March 6, 2002

 

 

 

The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met for a special session at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, March 6, 2002 at the Town Hall.  President David Sorokoty called the meeting to order. 

 

Members present were David Sorokoty, David Drake, Michael Cornman, Geraldine McIntyre, and Jerry Pittsford.  Also present was Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer and Deborah Hudson, Administrative Assistant to the Council. 

 

Local citizens, Darlyne Sowder and Doug Clausman attended and Karla Frownfelted represented the Journal.

 

David Sorokoty made the following requests and announcements

 

He requested Rick Coppock and Mike Farmer have a meeting with Jerry Barnes to discuss the widening of Matthews Street sometime within the next week.

 

He also requested Deborah attend a Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting for him the following Wednesday and do the radio announcements during his absence.

 

He will be out of town at a trade show in Los Vegas for the next week.

 

Insight agreement

 

David Sorokoty explained that Insight denied a live feed into Town Hall to allow live broadcast of the Council meetings and the advantages of joining forces with Monroe County and Bloomington to secure an agreement with Insight.  If approved by our attorney we would be entering into the same contract they have.   It would give a greater voice for input into future negotiations.   It would be for the Town of Ellettsville, but almost identical to the other entities. 

 

David Drake added since Bloomington has a Telecommunications Council that oversees the agreement they have better leverage and would get a lot better contract than we currently have.  It would also make it more difficult for them to deny our request if they have granted it to Bloomington and Monroe County.  He feels we should have our own contract with the same terms as the others.

 

The general consensus of the Council is to go ahead and be placed on the Agenda of the Telecommunication Council for considering a joint effort in securing our requests from Insight.

It makes us stronger, more united and benefits Insight by allowing communications with one entity. 

 

  David Drake added the town attorney should review the Bloomington and Monroe County contracts.

 

Jerry Pittsford agrees with being on the agenda he expressed it would be nice to have the live feed but it is not a really big deal.

 

Town Government program with fourth graders

 

David Sorokoty has been working with Kathy Hicks to set up a program on a yearly basis to introduce Town Government to fourth graders.   They will have a class election to elect five council members who will conduct a mock council meeting on their visit to Town Hall.  They will receive a certificate as honorary council members.   Mike and Jeff Farmer have agreed to conduct tours of the Wastewater Treatment Facility.  A tour of the Street Department would allow them to see the equipment.  All of this is to give them a feeling of citizenship and to see what services and efforts are required to run a town.  In the fourth grade they learn about government.

 

Well Site Property

 

 

David Sorokoty requested a price for a survey of the property to clearly define the borders of the site.  There are 20 acres at the site with 15.5 acres inside the fence.  The survey will identify if the additional 5 acres are to the east or west of the fenced in area. 

 

There are two classes at both the Elementary and Junior High schools that will be using the site as an outdoor wonder lab.  They will go through the woods and perform water and weather test.  Possibly even raise butterflies in an undisturbed environment.  The program will start April 22nd on Tuesdays and Thursdays and consist of eight sessions.   The summer school students would also like to help.

 

It was clarified that the Well Site Park is not open yet due to some safety concerns.  Jerry Pittsford suggested posting no trespassing signs until the safety issues were resolved.

 

Supervisors meetings planned for every third Wednesday

 

David Sorokoty will conduct a supervisor’s meeting every third Wednesday starting March 27th at 3:30 PM at Town Hall.   One other Council Member is also welcome to attend along with Sandra and Deborah.  This will allow an opportunity to promote cooperation and information between the departments.

 

Skate Park Insurance

 

David Sorokoty requested Deborah research insurance on the Skate Park.   The existing insurance does not cover what the town needs.  

 

Goals and Priorities

 

Deborah Hudson led the brain storming session to form a list of goal and priorities. 

         

Council members contributed their ideas to start the session.

 

Infrastructure                                                        Flooding

Comprehensive Plan                                             Growth

Beautification                                            Annexation                                                

Downtown                                                           Recreation

Government Center                                                      Personnel Policy

Regional Economic Development                      West Side Development

Planning & Zoning                                                      Networking

Education                                                             Public Safety

 

Deborah then had the Council vote on their three top choices, expand on the choices and prioritize the top three under each category.  The result were as follows:

 

#1 Infrastructure

 

A.     Storm sewers and flood control

1.  Corp of Engineer Study of 1994

a.  Comply with upcoming Federal Laws

b.  What can we do to get there with our finances?

·        Review Study

·        List Compliance issues

·        Establish Policy

·        Enforcement

 

B.     Sewer Consolidation

2.       Develop a strategic plan

·        Define geographical area

·        Cost analysis

·        Strategic plan

 

·        Dissemination of information

·        Current contracts

·        Financial information of all three utilities

·        State and federal laws

·        Permits (NDPES to operate the sewer plant)

·        Other agencies (Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and the Office of Utility Consumer Commission)

 

Additional ideas to remember:

          Land use in the flood plane area

          Widen and deepen Jack’s Defeat Creek

          Develop upstream retention of water

          Redevelopment of current storm sewers

          Strong zoning ordinances

 

#2 Annexation

A.      Business and Commercial Interest

B.      Compliance with Federal Laws

C.      West Side Development

·        Provide sewer to the area (Water provided by Patricksburg Water)

·        Social and economic growth

·        Uniformity of community

·        Identify future growth areas

·        Demographic studies

·        Property availability

·        Tax abatement with a three year phase in

·        Sequence and priority

 

#3 Personnel

A.     Rewrite personnel policy

·        Eliminate contradictions

·        Comply with Federal and State law

·        Sexual Harassment

·        Recognize different working conditions

·        Staff development

·        Competitiveness

·        Definitions

·        Fire and Police Fair Labor Standard guidelines and procedures

·        SOP

·        Uniform employee evaluations

B.     Benefits

·        Educate employees on what is available

·        Employee incentives

·        Overtime

C.  Job Descriptions

 

Deborah explained that this was a very abbreviated version of the goals and encouraged the Council members to jot down additional ideas to expand the goals.

 

The Council discussed flooding problems experienced in the past and possible solutions in planning.  Michael Cornman suggested forwarding the development plans to the Monroe County Drainage Board before it receives final approval from the Council. 

 

Deborah also talked about the need for a manual, which is a detailed informational document that would remain in the Town Hall and supervisors offices.  The policy would be what is handed out to the employees.  The supervisor’s job is not to interpret but to enforce the policy.

 

Deborah has experience in writing employee handbooks and manuals.  She suggested the changes should be made at the local level and passed on to a professional to verify State and Federal laws.  Deborah stated before you can evaluate someone you must have a job description that can be communicated to the employee.  She will put together an outline of a job description to show what should go into it.

 

Deborah has been collecting prices on a computer and supplies she will need.  She will forward a proposal to the Council for the equipment.  Jerry requested both a desktop and laptop; along with others peripherals and software she will need be included in her proposal.  The Council also suggested a private line for the Council and Administrative Assistant so they would be listed in the phone book.

 

Adjournment

   

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 PM.

 

   

 

_____________________________              __________________________

David Sorokoty, President                                       David Drake, Vice-President

 

 

 

_____________________________              __________________________

Mike Cornman                                             Jerry Pittsford

 

 

 

_____________________________              __________________________

Geraldine McIntyre                                             Sandra C. Hash

                                                                                 Clerk-Treasurer