September 10, 2007

 

 

 

The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session on Monday, September 10, 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, President; Dianna Bastin, Vice-President; Ted Robertson, Phillip Rogers and Phill Smith.  Sandra Hash, Clerk Treasurer; Mike Spencer, Attorney and Rick Coppock, Town Engineer were also present. 

 

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

 

Public Hearing for Richland Bean-Blossom Health Care Center Bond

 

Sandra Hash read Resolution 14-07 in its entirety.  This resolution approves the use of a portion of certain bond proceeds to finance certain improvements to Richland Bean-Blossom Health Care Center. 

 

Lynn Redmond, representing Richland Bean-Blossom and Hoosier Care explained this is like refinancing your house.  The interest rates go down, you refinance your house and you will have more money to take home with you.  This is what Hoosier Care is doing; this will allow more capital equipment improvements in the facilities and increase pay for the employees.  This will not add any costs to the community and will provide more money for the “not for profit” to spend. 

 

Art Hayes asked if this was for assisted living.  Mr. Redmond stated this was a geriatric facility with 78 beds in Richland Bean-Blossom but they do have younger residents. 

 

Approval of the minutes

 

Dianna Bastin made a motion for the approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting August 27 and the Work Session August 28, 2007.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Action to Pay Accounts Payable Vouchers

 

Phill Smith made a motion to pay Accounts Payable Vouchers.  Dianna Bastin seconded.   Motion carried.

 

Final adoption public hearing of the 2008 budget

 

Phill Smith made a motion we adopt the 2008 budget.  Dianna Bastin seconded. 

 

The following discussion took place before the vote

 

Art Hayes requested more detail information on the budgets.  Dan Swafford asked Sandra to work with Art and Sherry Hayes to answer their questions on the budgets.

 

Roll call vote:  Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna S. Bastin – yes; Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes; Phill Smith – yes.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Resolutions

 

Resolution 14-07 approving the use of a portion of certain Bond Proceeds to Finance Certain Improvement to Richland Bean-Blossom Health Care Center

 

Dianna Bastin made a motion we approve Resolution 14-07 approving the use of a portion of certain Bond Proceeds to Finance Certain Improvements to the Richland Bean-Blossom Health Care Center.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Roll call vote:  Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna S. Bastin – yes; Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes; Phill Smith – yes.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Resolution 15-07 to reimburse Miscellaneous Professional (General Fund 315) for Stormwater expenses incurred in 2007 from Stormwater Utility revenue

 

Sandy Hash read the resolution in its entirety.  The Town created a Stormwater Utility to pay for repair, replacement, planning, improvement, operation, regulation and maintenance of the existing and future stormwater system for the Town of Ellettsville.  The following expenses to establish the Stormwater Utility and comply with Rule 13 regulations were paid from the General Fund:

9-Jan-07

8162

IDEM Reports - Rule

400360-33

$3,784.50

 

27-Feb-07

8285

Monthly Reporting

400360-34

$781.50

 

13-Mar-07

8323

Site Inspections

400360-35

$533.00

 

10-Apr-07

8416

Reports - Rule 13

400360-36

$510.00

 

12-Jun-07

8586

Review Construction Sites

400360-37

$669.00

 

26-Jun-07

8633

IDEM Report - Rule

400360-38

$90.00

 

 

 

 

 

$6,368.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9-Jan-07

8162

Ordinance Review

410601-5

$42.50

 

23-Jan-07

8190

Ord to Create Strm

410601-6

$850.00

 

27-Feb-07

8285

Attend Meeting Rule

410601-7

$212.50

 

 

 

 

 

$1,105.00

 

 

 

Total   $7,473.00

 

 

 

This resolution will here-by authorize the Clerk-Treasurer to reimburse G-315 Miscellaneous Professional in the amount of $7,473.00 from the Stormwater Utility as funds become available.

 

Dianna Bastin made a motion to adopt Resolution 15-07 to reimburse Miscellaneous Professional (General Fund-315) for Stormwater expenses incurred in 2007 from Stormwater Utility revenue.  Phill Smith seconded. 

 

The following discussion took place before the vote

 

Dan Swafford asked if everything was listed that needs to be reimbursed for this year.  Sandra said yes and only expenses incurred in the current year can be reimbursed.  There were expenses in the prior two years that can not be reimbursed from the Stormwater.  The Stormwater Utiltiy fund will begin to create revenue and all future expenses will be paid from the Stormwater revenue.  Phill Smith asked if there is enough in the Stormwater to pay these expenses.  Sandra said yes and further explained this was enacted in April but the billing started in July with over $17,000 being collected.  There have already been some payments made from these funds with a few more still needing to be paid.  She further explained starting next year the money will be budgeted for specified items. 

 

Roll call vote:  Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna S. Bastin – yes; Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes; Phill Smith – yes.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Ordinances on Second Reading

 

Ordinance 07-09 vacating 25 feet right of way adjacent to 5353 W. McNeely Street, 889 N. Clover Drive and 885 N. Clover Drive

 

Rick Coppock explained this ordinance is to vacate some right of ways that were originally created when parcels were separated, acquired and divided off creating a 100 foot strip on Clover Drive.  This ordinance will reduce this on one side by 25 feet and the properties adjacent to this will give the Town a 15 foot easement for utilities within that area. 

 

Dianna Bastin made a motion we approve Ordinance 07-09 vacating 25 feet of right of way adjacent to 5353 W. McNeely Street, 889 N. Clover Drive and 885 N. Clover Drive.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Roll call vote:  Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna S. Bastin – yes; Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes; Phill Smith – yes.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

New Business

 

Stone Bridge Subdivision request Capacity Certification of 23,250 gallons per day for 75 homes and Notice of Intent to construct a water main extension

 

Kristen Taylor of Smith Neubecker reiterated they are requesting water and sewer connections.  She clarified the average flow they are requesting is 23,250 gallons per day with a peak flow of 93,000 gallons.  There are 75 units; 23 single family units and the rest are paired patio homes. 

 

Dianna Bastin made a motion for Stone Bridge Subdivision request Capacity Certification of 23,250 average flows per day for 75 homes and Notice of Intent to construct a water main extension.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried. 

 

Sandra clarified the Capacity Certification letter does state 93,000 gallons per day.  Rick Coppock instructed Kristen Taylor to e-mail a corrected letter.

 

Turning Pointe Apostolic Church requests a road closure on October 6, 2007 from 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Ron Hawkins, Pastor of Turning Pointe Apostolic Church is requesting a partial street closing in front of the church at 210 West Vine Street from noon until 6 p.m.  This will be the third annual community block party and they continue to grow.  They will have free food and activities for children.  There will be families and community spirits without church services.  The Council and Supervisors are invited so they can be recognized. 

 

Phill Smith made a motion we approve Turning Pointe Church’s request for a road closure on October 6, 2007 from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.  Dianna Bastin seconded.  Motion carried.

 

The following discussion took place before the vote

 

Dan asked the Town Marshall and Jim if there were any problems; both said no.  Ron Hawkins stated the church borrowed signs from the Town last year and will again this year. 

 

Council Comments

 

Dianna Bastin stated she and Dan received an e-mail from one of the police officers.  She read the e-mail in its entirety:

I would like to recommend Town Marshal Gary Darland for a Citation of Merit concerning the events that unfolded last night.  I know Marshal Darland will not take any of the credit for himself and I do not want his part in this joint effort to be minimized.  Sometime yesterday evening it appears (sometime around 7 p.m.),  Sgt Russell Harris and Officer Eric Chaudion were dispatched to Poplar Drive in reference to a ten year old boy who wondered away from home and his parents could not find him.  The child had the mental capacity of a five year old.  After searching for about one and a half hours and not finding the child, they contacted Marshal Darland.  Marshal Darland responded from his home to coordinate and participate in the search for the missing boy.  The joint effort included several agencies.  We are commending all of these agencies including the Ellettsville Fire Department, Monroe County Sheriffs’ Department, Auxiliary Unit, Indiana State Police with a K-9, Indiana Department of Homeland Security Search and Rescue Unit, a Search and Rescue K-9 from Edinburgh, Indiana and local volunteers.  I feel Marshal Darland showed valuable leadership skills during this crisis by helping to coordinate the search parameters and then by joining the search and finding the child himself in a fenced area surrounding the football field at 12:45 a.m.  When Marshal Darland found the child, the child was cold and scared.  The boy was so relieved he kept hugging Marshal Darland.  The officers are very proud of Marshal Darland and all those who put forth such a wonderful effort.  The following members of the Ellettsville Police Department responded and helped search for the boy.  Full-time Officers A. Bohall was off duty, Tony Bowlen was off duty, Steve Bartlett called on early, Eric Chaudion was on duty, Gary Darland was off duty, Craig Davis was off duty, Russell Harris was on duty, Ronald McGlocklin came in early for his shift to help.  Reserve Officers William Benninfield, Matthew Drake and Travis Berrain. (He thinks he included everyone who responded).  He is not sure if he forgot someone; it would be purely by accident.  He also wants it noted that Chief Davis from Ellettsville Fire Department responded from his home to help us by providing some thermal imagining and joining the search effort.  The Monroe County Auxiliary had several members respond from their homes to help us and there were several deputies (too many to name) that stayed late and helped as well as numerous others who came to the area to help.  All and all it was a wonderful effort by all parties. 

Dianna added children wonder away and we are very proud of Marshal Darland.  She thanked him for keeping it low key.  She heard some people are upset because the Marshal did not let the entire community know.  The officer wanted this letter read at a Council meeting and wanted the Council to present a certificate.  The Marshal makes up the certificates and the Council does not have a copy.  She requested Gary Darland to make up a certificate and the Council will sign it.   


Gary Darland responded by saying he appreciates who ever wrote the e-mail.  He is very proud of all the guys; not just the Police Department but the entire law enforcement community.  He felt he was just lucky to find the boy.   They are pulling together as a team to provide the community as good a protection as possible.  This was a learning curve also; it made him aware that we need to upgrade our policies and procedures on what we do when these scenarios come up. 

 

Dianna Bastin announced tonight is the last night for Annie from BCATS.  She will be moving on to bigger things.  She asked that everyone take a moment to say good-bye.

 

Dan Swafford thanked the Marshal, Chief and all the guys involved.  We appreciate it very much.  Dan announced the Fall Festival is getting close.  The new brochures are out.  Sandra stated all the sponsors will have brochures for distribution. 

 

Supervisors Comments

 

Jeff Farmer, Ellettsville Utilities stated their regular Part-time Billing Clerk had the opportunity to take a full-time job.  This job vacancy was posted last month.  Phillip Rogers, Mike Farmer, Becky Wines and Jeff interviewed six applicants and chose Patty Terrell.  With the Council approval, she will start September 11, 2007.  

 

Dianna Bastin made a motion that we approve hiring a Regular Part-time Billing Clerk by the name of Patty Terrell for the Utilities Department.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Roll call vote:  Dan Swafford – yes; Dianna S. Bastin – yes; Ted Robertson – yes; Phillip Rogers – yes; Phill Smith – yes.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Sandra Hash stated the Clerk’s Office will be closed Tuesday to attend training for the 2010 Census from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Everyone in her office will be attending; this is an important issue to get all the people counted.  State Board of Accounts will be in the office for the next three months conducting an audit. 

 

Dianna Bastin attended the annual Fire Department picnic where they honored Bill Carter’s retirement for 34 years of service.  Jim Davis was honored for 36 years of service with a certificate. 

 

Adjournment

 

Dianna Bastin made a motion to adjourn.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried. Dan Swafford adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.