thorpe retired in April and the Police Commission wanted to get him a plaque to recognize his years of service from January 26, 1978 through April 16, 2009. Frank spoke for a few minutes and said that when he first came on, he thought he was going to have to throw his badge into Route 2 and ride off into the sunset with Grace Kelly. All of the years gave him plenty of friends and acquaintances that he really enjoyed having. He thanked everyone.
Swearing in of new police officer - John Chase - Clerk-Treasurer Walters performed the swearing-in ceremony as John Chase became the new police officer for Lowell.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Kuiper announced the next regular meeting will be held on Monday, June 22nd at 7:00 P.M.
President Kuiper read an email that came to the Town Hall regarding a drainage problem in a yard on May 14, 2009. The homeowners extended their deepest appreciation for the immediate assistance afforded to them by Director Shook, Superintendent Lovely and the Street Department staff to help resolve the problem. They requested permission to submit a brief thank you in the local newspaper to make all aware that the town went above and beyond in their time of need. They said that the team’s kindness and professionalism will not be forgotten. President Kuiper also thanked the department on behalf of the town.
President Kuiper announced that the girl’s high school softball team are the new regional champions. They will be playing down at Ben Davis High School on Friday night at 7:30 P.M. for semi-state.
MEDIA QUESTIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There being no further business or discussion, Councilman Alessia made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Tucker at 7:15 P.M.
Attest: Phillip Kuiper, President
Judith Walters, Clerk-Treasurer