The Independent-News, Volume 119, Number 41, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 24 February 1994 — Page 12

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - FEBRUARY 24. 1994

WALKERTON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES (continued from Page 1) order that the Industrial Fund could buy the property to start the new industrial park. The note stated that payments would be made as ground was sold, with the entire amount being paid no later than Januarv 31, 1992 To date, we have not received any payments. Attorney Holmes said that at one time property was sold, but the Council waived payment so that the money could be used to install streets in the industrial park. The Industrial Fund now proposes a payback schedule of paying the town back at a rate of SI,OOO per acre sold in the industrial park. Attorncv Holmes said that the original agreement has an interest rate of four percent, and he is going to prepare a replacement note with a new balance that will include the interest. Gene Reese made the motion to accept the Industrial Fund’s proposed payment schedule for the promissory note, plus interest. Seconded by Len Jaske. Carried. Attorney Holmes is going to prepare the new note. There was no Citizen’s Input. OLD BUSINESS: The clerk told the Council that Superior Waste has had cost increases and would like to rebid the trash pick up contract. Superior has said that if we have a problem with someone not paying their bill we can notify them and they will stop picking up their trash. There is a problem keeping track of, and getting paid for, the units in the Holston annexation since they aren't on our electric or water service. Many times the office isn't notified when someone moves in, or when they move out. After some discussion it was decided that we will bill Roger Holston, the landlord, for the trash pick up at all the units. He, in turn, can increase the tenant’s rent. Attorney Holmes recommended that we notify Holston of this change. Gene Reese said that he would also like a line in the letter to let Holston know that he is free to come in and discuss this change with the Council. Behr said that the income survey has not yet been certified, as he has not been able to contact John Peckett at IUSB. President Rizek asked Behr to contact someone else to certify the survey, so that we will now be reporting at the second meeting of the month. Behr is still scheduled to come to the first meeting of the month. Carl Solbieralski, Police chief, gave the Council reports for December. January and a 1993 year end report. The Council reviewed daily work sheets that Sobieralski plans to have his officers start filling out. Len Jaske complimented Sobieralski on doing a good job in getting the accumulated time cut down. Gene Reese asked Sobieralski to comment on the new program that one of his officer has started on Saturday afternoons. Sobieralski said that Officer Roby is being responsible for a project at Urey School where kids can come in for some recreation. Kids of all ages are welcome. There was no report from the Fire Department. ■ * DUANE DRAKE’S TREE SERVICE TREE REMOVAL TREE TRIMMING STUMP REMOVAL Estimates Phone (219) 936-6546 Plymouth

Janice Stoneburner and Cheryl Matovich. Ambulance coordinators, gave the Council a report on the runs they had in January. Stoneburner reported that everything is going very well, and they have enough people to run all the hours, it was decided to have attorney Holmes write a letter to former EMT, Jo Haugher. and ask for the return of her radio. There will be a chili supper fund raiser on Saturday night. David Behr reported that he had talked to Tom at Wightman Petrie and found that he has put together all the paperwork for the Farmers Home application, and it will be mailed on Friday. President Rizek asked attorney Holmes how soon we should be moving on a bond issue, and should we be getting bids Holmes answered that one of the first things we need is a project budget. Jeff Zehner is going to call the engineers and see if that has been done. Holmes advised that once we have that, we can get started. Len Jaske asked if Umbaugh will be able to give us a pretty good estimate of rate increases once we get all the costs from the engineer. Holmes answered yes. and they will have to show if this project is feasible from a financial point of view. Behr asked if there are any other funds that can be used for this project. Holmes said that realistically we have to figure the bond at one hundred percent of what's left after the grant has been taken into consideration. Holmes added, that although we have a Capital Improvement Fund, it doesn't make financial sense to spend it down to zero when we are borrowing this kind of money. Behr said that Pioneer Southern had written a letter saying that they would pay $15,000.00 toward the project if it were started in 1993. Holmes told Behr to see if they will confirm it for 1994. Len Jaske suggested that Behr ask all those in the north project if they would be willing to contribute something toward the sewer extension. Holmes said that if we could get $70,000 in contributions, we wouldn’t have to get a loan for that phase of the project. Cheryl Rizek said that after checking the records we found that salaries, for the utilty men, were increased by SBOO.OO in April for 1989 for "stand by" or as bonuses for being called out. Rizek said that she is sure that everyone must understand that if the Counci raised those salaries once, they can't keep doing it over and over. Dave Bolze asked if the Council could raise the standby pay. Len Jaske asked Bolze why he thinks they need more standby pay. Bolze answered that in 1989, SBOO.OO would have gone further than it would now. Jaske replied that the men had also gotten a 3% increase in their salaries for 1994. Gene Reese asked if we have four people who are qualified to do electric standby. Bolze answered that we have three people who are qualified, and one who is in the learning process right now. In the past the superintendent decided who was qualified based on experience and by doing emergency calls with the superintendent. Bolze said that it takes roughly five to seven years to be qualified. Walt Heil asked how much money it would take to put someone on standby. Attorney Holmes said that we couldn't afford it, and it’s against the law. Rizek said that it would really be a bonus type situation. Holmes said that that is why he recommended beepers, so that we don't restrict their movements and don’t pay standby. Gene Reese said that he is concerned because we have always been able to provide real quick service if we have electric problems, and is afraid that it will take a couple of hours if we change over to beepers. Holmes said that all he can tell us, is that other places make it work. Rizek voiced some concern for those who are on life

support. Bolze is to bring information on pagers in to the Council. Len Jaske said that he would like to see employees sign a letter, or something to that effect, showing that each man is aware of the salary he is going to get for the coming year. This would be done in June or July when the Council is working on the budget and deciding salaries. Gene Reese asked about clothing allowances. He said that it is his understanding that each man is given a clothing allowance and it is their responsibility to buy clothes with it. Jeff Zehner said that there is nothing written that gives guidelines for what they should buy. Len Jaske asked if they all have shirts, and Bolze said that they did. Reese said that we are probably taking a percentage out of clothing allowance for tax. The clerk said that yes we do take out taxes, as the $500.00 clothing allowance is added to their paycheck. Reese thinks that we should see if the men would prefer to turn receipts in for clothing they have purchased, and be reimbursed, or if they would rather be paid as they are now. Holmes said that he had previously recommended that the Council set requirments for the uniforms, and then when they buy the clothing it would be nontaxable because it is a required uniform. He said that he thought that in the past, the superintendent didn’t want to do it that way. This will be discussed further at budget time. At the last meeting, the Council had decided that the men who work for the utilities are to get hats with the Town's logo on them. The clerk asked if this cost was to be paid by the men or out of utility funds. Attorney Holmes said that the expenditure was authorized at the last meeting, and should come out of utility funds. Len Jaske made the motion to pay for the hats out of utility funds. Seconded by Walt Heil. Carried. Jaske said that the men should be required to wear the hats. If they don't, they the Council should be made aware of the fact that they are not

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR C ALENDAR YEAR 1993 TOWN OF WALKERTON, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS, DISBURSEMENTS, CASH BALANCES. AND INVESTMENTS BALANCES Total Cash Cash Cash And Balance Disburse- Balance At Investments Fund January 1 Receipts mentv December 31 At Dec. 31 General Fund 122,672.55 478,261.80 468,070.50 132,863.85 132.863 85 Motor Vehicle Highway 43.340.73 54,631.99 54,269 37 43.703 35 43.703 35 Local Road and Street 24.489.45 22,820.36 2,435.50 44,874.31 44.874 31 Parks and Recreation Fund 4,989.28 27,804 84 26,089.38 6,704.74 6,704.74 Cumulative Capital Improvement 17,943.00 12.577.93 13.503.65 17,017.28 17.017.28 Police Accident Report Fund 657.68 317.00 974 68 974 68 Police Firearms Training Fund 468 21 140.00 608.21 608 21 Payroll 4.514.74 516.312.98 516,751.31 4,076.41 4.076 41 law Enforcement Continuing Education 1,043.25 789.00 825.00 1,007.25 1,007 25 Vehicle Inspection 170.00 340.00 510.00 510.00 Cumulative Capital Development Fund 26,749.06 14.987.00 12.551.97 29,184.09 29,184 09 Water Utility - Operating 192,264.09 266,434 18 163.770 54 294.927.73 Water Utility — Depreciation 49.433 67 32,419.58 81.853.25 81,853.25 Water Utility — Customer Deposit 33,639.95 7,950.00 6,233.00 35,356.95 35,356.95 Water Utility — Cash Reserve 260.00 260 00 Sewage Utility — Operating 94.377.64 206.264 81 231,182 79 69.459 66 69.459 66 Sewage Utility — Bond & Interest 27.400.00 27.400 00 Sewage Utility — Replacement 20,387.25 5,469 75 25,857 00 25,857 00 Sewage Utility — Reserve 25,765.01 4,320 00 30,085.01 30,085 01 Electric Utility — Operating 311.209.16 1,681,458.85 1,625.92196 366,746.05 366,746 O' Electric Utility — Depreciation 110,385.78 27,861 21 138,246.99 138,246 9m Electric Utility — Customer Deposit 48,535.75 11,522.22 9,49126 50,566.71 50.566 71 Electric Utility — Cash Reserve 246,940.50 246,940 50 246,940 50 Cumulative Building & Sinking 3,292.28 3,292.28 3,292 28 Park & Recreation Donation 518 46 100 00 618 46 618 46 Cash Change 250.00 250 00 250 00 Petty Cash 115 00 115 00 115.00 Walkerton Continuing Education 785.(0 785 .00 785.00 Garbage/Trash Pick Up 2,159 85 48.654.84 46,148 52 4.666 17 4,666 1' CDBG I oan Proceeds 1,656.70 1,656.70 1,656 70 Interest l amed 51,594 83 51,594.83 Ambulance — D. Eddingcr Memorial 10.420.43 379.98 IO,8(X) 41 10,800 41 Ambulance Donation Fund 205 00 25.00 230.(X) 230 00 Community Development Block Grant (26,036.00) 24,436 00 400.00 Industrial Development Grant 5,804 .00 5,804.00 Solid Waste Management Grant 10,500 00 10,500 00 TOTAL 1,374,818 47 3,542,363 15 3,273,203 58 1,643,978 04 1,643.978.04 A detailed Accounting of Receipts and Disbursements is on file in the Clerk Treasurer's Office and may be reviewed during business hours. LONG TERM INDEBTEDNESS AS OF DECEMBER 31. 1993 Revenue Bonds Outstanding Bonds Outstanding Interest As Os Retired As Os Paid As Os 1-1-93 During 1993 Dec. 31, 1993 During 1993 Sewage Utility 428.000 00 6,000.00 422.000 00 21,400 00 TOTALS 428,000 00 6,000.00 422,000 00 21,400 00 CERTII KAT ION This is to certify that the data contained in this report is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief Judith R Hiler, Clerk Treasurer 510 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, Indiana 465' 4 February 18, 1994 Telephone (219) 586 1711

wearing them. NEW BUSINESS: Gene Reese made the motion to read Ordinance No, 1994-01, An Ordinance Providing for the Transfer of Appropriations in the Various Departments, in short form. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. The first reading of Ordinance No. 1994-01 was accepted on a motion by Len Jaske. Seconded by Gene Reese. Carried. The second reading was acceptcepted on a motion by Len Jaske. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. The third reading was accepted on a motion by Gene Reese. Seconded by Len Jaske. Carried. Len Jaske made the motion to read Ordinance No. 1994-02, An Ordinance Amending the Electric Rate Ordinance to Include Direct Readout of the Power Factor. Seconded by Gene Reese. Carried. The first reading of this ordinance was accepted on a motion by Walt Heil. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. Notice of public hearing at the next meeting, will be published. Len Jaske complimented Dave Bolze for doing such a good job in keeping the water and electric going in the extremely cold weather that we've had. In 1993 we earned interest from C D. investments and cash on deposit in the money market account in the amount of $51,594.83. At the end of the year the interest was spread to the following funds: General Fund — $2,579.74; Electric Depreciation — $27,861.21; Water Depreciation — $12,898.70; Motor Vehicle Highway — $1,547.84; Local Road and Street — $1,547.84; and Sewer Operating — $5,159.50. Walt Heil said that Premdor would like to put on a 70' x 360' addition, and would like to purchase the property that was given to us by the railroad. This property is by the little league park. They need 20 feet for fire clearance, and they only have 10 feet inside their fence. Premdor would use this property as a setback and a fire lane. They would not be building

on this land. Attorney Holmes advised that the Council can declare this property as surplus property, if they wish. The property would then have to be surveyed, at Premdor's expense, we would have to get three appraisals and then we could enter into an agreement with them. Len Jaske made the motion to declare the former railroad property as surplus property. Seconded by Gene Reese. Carried. After some discussion, Walt Heil made the motion to disapprove proposed changes to the By-Laws of the Walekrton Chamber of Commerce. One of the changes would require the Council to appoint one of its members to the Chamber Board of Directors. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. Gene Reese voted nay. Len Jaske made the motion to pay 1994 membership dues to the Chamber of Commerce. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. Claims 79 through 157 for $92,562.33, and Payroll Docket dated February 2, 1994 for $18,957.19 were approved on a motion by Gene Reese. Seconded by Len Jaske. Carried. Gene Reese made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. SOFFIT & FACIA 4 VANDERHEYDEN H LAVtSTROUGH SERVICf J Call 288-7719 FOR RENT NORTH LIBERTY COMMUNITY CENTER AIR CONDITIONED Renting For All Occasions 300 S Main Street Phone 656-4134 nw