April 25, 2005

The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session on Monday, April 25, 2005, at the Fire Department Training and Conference Room. Patrick Stoffers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Lisa Creech led in prayer and William Evans led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Members present were Patrick Stoffers, President; William Evans, Vice President; Lisa Creech, Phillip Rogers and Dennis Williamson. Also present were Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer and Mike Spencer, Attorney.

Supervisors Present: Jim Davis, Jim Ragle, Ron McGlocklin, Rick Coppock, Frank Nierzwicki and Mike Farmer were present.

Approval of the minutes

Lisa Creech motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting and Executive Session from April 11, 2005. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Action to Pay Accounts Payable Vouchers

Lisa Creech made a motion to pay Accounts Payable Vouchers. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Ordinances on Second Reading

Ordinance 05-06 adopting a Capital Asset Policy

Sandra Hash mentioned this is a guideline to bring the Town into compliance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Patrick Stoffers spoke with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) and they have no capitalization guidelines. He recommended we strike line #3 in Ordinance 05-06 stating “The Utilities of the Town of Ellettsville, Indiana shall follow the capitalization guidelines of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission” and also the reference to this on page 3 of 14 of the index. William Evans made a motion to strike those sections in Ordinance 05-06 adopting a Capital Asset Policy. Lisa Creech seconded. Motion carried.

Lisa Creech made a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-06 adopting a Capital Asset Policy as amended. William Evans and Phillip Rogers seconded. Motion carried.

Ordinance 05-07 making the Personnel Policy retroactive to January 1, 2005

Sandra Hash explained the Council passed a new personnel policy February 28, 2005. The ordinance states it takes effect on passing. It was the intent of the committee representing the council to have it retroactive to January 1, 2005. William Evans made a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-07 amending the Ellettsville Town Code concerning personnel. Lisa Creech seconded. Motion carried.

Ordinance 05-08 to amend Ordinance 04-25 the Salary Ordinance for 2005

Sandra Hash mentioned this ordinance will add the salary of the new Code Enforcement Officer position under both the Planning and Police Department. Lisa Creech made a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-08 to amend Ordinance 04-25 the Salary Ordinance for 2005. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

New Business

Capacity Certification for Muirfield Subdivision Phase III, Acme Development Corporation represented by Smith Neubecker & Associates, Inc.

Tyler Doades of Smith Neubecker requested sewer certification for eight single family residences as part of Phase III in Muirfield Subdivision. Patrick Stoffers asked Mike Farmer, Ellettsville Utilities, if this was okay. Patrick said, “Indicate Mr. Farmer gave thumbs up”. Lisa Creech made a motion to allow the Capacity Certification for Muirfield Subdivision Phase III, Acme Development Corporation represented by Smith Neubecker & Associates, Inc. Williams Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Service Agreement with Hoosier Disposal – Street Department

Jim Ragle, Street Department, explained a service agreement with Hoosier Disposal for the trash removal. This agreement is for $82.68 a month which Sandra Hash added was an increase of $12.00 a month. Patrick Stoffers asked that we table this item. Lisa Creech made a motion that we table this service agreement with Hoosier Disposal until the next meeting. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Adopt-A-Road Project

Tom McGlasson, Solid Waste Management District, was asked to discuss and implement the Adopt-A-Road Program into the Town of Ellettsville. He would like to have the same set up that is in the City of Bloomington. Tom was given Jim Ragle’s name as the person to determine which street sections can be included in the program with regards to safety issues. Tom explained sections for adoption should be about a mile. The district would take care of coordinating, setting up the adoption, scheduling and dealing with the clean ups. They would also provide the safety training, safety equipment and bags. The signs are provided by the district but they would ask the Ellettsville Street Department to post the signs. The one thing not in place is the disposal of the bags once they are collected. Patrick asked Tom to talk about the on going issue we have with keeping the roadsides clean. The City of Bloomington has one full-time employee that collects roadside trash and illegal dumping but they really need ten. The problem has become worse since they closed the landfill. The Adopt-A-Road program is a great benefit to both the Town and the Monroe County Sanitation Department. This is a great way for a business or non-profit organization to make their name visible in the community. This program is strictly an investment of time with no money involved. Lisa Creech felt this would be a good project for the Boy Scouts but Tom added there is an age restriction. No one under 13 years old can participate for safety reasons. They require an adult supervision ratio of 3:1 for children ages 13 to 16. Tom went on to explain that when a group is formed, they watch a training video, go through some initial training and they sign a liability waiver. Tom would like to have the signed waivers last for a longer period of time to avoid having to resend them out for each clean up. They would like to have trash picked up four times a year. The signs are put up indicating a group or individual has adopted that part of the road. Several Council Members showed an interest in putting together a group. Tom mentioned State Road 46 runs through the middle of town and State Highways are covered under a federal program and can be adopted through INDOT. Anyone interested can go to the INDOT website and click onto that link. Mike Spencer mentioned addressing this issue with an informative letter in the past. Sandra said she would check the archives and research it. Patrick commended Tom on the tremendous job he is doing and thanked him for coming this evening.

Privilege of the Floor – Non Agenda Items

Ed Bitner wants to fence in his yard on Main Street. He noticed a utility easement on the backside of his property. The phone and power companies do not use that easement because they have moved their utilities 75 feet up the hill. What is the procedure to have the easement vacated? William Evans mentioned Ed Richardson may be the one to talk to at Smithville Telephone but will let him know.

Ed Bitner brought up the “Jake Braking” through Ellettsville and has anything ever been done about that? William stated he thinks Frank is working on that at the present time. Patrick mentioned they are looking at the ordinance in Jasper about the air compression braking.

Ed Bitner questioned the field across the street from his house. Who is responsible for maintaining the Peters’ property? Lisa answered it is the owners responsibility. Ed will be talking to Frank about the high grass. Also does the Town of Ellettsville issue burn permits to get rid of piled branches? Patrick stated he thinks there is a burn permit for sale and there is a provision in the code that allows you to request to do that. There is also a fine listed in the code. Ed questioned if you are going to have a cook out, you can do that without a problem. Patrick said he should have a weenie roast.

Supervisor’s comments

Ron McGlocklin, Town Marshal, wanted the Council to know Jim Ragle and his crew finished the retention pond at the Police Department. He wants to commend them on an excellent job putting that in and coming in under budget. The contractor bid $37,000 and the Street Department completed it for $12,000.

Ron, Captain Jay Humphrey and Mike Cornman met with the Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Assistant Superintendent, James Rubish, to revise their Crisis Prevention Plan. When the plan is typed out, it will be distributed to all the schools and one will be on file at the Town Hall Clerk’s office.

Frank Nierzwicki was asked to talk about the noise issue in the downtown area. He will follow up on this with a written report to the Council in two weeks. He is looking into the sound decibel level, not just a certain type of brake, which can be enforced. Lisa asked about the weight limits for roads in residential neighborhoods. She feels the weight limit should be incorporated with the noise. Frank and the Assistant Code Enforcement Officer are planning a program to establish a route system to patrol. They are collecting data and building a data base with all the code violations for more consistent enforcement. Lisa then asked if the patrol time will include evenings and not just business hours. There are violations at night that are not there during the day. Frank said the schedule will be varied.

Frank announced an upcoming BZA meeting on Wednesday, May 4^th regarding sign issues. There will be a Plan Commission meeting May 5^th at 7 p.m. He will be following through with enforcement items and giving progress reports at every meeting. Lisa mentioned the code changes on parking. Frank has started working on this issue and will set up a meeting next week and Tuesday evening works well.

Patrick asked Frank about the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization). Frank said he has the initial draft of the work program which is an annual document the MPO puts together. This year the Town of Ellettsville has been included in the draft. We have $25,000 of federal dollars earmarked for the Town Ellettsville on projects with the Street and Planning Department. This is an 80 /20 reimbursement (Federal/Local) on labor. This is the first step working with the MPO and getting some projects done like traffic counting. Lisa asked about future projects. Frank said they are looking at a thoroughfare plan, sidewalks and alternative transportation. We have an outstanding grant on the trail through downtown which would be a plus. We have been awarded $167,000 in a federal grant and have $240,000 on the table for consideration. Frank will be attending the May 11^th meeting of the Main Street group to talk about the progress we have made so far. We will be going ahead with the Environmental Study sometime this year. We have completed the street lights in Town and will be working with INDOT to receive reimbursement. We have a signage program with stone signs at the one way split on both ends of town that will be started this year. There are a number of projects from a planning stand point that we need to follow through with. It is important for the Town of Ellettsville to receive the funding back so we can recycle these funds in other areas. Lisa would like for Frank to address the letter the Council received from Main Street. Lisa asked Sandra about the letter she is drafting for the business district signs for the Chamber of Commerce. Sandra said she could use some assistance with this. Dennis Williamson attended the last Main Street meeting and asked the letter be on the next agenda.

Lisa Creech continued to read the letter and noticed the Sale Street Utility work infrastructure was listed as being outdated and needs to be replaced. William Evans answered the projects with the utilities are in the early planning stages.

Sandra Hash told Frank she has not received any quarterly distributions from the Monroe County Building Department. Frank said he would check on it.

William Evans asked Frank about a BZA meeting he was asked to attend. Frank mentioned it is May 4^th and they will be discussing the signs going back up. Frank has been researching the ordinances and past Council minutes to make sure the signs are to code.

Dennis Williamson just wants to make sure the Main Street letter is put on the agenda for May 9^th so the public can ask questions or make comments.

Lisa Creech mentioned receiving a phone call from Mr. Peden. Representative Peggy Welch also contacted Mr. Peden requesting he get a committee together for the Fall Festival and having a meeting soon.

William Evans stated the flag on top of the water tower needs to be replaced. He then asked if Mr. Neidigh has done any more with the Police Station. Ron answered some of it is done. They have received the template for the brass plaque and they are waiting on Rogers Group to stain the exterior blocks again. Painters should be there this week. The locking system for the front door is still not installed. Ron then mentioned that everything should be done before the open house May 14^th.

William brought up the rumors about the Ellettsville License Branch moving to the east side of Bloomington. A few e-mails and a letter were sent and Patrick found out today that this is total rumor if anyone asks.

Also, William, Patrick and Becky Wines, Utilities Office Manager, attended a Utilities Seminar in Columbus last Tuesday. They were shown many new things pertinent to utilities and gained a lot of useful information about the software systems.

Adjournment

Lisa Creech made a motion to adjourn. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.