July 9, 2007

The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session on Monday, July 9, 2007, at the Fire Department Training and Conference Room. Dan Swafford called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Dianna Bastin led the Pledge of Allegiance and Sandra Hash led in prayer.

Roll Call: Members present were Dan Swafford, Vice-President; Dianna Bastin, Ted Robertson and Phillip Rogers. Sandra Hash, Clerk Treasurer; Mike Spencer, Attorney and Rick Coppock Town Engineer were also present. Dennis Williamson was absent.

Supervisors Present: Jim Davis, Jim Ragle, Gary Darland, Mike Farmer and Frank Nierzwicki were present.

Letter of Resignation

Dan Swafford asked Sandra Hash to read a letter from Dennis Williamson. Sandra read the letter in its entirety:

To Jim Fielder, Monroe County Clerk

I hereby resign from the Ellettsville Town Council Ward 2 Member effective June 30, 2007.

Sincerely,

Dennis Williamson

Phillip Rogers made a motion that we elect Dan Swafford to President of the Ellettsville Town Council. Dianna Bastin seconded. Motion carried.

Dan Swafford appointed himself to the Monroe County Solid Waste Committee.

Approval of the minutes

Dianna Bastin made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 25, 2007. Phillip Rogers seconded. Roll call vote: Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna Bastin – yes; Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes. Motion carried.

Action to Pay Accounts Payable Vouchers

Dianna Bastin made a motion we pay Accounts Payable Vouchers. Phillip Rogers seconded. Motion carried.

Resolutions

Resolution 10-07 Transfer of Sewer Hook-ons

Sandra Hash read the resolution in its entirety. Randall and Connie Cassady were granted, by the Town of Ellettsville, 44 sewer hook-ons for the development of Chandler Square Apartments. Randall and Connie Cassady will be transferring ownership of that property over time to another person. The new owner of that property will be developing the property for multi-residential ownership in a manner similar to the proposed Chandler Square Apartments. Randall and Connie Cassady may transfer in whole or in part the previously granted 44 sewer hook-ons to another person or persons. The hook-ons shall be used solely for the development of the land where the formerly planned Chandler Square Apartment Complex was to be located. The property is adjacent to the .36 acres of land that was acquired by the Town for the purposes of building a water tank. The hook-ons shall not be used for the benefit of any other property.

Dianna Bastin made a motion that we vote on Resolution 10-07 Transfer of Sewer Hook-ons. Phillip Rogers seconded. Motion carried.

Old Business

Proposal to place an FM antenna on the McNeely Street water tower by WFHB, Bloomington Community Radio

Stanton Doyle has the deed release restriction forms from Randy and Connie Cassady and Cook, Inc. He has a site release agreement that Mike Spencer prepared with changes. Dan Swafford asked how much electricity will be used with this antenna. Stanton Doyle explained there will be a receiver and broadcasting antenna that uses very little electricity. A nominal fee of $100 a year will be paid for the electricity. Ted Robertson questioned section 5 (C) of the contract “Tenant shall have the right, as its sole cost and expense, to operate”; would that apply to the electricity? Mike Spencer explained the problem with the electricity is the metering because there is only one meter. Ted asked who would be responsible for the overage. Mike Spencer said the Town will pay anything over the $100 because there is only one meter.

Dianna Bastin made a motion that we agree to a proposal to place an FM antenna on the McNeely Street Water Tower by WFHB Bloomington Community Radio. Phillip Rogers seconded. Roll call vote: Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes; Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna Bastin – yes. Motion carried.

New Business

Proposal to purchase a replacement Rescue Squad for the Curry Pike Fire Station

Jim Davis, Ellettsville Fire Department would like to replace a 1984 Chevy Blazer that was owned by the Department of Natural Resources. This was originally a military vehicle used by the Army for ten years. The Ellettsville Fire Department used it as an EMS vehicle for thirteen years and it is becoming a maintenance problem. The main fire station replaced their vehicle last year on a twelve month lease that concludes in August. The Curry Pike Fire Station had 742 EMS calls last year and these vehicles get used quite often. The Fire Department prefers the smaller SUV with four wheel drive; more economical, easier to maneuver, better for off-road driving. Jim presented the Fire Department Cumulative Fund balance sheet and explained the revenue coming in with the expenditures to be paid out. This new vehicle is a 2007 at 2006 pricing according to Ford Motor and the 2008 will be priced higher. This vehicle will be a twelve month note; paying half down and the other half due August of next year. He asked the Council for permission to purchase the new vehicle and authorize the Council President to sign the note. Ted Robertson asked if the Cumulative Fund always has a positive balance. Jim Davis said yes and they try to maintain a balance in that fund at all times.

Dianna Bastin made a motion that we agree to a proposal to purchase a replacement Rescue Squad for the Curry Pike Fire Station otherwise known as Station 8. Phillip Rogers seconded. Roll call vote: Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes; Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna Bastin – yes. Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Comments

Gary Darland, Town Marshal thanked for all of the help from the Council over the last week. He has met with the Fire Chief and Clerk. He has received tremendous cooperation from the Police Department. He spoke about all the people in the department and the different ways they have helped during this transition. Gary spoke about the dangers and deaths of policemen in Indianapolis and asked the community to wave and acknowledge our police when they see them. Dan Swafford asked Gary if he was going to put lights on his helmet when he is on his Segway. Gary announced “we are going into extreme public relations mode”.

Jim Ragle, Ellettsville Street Department thanked the Utilities Department for helping him put in a culvert.

He asked for any Council member to ride along with him to see all the brush. Brush is a problem and takes 4-5 days using six guys every month. He thinks the problem is people are hiring out to have trees taken down and they are leaving the brush for the Street Department to pick up. Jim would like the Council to think about charging fees in cases like these. Dan Swafford suggested Dianna ride along since she is the Street Department Liaison. Dianna agreed with Jim about the problem with the brush. Jim went on to say brush pick up has always been a problem and time consuming. This is something they have always done and they do not mind it but disposing of it is also a big problem.

Jim is in the process of hiring a new employee. He received 55 applications and will interview two or three. He announced to the public that he will not be able to respond in a letter thanking those who applied. He will be off next week but hopes to have a new employee by September.

Jim Davis announced a fireman retired July 1^st after 34 years of service. Bill Carter started out as a volunteer and worked a lot of years.

Dianna Bastin reiterated Jim Davis’ words about Bill Carter. Dianna fought fires with him and she was lucky enough to do his retirement announcement for Central Dispatch. We are really proud of Bill Carter and will miss him.

Dianna has been talking to Jim Ragle about the brush. Something will need to be done about the people leaving the large piles of brush.

Public Comments

Sherry Hayes, Town resident thanked the Fire Department for the fireworks and appreciates all the work. She let the Street Department know she has a new neighbor that has been cleaning up his yard and has huge piles of brush but they are not from a hired tree removal company.

She reviewed the August 28, 2006 meeting minutes and quoted a statement Frank Nierzwicki made regarding the installation of the speed humps. The speed humps do not follow any standards. She researched and read some of the standards. To her knowledge the Town does not have any standards. She does not recall the speed humps being voted on in any Board meeting. Sherry Hayes presented the Council with the complete Hamilton County policy for speed humps which was over 30 pages. She also presented an example of the National Standards for installing speed humps. According to the Federal Government, there are supposed to be clear markings on the speed humps. Her point is there are a lot of counties and municipalities that will not install speed humps because they are a liability. The town speed humps are not marked, not uniformly installed and are breaking down putting the town at a greater risk for lawsuits. A properly installed speed hump costs $2,000 each.

Sherry Hayes clarified she was the one who contacted Peggy Welch. If the local Town Council is not going to do their jobs and not listen to what the public asks, she will go to the state to file a formal complaint. Someone has to protect the residents.

Dan Swafford received e-mails and pictures from a resident in the Meadowlands showing tire marks going through peoples’ yard and on the sidewalks. He asked Marshal Darland to start beefing up the patrol in that area. Marshal Darland also received copies of the e-mail. He requested all officers document the time when they patrol the Meadowlands. Marshal Darland also spoke with the lady’s husband that sent the e-mail.

Sandra Hash received a thank you note from the Farmer Family for the flowers that were sent in the passing of their grandmother.

Dan Swafford thanked Dennis Williamson and appreciated the job he did. Dennis was a great mentor to Dan. Dennis meant a lot to this community and we are sad to see him leave. Dan hopes Dennis is enjoying himself in Florida.

Adjournment

Phillip Rogers made a motion to adjourn. Dianna Bastin seconded. Motion carried. Dan Swafford adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m.